Xbox Marketplace Update: January 4, 2012

Welcome everyone to the first Xbox Marketplace Update of 2012!  Hopefully everyone had a safe New Year’s, and with 2011 in our rear-view mirrors, the upcoming year is looking to bring multiple blockbusters on every system.  Microsoft has a couple gems on the way this year, but like the lackluster final deal of 2011 (Modern Warfare 1 + 2 DLC?) this year isn’t really starting out with anything special.  Thankfully, we’re getting a revival of a popular classic and can gain access to an exclusive Beta this week.

Deal of the Week (Gold Members)

January 3 – January 9

(Details on tracks included can be found here)

  • Dance Central Dance Pack 01 (or 02 or 03)  – 640 pts
  • Dance Central Dance Pack 04 – 640 pts
  • Dance Central Dance Pack 05 – 480 pts
  • Dance Central Dance Pack 06 – 960 pts
  • Dance Central Dance Pack 07 – 960 pts
  • Dance Central Marathon Pack 02 – 1500 pts
  • Dance Central Marathon Pack 01 – 1400 pts
  • Black Eyed Peas – I Gotta Feeling – 160 pts
(oddly included but never mentioned is)
  • Uno – 400 pts 200 pts – The card game similar to Crazy Eights is on sale for $2.50 this week.  I personally feel that the game is fun though severely outdated (It supports the original Xbox Camera.)  I’d suggest visiting your local game store and purchasing a copy of the Sega Superstars Tennis/XBLA Compilation Disc 2 for dirt cheap.  It’s only $3 at GameStop and that’s worth it for the included Pac-Man Championship Edition alone!

EA is also doing a special Publisher’s Sale with nothing too noteworthy aside from decent savings on Deathspank and minor discounts on some DLC.

EA Sales Page 1
EA Sales Page 2

Xbox LIVE Arcade

Release Date: January 4, 2012
Price: 1200 pts
Developer: EA Tiburon
Publisher: EA Games

The big hits and stellar plays are back with all-new NFL Blitz. Featuring a combination of the arcade-style gameplay that made the original a hit and the deep, immersive game modes of today, NFL Blitz is recharged with an energetic, football gaming experience. Whether battling your rival in a 7-on-7 grudge match, fighting your way through a season of the Blitz Gauntlet, or taking over the online Battle Boards in Blitz Battles, Every Game Is a Two-Minute Drill with NFL Blitz! Stay tuned for a review in the coming week.

Games on Demand

  • Backbreaker – $19.99 – Not worth your money. Game is fun but with an arcade sequel that’s more enjoyable and cheaper, I’d say save your cash.
  • Record of Agarest War Zero – $29.99 – This turn-based RPG is a prequel to the 2010 NA release Record of Agarest War.  If you were a fan of the original then this purchase should be a no brainer but for newcomers I’d say wait for a price drop.
  • Naughty Bear – $19.99 – This is the gold edition featuring three additional chapters of bear killing madness.  This third person title channels some Hitman though nowhere nears the enjoyment.  The camera is irritating and while the game can be enjoyable (I completed it) it’s not nearly worth the asking price.
  • Super Street Fighter IV – $29.99 – The definitive version (at least until Ultra Hyper Mega Super Street Fighter IV Making the Previous Release Obsolete releases) brings ten new fighters, more balanced combat, bonus stages and the new replay channel.

Notable DLC

  • Microsoft Flight – Beta Sign Ups – This Spring Microsoft Flight is coming to Windows (sorry no support for Xbox 360.)  You can sign up for the beta now though to test out what people can play for free come April.  Players can even get achievements when the game releases.  More details can be found here.
  • Saints Row The Third: Invincible Pack (DLC) – 240 pts – Unlock the Get Down Cheat that makes you ultra limber, get better guns and better health, and have infinite Mass for your vehicles plus Super Explosions.  Basically, you’re paying for cheat codes that years back would have been included for free.  I thought Capcom and EA Sports were the only two that did that crap?

[Source: Xbox]

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