Mark your calendars: Xbox LIVE Arcade is once again bringing you the hottest downloadable blockbusters! 

SYDNEY AUSTRALIA – JULY 13, 2009 – Last year, Xbox LIVE Arcade marked a new era of quality downloadable games during the first annual Winter of Arcade program with “Castle Crashers,” which was voted Best Game of the Year in the 2008 Xbox LIVE Arcade Awards and has generated more than US$10 million in revenue to date. The imaginative and innovative “Braid,” beat out retail blockbusters to be one of the top ten Xbox 360 titles of 2008, proving that Xbox LIVE Arcade is home to the best and brightest digitally distributed games available.

This year, Xbox LIVE Arcade is at it again. No matter what kind of games you enjoy, the second annual Winter of Arcade turns up the dial with original Xbox 360 exclusives like the award-winning “Shadow Complex,” the fresh and ridiculously funny award-winner “Splosion Man,” and remade classics like “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles™: Turtles in Time Re-Shelled.”

“The second annual Winter of Arcade continues our legacy of delivering popular downloadable games right to your Xbox 360,” said Andrew Jenkins product marketing manager, for Microsoft Game Studios software and Xbox LIVE. “Last year’s program introduced blockbusters that changed the face of Xbox LIVE Arcade. This year, we’re excited to take Arcade to a whole new level and deliver on our promise of quality yet again with all-new smash hits like the highly-anticipated ‘Shadow Complex’ and ‘Trials HD.’”

The second annual Winter of Arcade begins July 23.

July 23: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles™: Turtles in Time Re-shelled | 1200 Microsoft Points

(Ubisoft Singapore®/Ubisoft®): Marking the franchise’s 25th anniversary, everyone’s favourite Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles game is back with a brand new look in “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles in Time Re-Shelled.” The arcade classic has been revamped with all new 3D graphics, but the same classic beat ’em up gameplay.

July 30: Marvel vs. Capcom 2 | 1200 Microsoft Points

(Backbone Entertainment/Capcom): One of the most popular fighting games of all time, “Marvel vs. Capcom 2,” arrives worldwide on Xbox LIVE Arcade. Choose from 56 legendary characters from Marvel Comics and Capcom history, including Ryu and Wolverine. With online multiplayer over Xbox LIVE and enhanced HD graphics, decide your own dream team in the ultimate tag-team fighting experience.

August 5: Splosion Man™ | 800 Microsoft Points

(Twisted Pixel Games/Microsoft): Fools they were, to tread where knowledge should stay forbidden.  For what emerged was not a man – it was a Splosion Man. “And all who saw him were sploded, for he was the fire and they were but meat.” Able to splode himself at will, the Splosion Man launches his way through levels as an uncontainable force.  From Twisted Pixel Games, developer of the award winning The Maw™, Splosion Man will keep you on your toes as you play through more than 50 single-player levels and 50 multiplayer levels. Nominated by GameSpy, Gamespot, IGN, and 411mania, this meat-riddled splosion-fest took several Best of E3 awards including Best Platformer and Best Downloadable Game.

August 12: Trials HD | 1200 Microsoft Points

(RedLynx/Microsoft): Nominated for GameSpy’s Best Downloadable Game of E3 award, “Trials HD” is guaranteed to get our heart racing.” Put on your helmet, and rev your way through “Trials HD,” a full-featured, physics-based motorcycle racing platformer in stunning HD graphics. Tear up more than 50 tracks and test your metal in two unique game modes: Race and Skill. Create, share and download an unlimited number of free tracks with the level editor, and customise your rider to fit your personality.

August 19: Shadow Complex | 1200 Microsoft Points

(Chair Entertainment and Epic Games/Microsoft): Winner of numerous Best of E3 awards including Best Downloadable Game from 1UP, IGN, GameTrailers and G4TV, “Shadow Complex” is the next evolution in downloadable games. “Shadow Complex” marries the quality and depth of a full retail title with the stunning visuals of Epic Games’ industry-leading Unreal Engine 3, and a classic side-scroller. Set in the world of Orson Scott Card’s best-selling novel, “Empire,” Shadow Complex provides more than 10 hours of in-depth gameplay and introduces a compelling universe in which you collect items and power-ups, and evolve your character into a force of destruction.”

More detailed information about Winter of Arcade can be found by visiting: http://www.xbox.com.au/winterofarcade/