This week's Xbox Live Arcade games (6-18-09)

June 18, 2:07 AMPhoenix Console Game ExaminerJosh Romero

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Three new games for Xbox Live Arcade this week: Sam & Max: Save the World, Magic: Duels of the Planeswalkers & Rocket Riot

Today on Xbox Live Arcade gamers will be able to purchase, download and play three new games, including the insanely popular card game Magic: The Gathering and the beloved adventure series Sam & Max.

In order to purchase these games you will first need to add Microsoft Points to your account. These can be purchased in stores by buying a Microsoft Points card (make sure the store activates it before you leave) and then entering the code on Xbox Live (press the Home Button and select "Redeem Code" under the Microsoft Tab). Or alternatively you can buy points online using a credit/debit card by selecting a piece of content to purchase and then pressing the X Button to "Add Microsoft Points".

This week's new Xbox Live Arcade games are:

Sam & Max: Save the World
Price: 1600 Microsoft Points ($20)
Developer: Telltale Games
Genre: Adventure (compilation)

Get ready for Sam & Max: Save the World. In this side-splitting six-episode “season” of gaming’s first sitcom. Canine shamus Sam and his hyperkinetic rabbity-thing partner Max are faced with a baffling mystery. All around them, people are ending up hypnotized. Washed-up child stars. The host of a popular television talk show. Even the President of the United States! Can Sam & Max find the mastermind behind this evil scheme before the entire world slips into a hypnotic trance?

Key features of Sam & Max: Save the World include:

* In this first “season” of the episodic Sam & Max series, you get six full games that take Sam & Max deeper and deeper into a sinister mind-control plot.

* Uncover clues, interrogate suspects, crack all six bizarre cases, and find out why Sam & Max is the funniest game series in years!

Magic the Gathering: Duels of the Planeswalkers
Price: 800 Microsoft Points ($10)
Developer: Stainless Games
Genre: Card Game (TCG)

An extension of the world’s premier trading card game, Magic: The Gathering - Duels of the Planeswalkers brings a pulse-pounding mix of strategic thinking, fantastic artwork, and arcade-style thrills to Xbox LIVE Arcade. Experience an epic game of fantasy and strategy, as never before, when you take on the mantle of a Planeswalker—a powerful mage capable of traversing the infinite planes of existence — and forge your destiny!

Key features of Magic the Gathering: Duels of the Planeswalkers include:

*Easy to play: The game includes a robust tutorial mode.

* New character: A brand-new, exclusive character debuts in the form of the Planeswalker. Nissa Revane, a proud and ruthless nature-mage.

* Multiple game modes: Play single-player, co-op custom and co-op campaign games. Participate in various multiplayer modes, and play with friends around the world using customized decks.

* Leaderboards and achievements: Climb to the top of the leaderboards and earn gamerscore from achievements.

* Unlockable content: Obtain additional cards, avatars, and skins.

* Challenge/Puzzle mode: Play the special puzzle mode developed by Wizards of the Coast.

Rocket Riot
Price: 800 Microsoft Points ($10)
Developer: THQ
Genre: Side-Scrolling Shooter

Strap on your bazooka soldier, and get ready for the awesome action-packed side-view shooter Rocket Riot. In this highly stylized eight-bit era style game, blast your way through the environment against enemies or multiplayer foes online. Navigate through a completely destructible environment, uncover special power-ups, or even burrow into different areas of the map. The map regenerates, keeping the action fast-paced, but time doesn’t heal all wounds.

Key features of Rocket Riot include:

* Missions: Engage in 80 single-player missions of progressively increasing difficulty.\

* Multiplayer: Rocket through four multiplayer modes against up to eight players on Xbox Live or up to four players on a single screen.

* Customization: Customize your soldier by selecting his color, armor, and more.

* Environments: Fly through continuously regenerating maps that keep the action fast-paced — but time won’t heal all environmental wounds.

* Power-ups: Discover tons of power-ups to give your character destructive powers or humorous disadvantages, from guided rockets and massive block destruction to rocket magnetism, and dizzy missiles.