BitSnark

Going on from the success of last year’s ‘Summer of Arcade’ initiative which saw a number of high profile XBLA titles such as Braid and Castle Crashers being released one after another over a five week period, comes the welcome news that Microsoft is set to repeat the practice again this year.

And just like last year, the line-up is pretty strong indeed.

Starting Wednesday July 22nd and every week after that, gamers can get their teeth into the following impressive line up of titles:

“MARVEL vs. CAPCOM 2” (Backbone Entertainment/Capcom): One of the most popular fighting games of all time, “MARVEL vs. CAPCOM 2,” arrives 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, you decide who is the dream team in the ultimate tag-team fighting experience.

“Shadow Complex” (Chair Entertainment and Epic Games/Microsoft): The next evolution in downloadable games, “Shadow Complex” marries the quality and depth of a full retail title, 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 introduces a compelling universe in which you collect items and power-ups, and evolve your character into a force of destruction.”

Splosion Man™ (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, 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.

“Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles™: Turtles in Time Re-shelled” (Ubisoft Singapore®/Ubisoft®): Cowabunga! Everyone’s favorite 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.

“Trials HD” (RedLynx/Microsoft): Put on your helmet, and rev your way through “Trials HD,” a fully-featured, physics-based motorcycle racing game 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 customize your rider to fit your personality.

Oh, and don’t forget, Battlefield 1943 is due out in two weeks.

Time to stock up on Microsoft Points methinks.