Marcos Waltenberg, General Manager of Xbox Global Partnerships & Consumer Products
In anticipation of Marvel Studios’ “Deadpool & Wolverine” coming to theaters on July 26, Deadpool himself has teamed up with Xbox to design a custom Xbox Wireless Controller that everyone will want to get their hands on. Modeled after Deadpool’s much-discussed, perfectly rounded tush, the Deadpool-designed controller is available for one lucky fan to enter for a chance to win via a global sweepstakes alongside other custom Xbox hardware.
On July 22, the first 1,000 fans to purchase an Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 – Core from the Microsoft store will receive an exclusive Cable Guys Deadpool Controller Holder by EXG Pro to ‘enhance’ their gaming setup. Deadpool-themed controller holders are only available in North America and Canada and while supplies last.
The appropriately named “Cheeky Controller” channels Deadpool’s buns of steel in its firm (yet surprisingly comfortable) grip. Designed by the Merc with a Mouth himself, it also comes clad in the anti-hero’s instantly recognizable—and might we add, incredibly flattering—red and black tactical suit. Beginning today, fans aged 18+ around the world can enter for a chance to win by following Xbox on X and reposting the official Xbox sweepstakes post.
Gamers could also win custom Xbox hardware, including a custom Deadpool-inspired Xbox Series X and stand featuring foam versions of Deadpool’s trusty katanas, Bea and Arthur, and two Xbox Wireless Controllers. For further details, check out the official sweepstakes terms and conditions.
For additional content, fans can tune in to Twitch Xbox on July 22 for the official live broadcast from the “Deadpool & Wolverine” red carpet premiere. Fans won’t want to miss this star-studded event! Fans can win prizes that even Wolverine will be keen to sink his claws into.
About Marvel Studios’ “Deadpool & Wolverine”:
Marvel Studios’ “Deadpool & Wolverine” delivers the ultimate, iconic, cinematic team-up throwdown on July 26.
Shawn Levy directs “Deadpool & Wolverine,” which stars Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, Emma Corrin, Morena Baccarin, Rob Delaney, Leslie Uggams, Karan Soni, and Matthew Macfadyen.
Kevin Feige, Ryan Reynolds, Shawn Levy and Lauren Shuler Donner produce with Louis D’Esposito, Wendy Jacobson, George Dewey, Mary McLaglen, Josh McLaglen, Rhett Reese, Paul Wernick and Simon Kinberg serving as executive producers.
Marvel Studios’ “Deadpool & Wolverine” is written by Ryan Reynolds & Rhett Reese & Paul Wernick & Zeb Wells & Shawn Levy.
Today is an exciting day for fans of the Asphalt series, as Asphalt Legends Unite comes to expand the legacy of Asphalt 9: Legends, which brings a slew of new features and finally breaks down the barriers by bringing cross-play for all platforms – it’s an update so big, so transformative that we changed the name of the whole game.
Cross-play will allow you to race against your friends, no matter what their choice of platform is, and deliver a truly global competitive experience for all. This is the first time we’re bringing cross-play for the main Asphalt series, so we also took the time to bring something truly innovative and exciting for our players: a brand-new co-op mode, Team Pursuit.
With Team Pursuit, players can race for the first time in a team-based game mode, taking the role of Syndicate Drivers or Security Agents. The new game mode will task the Security Team with taking out the Syndicate Drivers before the time expires. If they fail to perform 5 Takedowns before the time expires, then the Syndicate Drivers win and live to race another day.
Both teams will have to outdo each other, by either relying on team tactics or individual brilliance. It’s also a complete break from the norm, as racing towards the finish is not the goal anymore, which opens up a whole new dimension of play. Quick brakes to maneuver behind a chasing enemy are as valid a tactic as outracing your opponents.
It will be also one of the few occasions our players will have a chance to put themselves behind the wheel of our Security cars. These souped-up versions of their street legal counterparts also have a few new tricks hidden in their sleeves. All the Security cars will be fitted with a new Nitro Boost, specifically built to help ram your opposition into submission. Security Nitro will be significantly shorter but allow for a faster charging time and more aggressive use. With increased stats and a mean nitro, the Security team will be something to reckon with.
On the opposite corner, we’ll have the Syndicate Drivers, whose sole purpose is to use all their speed and guile to survive. A handpicked selection of rides will be available on free try, to take on the security team. Feel free to pick your favorite rides, as the Security team’s cars will automatically be adjusted to whatever cars the Syndicate will be using. But be warned… if you choose the fastest cars, so will the security team!
As a team, the Syndicate Drivers will also share a total of 5 lives. Although each driver will have a maximum of 2 lives each, if the Security team manages to make 5 takedowns it will be game over! It will be critical to coordinate with your teammates to make the best out of those chances.
The whole team is excited about unveiling our first co-op mode with our players, as this game mode has been floating around the studio as a concept for a few years now, and we even had some community motivation to help goad us on. Just as we were finalizing our plans for cross-platform, one of our content creators, Admega, approached us to set up his own event using a special version of our private lobbies for him to play with his community.
With some creative use of visual layers, he managed to conjure up a good old fashioned cops’n’robbers game mode during a live stream that everyone really enjoyed. Those infectious good vibes during the stream were the final push we needed to take the project from dream to reality. After all, we finally had all the final puzzle pieces in place, with cross-play, friends lists and parties all coming. This was the perfect storm, and we couldn’t miss the boat, so the entire team really put in the extra effort to bring this exciting new mode to our players early, and just to give us yet another reason why Asphalt Legends Unite will be something you won’t want to miss.
Being such a brand-new mode, we’ll also be paying close attention to our community, sharing in their first impressions and having a feel of how it plays out. For launch, we’ll want to make sure our matches and matchmaking feel as smooth and quick as possible, so players will be randomly assigned to either team, allowing them to get a quicker taste of the action. Queueing with friends and parties will be coming in a future update, so worry not, you’ll soon be able to rally your friends together for some Mayhem!
The release of Asphalt Legends Unite will still offer you plenty of chances to play with your friends. After all, the era of cross-platform also comes with a renewed focus on multiplayer, as not only will our Multiplayer mode come with a revamp but Unite will also bring friends lists and Private Lobbies. This means you’ll finally be able to figure out who’s the king of the track amongst your Xbox friend lists, with no excuses! You’ll be able to race any car in your garage, on the track of your choice, with no fuel involved and up to 8 players.
And to welcome all your new friends into the game, we’ll have a special welcome package you can claim just by logging in during our inaugural seasons. Now the real question is… would you rather hunt with the Security team or run with the Syndicate Drivers?
A slice-of-life adventure roleplaying game set in fictional 90s rural India.
A heartfelt story presented in a vibrant watercolour art style.
Developed by an India based studio Niku Games.
InThe Palace on the Hill, out now on Xbox, you play as a teenager living in 90s rural India inspired village. The player character Vir, at the start of his summer vacation, finds himself farming and taking on odd jobs during his summer vacation to help support his father who has suffered farming losses.
The game plays like adventure RPG with life-sim elements. You need to explore locations, forage items, do crafting, run errands, and cooking at the local tea shop to earn money.
With a uniquely set location inspired from rural India, and having a story involving socio-economic struggles of a teenager, the developers aim to tell a tale which is all familiar to many across the world.
Apart from the setting, the game also introduces the players to various cultural elements as small details like the collectible plants, crafting, cooking recipes etc. These things add a bit of surprise and makes it enjoyable to discover all the unique collectibles in the game.
Art of the game is developed by Niku Games’ artist Mala Senwith her previous work being in the field of textile art, she brings a unique handcrafted style to the game’s backgrounds. The vibrant watercolours also give a cozy feel to the environment.
Art plays a major part of the game not just in its development, but in the game’s story as well. The player character Vir is a budding artist who aspires to study in the country’s leading art school. Despite being busy in various game features, the player also progresses the story by collecting special items called References. These items when collected, uncover a little insight about a location, a character, or a legend in the game and helps the player to make paintings. The paintings reveal themselves when all the associated references are collected.
These collectible paintings are inspired by India’s historical miniature art and are a pleasant surprise to the players.
Along the way, you also develop a friendship with Savi, a childhood friend who is now this cool city girl. Savi encourages your passion for art and helps you locate hidden locations in the game.
Together, you explore old ruins dotting the village and make paintings about the stories of a centuries old kingdom. The ruins and the locations in the game are inspired by developers’ own life and travels growing up in the country.
Composer, Srikant Krishna’s music lends an evocative feel to the ambiance of the game with soothing and serene background tracks for each area and for the day-night cycle. The music combines various Indian instruments like the Bansuri Flute, Tabla and the like to create a unique relaxing soundscape. Dive in to the beauty, culture, art and adventure of The Palace on the Hill, out now on Xbox.
A heartfelt story of ambition, struggle, and friendship told from the perspective of a young boy in fictional 90s rural India. This slice-of-life adventure role-playing game offers a multi-faceted experience of India’s culture, art, history, and stories.
“This is a nice, calming SOL that feels very healing. It’s a great option if you’re looking for something cozy to play. Peak iyashikei vibes as it were.”
starshinesMonet
“A love letter to Indian art, history and stories”
Video Games are Good
“An ‘at your leisure’ pace game with beautiful visual art style: compelling characters and great intro to story.”
jadeyr101
Today, Dead by Daylight: Tomb RaiderbringsLara Croft into The Fog, plunging the iconic heroine into one of her darkest adventures yet.
Trapped in a nightmarish reality where not even death is an escape, Lara must use every tool at her disposal to survive against a sprawling roster of merciless Killers. Luckily, she’s uniquely positioned to thrive against unfavorable odds, boasting impeccable athleticism, resolute courage, and the willingness to help those in need.
Survive As Lara Croft
The quintessential survivor, Lara arrives with three unique character Perks, each one inspired by her personality and legacy.
The first is Finesse, a Perk that grants a notable advantage while in a chase – at least, until you get hit. Whenever you’re healthy, your fast vaults will be slightly faster. After doing one, and hopefully gaining valuable ground on the Killer, the Perk will have a brief cooldown.
Not even The Fog can dull Lara’s curiosity, nor her willingness to uncover crucial items. Hardened incentivizes engaging with Chests and Totems, granting you a valuable benefit when you open the former and cleanse or bless the latter. From that point on, every time you scream – whether through a Killer’s Perk or in-game action – you will instead see their Aura.
Specialist also encouragesseeking out Chests, rewarding a Token (up to a max of 3) for opening or rummaging through one. Those Tokens are consumed with every Great Skill Check, instantly reducing a Generator’s max repair progress.
Releasing alongside Dead by Daylight: Tomb Raider is Tome 20: Mythic, which includes the ominous Wraithskin Outfit for Lara Croft. Designed to instill fear in those who prey upon the weak, purchase the Rift Pass and work your way through the Premium Track to embody the wilderness itself.
Experience The New 2V8 Mode
As it turns out, Lara’s arrival to The Fog is just in time for the brand-new 2V8game mode. Set to run from July 25 11 AM ET until August 8 11 AM ET, 2v8 will pit 8 Survivors against 2 Killers in a high-stakes, action-packed experience. With unique character abilities and a reimagined Hook system, this is Dead by Daylight like you’ve never seen it before. Adventure into the unknown with Lara Croft in Dead by Daylight: Tomb Raider, available today on Xbox.
Coming to Game Pass: Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess, Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn, and Dungeons of Hinterberg
Megan Spurr, Senior Community Lead, Xbox Game Pass
If your download queue was feeling a little lonely, we have some updates to fix that. Games available today, games you saw at the Xbox Games Showcase, and everything available day one. Let’s get to the games (and let’s stay in touch, we have another update for you soon)!
Available Today
Magical Delicacy (Cloud, Console, and PC) Available on day one with Game Pass! A wholesome pixel art platformer. Cook magical delicacies from a vast collection of ingredients in your own shop. Explore an unfamiliar town and deliver tasty treats to the townsfolk. Learn new ways to traverse, discover secrets, and experience a unique witchy world.
Flock (Cloud, Console, and PC) Available on day one with Game Pass! Flock is a multiplayer co-op game about the joy of flight and collecting adorable flying creatures with your friends. Soar through beautiful landscapes, seeking out rare and elusive creatures to add to your flock.
Coming Soon
Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S) – July 18 Available on day one with Game Pass! Kill all gods in the upcoming action-RPG from the developers of Ashen! Step into the boots of Nor Vanek, an elite member of the Coalition army, joined by Enki, a fox-like companion, in their quest for vengeance against the Gods. Weave in melee, gunpowder, and magic in rhythmic battles where combos chain together to create a deadly dance.
Dungeons of Hinterberg (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S) – July 18 Available on day one with Game Pass! Welcome to Hinterberg, a new tourist hotspot in the idyllic Austrian Alps! There are plenty of dungeons to find and adventures to be had in Hinterberg – will you be sent packing on your first day, or remain to become a Master Slayer? Master magic, solve puzzles, slay monsters; all this and more await you in Hinterberg!
Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess (Cloud, Console, and PC) – July 19 Available on day one with Game Pass: A unique Japanese-inspired, single player Kagura Action Strategy game. The game takes place on a mountain covered by defilement. During the day, purify the villages and prepare yourself for sundown. During the night, protect the Maiden against the hordes of the Seethe. Repeat the day and night cycle until you cleanse the mountain of defilement and return peace to the land.
DLC / Game Updates
EA Sports College Football 25 Early Access Trial – Available today Try EA Sports College Football 25 today with a 10-hour early access trial. Immerse yourself in iconic atmospheres with Game Pass Ultimate via EA Play. Plus, members score monthly Loyalist Ultimate Team Packs, featuring 4 Gold Players, and save 10% on purchases of EA digital content including pre-orders.
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Perks
Stumble Guys: Cyborg Dance Bundle – Available now Join millions of players and stumble to victory in this fun multiplayer knockout battle royale! Claim the bundle so you can look awesome in your Cyborg Legendary Skin and showoff when you win with your Robot Victory Animation. Make sure to cap it off with something great by using your 250 Gems and 50 Stumble Tokens!
The First Descendant: Launch Edition Bundle – Available now Play the next-generation looter shooter, The First Descendant now and claim your launch bundle for a unique edge in the game, including a back attachment, two weapon skins, and more cosmetic items to customize your Descendent’s appearance!
EA Sports UFC 4: Premium Starter Pack – Available now The legend of the Kumite has influenced thousands of mixed martial artists, unlock vanity inspired by that same tradition with this premium starter pack available with your EA Play membership.
Leaving July 31
You can pick these up for up to 20% off before they go, or quickly find your save file and get those achievements before they’re gone!
A Short Hike (Cloud, Console, and PC)
Train Sim World 4 (Cloud, Console, and PC)
Venba(Cloud, Console, and PC)
Get your controllers some fresh batteries, find the USB dongle for your mouse, we’re all getting ready to download some games. We’ll be back here soon, or you can keep your eyes on social media for PC Game Pass, Xbox Game Pass, and Xbox updates for the latest. Cheers!
A Tourist’s Guide to Dungeons of Hinterberg – Coming Day One with Game Pass
Summary
Microbird’s Regina Reisinger shares the need-to-know sights, sounds, and tastes when exploring Hinterberg.
Dungeons of Hinterberg is broken into four very distinct regions that each have their own pockets of adventure, weather, and monsters.
Dungeons of Hinterberg launches July 18, 2024, for Xbox Series X|S and will be available day one with Game Pass.
Dungeons of Hinterberg – launching July 18, 2024 for Xbox Series X|S (and coming day one with Game Pass) – is a delightful dungeon crawler that blends combat, exploration, and social sim elements into a charming and colorful package. The game takes place within the bustling town of Hinterberg, which has recently found itself full of monsters and magic – and become a tourist destination as a result. It’s here you’ll guide your hero, Luisa, away from her dreary life of a dead-end job to explore the surrounding regions seeking adventure.
But, as a grand vacation, you need to know the sights, sounds, and tastes of where you’re visiting. What are some of the marquee locations that you should track down and discover during your time in Hinterberg? Are there any culinary delights you absolutely must try? What kind of monsters can one expect when traveling from the Doberkogel to the Kolmstein regions? For those answers (and more) we enlisted the help of Microbird Co-Founder and Art Director on Dungeons of Hinterberg, Regina Reisinger to help point us in the right direction.
Your Four Regions
Dungeons of Hinterberg is broken into four very distinct regions, called Overworlds, that each have their own pockets of adventure, weather, and monsters. We asked Reisinger to summarize each of these unique regions.
Doberkogel – “Doberkogel has this lush green meadow and it’s a very chill and sunny atmosphere. Oh, and you can pet the cow (if you want). You can also climb up to the very top of the mountain where it gets a bit rougher, but in general it’s a very relaxing hike up to the Upper Lush Green.”
Hinterwald – “Very deep, dark, and dense. Lots of covered space where you get to hike in various nooks and crannies. It’s a great place for you to get lost in.”
Kolmstein – “Kolmstein is a perpetually snowy mountain, but it’s also very bright with a beautiful blue sky — but always covered in snow. It’s here you get to use a magic hoverboard, so it’s very much like a giant ski slope feeling. Another mountain peak with great sights.”
Brunnelsumpf – “Brunnelsumpf is a perpetually rainy (and a bit foggy) marshland. There are lots of different islands for you to explore – you can rent a canoe to travel to each of them. It’s a bit more like the type of place you’d want to cool down a bit, thanks to its more cloudy and tempered weather.”
Unique, Can’t-Miss Features
If you were planning to take a visit to the town of Hinterberg for the first time, what would be some of the “Can’t Miss” features from each of the regions that you must see before your trip is over?
Doberkogel – “There’s a cool lake to hang out at, and of course traveling up to the summit. On the mountain, there’s a hut where you can sit outside on the balcony and take in the view while sipping a drink or eating a snack. And of course, there’s still the cows.”
Hinterwald – “I think for Hinterwald it’s nice to take a hike up to the windmill, and from there you can look around in the central hill. That’s a good place. And there’s also a nice romantic water mill that you can sit by a little streamlet and meditate along with some castle ruins hidden away that are worth a visit.”
Kolmstein – “There are two peaks connected by a huge, free-hanging bridge where you get a great view over all the surrounding areas. You can walk down this 30-meter bridge, which leads to a cave filled with icicles. That’s a very nice spot. Also, if you go to Kolmstein, there’s a lot of ski lifts and one of them will lead you to a Hut called Edelweiss Rust, which is named after a flower. It’s one of those huts where you can shop for a snack while skiing, and you can sit outside on a bench in the sun. So that’s also a good spot to visit.”
Brunnelsumpf – “There’s an island that has some old castle ruins nearby for you to explore, where you can also access some dungeons; that’s a good spot. And there’s a tent for refreshments, helping you stay out of the rain, rest a bit, and get some refreshments.”
The Must-See Monsters
Hinterberg and the surrounding biomes are filled with a wide variety of monsters and bosses that you’ll have to contend with on your adventures. Here’s a quick breakdown on what type of nasty fiends you can expect to encounter.
Doberkogel – “Kobold’s are everywhere but if you go to the mountains, all the dungeons are mine-themed. The boss is a big worm that can burrow through the earth and lives in a cave in the mountain.”
Hinterwald – “There’s an enemy that looks kind of like an old woman, and she’s called Buschweibchen, which is kind-of “bush woman” in German, so very literal. She will throw poison mushrooms at you, and she can heal. She’s kind of like a forest witch.”
Kolmstein – “There’s an enemy called a Drood. She’s a flying woman with talons. You encounter her a lot and she can conjure thunderstorm clouds and make lightning and bad weather.”
Brunnelsumpf – ”For Brunnelsumpf, it must be the Irrlicht, which is German translation of “Will-o’-the-wisp”. It’s said to be a spirit of people who vanished in a swamp and come back as this little light and kind of lead people astray.”
Must-Try Culinary Delights
If you’re returning for the evening to the village of Hinterberg after a day of adventuring, there are a lot of possibilities for culinary snacks.
“Go to the Main Square and there is a traditional café called Cafe Keindl – they have eismarillenknödel, which is a dumpling of ice cream filled with apricot. That’s very good. And of course, all the chocolate cakes and those kinds of things. And then there’s the local inn, also on Main Square, where you can go in and have a Schnitzel, the absolute classic Austrian dish.”
Meet the Locals (Klaus in Particular)
There are many locals you can befriend during your time in Hinterberg that can give you the lay of the land and help you get acquainted to the peculiarities of the region. There are a few folks you should seek out once you arrive in town, but one of the most important is Klaus.
“He used to be a famous mountaineer in his younger days and is now the guide for onboarding tourists – he will help you on day one and you can go see him at any time. If you visit him later, he will suggest some tips and tricks. And if you’re a good person that collects trash up on the mountain, you can also give it to him for some special rewards.”
Now it’s time to get ready to set out and tour these sights and delights on your own when Dungeons of Hinterberg launches July 18, 2024, for Xbox Series X|S and day one with Xbox Game Pass. Thanks again to Regina Reisinger for helping point us in the right direction.
Pre-order now to receive the exclusive X-Blade Series sword to enhance your adventure!
Welcome to Hinterberg, a new tourist hotspot in the idyllic Austrian Alps! You play as Luisa, a burnt-out law trainee taking a break from her fast-paced corporate life to conquer the Dungeons of Hinterberg. There are plenty of dungeons to find and adventures to be had in Hinterberg – will Luisa be sent packing on her first day, or remain to become a Master Slayer? Only one way to find out…
Snowboard down a glacier, zipline through the forest, climb a mountain, or have a coffee by the lake… There’s no shortage of places to discover while you’re out looking for your next dungeon!
Monsters lurk around every corner in Hinterberg, and your sword and magic skills are essential for keeping them at bay. Harness the wind, conjure a snowboard out of thin air, or freeze your enemies in a jelly block!
Braving a dungeon requires more than just cutting-edge sports gear and a good sword arm: Hinterberg’s dungeons are full of puzzles that will surprise and challenge you. Use your head, your magic skills, and every trick in the book to solve them!
Spend your nights forging friendships with the locals and other adventurers! Some of them will help you get stronger or teach you new tricks, others are just here for excitement and selfies… But good relationships don’t just make your stay more memorable – they’re the key to becoming a better slayer!
We wanted to give a few quick updates to the community about what’s going on with the program while we are currently doing our best to weather an early summer heatwave and keep ourselves cool and safe.
Your Feedback Matters
As with the last update, we want to continue to draw attention to more Community-driven fixes made possible by your feedback. Users reported unexpected behavior with game clips and your feedback was vital to implementing a fix that was released with a recent update to Alpha Skip-Ahead, Alpha and Beta.
The Future of Community Updates
We expect things to pick up over the next few weeks/months where we’ll have more to discuss with our Xbox Insider community. Also, we’re looking to have other members of the Xbox Insider Team bring their voices to the Community updates, so be on the lookout to hear from other members of the team you haven’t heard from before.
A Gracious Thank You
It’s been our pleasure to bring you this latest Community Update for the Xbox Insider Program. If you’d like to chat more about this update (or anything Xbox Insider) be sure to head to the r/XboxInsiders subreddit or follow @xboxinsider.
We can hardly believe at Antstream Arcade HQ that it’s been twelve months since Antstream gloriously returned to Xbox owners. Now, from the comfort of the sofa, controller in hand, anyone with this modern console can enjoy hundreds of retro games. What’s more, Antstream Arcade’s constant commitment to bringing a variety of games to fans means downloading Antstream Arcade to your console instantly brings over ten new retro systems to your fingertips.
Still on the fence about Antstream Arcade? Since the service returned to Xbox, we’ve added dozens of games; here are ten of our favourites across ten different systems, making Antstream Arcade a whole gaming history inside your console!
System: Arcade
Game: Kung-Fu Master
From the arcades of the mid-eighties comes this classic scrolling brawler from Irem. Heavily inspired by the movies of Bruce Lee and the Jackie Chan comedy “Wheels On Meals”, Kung-Fu Master is the tale of Thomas and his battle to rescue his girlfriend, Sylvia, from the clutches of the evil Mr X. Playable and intense, Kung-Fu Master was a refreshing smash in the arcades back in the eighties and set a new template for the beat-em-up genre. Now, you can play it on the Xbox via Antstream Arcade.
Ant-ernative: The Age Of Heroes: Silkroad 2 is another superb addition to Antstream Arcade’s arcade library.
System: Atari 8-Bit
Game: Henry’s House
Like his peer Miner Willy, Henry lives in a bizarre house full of deadly creatures and everyday items. Our hero just wants to shrink back into his bed, but he needs to clean up all the mess, and he’s been literally shrunk, making his house even deadlier. Loosely based upon the recently-born Prince Harry, Henry’s House is a challenging platform game with a twist.
Ant-ernative: Henry’s House – on the Commodore 64!
System: Commodore 64
Game: Way of The Exploding Fist
It’s time to break out the crunching punches and high-flying kicks with this famous beat-‘em-up from down under. A complex set of athletic moves is at your disposal in Fist, from the gut-wrenching mid-punch to a low sweep and the dramatic round-house kick. Way Of The Exploding Fist is a C64 game that’s as playable today as it was almost 40 years ago.
Ant-ernative: Battle Yaemon, the Grand Master of Flame in Gremlin’s gamebook adaptation, Avenger: Way of The Tiger II.
System: Commodore Amiga
Game: First Samurai
Vivid Image’s brilliant Eastern adventure is another recent addition to Antstream Arcade. The player is the titular swordsman thrust across time in pursuit of the evil Demon King. Fast-paced, beautiful, and smooth, this technically impressive effort by Mev Dinc and his team is the perfect slice of Amiga gaming.
Ant-ernative: Take on the Demon King again in Second Samurai.
System: Nintendo Entertainment System (NES)
Game: Nightshade
The violent Sutekh has Metro City in his vice-like grip. The city’s heroic defender, Vortex, is vanquished. Up steps the mysterious Nightshade, ready to track down and foil Sutekh in this remarkable platform/point-and-click hybrid. First, however, he needs to free himself from his chair, preferably before that fizzing bomb goes off…
Ant-ernative: Explore a magical 8-bit kingdom as a famous 18th century author in the fantastic homebrew NES game, Jane Austen’s 8-Bit Adventures.
System: Nintendo Game Boy
Game: BurgerTime Deluxe
This renowned arcade platformer got a smart handheld upgrade in 1991, and you can play BurgerTimeDeluxe on Antstream Arcade now! Chef Peter Pepper stars once more as the under-fire cook, and this Game Boy game features most of the gameplay that made the original such a compulsive experience, now with greater variety in its levels.
Ant-ernative: Another arcade-to-handheld upgrade: Super Hunchback
System: Sega Mega Drive
Game: Speedball 2: Brutal Deluxe
Welcome to the manic, vicious and violent world of Speedball! Based in spirit on the 1975 James Caan movie, “Rollerball”, Speedball 2 is one of the finest futuristic sports games of all time. The objective is simple: catch and throw the ball into the opposition’s goal. But watch out: the other team is likely to slide tackle or even punch your players – all within the game’s rules!
Ant-ernative: Super Kick Off. More football, less violence.
System: Sinclair ZX Spectrum
Game: Saboteur!
Clive Townsend’s heady mix of ninjas and James Bond is a true ZX Spectrum legend that we’re honoured to host on Antstream Arcade. Your task as the eponymous mercenary is to infiltrate the enemy HQ and steal a set of computer disks before escaping in a helicopter. Free-roaming and boasting huge graphics, Saboteur! has rightly become revered among 8-bit fans.
Ant-ernative: You can also play the C64 and Amstrad CPC versions of Saboteur! on Antstream Arcade.
System: Sony PlayStation
Game: Glover
Gaming decisively entered the third dimension in the nineties with the advent of powerful new consoles such as the PlayStation. Antstream Arcade is proud to present one of the finest arcade adventures on the Sony machine, the story of a cute four-fingered glove named Glover, who’s on a mission to collect lost crystals and restore his kingdom to its former glory.
Ant-ernative: Re-Loaded. Slightly less cute 3D action.
System: Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES)
Game: Rival Turf!
Fans of Final Fight and Streets of Rage will find plenty to get their pulses going in this scrolling brawler from Jaleco. In a totally unoriginal development, rival gang The Street Kings has kidnapped your girlfriend Heather, forcing Jack and his friend Oozie to take to the streets to get her back. Punch and kick past a horde of dangerous gang members before facing off against their leader, Big Al. Let’s fight!
Ant-ernative: Brawl Brothers, also from Jaleco.
To keep up to date with all things Antstream Arcade, check us out on Discord, Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) @AntstreamArcade. Pick up Antstream Arcade on Xbox today.
Your ultimate gaming arcade is here with over 1300 classic games from the 80s, 90s, and 00s. Get a full year’s access to the world’s largest official retro gaming catalog of games. Antstream Arcade gives you unrestricted access to some of the best games ever made and new games are added every month. Feel the nostalgia by playing games from your childhood or discover new gems you never knew existed. Experience a world of gaming in a new way with:
* Over 600 original mini-game challenges, with new challenges every month. Take on your friends or the global leaderboards, or just try to earn gold in your favorite games.
* Participate in global weekly tournaments. Take on the world and show everyone your elite gaming skills.
* Set a community challenge with Giant Slayer. Take on the global community of retro gamers by setting a high score and challenging them to beat it. Will the community slay your score or will you be a giant amongst them?
* Pick up that second controller and enjoy some classic couch co-op action with some of the best Beat’em ups, Shmups, Fighters, Platformers, and more at your fingertips.
* Save your game at any point and pick up where you left off. Multiple people playing the same game? No problem, you have 4 save slots on every game to play with and a continue to pick up wherever you left off.
* Leave your mark by immortalizing yourself in the high score table of any game or challenge.
* Challenge a friend in Duel. Play any challenge and see if they can beat you.
Antstream Arcade is the largest Retro Gaming platform with the biggest catalog of classic games that can be streamed straight to you. The Arcade is constantly being updated with new games, challenges, features, and game modes. This purchase gives you a full year’s access and can be extended with 1-year subscription.
Welcome to Next Week on Xbox! In this weekly feature we cover all the games coming soon to Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows, and Game Pass! Get more details on these upcoming games below and click their profiles for further info (release dates subject to change). Let’s jump in!
A roguelike road trip of the damned. Form a party, equip your stagecoach, and set off across the decaying landscape on a last gasp quest to avert the apocalypse. The greatest dangers you face, however, may come from within…
You are valiant space hero who is not as fortunate as those in the golden age of scrolling shooters who had infinite ammo. Instead, you must absorb your enemies’ weapons and retaliate!
Discover pulse-pounding stylized parkour action as you run, jump, smash, and slide through an afro-futurist-inspired kingdom. Enjoy a single-player or two-player local cooperative mode and experience the story of two brothers and their unexpected return to their lost kingdom.
Flock – July 16 Game Pass / Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery
Available on day one with Game Pass! Flock is a multiplayer co-op game about the joy of flight and collecting adorable flying creatures with your friends. Soar through beautiful landscapes, seeking out rare and elusive creatures to add to your flock.
Available on day one with Game Pass! A wholesome pixel art platformer. Cook magical delicacies from a vast collection of ingredients in your own shop. Explore an unfamiliar town and deliver tasty treats to the townsfolk. Learn new ways to traverse, discover secrets, and experience a unique witchy world.
A heartfelt story of ambition, struggle, and friendship told from the perspective of a young boy in fictional 90s rural India. This slice-of-life adventure role-playing game offers a multi-faceted experience of India’s culture, art, history, and stories.
Undertake a mystical journey as Bō, a celestial blossom (fox tentaihana) descended from the heavens to play a key role in an ancient and mysterious ritual. Flow with acrobatic grace and agility through a mysterious world of myth and legend in Bō: Path of the Teal Lotus, a colorful hand-drawn adventure inspired by Japanese folklore.
CLeM – July 17 Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery
A narrative-driven puzzle adventure game with a dark twist. Wake up in a world where puzzles intertwine with exploration, weaving a unique narrative rooted in alchemy. A voice awakens you. It gives you purpose. To guide you, you find a notebook with mysterious entries and a house to explore.
The anime “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba” makes its virtual board game debut! Enjoy events and minigames with up to four players offline or online and compete to become the strongest Demon-Slayer swordsman!
Lose yourself in the world of New York, 2329, where immortality comes at a price that someone must pay. Following a near-death experience, Detective James Karra takes an off-the-books case from his chief with only the help of a young police liaison, Sara Kai, to assist him. Time reveals all as they risk everything in pursuit of a killer, uncovering the dark secrets of the city’s elite.
The most advanced pickleball game ever made! Whether you’re strategizing how to beat your opponent with an Erne or testing your reflexes in a Firefight against Anna Leigh Waters and Ben Johns, this game has everything you love about the fastest growing sport in the USA!
Get ready for a high-octane adventure in RPM – Road Punk Mayhem, a top-down vertical shoot’em up that combines intense bullet hell mayhem with cel-shaded style! Inspired by arcade genre classics, RPM – Road Punk Mayhem lets you choose from 3 pilots of questionable sanity as you cruise through post-apocalyptic stages laying waste to enemy vehicles.
Available on day one with Game Pass! Welcome to Hinterberg, a new tourist hotspot in the idyllic Austrian Alps! There are plenty of dungeons to find and adventures to be had in Hinterberg – will you be sent packing on your first day, or remain to become a Master Slayer? Master magic, solve puzzles, slay monsters; all this and more await you in Hinterberg!
Available on day one with Game Pass! Kill all gods in the upcoming action-RPG from the developers of Ashen! Step into the boots of Nor Vanek, an elite member of the Coalition army, joined by Enki, a fox-like companion, in their quest for vengeance against the Gods. Weave in melee, gunpowder, and magic in rhythmic battles where combos chain together to create a deadly dance.
Schim – July 18 Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery / Xbox Play Anywhere
A game about jumping from shadow to shadow, while interacting with a relaxing and lively environment. Play as a schim that has become unattached to their human being. Can you get back to him before it’s too late?
With immersive graphics and a dark atmosphere, Shield King offers an exciting and suspenseful experience. Explore the mist-affected world, make strategic decisions, and demonstrate your survival skills in a dangerous environment. Good luck on this journey for survival!
Top-down, twin-Stick Shooting, FMV-infused, low-poly, creep infested, plasma blasting, crazily competitive CHAOS!!! Booom-Slang! is stocked up with a cavalcade of insane Single-Player and Multiplayer modes, maps and moments. Are you ready for what Conductor Chaos has in store for you?!
Tactical roguelike action in bite-sized play sessions, pulling you into a lingering and strategic obsession. Bargain with gods, equip your spoon and pick your battles, before retreating into the healing darkness. But beware… there are still many monsters to face!
Dragon Bobby is a uniquely beautiful game with third-person exploration and puzzles that tells the story of a man’s life from birth. You control a dragon that is an analogy of this man in the story; a true reflection on life.
Experience explosive gameplay variety across 134 FBS schools and immerse yourself in the iconic, decibel-shaking soundscape of college football as you chase greatness. Pre-order EA Sports College Football 25 today and receive Alma Mater Ultimate Team Pack, Cover Athlete Ultimate Team Pack, and Bring Glory Home Ultimate Team Uniform Item. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members with EA Play can try EA Sports College Football 25 with a 10-hour Early Access Trial starting on July 16, 2024.
Play as a heroic frog samurai tasked with taking down the deadly snake clan and bringing an end to the war. Your agility and speed will be tested as you go over obstacles, walls and ceilings, and navigate through portals. But be careful, the snakes won’t give up without a fight.
Available on day one with Game Pass: A unique Japanese-inspired, single player Kagura Action Strategy game. The game takes place on a mountain covered by defilement. During the day, purify the villages and prepare yourself for sundown. During the night, protect the Maiden against the hordes of the Seethe. Repeat the day and night cycle until you cleanse the mountain of defilement and return peace to the land.
Soul Searching is a narrative survival game about sailing away from your homeland. Explore a world of islands, dragons, and magic. You can learn about stories of people living on islands you chose to visit, discover dragons, catch fish, customize your boats, find ghosts, cast magic spells, and more.
College Football 25 – Standard Edition
