One of the few non-Japanese games announced at the Microsoft pre-Tokyo Game Show press conference was Braid.  Now, we had a strong inkling that this game was coming but now it is official.  And thanks to a visit from one Ghost Hands (aka Jonathan Blow, Braid's designer/programmer) we can now share as much as we know to this point.

A screenshot and links galore after the break.

"...let’s go to synaesthesia."

A strange command, but perfectly suited to Tetsuya Mizuguchi's Rez.  Soon, many who never got the chance to experience the original will be treated to a remastered direct port of the original with an HD makeover and Dolby 5.1 surround sound.

Now that the game is finally confirmed, the media has begun to flow like wine at a Bacchanalian feast.  Admire the rich chocolatey undertones (and hints of oak) in these screens for Rez HD.

Are you prepared for "the ultimate audiovisual experience?"

(Click for full size)

Full Press Release after the break.

SPOnG is reporting that Speedball 2: Brutal Deluxe has been "delayed".  Apparently the game is now in certification and will be released sometime in October.

Straight from the horse's mouth (aka Empire Interactive’s James Spice):

It will be out sometime in October, it’s currently with Microsoft.

The game will cost 800MSP (I guess it's following the Marathon mold).

[via SPOnG]

Okay, so we all know now how wrong I was about the Brutally Fun site.  However, it was not a total loss.  Alongside the announcement of Ninja Gaiden 2 was a bevy of Japanese themed XBLA games that are coming.

And guess what is among them?  Ikaruga.  It even says "available soon."

As awesome as it is to hear Ikaruga's solidly confirmed (not that we didn't expect it), I must say the surprise story for me is the announcement of Rez coming to XBLA.  Then again, maybe it shouldn't surprise me after all.

The full list of mentioned XBLA games is as follows: Every Extend Extra Extreme (Q Entertainment), EXIT (Taito), Ikaruga (Treasure Co. Ltd.), OMEGA FIVE (Hudson Entertainment), Rez (Q Entertainment), Triggerheart Exelica (Warashi), Braid (Number None Inc.), Castlecrashers (The Behemoth), and Schizoid (Torpex Games LLC).

I'm too tired to say anything else of value, so just read the details after the break and let all this all sink in.

News Flash from xbox.com after the break.

[via xbox.com]

With less than 24 hours left to crack the code, speculation has been running wild circles around the tubes in an effort to uncover the true meaning behind the phrase "Brutally Fun".

Based on the color scheme (red/black), the timing of the countdown coming very close to the typical Wednesday release time for XBLA games, and the fact that this game is brutal but fun (or so I hear), my prediction is the release of Ikaruga.

That's all I got.  Go ahead and prep your statements of ridicule for when I'm so wrong it hurts.  If only just the idea of this being true hadn't gotten my hopes up.

[via my crack-riddled brain]

DaKing240 got his mits on a "timed-exclusive" list of all the achievements for the upcoming Tetris Splash.

The achievements themselves seem sorta generic.  You have your "perform a certain line clearing action" achievements and some achievements for completing marathon mode and a couple online ones.  Pretty basic stuff.  At least they all seem attainable with a little elbow grease, so I guess that is good, right?

Well, even if the achievements are a bit lackluster, here is something to bring back the Tetris Excitement.  Be sure to wrap duct-tape tightly around your head or it might just explode from the sheer insanity of this guy's skills.

[Update]: I decided that video is so cool that I should just embed it for everyone.  Enjoy!

[via DaKing240.com]

Just in case you missed it a couple of days ago -- Buried amongst a giant sized marketplace update at Major Nelson's blog was word that yet another game pack for Soltrio Solitaire.  I swear Silver Creek is just toying with me at this point.

Game Pack 7 adds the following gametypes:

The total number of games you can play in Soltrio Solitaire now stands at 87 and the total cost for owning the entire set is 1850MSP (~$23.13).

Which do you all prefer: The more pricey but a la carte Solitaire Soltrio method or the all in one (thus filled with games you won't play) but slightly cheaper (100+ games for $19.95) Hardwood Solitaire method?

The list of what is contained in each and every Game Pack is (as always) here.

[via Major Nelson]