Achievements have hit the tubes for the following games (as if you didn't read the headline): Word Puzzle, Every Extend Extra Extreme (affectionately referred to as E4), and Mutant Storm Empire. 

Did I just die and go to heaven?  No, not quite.  These games aren't coming out quite yet, just exposing themselves a bit. 

But seriously, E4 and Mutant Storm Empire?!  I might pass out just from the mere possibility of those games coming out on the same day.  I even have points buring a hole in my digital wallet.

Oh well, guess I'll have to settle for Puzzle Quest.

(Poor Word Puzzle just got beat down by some XBLA juggernauts.)

Direct links (with highlights): 

Word Puzzle (Decent variety, if pedestrian)
Every Extend Extra Extreme (Try earning 15 trillion points -- Yes, trillion.)
Mutant Storm Empire (The return of the Black Belt Grandmaster...but only 16 levels?)

[via X360A.org]

David Edery, Worldwide Portfolio Manager for XBLA, has spoken to Develop Magazine about the ups and downs of developing on and for XBLA.  There are plenty of choice quotes to pull but I have only pulled five.  I'll let those truly interested read the whole two-part article (Part 1, Part 2).

To whet your appetite (or just upset you) I've got some teaser quotes after the break.  Read 'em, comment on 'em, comment on something else entitrely -- whatever floats your boat. 

[via Develop Magazine]

Want more content for Band of Bugs?  (If you're like me you need it.)  Then check the arcade this Wednesday because a new single-player campaign expansion will be there to greet you.

The new campaign is called Ninja Sticks of Fury. (Which is a name fills me with shocking awe.)  Details as follows:

• A full new campaign, with new characters, environments, and scripted event-filled levels.
• There's even more content for the map editor! (The snowy tileset is my personal favorite from when I saw it months ago!)
• The new pack includes a new achievement, and the levels in the Ninja Sticks campaign count toward the Gold Star achievement.

For those hardcore players out there this set of missions is purportedly tough.  Mega-tough.  But I know you are all up for a little challenge, so go get it.  If all that is not enough to convince you, check out the trailer -- embedded below to combat your laziness.

[thanks to dezombie, Dan of VGToys.com, and also the Ruler of NinjaBee Nation -- Steve Taylor]

After the break, another NinjaBee t-shirt contest (courtesy of VGToys.com) and a personal note about Band of Bugs.

This has become very old hat for us.  Another rumor was just declared fact (sans Albatross this time).  PopCap Games has announced their very own retail release of their popular XBLA games.

Not content to be the "#1 developer on XBLA", PopCap Games will be bringing PopCap Arcade Vol. 1 to stores on November 15th.  What you need to know is that the disc will include Bejeweled 2, Feeding Frenzy, Astropop, and Zuma -- all for the low price of $29.95. 

Since the combined price of all four games is essentially $40 (3200MSP) this seems like a decent deal, but only if you don't own any of these games and want all of them.  Otherwise, the a la carte menu of XBLA can serve you just what you want without extra baggage or cost.

Of course, didn't everyone that wanted Zuma get it when it was on sale (thus making this retail release of limited value)?  Then again, I doubt PopCap is shooting for the XBLA-fiend demographic.  Surely they're thinking soccer moms and people without broadband (gasp).

(And yes, I ganked that image from GameFly, where the rumor originated.)

Full Press Release after the break.

Looks like publishers are taking XBLA announcements into their own hands.  First, a little birdie from D3 told us that Puzzle Quest was coming this week.  And now, Empire Interactive's albatross flops unceremoniously down upon our unsuspecting crowd and squawks "Speedball II: Brutal Deluxe will arrive on October the 17th!"  At which point, our stunned faces watch as the awkward bird stumbles and bumbles its way back into the air to squawk another day.

My metaphor just ran aground.  Nothing to see here.

Looks like the word on the street was only a few weeks off.  Now if only they could decide if the logo's "2" is right or if it's "II", I would be one happy blogger.

(Let me foreshadow the coming tide, "Now where the heck is Sensible Soccer?")

[Update]: The price quoted in the press release was 800MSP.

[via Empire Interactive Press Release (PDF link), thanks Xboxic]

Everyone is shocked.  Rumor proved true.  Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords, everyone's favorite match-three roleplaying game mashup (okay, only match-three RPG mashup), will be arriving in just two short days.

And what's tagging along beside it in the trip from vaporware to gaming reality is the little promotional car game that could: Yaris.  Oh, and it's free.  Yaris just went from your "whatever" list to your "download now" list, didn't it?

Oh, and Puzzle Quest is indeed 1200MSP.  Let the debate begin! 

Full details after the break.

Screens on Gamerscoreblog's Flickr for: Puzzle Quest or Yaris

[Update]: Apparently Yaris is only free/available in the U.S./Canada.

John Porcaro of Gamerscoreblog says:

The Yaris game isn't available worldwide because the game's portrayal and model options of the Yaris aren't available in all global markets, and the specific brand positioning of the Yaris is unique to the U.S. and Canada.

[via Gamerscoreblog]

Here we are again.  Another week, another list of crap we posted.  Enjoy.  Or not, I suppose.  If you want to be a big curmudgeon, go ahead.  It's your life.

XBLArcade Features and Exclusives:

• XBLA Top 10 -- Week of 9/24/07 --The Return Edition
• Please Be Soon: Mutant Storm Empire OnTheSpot
• XBLA Top 10 -- Week of 10/01/07 -- Familiar Edition

Other News:

• Brutal Surprise: Speedball 2 Joining Tetris This Week? [Update]
• Admit It Already: Evidence For XBLA Core Mounts
• Wednesday's Haul: More Than I Expected
• It Not Just About Teamwork: Schizoid Preview
• Minter Wants To Shock The Kiddies: Gridrunner++ Inbound
• Real Competition: RealNetworks Preps For XBLA Onslaught
• Match Three of Doom: Puzzle Quest This Wednesday?

And remember, this post is still a work in progress so let us know how you feel about it (and the rest of the site). You can give us feedback in the comments below or email us through our tips line (or just email us at Contact@XBLArcade.com).

In fact, answer this question for us: Which day should the review be on (since I can't seem to pick one)?  Friday?  Sunday?