E3 2010: Castlevania, Lara Croft highlight this year's Summer of Arcade @ Gaming Target

Written by John Scalzo on June 15, 2010

News: The first 2D Castlevania on a console in over a decade is coming this July.

Microsoft has revealed that their annual Summer of Arcade will continue for a third straight year with the announcement of the five titles that will make up this year's promotion.

Beginning sometime in July, the highlight of the promotion is most definitely Castlevania: Harmony of Despair. Developed by series producer Koji Igarashi, the game is the first original 2D Castlevania game to be released for a home console in over a decade. It will joined by Lara Croft and the Guardian of the Light the first download-only entry in the Tomb Raider series; Hydro Thunder Hurricane, a "full-featured sequel to the legendary arcade racer"; Limbo, a black-and-white puzzler; and Monday Night Combat, a stylish third-person shooter that takes more than few storyline cues from Smash TV and The Running Man.

No specific release dates or prices were announced for any of the Summer of Arcade titles, but you can find more information on all of them here:

Castlevania: Harmony of Despair (Konami Digital Entertainment) - Dracula takes a bite out of Xbox Live Arcade with УCastlevania: Harmony of Despair.Ф This fast-paced 2D side scroller takes vampire hunters on a chase to bring Dracula, the Lord of Darkness, to his eternal slumber. Designed by the producer of the legendary УCastlevaniaФ series, Koji Igarashi, УCastlevania: Harmony of DespairФ allows friends to play together via online co-op story mode or duke it out to see who the best vampire hunter is in Survival Mode.

Hydro Thunder Hurricane (Vector Unit, Microsoft Game Studios) - УHydro Thunder HurricaneФ is the all-new, full-featured sequel to the legendary arcade racer. Featuring rocket-powered speedboats blasting across amazing dynamic water, gorgeous visuals and interactive environments packed with shortcuts and surprises, this is the adrenaline-drenched sequel fans have been waiting for. Dive into intense multiplayer races with up to eight players on Xbox Live, up to four players locally, or even mix local and online games.

Lara Croft and the Guardian of the Light (Crystal Dynamics, Square Enix Europe) - УTomb RaiderФ heroine Lara Croft makes her headlining debut in this co-op, multiplayer action and adventure game. УLara Croft and the Guardian of the LightФ combines the hallmarks of the classic УTomb RaiderФ franchise including exploration, discovery and puzzle solving with fun and fast-paced combat to create a game that is a great balance of cooperation and competition. Choose your own solutions and explore various paths through the dense jungles of Central America as you solve puzzles to win the game.

Limbo (Playdead, Microsoft Game Studios) - Uncertain of his sister's fate, a boy enters УLimbo.Ф This summer, experience his journey Ч through a world media are calling hauntingly beautiful and philosophically provocative Ч in this Independent Games Festival award-winning title.

Monday Night Combat (Microsoft) - УMonday Night CombatФ takes you into the most popular lethal sport of the future. This third person shooter blends intense combat, finishing moves and game show-like challenges to give you an action experience unlike any other. Rather than fighting for honor or duty, УMonday Night CombatФ lets you fight for the real American dream Ч cash, fame and endorsements.