XBLA Block Party releases dated; Fret Nice this week @ Gaming Target

Written by John Scalzo on February 22, 2010

News: Greed Corp and Lazy Raiders releasing this week as well.

The start of Microsoft's Xbox Live Arcade Block Party is a little more than a week away and today they announced official release dates for the promotion's full slate:

March 3: Toy Soldiers (1200 Microsoft Points)
March 10: Scrap Metal (1200 Microsoft Points)
March 17: Perfect Dark (800 Microsoft Points)
March 24: Game Room (Free to download. Individual games will cost 240 to 400 Points)

Microsoft has also announced that if you you purchase all three Block Party titles and download the free Game Room front end application, you'll account will be refunded 400 Microsoft Points. And if you're an Xbox Live Gold Member, you'll also receive a free extra month added to your Gold subscription.

However, Microsoft hasn't forgotten about the Silver members either as the company plans to offer a free weekend of online multiplayer for all Block Party games starting Friday, March 26 at noon (Eastern Time) and going until Monday, March 29 at noon (Eastern Time). Obviously, you'll have to purchase any Block Party games you want to play online during this free weekend.

For this week, Microsoft plans to add three new games to the Xbox Live Arcade:

Fret Nice, a guitar-controller controlled platformer will be available for 1200 Microsoft Points ($15).

Greed Corp, an online multiplayer strategy game for 800 Microsoft Points ($10).

Lazy Raiders, a puzzle platformer for 800 Microsoft Points ($10).

More information on all three games can be found at the bottom of the article.

Finally, Microsoft has announced this week's Xbox Live Arcade Deal of the Week. It's Duke Nukem 3D and Xbox Live Gold members can download it for 50% the regular (400 Microsoft Points or $5) until March 1st.

Fret Nice
Developer: Pieces Interactive
Publisher: Tecmo
Fret Nice is a 2D platformer that will rock your world. Control your character through funky-fresh stages to explore hidden areas, collect items, and clash note-for-note with outrageous heavy metal bosses! Rock out by blasting enemies with riff combos and creating your own sounds with each "strum" of a chord! Every playthrough offers an ever-changing sonic adventure.

Greed Corp
Developer: W! Games
Publisher: Valcon Games
Why share when you can have it all? Greed Corp is an online multiplayer strategy game in which you battle for dominance over a world once rich in resources. In order to prevail, exhaust all the remaining resources to build an army, and then use the depleted collapsing terrain to your advantage. An extensive campaign mode and multiple unlockables prepare you to take the battle online. Will you defend your territory or sacrifice it to keep it out of enemy hands? Manage the finite available resources to build your army and use the unique collapsing terrain mechanic to your advantage, all while the mist grows closer...

Lazy Raiders
Developer: Sarbakan
Publisher: Sarbakan
Dr. Diggabone's getting too old for archaeological digs, or so he says. Truth be told, he's just plain lazyЕ That's where you jump into Lazy Raiders and take control as you spin and flip mazes to send the Doctor or your Avatar on a gravity-defying quest for lost relics that would bring him instant fortune and glory. Of course you'll have to deal with greedy thieves, pesky minions, and ingenious traps along the way. If there weren't any challenges, you'd just grow lazyЕ and we wouldn't want that, would we?