Marketplace Roundup: 6-30-06

Some may say that the summer doldrums are here, but no one has bothered to tell that to Xbox Live® Marketplace. The continually evolving service is adding new content regularly, and the last couple of weeks have been no exception. Here are the highlights of what's new on Marketplace:

More GRAW is good for everybody.

Chapter 2
Certainly the biggest bang on Xbox Live Marketplace recently has been the mammoth new download for Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter™. This "Chapter 2" download provides four massive new cooperative campaign missions, several new guns, new camo, and even new multiplayer game-types. You can get the full skinny from either the overview piece that highlighted the additions, or our hands-on feature, with deeper focus on the new co-op missions.

Wimbledon Demo
With Wimbledon in full swing this fortnight, there's no better time for Top Spin™ 2 to offer a grass-court specific downloadable demo, highlighting its classic gameplay on the most traditional of tennis surfaces. Like all demos on Xbox Live Marketplace, the Top Spin 2 Wimbledon Demo is free of charge. Take a gander at our hands-on preview of Top Spin2 if you're interested in more details.

Top Spin 2 offers a sneak peak at its tennis delights.

Video for Download
The entertainment industry continues to embrace Xbox Live Marketplace as a great place to highlight upcoming movies, TV shows, and events. Here's what's fresh and on tap right now:

• Man of Steel: The rebirth of the Superman franchise hits Xbox Live Marketplace with not one, not two or three, but five different trailers highlighting Supes triumphant return. For behind the scenes fanatics, you'll also find video journals from director Bryan Singer.
• Jack Sparrow, Part Deux: The second trailer for the massively anticipated Pirates of the Carribean: Dead Man's Chest is now available, and gives a more telling glimpse at the new threat Jack Sparrow and company face.
• The Descent Trailer: Claustrophobia and unnerving supernatural horror? Yep, that's right. The horror genre is on the upswing, and if you don't believe me, give this unsettling trailer a look-see, as a group of young women go cave crawling, only to be trapped and hunted deep underground.

Next-gen mech warfare is coming soon.

New Themes and Gamer Pictures

• Universal Football Fan 2006: With the World Cup upon us, this collection of international themes and gamer pictures is both timely and filled with national pride. Whatever your allegiance, you'll find your World Cup teams represented here.
• Chromehounds: The epic mech simulation game is approaching quickly, and this massive picture pack featuring the various combatans in the Chromehound™ universe is now available.
• Street Fighter: It's true, Street Fighter 2 Hyper Fighting hasn't yet dropped on Xbox Live Arcade, but one drop dead gorgeous theme and a collection of classic Street Fighter gamer pictures will tide you over until the main course arrives.

While game releases may have slowed down a little, Xbox Live Marketplace hasn't let up one bit. The above comprise many of the major new releases on the service, but remember, it's constantly updating, so check the categories frequently. You never know what you may find.

Article by Ryan Treit