A Lazy Saturday Afternoon Is Chock Full of 360 Rumors and News

Ahh, the weekend is finally here. After a long, grueling week of work and other "responsibilities", I've finally found some time to get back to my good ol' gaming blog again. However, while this Saturday afternoon may be a lazy one, this post will not be, as it's chock full of the most noteworthy news and rumors for the Xbox 360 currently making waves 'round the internet.

First, I'd like to talk about Marvel vs Capcom 2. Originally released for the Dreamcast in 2000 and later ported to the PS2 and Xbox over two years later, all versions of this excellent 2D fighter have been long out print. Due to the quality of this title (it's easily among the greatest and most addictive fighters of all time) and obscurity of it (Capcom no longer owns the rights to use the Marvel license, thus they are not legally able to give it a reprint), Marvel vs Capcom 2 has been fetching over $60 on the Dreamcast and Xbox and more than $100 on the PS2 as of late. This makes Marvel vs Capcom 2 one of the most valuable and sought after console titles currently on the market.

Rumors have it that Capcom may be re-releasing this infinitely-playable 2D fighter on both Xbox Live and PSN for an estimated cost of $15-$20 (after the points conversion). Not only has the ESRB rated it for both of the HD consoles, an Xbox 360 Achivements website has released an apparent list of achievements for the game.

Two loopholes stand out here, however. Not only has Capcom never re-acquired the Marvel license, but the achievements website that posted this may very well be the work of a jokester tricking gamers into believing a hoax. Also, the ESRB has rated games in the past that have never been released to the market.

Gamers may very well keep speculating on Capcom's legendary fighter coming to the current gen, but it would be wise not to bet any money on it until a major source (or even Capcom themselves) confirm this.

In other news, the March 2009 NPD sales figures have been announced, and Resident Evil 5 has debuted at the top of charts. Selling almost a million units on the 360 alone, the latest entry in the long-running series beat out even Pokemon Platinum for the DS. Didn't see that coming! Microsoft has also re-designed the notoriously aesthetically displeasing Platinum Hits covers (pictured above), and the company is even rumored to be coming out with a new Xbox Live Upgrade (said to be called 'Vip Membership', a level above the current Gold membership). More on that once some concrete info is released.

Resident Evil 5 - Part of Capcom's Fiscal 2008 Plan?

Capcom recently unveiled their 2008 fiscal plan, and aside from the usual suspects (Devil May Cry 4 on PC and Bionic Commando on the 360, PS3, and PC), their undisputed mammoth also made the list : Resident Evil 5. That means it should see release by March 2009 (which is when their 2008 fiscal plan runs out).

Will Capcom have their behemoth ready for the holiday rush towards the end of the year, or will the company wait for the notoriously crowded Christmas season to end and then put it on the market? Only time will tell, but if history is any indication, it may see a January release ala Resident Evil 4 on the Gamecube. After all, it could make sense for Capcom to put it out during a less cluttered time of year - Metal Gear Solid 3 failed to meet sales expectations back in 2004 due to going against juggernauts like Halo 2 and Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. Then again, I can't think of any titles that enormous making their way to consoles during the fourth quarter 2008 period, so who knows what Capcom will ultimately decide on?

I just hope that Resident Evil 5 meets my expectations and is not a disappointment like some "other" prominent series that made the jump to a new generation (Halo 3 and Grand Theft Auto IV, I'm looking at you).

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