Microsoft reveals details for March Xbox Live Arcade games

Microsoft's got a pretty stellar slate of games scheduled to release on Xbox Live Arcade next month, and to celebrate, and have provided the details of each exclusive release, as well as a plethora of bonuses for Xbox Live Silver and Gold members alike.

The month will kick off with strategy sim Toy Soldiers, which releases on March 3 for $15 (1200 Microsoft Points). March 10 will bring the car combat action of Scrap Metal to XBLA, also for $15. Rare is putting a coat of polish on Perfect Dark, re-releasing the N64 classic with HD visuals on March 17 for $10 (800 MP). The final Block Party release will be the Game Room service, which will be free, though the 30 launch games will run between $3-5 (240-400MP) depending on whether you want to play them on one or two platforms.

Microsoft is surrounding the games with a handful of promotions to sweeten the deal for XBLA fans. Players who purchase the first three games and download Game Room before the end of March will get 400 Microsoft Points deposited back into their Xbox Live accounts, with Gold members getting a month added to their subscription. Xbox Live Silver users will have their own freebie during the month, as Microsoft is opening online muliplayer for each of the month's new XBLA releases for the weekend of March 26-28. Themed avatar gear is also being released on March 3, so that you can deck out your Xbox Live persona with the coolest outdoor party gear, including beverage-dispensing hats and plaid shorts. The avatar accessories haven't received prices yet, because clothes like that are in fact priceless.

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Microsoft's got a pretty stellar slate of games scheduled to release on Xbox Live Arcade next month, and to celebrate, and have provided the details of each exclusive release, as well as a plethora of bonuses for Xbox Live Silver and Gold members alike.

The month will kick off with strategy sim Toy Soldiers, which releases on March 3 for $15 (1200 Microsoft Points). March 10 will bring the car combat action of Scrap Metal to XBLA, also for $15. Rare is putting a coat of polish on Perfect Dark, re-releasing the N64 classic with HD visuals on March 17 for $10 (800 MP). The final Block Party release will be the Game Room service, which will be free, though the 30 launch games will run between $3-5 (240-400MP) depending on whether you want to play them on one or two platforms.

Microsoft is surrounding the games with a handful of promotions to sweeten the deal for XBLA fans. Players who purchase the first three games and download Game Room before the end of March will get 400 Microsoft Points deposited back into their Xbox Live accounts, with Gold members getting a month added to their subscription. Xbox Live Silver users will have their own freebie during the month, as Microsoft is opening online muliplayer for each of the month's new XBLA releases for the weekend of March 26-28. Themed avatar gear is also being released on March 3, so that you can deck out your Xbox Live persona with the coolest outdoor party gear, including beverage-dispensing hats and plaid shorts. The avatar accessories haven't received prices yet, because clothes like that are in fact priceless.

Microsoft spokesman Larry "Major Nelons" Hyrb has more details on his blog, including the fine print you'll want to read when you don't get your rebate right away. Are you planning on buying any/all of the month's games? What about the plaid shorts?