If you have played Peggle on any of the multiple consoles where it has been previously released, you know what you are getting into with the XBLA release of this addictive puzzler. The game is essentially the same as previous releases and there is very little wrong with that.

Unless you have been living under a rock, then you have missed out on this simple, yet enthralling game that leads to a lot of gamers saying "just one more level" while playing. The premise of Peggle is to aim and release a ball, attempting to hit all of the orange pegs scattered across the level. To clear each stage, the player must clear these pegs before depleting the 10 ball inventory.

Also in each level are green pegs. Once hit, one of 10 special abilities becomes available. At the bottom of the screen is a moving basket. If your ball lands in it, you will receive an extra ball. This moving target provides an extra opportunity for strategy. Other bonuses pop up throughout the game to ensure that repetition never sets in.

Once all of the orange pegs are cleared, a euphoric like screen commences (as seen above) with slow motion movement and Beethoven's "Ode to Joy" ending each level.

There's nothing like a daily dosage of manifest destiny on your mobile device, right? If you've never heard of Oregon Trail, you've lived under a rock for the past 30-plus years, as the original version was released in 1971 by MECC and played in computer labs at schools for decades. And with Gameloft's new release of the title, that educational background and dusty western-world swagger come together once again, updated with cartoony graphics, fun sound effects and extended gameplay with mini-games never seen before.

Like the original, you're given the choice of what month to leave, which wagon to venture with and papa's profession -- the banker with the most money, but the carpenter with special skills for repairing damages. Customize names of your family (father, mother and three children) and keep them healthy along the way by not going too fast on the bumpy trails or forgetting to obtain food.

The title is packed with fun mini-games, like hunting, fishing, collecting berries, crossing rivers or repairing the wagon, all done by tapping the screen at the correct time in a timely fashion, conquering the goal set out for you. Bubbly characters are roadside along the way, giving you the option to talk to or help them if need be. When rivers must be crossed, sometimes it's better to take a pricy ferry, keeping little Timmy and Tammy from drowning. Press along hundreds of miles to Willamette Valley in Oregon, your final stop.

Loading screens cluster up the game a bit, popping up inbetween every little event, although they do offer a fun, educational fact about the real Oregon Trail and the journey-goers who took the dangerous trip years ago. There have been complaints of crashing, sending you back to your iPhone/iPod main screen, but your game is always saved and easily accessed once reopened. But overall, the game is too packed with content to pass up. Get it, partner.

Verdict: Buy

The Info: Platform: iPhone/iPod Touch, Seller: Gameloft, ESRB: E, Size: 49.9 MB, Players: 1, Price: $5.99

Related Links: Weekly 360 and Wii downloads are worth a look. Did you hear Head On is coming to XBLA. And answer our weekly question here.

 

 
 
 

 

Rock Band gets its groove on this week, offering up its first "Get the Funk Out" track pack. Songs from James Brown, Earth, Wind and Fire, Papa Roach, Average White Band, Against Me! and The New Pornographers could be yours if the price is right.

I'm a huge Earth, Wind and Fire fan so I'm pretty stoked about this pack. But I've always wondered how these guys made any money. They have about 20 guys in the group (don't let that picture above fool you, they just couldn't fit the rest of the band in the frame), that's a lot of ways to slice a buck.

Xbox 360 gamers can download the new pack today, PS3 gamers have to wait until Thursday. Hit the jump for the offical press release.

Editor's Note: After this article was posted new Wii DLC was announced. It includes all the Get the Funk Out content plus 3 songs from The Who. That press release has been added to the jump.

Related Links: Check out what new games are available for download this week. Have you answered the new GPArcade question of the week? New RE: 5 DLC is coming soon.

Three new downloadable games are available this week. Starting today Wii gamers can download "BIT. TRIP BEAT" (600 Wii Points) and "Summer Games II" (500 Wii Points). But the highlight of the week belongs to the 360, which starts its Days of Arcade promotion on Wednesday with "Hasbro Family Game Night" (800MS Points, $10).

When I previewed HFGN it sure looked good, but I'm anxious to get my hands on the full version to see if its worth the money. Look for our review soon.

In the meantime, hit the jump to see all the details on this week's downloads.

Related Links: Have you answered our latest GPArcade question of the week? Check out these Metal Gear Solid Touch screens.

While there are plenty of fun classic titles that have been ported to the Wii, 360 and PS3, there are still some games that are in desperate need of some current generation console love. Which of the games below would you most like to see on your system?

Don't like our choices? Leave your suggestions in the comments section.

Related Links: Check out the DLC we'd most like to see. Have you seen the lastest Metal Gear Solid Touch screenshots or our preview of Hasbro Family Game Night?

 

Congrats to misterc, killquick and danelson666, you are the three lucky winners of an XBLA download code for PopCap's "Peggle." Email me at tterrones@gamepro.com with your GamePro login name and password and I'll send you your code. 

Didn't win this week? Don't worry. As always we'll be having another giveaway on Wednesday. 

Related Links: Have you heard the Virtual On is coming to XBLA? Resident Evil 5 DLC is on the way too. Click here to read about Andrew's Top 5 DLC wish list.

Old school gamers may remember the arcade classic "Cyber Troopers Virtual On". It was a SEGA AM3 title that started out in arcades, then ended up being ported to a number of different consoles.

Recently it was announced that "Virtual On" is heading to XBLA. While its always good to see an old classic brought to the current generation of consoles, why not throw in "Crazy Taxi" and "Virtua Tennis" (two other AM3 games) while you're at it SEGA?

There is no official release date for "Virtual On" but look for it sometime this Spring. Hit the jump to check out the official press release.

Related Links: Did you know RE: 5 DLC is already on the way? Check out our question of the week and enter this week's giveaway contest.

 

Let’s face it, quality DLC is becoming a standard for games. It’s hard not to see a game out more than a year without some new map pack or item that is supposed to enhance your experience or increase the games longevity. Well, we here at GamePro Arcade were wondering, what would be the top DLC we would like to see come to this generation? We racked our brains and have come up with the following list that we feel is suitable for everyone. Of course you can add your own input in the comments section for something you feel should have been added.

 

Were you craving more Metal Gear Solid Touch screenshots than were shown last week? Here are some new images for this highly anticipated iPhone/iPod Touch game.

Related Links: Enter our Peggle giveaway, Read a preview of an upcoming XBLA game.

Sick of playing co-op in Resident Evil 5 aleady? Hate having to play as "the chick" while your friend plays as muscle bound Chris Redfield? Since the game doesn't come out until tomorrow, I seriously doubt it. Fortunately Capcom is thinking ahead and today announced a new, more egocentric multiplayer gameplay mode called Versus. Forget working as a team, just look out for #1.

The two new game types in Versus (Slayer's Rule - kill Majinis, and Survivor's Rule - kill each other) will be available for both the Xbox 360 and the PS3, and will set you back 400MS points ($5.00). No release date has been set, but look for it in the next "few weeks".

Hit the jump for the official press release.

Related Links in question form: Have you read our preview of XBLA's Hasbro Family Game Night? Have you heard about this week's giveaway? Have you answered our question of the week?