In today’s wacky episode of That’s Our Microsoft, the company introduced Lode Runner to Xbox Live Arcade at 800 Microsoft Points, a full 400 Points lower than people had expected. Unfortunately, it turns out that Microsoft had made a balls up of things once again, and has since modified the price to 1200 Points. D’aaaawr, that’s our Microsoft!

“If you got it at 800 points, you’re lucky,” is all Major Nelson can say with the news that Microsoft upped the price a day after releasing it. As one can expect, the Xbox Live community isn’t happy at all, especially as a number of them were singing XBLA’s praises for such an unexpected and welcome low price. Thankfully, Microsoft acted quickly to stamp out any rumors of generosity.

Destructoid’s sports writer, Samit Sarkar, is actually checking out a bunch of EA Sports games today in New York City. Because of this, he’s not around to tell you about sports stuff, like Electronic Arts revealing the cover athletes for their upcoming college football title, NCAA Football 10. But I’m.

Before I go any further, I should let you know that I hired Samit as our sports writer because I need someone to show me the difference between a football and a soccer ball. (It’s the colors, right?) EA’s not making it easy on me, either. Why? Each version features a different athlete, but one thing remains the same — I don’t know who any of these guys are.

PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 owners jealous about the Star Wars Clone Wars love other consoles have gotten might soon be able to rest simple. Sources familiar with the project have indicated that Australian-based Krome Studios is hard at work on developing Star Wars The Clone Wars: Republic Heroes, a third-person action title for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.

Details on the game is scarce, but we’re told Republic Heroes will feature a two-player cooperative mode, with both “Jedi” and “Clone” story missions. Players are said to play as Anakin Skywalker or Jedi Padawan Ahsoka Tano in a Jedi mode, and (at the very least) bounty hunter Cad Bane in the Clone missions. The game will have a focus on melee combat, complete with upgrades that can be bought throughout the game. The ability to control droids, such as the rolling Droideka, was also mentioned by our tipster.

Krome Studios has experience with the Star Wars license, having previously worked on the Wii/PlayStation Portable/PlayStation 2 ports of Star Wars: The Forced Unleashed. More recently, the studio released Star Wars: The Clone Wars: Light Saber Duels for the Wii. Their next-gen action game pedigree includes Hellboy: Science of Evil for PS3 and Xbox 360 for Konami.

Microsoft Japan dropped a bomb on…well, that’s pretty tasteless, come to think about it. Microsoft Japan took a large dump on Tokyo…wait, that’s kind of bad too. Okay — a recent press conference announced 31 titles for the Xbox 360 in Japan, and now we’ve a trailer that shows many of them off.

As you’d imagine, most of it is what our own Nick Chester called “gaijin crap,” which means stuff we already have. Like Mass Effect. And NHL 2K9. Seriously? But now that Japan has over 1 million Xbox 360 users, I think launching these games are good move for them. Someone’s got to purchase some of them, right?

As for the non “gaijin crap” highlights to look for, I made a tiny list of the interesting/new stuff.

In order of appearance:

• there’s sexy footage of King of Fighters XII
• more fighting game hotness with Blazblue
• a shooter called Mamorokun wa Norowareteshimatta (more on this later)
• Dream Club (seen above) has some hot maid action and a good website
• Tayutama: Kiss on my Deity is something we’ll leave to otaku
• while not Japanese, that Operation Flashpoint footage is cool
• TimeLeap has cell-shaded anime girls at the beach
• Ketsui Kizuna Jigoku Tachi EXTRA is another good looking shump
• Same story with Cave’s Deathsmiles — also, website
• Manga Carta 2 looks hot

Allowed, we’re not getting all of the above listed, but does any of this appeal to you? I’m glad lots of shmups are coming to Japan’s Xbox 360. On top of that, I’m interested in both the fighters and Manga Carta 2. What about you?

Via Destructoid

You can make a pretty convincing argument that Bethesda third Fallout 3 expansion, “Broken Steel,” should have been the first. It expands the original story line, allowing you to travel the Wastelands beyond the silly conclusion. It also increases the level cap from 20 to 30, successfully giving you a reason to keep playing and exploring.

Wouldn’t “Project: Anchorage” and “The Pitt” rocked much harder if you were gaining something in the process of playing? Meaningful experience points rock.

Anyway, Bethesda dropped some new screenshots of Broken Steel earlier this morning. They don’t show anything jaw dropping, but they’re pretty to look at and serve as a good reminder that the expansion hits Xbox Live Marketplace and Computer on May 5. It’ll be nice to return to the Wastelands and get something out of it.

Via Destructoid

Oh, technical delays. It took some bug squashing and a title update, but it’s finally here. You can now view your Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix stats on the World wide web. And it rocks. That’s, if you’ve played the game recently.

Yesterday, Capcom announced (via their community blog, Capcom Unity) the HD Remix stats page. After dropping your GamerTag or PSN ID in the little search box on the page, you’ll be able to access tons of information: your ranking, rating, win/loss ratio, perfects, max combo, and even the amount of throws. You can even sort it by character if you use the tiny drop down box where the empty picture is.

At some point within the last month or so there was a stats wipe, so this isn’t exactly all-time. Still, though, it’s fun to see how much you suck. Check out my stuff. I was pummeled this morning for the sake of Destructoid. Let’s see your stats!

Via Destructoid

I won’t be shy. I want to pummel faces and blacken eyes in Fight Night Round 4. According to the latest teaser trailer for the game, I’ll be able to do just that. One important detail, though: I’ll have the ability to jack jaws with style.

And style is what this latest trailer is all about. In it, you’ll notice the deadly delivery of “Iron” Mike Tyson and the characteristic agility of Roy Jones Jr. I don’t think I’m too massive of a leap off the rational bridge when I write that EA has injected Fight Night Round 4’s boxers with their actual in-the-ring style and attitudes.

In any of the footage we’ve brought you thus far, I’ve yet to notice any elbows, below the belt shenanigans or biting. Fight Night Round 4 won’t be complete without these three things, EA. Make it happen.

Via Destructoid

According to a rating found on Germany’s USK ratings board Web site, Taito is set to bring a title called Bubble Bobble NEO to the Xbox 360.

G4 recently travelled to Activision HQ to play Prototype and came back with fresh and hot video (viewable after the break) from the game. It might not make you come rainbows, but it’s damn sexy nonetheless.

The footage only has a sliver of coherent story. It starts with a scene where Alex — the hooded protagonist — is told that a chick at GenTek knows something about his history. Then it abruptly cuts to action shots of Alex running around New York City like a madman, battling army dudes and weird creepy crawlies.

It ends with an epic battle scene where you’ll observe some badass Wolverine action and witness Alex’s ability to eat bullets. It’s thrilling stuff and I can’t wait to get my hands on Prototype this June. How about you guys?

Via Destructoid

So, it’s official official — Sacred 2 is hitting consoles on May 12. This afternoon the developer, cdv Software Entertainment, announced the Xbox 360 version of the game’s new gold status and then confirmed that the title would indeed by hitting in Might. (You now have a little under a month to get your clicking fingers ready for some real punishment.)

Missing from the announcement was the release date for the PlayStation 3 version of the game. We contacted cdv about the lack of information and a rep told us “The PS3 version is just a few days behind the 360 as far as certification goes. We’re positive it’ll ship to retail on the same day and date as the 360 version.”

If you’re curious about Sacred 2 — a decent Diablo II clone with some technical issues — check out our review of the Computer version. The game is on my wish list, for sure. What about you guys?

Via Destructoid