MS Fires Casual Assault with Free XBLA Games

Microsoft is upping its assault on the casual market by offering free Xbox Live Arcade games to prospective 360 owners and the friends that persuade them to buy a console.

Microsoft is hoping to take advantage of Wii shortages this holiday by reaching out to those looking for a casual gaming fix. European gamers who persuade a friend to purchase an Xbox 360, and the person who actually parts with the cash, will each receive ten free XBLA games for their troubles, assuming they don’t forget to fill out and send off a form.

The ten titles in question are Every Extend Extra Extreme, Sonic The Hedgehog, Street Fighter II Hyper Fighting, Bomberman Live, Marble Blast Ultra (pictured), Spyglass Boardgames, 3D Mini Golf Adventures, Small Arms, Assault Heroes and Zuma Deluxe.

According to Stephen McGill, head of Gaming and Entertainment, Microsoft UK, the offer “…enforces the fact we’ve got an exceptional online service in Xbox Live, which truly does bring everyone together.”

Last month Microsoft launched the Xbox 360 Arcade pack in place of the prior entry-level unit, the Xbox 360 Core system, in a bid to target the family-friendly market being bossed by Nintendo. The Arcade pack comes with a wireless controller, five full pick-up-and-play arcade titles, high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) support and a 256MB memory card.

News-Source: Next-Gen