Microsoft announced some of their upcoming games at the Tokyo Game Show, see xbox.com for the details. Amongst all the usual big, boxed games there were a few interesting XBLA games announced.

Every Extend Extra Extreme (E4): I really enjoyed the free PC original of this simple twist on shmup games. The PSP version took the same basic idea and added the interactive music experience you would expect from Q Entertainment, makers of Lumines and Rez amongst others. Looking forward to more of the same but on a bigger screen.

Rez: I missed Rez the first time round as I didn't have a PS2. Then when I did get a PS2 I couldn't find it anywhere, eventually my girlfriend tracked down a copy on Ebay and gave it to me for my birthday (she's nice like that). This is a minimalist, interactive techno experience/shoot 'em up. Reminds me of the visuals in clubs in the early 90's but this time I actually do control the music and the visuals.

Braid: I've been following Jon Blow's blog about this and other things for what seems like ages, and then I hear its finally coming out on XBLA. Well done XBLA people, I say. Braid is a thoroughly independent, time manipulating twist on old-school 2D platform gaming. At least that's what I think it is, I've not played it yet. But having seen what our own David Johnstone has done with Shuggy, this is another one that I'm really looking forward to.