Microsoft today announced that Lumines Live will hit the Xbox Live Marketplace on Wednesday, October 18th when the service becomes available after the scheduled maintenance. The game will be made available in two parts; the main Lumines Live game will sell for 1200 Microsoft Points ($15) and an “Advanced Pack” with 22 additional skins for 600 Microsoft Points ($7.50). If gamers pony up for the full Lumines package, this would be one of the most expensive Xbox Live Arcade games available to date. Microsoft does not sell a Marketplace Points card that has enough points to buy the complete game; the largest denomination that Microsoft makes available in stores is 1600 points. $22.50 is also more money than the PSP version of the game, which sells for $19.99. Of course, the Xbox 360 version offers features like online multiplayer over Xbox Live and a Skin Edit mode in the basic version; this package may be enough for the casual user as long as the title isn’t nagware.

Update: The “Advanced Pack” is not available right now, and will show up at a later date. Presumably so that gamers don’t look like dorks when they have to buy two 1600 points cards to pay for the game.

The full press release continues below.

Download Lumines Live! for Xbox Live Arcade This Wednesday

Xbox Live Arcade Wednesdays is making some extra noise this week.  The highly anticipated music-puzzle action phenomenon, “Lumines Live!” can be yours starting tomorrow, Wednesday, October 18, from 0800 GMT (1:00am PDT) on Xbox Live Arcade. The newest addition to the blockbuster franchise from Tetsuya Mizuguchi and Q Entertainment comes packed with puzzles, modes, exclusive music videos and full online multiplayer play over Xbox Live. The game even has an exclusive feature that records high score gameplay in the Time Attack Mode which can be downloaded and played back by any other player.

GAME FOCUS:

“Lumines Live!” combines puzzles, music and video entertainment to create an addictively-fun gameplay experience that looks and sounds as good as it plays. Play several different single player modes, battle friends online over Xbox Live, create your own skins playlist in the all-new Skin Edit Mode, and experience new ways to play via exclusive downloadable content to enhance and extend the gameplay experience. 

GAME FEATURES:

“Lumines Live!” for Xbox Live Arcade brings exciting new music, new video content, and 12 different skins, for hours of fun. The Xbox Live Arcade game features exclusive Xbox Live online multiplayer play, allowing you to play against your friends in head-to-head battles.  For advanced players, gamers can change their music scene and purchase the Advance Pack from Xbox Live Marketplace for 22 new skins.

“Lumines Live!” includes:

  * Full online multiplayer play over Xbox Live – battle your friends head-to-head
  * Classic Lumines gameplay, including Challenge, Puzzle and vs. CPU modes
  * All-new Skin Edit Mode allows you to re-mix the order of your unlocked skins to create a custom Lumines experience
  * All-new Mission mode presents player with pre-designed Lumines puzzle scenarios
  * Dynamic skins, sound effects and music optimized specifically for Lumines Live! in high-definition graphics and 5.1 channel surround audio
  * Extensive downloadable content support over Xbox Live Marketplace – add new skins, puzzles, missions, artist packs and more
  * Full suite of online leaderboards
  * Achievements and Gamerscore

WHEN CAN I GET IT: Download “Lumines Live!” tomorrow, Wednesday, October 18, at 1am PST on Xbox Live Arcade (available in participating countries).

“Lumines Live!” (Q Entertainment): 1200 Microsoft Points

“Lumines Live!” Advance Pack (sold separately):  600 Microsoft Points

For more information, please visit Xbox.com