CES 2008: XBLA getting Lode Runner

This console generation sees the melding of next-gen titles and old-school games making comebacks. It’s going along nicely and another icon is set to join this party. Lode Runner has been shown off in CES 2008 and it features a lot of cool touches. Whether you loved it or hated it back in the day, you have to admit that seeing this blast from the past hop aboard the Xbox Live arcade is a welcome sight.

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The Lode Runner franchise is perhaps electronic entertainment’s equivalent to Mike Tyson in his prime. The description “loved by few, feared by many, respected by all” suits it perfectly, at least in this blogger’s opinion. It’s so beautifully difficult that trying to figure your way across the levels could have been classified as masochistic. To this day, it remains as a memorable love-it-or-hate-it experience.

Don’t look now, but this important piece of gaming history is on a comeback trail to treat (or punish) everyone from old-school gamers to next-gen upstarts with mind-numbing puzzles that are sure to keep us occupied for hours.

Microsoft‘s Xbox Live Arcade Portfolio Manager Ross Erickson told Joystiq at the on-going Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas that Lode Runner is one of his favorite titles and confirmed that it’s coming back by showing off a sneak peek.

The preview saw Lode Runner updated to 3D visuals but still retaining the unique gameplay style of the iconic series. It’s currently being developed by Tozai and is in its early stages.

Also noted was a nice historical tour of the Lode Runner series which seeks to educate gamers about its significance to the industry. No time frame was given on when it will come out. We’re all excited to see this blast from the past mix it up with other titles in the XBLA.