Rare's Jetpac Refuelled To Hit Live Arcade

Microsoft has announced that Rare's Jetpac Refuelled, the reworked and greatly expanded remake of the company's 1983 ZX Spectrum classic Jetpac will be the next game to hit Xbox Live Arcade. First developed in 1983 by Ultimate Play The Game founders Chris and Tim Stamper (who in January announced that they would be leaving their company, now known as Rare), Jetpac was originally released to critical acclaim for the ZX Spectrum 16K, with later ports coming to similarly popular UK computers BBC Micro and the Commodore VIC-20. For its new Xbox Live update, apart from the obvious complete graphical overhaul, Rare has expanded the original 16 level game to 128, as well as added new enemies, EMP smartbombs, 'modernized weapon upgrades,' and has updated the gameplay for 'modern gamers.' Refuelled will also include simultaneous multiplayer gameplay, and the usual assortment of 200 points worth of achievements and ranked leaderboards. Rare have also seen fit to include an emulated version of the original Jetpac in the release. Jetpac Refuelled will be released Wednesday March 28th as part of Microsoft's regular Xbox Live updates, at a price of 400 Microsoft Points ($5).