Wednesday XBLA Update To Include Word Puzzle, Switchball

Microsoft has announced that this Wednesday's regularly-scheduled Xbox Live Arcade update will see the previously-announced addition of two new titles: Interserv's Word Puzzle and Sierra Online's Switchball. Word Puzzle is an arcade update on the traditional pen-and-paper word search game, featuring 3D boards, exploding word bombs and various "synapse-melting" challenges and effects. It features five game modes and multiplayer support for up to four players and Xbox Live Vision Camera support, and is available for 800 Microsoft Points ($10). In Switchball players manipulate the physical properties of a morphing ball to navigate mazes and solve puzzles -- for example, morphing into the Metalball will help players ram objects out of the way, the Powerball can be charged to dash up ramps and jump over obstacles, and the Airball can float over traps. Switchball features five different 3D environments, and players can join for two-player co-op or compete in races for up to 8 players. The game will be available worldwide (with the exception of Korea) for 800 Microsoft Points ($10).