Xbox LIVE Back to School Sale: 09/04 - 09/10/12

As you may or may not know, Microsoft has 'Special Sales' every now and again in addition to their usual 'Deal of the Week.' The 'Special Sale' this week is a back to school sale and damn if it isn't overloaded with games, DLC, and a bunch of crap for your avatar. Now I'm not going to list every single item on sale—one, I don't want to spend the time; and two, there's no point when one link can deliver it all—but I will throw out a few personal favorites that have likely been forgotten.

• Rocket Riot [XBLA] - (800 MS points ---> 200 MS Points)

Rocket Riot is side-scrolling twin-stick shooter where you blast your way through a slew of levels, using power-ups to your advantage to take out everyone in your way. I really enjoyed Rocket Riot—especially the graphical stylings—and sadly, I don't think many people even remember the game exists.

• The Simpsons Arcade [XBLA] - (800 MS points ---> 400 MS Points)

The Simpsons Arcade is, well, the arcade beat 'em up we all know and love; that is, if you're part of the "we" that remembers playing in the arcade before arcades were dominated by DDR, DDR and more DDR. It may not be the deepest game, but it's still fun and definitely worth the discounted price.

• Carcassonne [XBLA] - (800 MS points ---> 400 MS Points)

Last and most definitely least (not really), Carcassonne is based on a board game, a board game I've played in many ways but never in its actual board game form. I don't know how to explain Carcassonne in one sentence, but I can say it's a lot of fun and extremely accessible for those who don't board game on a regular basis—a.k.a., me, and maybe you too.

• Xbox LIVE Back to School Sale

And don't forget about the usual Xbox LIVE 'Deal of the Week,' it's a good one this week.