As the resident Xbox LIVE Arcade nerd, let me take this opportunity to gush about how we're finally going to get some more decent titles on the service thanks to another "Summer of Arcade" line-up. The folks at Microsoft sure know how to hold off on releasing the good stuff, don't they?

The "Summer of Arcade" part deux starts on Wednesday, July 22, with five games coming once per week from then on out. This time, the set of XBLA games consists of: Marvel vs. Capcom 2, Shadow Complex, 'Splosion Man, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles in Time Re-shelled, and Trials HD. 

With the exception of maybe MvC2, I think I might possibly buy all of the other games, depending on how fairly they are priced. Shadow Complex is by far my most anticipated of the group, but what about you guys? Which titles are you most excited to play?

Summer just got even hotter! The 2nd Annual Summer of Arcade burns up Xbox LIVE® Arcade

Xbox LIVE Arcade is turning up the heat! ‘Splode, race, and cowabunga your way through five weeks of this year’s hottest blockbusters in the second annual Summer of Arcade program.

Last year’s Summer of Arcade saw unprecedented success, with games on-par with retail blockbusters, including award-winning “Braid.” Now we’re burning it up again with five more scorching smash hits beginning Wednesday, July 22, 2009.

Xbox LIVE Arcade has raised the bar, delivering the biggest and best selection of downloadable games on any console. So grab a popsicle and turn up the air-conditioning because these games will keep you sizzling all summer long.

“MARVEL vs. CAPCOM 2” (Backbone Entertainment/Capcom): One of the most popular fighting games of all time, “MARVEL vs. CAPCOM 2,” arrives on Xbox LIVE Arcade. Choose from 56 legendary characters from Marvel Comics and Capcom history, including Ryu and Wolverine. With online multiplayer over Xbox LIVE and enhanced HD graphics, you decide who is the dream team in the ultimate tag-team fighting experience.

“Shadow Complex” (Chair Entertainment and Epic Games/Microsoft): The next evolution in downloadable games, “Shadow Complex” marries the quality and depth of a full retail title, the stunning visuals of Epic Games’ industry-leading Unreal Engine 3, and a classic side-scroller. “Set in the world of Orson Scott Card’s best-selling novel, “Empire,” Shadow Complex introduces a compelling universe in which you collect items and power-ups, and evolve your character into a force of destruction.”

Splosion Man™ (Twisted Pixel Games/Microsoft): Fools they were, to tread where knowledge should stay forbidden.  For what emerged was not a man - it was a Splosion Man.  "And all who saw him were sploded, for he was the fire and they were but meat."   Able to splode himself at will, the Splosion Man launches his way through levels, an uncontainable force.  From Twisted Pixel Games, developer of the award winning The Maw™, Splosion Man will keep you on your toes as you play through more than 50 single-player levels and 50 multiplayer levels.

“Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles™: Turtles in Time Re-shelled” (Ubisoft Singapore®/Ubisoft®): Cowabunga! Everyone's favorite Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles game is back with a brand new look in “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles in Time Re-Shelled.” The arcade classic has been revamped with all new 3D graphics, but the same classic beat 'em up gameplay.

“Trials HD” (RedLynx/Microsoft): Put on your helmet, and rev your way through “Trials HD,” a fully-featured, physics-based motorcycle racing game in stunning HD graphics. Tear up more than 50 tracks and test your metal in two unique game modes: Race and Skill. Create, share and download an unlimited number of free tracks with the level editor, and customize your rider to fit your personality.