Deathsmiles 2X Dodges Retail, Hits Games on Demand Next Week [Update 2]

Last month, the ESRB rated Deathsmiles 2X, listing Cave as the game’s U.S. publisher. At the time, we theorized that perhaps Cave would release the game as a digital-only title via Microsoft’s Games on Demand service on Xbox Live.

That is indeed going to be the case, according to a post on a Cave’s Facebook page. What’s more, Deathsmiles 2X isn’t far from release at all — Cave will release it on May 17th for $29.99 through Games on Demand, with its original Japanese text, effectively making it a digital import.

Cave say that they were approached by Microsoft with the opportunity, and will be giving the format a try “for getting some of our Japan-only shooters released overseas.” This means you can expect to see more Cave shooters released via Games on Demand in the future.

This release makes Deathsmiles 2X the first digital import release in the U.S. on the Xbox 360. Capcom’s Resident Evil Code Veronica and Resident Evil 4 HD will follow in its footsteps later in the year, but both those will be in English.

If you missed it and are curious, you can catch up on our Deathsmiles 2X playtest from last year while you wait for the game’s release.

A deep bow to jbug_617 on Twitter for giving us a heads up!

Update: Cave have just informed us that Deathsmiles 2X cannot be purchased using Microsoft Points; you’ll need to use a credit card if you want to grab it off Games on Demand.

Update 2: Microsoft just got in touch to say the game can be purchased using Microsoft Points after all. The information in their press release was mistaken.