When Microsoft launched the Xbox 360 and Xbox Live Arcade, it did so without much support from top-tier third-party publishers. Beyond casual specialist PopCap Games, the most notable name on the Xbox Live Marketplace at launch was Midway, with the publisher selling arcade classics Gauntlet, Smash TV, and Joust from day one.

　　Would you buy that for a dollar? Well, tough. You can't anymore. Now those games--as well as Cyberball 2072, Robotron: 2084, Defender, Paperboy, Rootbeer Tapper, and Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3--have been pulled from the Xbox Live Marketplace. A Microsoft representative said the group of games was removed from the service late last week "due to evolving rights and permissions."

　　Those problems don't seem to have affected the publisher's PlayStation Network titles, as games like Mortal Kombat II were still available on the PlayStation 3 downloadable storefront this morning. Inquiries to Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, which now controls Midway's library of intellectual properties, were not returned as of press time.

　　While that prevents gamers from adding those titles to their library for the first time, they aren't gone from the service entirely. As the Microsoft representative said, "Xbox Live members will always be able to play and re-download any titles they have already purchased."

　　You need a javascript enabled browser to watch videos.

　　Click To Unmute

　　Root Beer Tapper Gameplay Movie 1

　　Tears Of The Kingdom Is A Technological Marvel

　　Resident Evil 4 Is A Perfect RemakeHow Alan Wake II Made Me Face My Fear of Horror GamesGameSpot's Top 10 Games of 2023Thompson: The Pop Culture Icon’s Strange Legacy - LoadoutFirearms Expert’s FAVORITE Weapons Of 2023State Of Gaming Handhelds In 2023Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth - Official Ichiban Kasuga Character Spotlight TrailerHow Lies of P Cracked the Souls GenreLike a Dragon: Infinite Wealth - Official Chitose Fujinomiya Character Spotlight TrailerLike a Dragon: Infinite Wealth - Official Eric Tomizawa Character Spotlight TrailerLike a Dragon: Infinite Wealth - Official Kazuma Kiryu Character Spotlight Trailer

　　Share

　　LinkEmbed

　　Size:640 × 360480 × 270

　　Start at: End at: Autoplay Loop

　　Want us to remember this setting for all your devices?

　　Sign up or Sign in now!

　　Please use a html5 video capable browser to watch videos.

　　This video has an invalid file format.

　　00:00:00

　　HTML5

　　Auto HD High Low

　　Report a problem

　　Sorry, but you can't access this content!

Please enter your date of birth to view this video

　　By clicking 'enter', you agree to GameSpot's

　　Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

　　enter