Remember when the original Joyride wasn’t a Kinect-based game? And when Microsoft was going to release it for free as a sort of primatial tie to their new Xbox Avatars?

Maybe you don’t, but I do!

Joyride Turbo probably won’t live up to all of those promises—I’m doubting that it’s going to be free—but it will bring back the original plans for the game in some other ways.

Yes, this time, Joyride Turbo will be fully controller based, and will now be an XBLA title versus a full retail release. According to Play XBLA, the game’s launch is “weeks away”, and will bring along with it the following features:

• Race your friends in local 4-player split-screen or compete with up to 8 on Xbox LIVE.
• Knock out your competitors and take the race lead with rockets, mines, dynamite drops and more.
• Explore the new Stunt Park to gather all of the collectibles and showoff your skills.
• Find and collect car parts to unlock vehicles, each with unique speed and handling characteristics, giving you an edge in your next race.
• Achieve racing leaderboard fame in 3 modes of play: Battle Race, Pro Race & Time Trial.

Honestly, this is where I become far more interested in Joyride—as a smaller, controller-based game centered around online and local multiplayer.

Source: Play XBLA

Source: Play XBLA