Deathsmiles, Deathsmiles IIX, Akai Katana, DoDonPachi Resurrection, Mushihimesama Futari and more in one bundle.

While Deathsmiles was released as a retail game, Cave decided to release the sequel Deathsmiles IIX as a digital download. The idea actually came from Microsoft who wanted to dabble with digital imports.

May 24th is the day the rest of North America gets Deathsmiles 2X.

Deathsmiles 2X, the first digital import for Xbox 360, is live on Games on Demand. However, not all fans can download Cave’s shooter.

Cave say Microsoft approached them with the opportunity to offer Deathsmiles 2X as a digital import through their Games for Demand service. [Update 2: Can be purchased with Microsoft Points after all]

Aksys may have released Deathsmiles in North America, but Cave is taking care of Deathsmiles 2X themselves.

Shoot-em-up developer Cave reveal what shoot-em-ups they feel resonate with a western audience.

So while everyone in North America is waiting for the original, why don’t we see what the second one’s got?

Watch Winda blast through a stage of Deathsmiles IIX, the Xbox 360 port of the arcade game.

On May 27, Deathsmiles II comes home as an Xbox 360 game with features not found in arcades. Cave added two characters (Rosa and Fillet), two stages, and three difficulty levels.