6 weeks of Windows Phone Xbox Live “Must Have Games” dated

We’ve just received official confirmation from Microsoft that the “Must Have Games” promotion starts next week for Windows Phone. While Angry Birds was supposed to lead the charge with a May 25th release, it has instead been pushed to the end of the set, and is releasing June 29th.

The current schedule is:

• “Hydro Thunder GO!” (releasing May 25)
• “Doodle Jump” (releasing June 1)
• “geoDefense” (releasing June 8)
• “Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1” (releasing June 15)
• “Plants vs. Zombies” (releasing June 22)
• “Angry Birds” (releasing June 29)

More information on each of the games can be found below.

Hydro Thunder Go

Developer: PixelBite
Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios
Genre: Racing
Platform: Windows Phone
Release Date: May 25
Cost: $4.99

Blast through 12 ferocious courses with the powerboat of your choice and compete against 15 devious opponents with strategic use of your Hydro Boost power, Mighty Hull and Hydro Jump abilities. In addition to visually stunning environments and insane track layouts, the ever-changing water conditions keep the races varied and interesting. Click below to download the trailer.

Doodle Jump

Developer: GameHouse
Publisher: GameHouse
Genre: Platform
Platform: Windows Phone
Release Date: June 1
Cost: $2.99

Jump, jump, jump to the top, top, top with “Doodle Jump,” the runaway hit! Guide the Doodler on a springy journey up the never-ending sheet of graph paper to see how far you can climb. Leap from platform to platform, finding your way higher and higher using brilliant contraptions such as springs, propeller hats and jet packs. Avoid broken platforms, menacing black holes, UFOs and baddies. Blast them with your nose balls!

geoDefense

Developer: Critical Thought LLC
Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios
Genre: Tower Defense
Platform: Windows Phone
Release Date: June 8
Cost: $2.99

Obliterate a horde of vibrant, vector-styled enemies in this fast-paced tower defense game. Devastate creeps with blasters, lasers and missiles and watch their energy debris swirl through the gravity wells of your vortex towers Demonstrate your pixel-blasting skill to all your friends on Xbox LIVE Leaderboards and earn Achievements as you hone advanced defense strategies. Click below to read a Q&A with the developers.

Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode I

Developer: Sega
Publisher: Sega
Genre: Platform Racing
Platform: Windows Phone
Release Date: June 15
Cost: $6.99

The sequel fans have waited 16 years for is finally here!

Featuring enhanced gameplay elements, including the classic Sonic Spin Dash, and the versatile Homing Attack, Sonic 4 picks up right where Sonic and Knuckles left off. Dr. Eggman’s back, and in an effort to finally rid himself of Sonic, he revisits and improves the very best of his creations. Get ready for the next chapter in an all new epic 2D saga built for old and new fans alike.

Plants vs. Zombies

Developer: PopCap Games
Publisher: PopCap Games
Genre: Tower Defense
Platform: Windows Phone
Release Date: June 22
Cost: $4.99

Get ready to soil your plants – Plants vs. Zombies™ is coming to Windows Phone! A mob of fun-loving zombies is about to invade your home, and the only defense is your arsenal of plants. Use peashooters, wall-nuts, cherry bombs and more to mulchify 26 types of zombies before they reach your front door. The fun never dies!

Angry Birds

Developer: Rovio
Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios
Genre: Puzzle
Platform: Windows Phone
Release Date: June 29
Cost: $2.99

Angry Birds is coming to Windows Phone! The survival of the angry birds is at stake. Dish out revenge on the green pigs who stole the birds’ eggs. Use the unique destructive powers of the angry birds to lay waste to the pigs’ fortified castles. Each of the 195 levels requires logic, skill and brute force to crush the enemy.