Xbox Live Arcade games headed to Windows 8 PC, phone and tablet devices

Microsoft have announced the launch of Play for Windows 8, a new initiative that looks to put Xbox Live Arcade games from the Xbox 360 console onto computers, smartphones and tablets running their latest operating system.

Promoting the cross-device smarts of the Windows 8 OS, the Microsoft Studios project launched with a line-up of 15 games (many of which will already be familiar to Xbox 360 gamers) and all but one (Toy Soldiers 4) also compatible with the Microsoft Surface tablet line.

The full list of titles is as follows:

• Toy Soldiers 4
• Elements: Special Edition
• Hydro Thunder Hurricane, Rocket Riot 3D
• Reckless Racing Ultimate
• Microsoft Solitaire Collection
• Microsoft Mahjong
• Microsoft Minesweeper
• Taptiles
• Adera
• Pinball FX2
• Wordament
• Gunstringer: Dead Man Running
• Ilomilo+, Skulls of the Shogun.

With sales of Windows 8 growing steadily and now said to number in excess of 60 million, Microsoft will be keen to promote the operating system as a good choice for gamers, especially when Valve’s Gabe Newell (arguably THE key player in PC gaming thanks to the success of the Steam store) continues to slam Windows 8.