Major Nelson has just announced that this week’s Xbox LIVE Deal of the Week is the wonderfully hardcore shooter, Ikaruga.

If you’re an Xbox LIVE Gold member, you can get Ikaruga for 400 MS Points, down from the usual 800 MS Points. Hurry, though – the offer only lasts until the end of the week.

This week’s XBLA offering is Ikaruga, a scrolling shooter that will be available tomorrow for 800 Microsoft Points.

Developed by Treasure, Ikaruga is a Japanese arcade title that combines scrolling shooter action with tactics to deliver five exciting levels of shoot-‘em-up action.

In the game the colour of your ship determines your effects on enemies. The enemy ships and their bullets are one of two colours; attack an enemy of the opposite colour for extra damage or absorb enemy fire of the same colour as your ship to use the energy for a special attack. If you destroy multiple enemies of the same colour you will receive a chaining bonus.

Players can play Ikaruga solo or engage in two player cooperative play, either offline or over Xbox Live. The game supports video replay and features twelve new achievements.