It looks like those ongoing Marketplace errors haven’t stopped this week’s Xbox Live release from making it out on time, unlike last week when we got the game a day late. That’s right, Little Acorns from Chillingo and Electronic Arts is now on the Marketplace!

Little Acorns is a traditional 2D platformer starring a squirrel who reportedly enjoys acorns. In fact, the goal of each level is to recover all of your stolen acorns and then reach the exit. That’s just a ‘basic clear’ though. To fully clear the level, you must also gather five fruits that appear after the acorns have been collected plus finish under the speedrun time.

The fruits unlock four types of clothing and accessories for your squirrel (head, face, body, and ropes), which can be equipped as soon as each level ends. Some levels also require the player squirrel to gather up his children. Jump while catching a falling kid squirrel on level 5 to nab your first Achievement, ‘Nice Catch!’

One area of concern with mobile platformers is that of controls. With no physical d-pad or buttons to rely on, developers basically have to choose between either virtual or tilt controls. Little Acorns relies on touch-screen buttons for movement and jumping. I’m pleased to report the controls function very well – with only left, right, and jump to worry about, it’s not hard at all to keep your fingers in place during gameplay.

Little Acorns costs $2.99 and there is a free trial. Grab it here on the Marketplace and start gathering those nuts!

Deal of the Week no more?

Last week there was no Xbox Live Deal of the Week and this week looks to be the same. Microsoft has apparently cancelled or put the popular sale program on hold. We asked for comment and received no reply, which is even worse than 'no comment' if you ask me. It’s almost as if Windows Phone 7 isn’t a huge priority for the Xbox Live gaming division right now, but surely that is not the case. Right?

Thanks to Zebrasqual for the Little Acorns tip!