Hudson has announced that it is to release "Bomb-Up Pack 1", the first add-on pack for Xbox Live Arcade's popular Bomberman LIVE on Wednesday of this week. The download will include ten new characters, a pair of additional levels, online leader boards, and a brand new game mode.

The fresh environments are "High Stakes", a Las Vegas-style casino level and "Zeppelin", a stage set aboard a dirigible that features tornados and other metrological challenges that will hinder players. You'll also be able to play Frag, the new game mode, during these levels - an option that allows you to set the number of enemies that need to be killed before the game is won.

The addition of leader boards means that gamers from around the world will be able to compare their weekly and all-time performances, and Hudson's CEO, John Greiner, is certainly excited about the pack's arrival, hinting at further improvements in the future:

"With the overwhelming success of Bomberman LIVE it became clear to us, as Bomberman fans and game producers, that the already stellar game could be indefinitely augmented with myriad gameplay additions in the future."

Bomberman LIVE is arguably the best ever iteration of the long-running series and Xbox Live provides the perfect platform to deliver periodical tweaks and upgrades. Bomb-up Pack 1 will set you back a measly 250 Microsoft Points ($3.13 USD) this coming Wednesday.