Don't think there is anything different with the new games. I've backed up both marvel ultimate alliance and splinter cell , both are fine for me. Used Xbox backup creator and a samsung 162C with kreon 0.81 to do em

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Although now you mention it , splinter cell also spins down for me , how ever it does go back to full speed. Goes like this , full speed , then drops speed at main menu , then goes back to full as soon as you hit new/load game.
Using a samsung ms28 with 4.2A to play em , also they are both on verbatim (all I use).