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Archive for February, 2010
METROID: Other M Amazing New Preview Trailer & Tons Of Screenshots
SEGA Bringing “Welcome To Violence” Pack To Wii
SEGA has announced a new game pack for our Wii gaming brothers and sisters in the land down under. Known as the “Welcome To Violence” pack, Kotaku points out that SEGA is trying to wring one last sales surge by packing in their all-star mature titles for Australia.
This new pack has been priced at AU$110, however, no word on this new pack making a US or UK splash has been announced.
INFINITE SPACE Coming To DS March 16
Sega has announced the North American release date of Infinite Space from Platinum Games for DS. Come March 16 users can plunge into orbit in their very own customized spacecraft. Be sure to check out the official gameplay trailer for Infinite Space.
SHIGERU MIYAMOTO To Receive The Academy Fellowship
SHIGERU MIYAMOTO, the creative force behind some of the world’s most popular and enduring video games, will receive the Fellowship at this year’s GAME British Academy Video Games Awards.
General Manager of Nintendo Entertainment, Analysis & Development, Miyamoto is celebrated globally as the “Steven Spielberg” of the gaming world and is often referred to as “the father of modern video games.” His design credits read like a who’s who of classic gaming and include: Mario Bros, Donkey Kong, The Legend of Zelda, Nintendogs and Wii Music.
On being invited to receive the Fellowship, Miyamoto said “I am very grateful to be able to receive such an honourable award from the British Academy. Our video games cannot be created by one person; since Donkey Kong until the most recent New Super Mario Bros. Wii, I have been working closely with a number of friends for three decades in order to develop fun and enjoyable games. I would like to receive this honourable award on behalf of all of these dependable colleagues.”
BATMAN: The Brave And The Bold Announced For Wii & Nintendo DS
Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, on behalf of DC Comics, announces Batman: The Brave and the Bold the Videogame, an action-adventure videogame based on the popular animated series, available this Autumn for Wii and Nintendo DS. In the game, fans play alongside Batman and many of his allies in the DC UNIVERSE to take on dozens of popular villains.
Batman: The Brave and the Bold the Videogame fully immerses fans into the vivid animated world of the successful TV series where kids can play as Batman or together with family and friends in two-player co-op mode. Players can choose from iconic characters ROBIN, GREEN LANTERN, BLUE BEETLE, along with drop-in heroes such as AQUAMAN to help solve puzzles and fight foes.
“Batman: The Brave and the Bold the Videogame further illustrates the diverse appeal of the Batman brand and the gameplay is a fun, vibrant extension of the animated series,” said Samantha Ryan, Senior Vice President of Development and Production, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. “The game’s co-op play offers kids, families and Batman fans an interactive way of experiencing the cartoon’s iconic characters.”
Disney Interactive Announces CLUB PENGUIN: Elite Penguin Force: Herbert’s Revenge
Agents of the exclusive Elite Penguin Force are being called back into action. Disney Interactive Studios officially announced today the development of Club Penguin: Elite Penguin Force: Herbert’s Revenge, the sequel to the 2008 top Nintendo DSTM title, Club Penguin: Elite Penguin Force. This follows the initial unveiling earlier this week by Lane Merrifield, co-founder of Club Penguin and executive vice president of Disney Online Studios, and Steve Wadsworth, president of Disney Interactive Media Group, during their respective keynote addresses at the Engage! Expo at Toy Fair and the D.I.C.E. Summit.
The original DS game, which was released holiday 2008, offered an innovative new way to extend the adventure and storyline of Club Penguin onto a portable platform. For the first time, fans were able to experience the fun and imagination of their favorite virtual world while on the go. The game sold more than 1.5 million units worldwide and spawned a popular downloadable mission, “The Puffle Pranksters,” which has been downloaded by kids around the globe at an incredible rate since it launched this past holiday season.
“We were very pleased with the incredible response to the first DS title, and the kids have given us tremendous feedback, making it clear they want to experience even more Club Penguin adventures on DS,” said Merrifield. “Developing a sequel was a great way to meet that need while exploring more ways for fans to experience the Club Penguin virtual world offline.”
Club Penguin: Elite Penguin Force: Herbert’s Revenge follows the misadventures of Herbert – a vegetarian polar bear who can’t swim and dislikes the cold. Returning characters include Gary the Gadget Guy, Dot and Rookie. Club Penguin: Elite Penguin Force: Herbert’s Revenge will introduce new mini-games and feature mission-based gameplay that’s been embraced by kids around the world, both online at ClubPenguin.com and on DS.
“Featuring new mysteries, missions and mini-games, Club Penguin: Elite Penguin Force: Herbert’s Revenge will continue to entertain and delight kids around the world,” said Craig Relyea, senior vice president of global marketing, Disney Interactive Studios. “Fans of the original DS game can expect to navigate through popular, familiar elements from the virtual world, plus numerous new adventures and gadgets unique to DS.”
As with the original DS game, Club Penguin: Elite Penguin Force: Herbert’s Revenge allows players to earn coins that can be seamlessly uploaded to their online Club Penguin accounts or used to make purchases in-game. Fans will also be able to unlock special locations in the virtual world at ClubPenguin.com.
Club Penguin is one of the largest and fastest growing virtual worlds for kids. It’s a snow-covered, online playground where children interact, play games and let their imaginations soar. From new games to theme parties and special events, there is always something exciting happening in the world. Club Penguin is enjoyed by kids and families in more than 190 countries around the world and is available to play in English, Portuguese, French and Spanish.
Club Penguin: Elite Penguin Force: Herbert’s Revenge is being developed by 1st Playable Productions and will be available by this summer.
ALICE IN WONDERLAND All-New Wii Screenshots
PRINCE OF PERSIA: Forgottern Sands Unvieled Details For Wii
Today Ubisoft unveiled new details for the upcoming release of Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands for the Wii. Developed by Ubisoft’s Quebec City Studio and built entirely from the ground up, Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands utilizes the full graphical capabilities of the Wii system. This chapter in the critically-acclaimed Prince of Persia Sands of Time series introduces players to a brand new storyline complete with new characters and powers that transcend both nature and time. Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands is scheduled to ship May 14th, 2010.
Game Feature Include:
- Classic Gameplay Reinvented: By utilizing the Prince’s acrobatic prowess, players will be able to perform unparalleled feats from maneuvering through treacherous traps and combating massive enemies, to solving elaborate puzzles in an effort to survive.
- Create Your Own Path: The Prince will possess supreme mastery over his environment and enemies. By manipulating his power over sand, The Prince will uncover new areas to explore that will only be accessible by wielding his new powers, skills and abilities.
- Impressive Graphics for Wii: Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands utilizes advanced technologies to deliver a smooth, clear and impressive graphical experience on the Wii. With 15 hours of original storyline as well as alternate paths, secret areas and unlockables, The Forgotten Sands™ provides players with a significant adventure that rewards exploration and encourages replay ability.
- A Blockbuster Experience: Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands will treat players to a variety of unforgettable locales that complement the Wii’s unique controls and capabilities. Epic in-game moments aim to have fans on the edge of their seats as the Prince battles with ferocious beasts and colossal bosses.
Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands is also shipping May 2010 for the Xbox 360, PS3, Nintendo DSi, Nintendo DS, PSP (Playstation Portable) and Windows-based PC.
SHIREN THE WANDERER Wanders Into Stores Across North America
Atlus U.S.A., Inc. today announced that Shiren the Wanderer for Wii, the new entry in the long heralded Shiren series, is now available in retailers across North America. This new chapter in the legendary franchise stands as one of the most addictive, highly rewarding, and endlessly replayable games available on the platform, not to mention the most accessible Shiren game yet.
With more emphasis on story than practically any other game of its type, Shiren the Wanderer also stands as one of the more captivating narrative-driven roleplaying games in recent memory. A wealth of authentic Japanese history and mythology, an assortment of mystical beasts to encounter and defeat, a cast of colorful characters to interact with, and novel time-travel elements all translate into an epic adventure for Wii owners. Those who complete the game will be treated to post-game content that offers significantly more gameplay and increased challenge, making Shiren the Wanderer a great value as well.
ABOUT Shiren the Wanderer
For a thousand years, a princess has slept inside the Karakuri Mansion. When Shiren’s former master bestows upon him the Karakuri key, he quickly finds himself entangled in a millennium-old mystery, wandering through past and present to unravel the story of the girl and vanquish an ancient, lurking evil…
KEY FEATURES:
- Epic adventure in feudal Japan — As the wandering samurai Shiren, you will explore a vision of historic Japan that is beautiful and vibrant. An epic story that begins 1000 years prior takes you through villages and dungeons and places you alongside figures straight out of Japanese mythology.
- Variable challenge — A brand new easy mode lets even newcomers to the genre find a foothold while experienced players will find a more rigorous challenge in Normal mode. Post-game activities will test the most advanced gamer with additional quests, super dungeons, a tournament, and the “ultimate challenge”-the Millennium Dungeon, a pain-staking 1,000 floor dungeon crawl.
- Challenging depth and strategy — Control your time in the dungeons down to the details. Choose direct control over your party members or take advantage of the excellent AI that lets you specify attitude and tendency. Power up equipment through the new Dragon Orb system, and imbue them with special abilities via more than 100 Seals. New Spells allow targeted casting of effects on enemies.
For more on Shiren The Wanderer head over to the official website
FRAGILE DREAMS: Farewell Ruins of the Moon Coming March 19th
Leading videogames publisher Rising Star Games today confirms that Fragile Dreams: Farewell Ruins of the Moon will be released throughout Europe on 19th March, exclusively for the Nintendo Wii.
Set in a post-apocalyptic vision of Japan, Fragile Dreams is a fantasy adventure game that takes place in a world seemingly devoid of human life. Consequently, gamers will experience an acute sense of isolation as they guide an abandoned young boy named Seto, who is searching for survivors on the way to his final destination.
An engaging and unique game, as the story unfolds the gamer gradually begins to make sense of the desolate world while fending off ghosts and other hostile creatures, using the Wiimote as both weapon and torch.
Visually stunning, audio is also crucial in Fragile Dreams – along with an emotional soundtrack, ghostly sounds emanate from the Wiimote’s speaker, adding to the eerie environment. It can also be pointed at the source of a sound and used as an aid to detect key items and locations.
“We’re delighted to be able to announce a release date for Fragile Dreams,” says Martin Defries, managing director, Rising Star Games. “As soon as gamers start playing it, they will become engrossed in the storyline and focused on unravelling the mysteries of this deserted world.”
The game is highly anticipated and has already received a 31/40 Famitsu score in its native Japan, becoming one of the top selling games during its week of release.
Konami Unveils Gormiti: The Lords of Nature
Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH has released the first trailer and assets for its forthcoming Gormiti: The Lords of Nature! title for Wii and Nintendo DS. The game also made its first public appearance on the Giochi Preziosi/Gormiti event at the International Toy Fair Nürnberg in Germany which was held between February 4th-9th.
Gormiti: The Lords of Nature! will be released across Europe in Q3 2010, and uses characters and locations from the popular Gormiti TV show co-produced by Marathon Media & Giochi Preziosi. The game recreates the beautifully illustrated island of Gorm, where the Lords of Earth, Sea, Air and Forest are charged with stopping the evil Magmion from wreaking havoc.
The action starts as a character called Razzle, while cleaning the library, accidentally knocks some old books into a Portal. These books tumble down to Gorm and land at the feet of Magmion, the evil Lava Gormiti. Magmion reads the book and learns of an old legend which talks about reuniting five sacred amulets which have been scattered across Gorm. Once reunited these amulets allow the holder to open an inter-dimensional portal to Earth! The Lords of Nature need to use all their unique powers to hinder Magmion’s plans and save Earth.
SNIPER ELITE Takes Aim On Nintendo Wii
Sniper Elite, the world’s best selling ‘Action/Adventure Sniper Simulator’ is being brought to the Nintendo Wii by UK publisher Reef Entertainment.
The original Sniper Elite was launched in 2005 on PS2, Xbox and PC and quickly set the standard for in-game sniper techniques and bullet physics which influenced games such as Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare and Unreal Tournament.
Peter Rezon, CEO of Reef Entertainment said; “The Nintendo Wii platform has been very good for Reef and we will continue to develop innovative and unique games for it. Following on from our recent launches of Free Running & Rogue Trooper: Quartz Zone Massacre, we are incorporating features to ensure that Sniper Elite will be an essential purchase for all shooter fans.”
The Wii version of Sniper Elite makes full use of the Wii’s control system with movement and gestures, is compatible with the Wii Zapper, and contains new levels and a raft of additional features, making this game one of a kind.
Peter concludes, “Sniper Elite represents our most ambitious project yet. We have taken a game which has been called ‘the Gran Turismo of War Games’ and we will fully immerse gamers into Berlin 1945. Rifle add-ons such as the Wii Zapper have been a primary focus to make the game as realistic and exciting as possible. We believe this will be one of the most fun shooter titles launched in 2010”.
Sniper Elite on Nintendo Wii will be launched Q2 2010.
ALL-STAR KARATE Coming Exclusively To Wii
THQ Inc. today announced that All Star Karate is currently in development exclusively for Wii and is scheduled for release this spring. All Star Karate, the first extension in the company’s All Star franchise, which debuted with the All Star Cheer Squad cheerleading video game in 2008, will challenge players to punch, kick and chop their way through the game with play features based on real karate moves. With optional Wii MotionPlus compatibility, the game offers a true full-body experience by allowing players to experience the life of a karate trainee who is under the guidance of a wise, but humorous sensei, and is on the path toward attaining a black belt, the highest achievement level in karate.
In All Star Karate, players will follow the life of a young, martial arts novice whose noble attempt to save an elderly man from a pack of ninjas brings him face-to-face with a true karate master. The sensei, a cantankerous old-timer, offers his services and teaches his new protégé the proper techniques and disciplines of karate and guides him toward achieving the black belt. In single-player, Career mode, players will execute and master various karate moves utilizing the Wii Remote and Nunchuk, or two Wii Remotes, in order to attain the seven different colored belts or achievement levels in karate, including the black belt. Additionally, players can show off their hand, kicking and blocking techniques by sparring with a friend in Challenge mode or by creating their own move sequences to perform with the Kata Editor.
LucasArts Announces LEGO Star Wars III: The Clone Wars
LucasArts and TT Games today announced the development of LEGO Star Wars III: The Clone Wars. The next chapter in the award-winning LEGO Star Wars videogame franchise, LEGO Star Wars III: The Clone Wars will combine the best elements of all previous LEGO games while adding brand new gameplay to make it the most action-packed LEGO videogame to date. Developed by the same team at Traveller’s Tales that created the critically acclaimed LEGO Star Wars and LEGO Indiana Jones series, the game will ship on the Wii, Nintendo DS, PS3, PSP (PlayStation Portable), and Xbox 360 and Windows in the Autumn of 2010.
“LucasArts continues to set the bar for next-generation family entertainment,” said Darrell Rodriguez, president of LucasArts. “The LEGO Star Wars franchise is a massive hit with fans, bringing in sales of over 20 million units worldwide. We’re thrilled to extend this experience to LEGO Star Wars III: The Clone Wars, delivering the humour and fun players expect from this award winning franchise.”
LEGO Star Wars III: The Clone Wars will include all the characters from both seasons of the hugely popular animated television series, Star Wars: The Clone Wars, as well as some fan-favorite characters from the beloved theatrical Star Wars Saga. The game will feature brand new battle modes, giving players unique, head-to-head combat and an upgraded level builder, allowing the creation of customized bases and in-game battlefields. Play either as a Jedi or Separatist with all-new character abilities, such as Squad command, Lightsaber slicing, Lightsaber jumps, long distance Jedi attacks and Grapple Tie-Ups, all within a new, easy-to-navigate hub.
