Electronic Arts announces the arrival of Madden NFL 09 for Nintendo Wii , Xbox 360, PS2, PS3, PSP, and Nintendo DS. the release date of this game is August 12 in North America.

EA Announces Madden NFL 09 Official Ship Date and Special Collector’s Edition (more…)

More About: Madden NFL 09, Nintendo Wii

This is the EA Sports Family Play official press release :

CHERTSEY, UK. – July 5, 2007 – Watch out sports fans, the playing field has been leveled! Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS) has made it easier for players of all ages and skill levels to play its most popular EA SPORTS™ games on the Wii™ through the all-new EA SPORTS™ Family Play style of gameplay. Debuting in the Wii versions of Madden NFL 08, NBA LIVE 08 and FIFA 08, EA SPORTS Family Play is a new way to play that enables players of all abilities to play with their friends and family without a competitive disadvantage. Advanced controls are also available for more experienced players, providing two compelling ways to play, and ensuring everyone can enjoy playing EA SPORTS games on the Wii together.

In the main game of Madden NFL 08, NBA LIVE 08 and FIFA 08, players have the choice to play the style that best suits their skills. When entering a contest, players now have the option to choose Advanced or Family Play. Once in the game, Advanced users take complete control of all aspects of the gameplay through intuitive Wii gestures using both the Nunchuk and Wii remote. EA SPORTS Family Play offers a simplified control system using just the Wii remote that enables novice players to focus on having fun while the console does the rest. With the Wii remote in hand, players control key actions – such as shooting, passing, snapping, and throwing – while the console controls the rest. It’s like having an invisible helper on your team. Plus, as novice players gain confidence in their ability they can gradually begin to use Advanced controls simply by plugging in the Nunchuk. It’s that easy.

“EA SPORTS Family Play on the Wii creates an incredibly accessible and user-friendly experience that the whole family will enjoy,” said Dave McCarthy, Executive Producer for the three games developed at EA Canada. “While many fans love to control every piece of the action, novice players can have just as much fun jumping in to throw a touchdown pass, nail a three pointer or take a shot on goal. Family Play brings together fans of all ages to enjoy playing EA SPORTS games, and even let’s them ease in to Advanced play if they desire.”

The following three EA SPORTS games feature EA SPORTS Family Play:

Madden NFL 08 on the Wii
Anyone can play like a pro in Madden NFL 08, whether a new user or a long time fan. Play with only the Wii remote with EA SPORTS Family Play or use the Wii remote and nunchuck for more advanced controls; the decision is yours. Featuring an all-new Party Mode, play trivia or chose from 22 different mini-games. Break down plays and highlight key moments with all-new Madden NFL 08 telestrator. Bring the game online, play head to head with friends and keep up to date with the live sports ticker for the ultimate online experience.

NBA LIVE 08 on the Wii
When the game is on the line and the ball is in your hands, what will you do? Will you penetrate the lane and rise above the rim for a monster slam, or find an opening around the perimeter and sink the game-winning basket? Jump in on the NBA action with EA SPORTS Family Play that gives every user the opportunity to enjoy success in NBA LIVE 08. You control your team’s shooting, passing, and steals on defense with the Wii remote, and leave the rest up to the AI. If you’re already a pro, use both the Wii remote and nunchuck for more advanced controls.

FIFA 08 on the Wii
The whole family can play FIFA 08 with a flick of the wrist. Play the traditional and authentic way or in a new party mode called Footii Party with Ronaldinho where you can play Juggling, Table Soccer or Boot It with your own Mii characters to unlock a customized Ronaldinho character to take on the champ. The in-game Soccer Academy makes it easy to learn the basic and FreeMotion™ advanced controls in more than 30 interactive tutorials, or let the game give you an assist with EA SPORTS Family Play. EA’s award-winning Interactive Leagues online play is also featured.

The Article:

GamesPress

More About: EA Sports Family Play

EA official press release concerning Ronaldinho Mii:

CHERTSEY, UK. – June 14, 2007 – FIFA 08 cover athlete Ronaldinho, one of the most talented and recognizable athletes in the world, will become the first professional football player to appear as a customized character exclusively for the Wii™, Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS) announced today.

EA has created a unique character of the celebrated Brazilian International football star that will be playable in FIFA 08 on Wii. The Wii-exclusive Ronaldinho will host a game mode designed and created exclusively for Wii called Footii Party with Ronaldinho. With this mode, EA introduces unique party games - including Table Football and Shoot Off – where you can play as your self-created Mii™ character to unlock Ronaldinho and take on the champ. Each Footii Party game is created as a multiplayer, social experience designed to engage and entertain fans of all ages.

Ronaldinho commented on the character, “My character looks like he enjoys playing football and shares my passion for the game. This is important to me. Whether you are playing football on the pitch or my party games in FIFA 08 on the Wii, it should be a fun and enjoyable experience.”

“When Ronaldinho steps on to the football pitch, he plays with passion and energy. We’ve brought that same spirit to FIFA 08 on Wii – it is fun, high-energy entertainment the entire family can enjoy,” said senior producer Tim Tschirner.

The game’s revolutionary FreeMotion™ controls help level the playing field for all players and turns FIFA 08 on Wii into a physical, social activity. It also provides gamers with a truly authentic football experience with more control than ever before. It’s easy to pick-up and play and with the in-game Football Academy you can learn basic and advanced controls in more than 30 interactive tutorials. Each lesson teaches you how to master the FreeMotion controls and perform all the necessary movements to dominate on the pitch.

Play FIFA 08 to take your favorite team and players to Cup glory. Mesmerize defenders with authentic individual skill and play like a real football player. Now you pass, shoot, and perform trick moves all with a flick of the wrist. Dictate the play with all-new controls for through-passing and crossing, or control your goalkeeper in one-on-one situations to deny an onrushing striker.

FIFA 08 delivers complete authenticity with licenses for all of the world’s top leagues, including MLS and Mexican 1st Division in North America, and 28 others from more than 20 nations. This year you can choose to play with one of over 570 licensed teams and more than 14,000 players to win glory with or against up to three of your friends.

FIFA 08 is developed by EA Canada in Vancouver, B.C. It is scheduled for worldwide release this fall on the Xbox 360™ video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system, the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, Wii™, Nintendo DS™, PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system, PC and mobile. FIFA 08 is not yet rated by the ESRB and PEGI.

The Article:

GamesPress

More About: Ronaldinho Mii

These are some new images of the Nintendo Wii game Fifa 08

  (more…)

More About: Nintendo, Wii, Fifa 08

This is an excerpt from an interview about the upcoming Nintendo Wii game Fifa 08

GameSpot: Before we talk “football,” let’s talk American football. EA Sports debuted on the Nintendo Wii last year with Madden NFL 07. Did you have much interaction with the team behind that game, and if so, what kind of lessons learned have been brought to the development of FIFA Soccer 08 for Wii?

Tim Tschirner: Before we started development, we spent quite a bit of time with the members of the Madden NFL 07 Wii team. They had a lot of great information to share with us, both on the design side and the technical side. On the design side, we were able to take away a lot of invaluable information around gestures; for example, what worked well, what didn’t work so well, things they tried that weren’t feasible, etc. On the technical side, we were able to share quite a bit of their low-level code and libraries.

GS: When we saw the game in May, the control scheme wasn’t finalized yet. Have there been any important changes to the controls in the game since then that we should know about?

TT: We have a really cool feature that we have added to the game since I first showed you FIFA Soccer 08 on the Wii in May. At this point, I am not able to go into more details other than to say we have created an innovative new way to play the game, and it’s especially great if you’re new to FIFA or want to play with or against someone who doesn’t know the game or the sport as well. It will allow players of all skill levels to play together and share the experience.

Some other additions to the controls that I can go into details on are directional passes and directional player switching. Regular passes are executed by pressing the A button; if you hold down the A button, you can do a gesture in one of the four main directions (up, down, left, or right) and the player will pass in that direction. To switch players on defense, you also use the A button; if you hold down the A button and do a gesture, it will switch to the player that is positioned in that direction. In addition to using the A button and a gesture, you can use the D pad. The directional passing also works for through-passes by holding down the B button and then doing a gesture. We also integrated functionality to curve the ball by twisting the Wii Remote to the left or right when you flick upward to take a shot.

Full Interview

More About: interview, Nintendo, Wii, Fifa 08

Fifa Soccer 08 Teaser Video

More About: Fifa Soccer 08

This is an excerpt from the Review of the Nintendo Wii game Mario Strikers Charged byPALGN:

Mario Strikers Charged Football is a game that is very easy to recommend. If you’re a serious football fan then wait for FIFA 08 but if you love Mario and friends and want to have a bit of fun on the soccer pitch then you won’t be disappointed by Strikers Charged. As the first game to utilise Wi-Fi there are still improvements to be made but overall it’s a very respectable debut for Nintendo’s foray into online gaming for the Wii.

Full Review

More About: Review, Nintendo, Wii, Mario Strikers Charged

(more…)

More About: Nintendo, Wii, Fifa Soccer 08

EB Games has Fifa Soccer 08 listed for the Nintendo Wii:

More About: Fifa Soccer 08, Wii