THQ announced  Worms: A Space Oddity for wii, It in the works at Team17 Software Ltd and scheduled for release in spring 2008. This is the Press Release: (more…)

Cooking Mama 2: Dinner with Friends, officially announced for North America (details on DS, Wii versions)

EDISON, N.J.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Hot on the heels of her debut title’s success, Mama is back in the kitchen as Majesco Entertainment Company (NASDAQ: COOL), an innovative provider of digital entertainment products and content, today announced Cooking Mama 2: Dinner with Friends for the Nintendo DS™. With several new game modes and brand new recipes, Cooking Mama 2 has all the ingredients of an interactive smorgasbord. Recipe details for the new Wii™ home video game system version will be announced at a later date.

“Mama’s genuine appeal coupled with a truly unique and fun game concept made the original Cooking Mama a best seller that garnered several industry accolades,” said Ken Gold, vice president of Marketing. “In Cooking Mama 2: Dinner with Friends, we’re building on that success with all new recipes, a new tasting mode and multiplayer wireless play that will entice fans to keep on cookin’.”

In Cooking Mama 2: Dinner with Friends, players use the stylus as the ultimate kitchen utensil in 150 different cooking mini-games across 80 new recipes that range from cultural delicacies like shark fin soup to the all-American apple pie. However, this time around players actually have hungry mouths to feed since nine finicky dinner friends will be tasting and judging each meal! A new Challenge Mode lets up to four friends compete in a wireless cook off with only one game card, while players can customize their kitchen—and even Mama!—in the fresh Decoration Mode.

For additional information about Cooking Mama 2: Dinner with Friends as well as Majesco’s exciting line of products, please visit www.majescoentertainment.com.

Chris@ONM from Official Nintendo Magazine (UK) played the demo version of  Super Mario Galaxy. He has answered a ton of questions posted on the magazine’s online forums. These this are some of them : (more…)

This is an excerpt from the Review of the Nintendo Wii game Alien Syndrome by 1up

Of course, many action-RPGs are only as good as their multiplayer, and Alien Syndrome’s co-op (up to four players) is as insipid as the rest of the experience. The “shooting things” half of the game is fine with a few friends, if not a bit busy, but the “wandering around for a key card/computer terminal” half is even more tedious with company. It’s a big game, and it could potentially last quite a while if a few friends really got into it, but that’s the only way you’re going to get close to your $50 worth. For what you’re getting and how low budget the game appears, it’s unthinkable to consider it otherwise for any more than a $20 price point.

Full Review 

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Atari Announces ‘Asterix At The Olympic Games’

LYON, FRANCE – 19 July 2007 – Atari today announced details of the forthcoming video game Asterix at the Olympic Games for PlayStation®2, Nintendo DS™, Wii and PC scheduled for release this coming winter. The game of the upcoming live action feature film of the same name, Asterix at the Olympic Games blends live action elements from the film with high quality computer generated and video game animation to deliver fans an extraordinary and unique Asterix experience.

Developed by Etranges Libellules in close collaboration with Asterix licensor Les Editions Albert René and with film production company La Petite Reine, the game follows Asterix, Obelix and the faithful Dogmatix as they travel to Greece in aid of their lovesick friend Alafolix. Their journey takes them to the Olympic Games where they find themselves pitted against the athletic might of the Roman Empire. Adventure and hilarity ensue as Asterix and friends compete to get the better of Brutus, his muscle-bound champion, and their long-time nemesis, Julius Caesar himself.

“Over the last decade Atari has sold more than three million Asterix video games in Europe, and it’s a joy to be able to continue to build on this great legacy with something this brilliantly original,” said Cyril Voiron, Marketing Director, Atari Europe. “The fusion of elements from the film with original CGI and a unique storyline complementing the film, combined with Etrange Libellule’s know-how in consistently delivering high quality and extremely fun games, makes Asterix at the Olympic Games a must-have Christmas title.”

In Asterix at the Olympic Games players can choose from three playable characters, Asterix, Obelix and Dogmatix, in an original story which takes a parallel course to the film and the comic book. Our heroes must stop Brutus who has opened the gates between the worlds of the book, the film and the game while still finding time and energy to triumph at the Olympic Games themselves. The mini-game mode lets players compete in Olympic challenges with their chosen character, while two-player multiplayer lets friends go head to head in a series of hilarious contests.

The live action feature film has the biggest production budget of any film in European cinema history and is scheduled for release across Europe in early 2008. Asterix at the Olympic Games for PlayStation®2, Nintendo DS™, Wii and PC is scheduled for release this coming winter.

More About: Asterix At The Olympic Games

Ubisoft official Nitro bike press release

Ubisoft, one of the world’s largest video game publishers, announced it will release Nitrobike™ exclusively for the Wii™ home video game system from Nintendo.

Developed by Left Field Productions, the creators of the classic Excitebike® 64 for the Nintendo® 64, Nitrobike will be published and distributed by Ubisoft for Holiday 2007. Players will navigate rocket-propelled motorcycles in this arcade-style game. Players can choose to race against the clock or against worthy opponents in Nitrobike’s exciting multiplayer game mode and unique online mode.

“Ubisoft is thrilled to be introducing the first Motocross game available for Wii,” said Jay Cohen, vice president of publishing at Ubisoft. “Nitrobike’s fun and fast-paced gameplay is sure to be a hit for Wii owners for the holiday season.”

Civilization Wii / DS Announced

Sid Meier’s Civilization Revolution will be the first offering in the legendary Civilization series to appear on next generation consoles and handheld systems. In development by legendary designer Sid Meier and Firaxis Games, this game will deliver Civilization’s renowned epic single-player campaigns featuring vast re-playability and unmatched addictive gameplay. In addition, with revolutionary features like real-time interaction with leaders and advisors, extensive multiplayer capabilities and integrated video and voice chat, Sid Meier’s Civilization Revolution will completely transport the Civilization series to a level of gameplay that fans have never seen before.

Developer: Firaxis Games, a 2K studio

Platforms: Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system, Nintendo Wii, and Nintendo DS

Available: Spring 2008 for the Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3 and DS and fall 2008 for the Wii

More About: Civilization Wii

TNA iMPACT! confirmed for Wii

CHICAGO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Midway Games Inc. (NYSE: MWY), a leading interactive entertainment publisher and developer, today announced its product portfolio to be shown at the E3 Business & Media Summit, July 11-13 in Los Angeles. This year’s lineup showcases exciting new properties such as Stranglehold™, highly anticipated next generation games such as BlackSite: Area 51™, developed by Midway Studios - Austin, proven brands such as Unreal Tournament® 3 from world renowned developer Epic Games and Ultimate Mortal Kombat®, Midway’s top-selling fighting franchise’s debut on Nintendo DS™; and kid’s games like Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends, based on the top-rated Cartoon Network series.

“Our 2007 E3 lineup truly reflects our product strategy to develop top quality titles in a wide range of genres across all major platforms,” said David F. Zucker, president and CEO, Midway. “With exciting next generation games such as Stranglehold and proven brands like Mortal Kombat, along with games for the younger market and handhelds, this is Midway’s most diverse and strongest line up yet.”

Midway’s E3 line up with expected ship dates include:

Stranglehold (PLAYSTATION®3, Xbox 360™, PC; August) – Experience exhilarating, next-gen action for the PS3, Xbox 360™ videogame and entertainment system from Microsoft and PC, as you continue the story of Inspector Tequila created by John Woo for his influential action film, “Hard Boiled” starring Chow Yun-Fat. Run into danger with both fists full of lead and take down the organized crime bosses who stepped over the line when they took your family. Stop at nothing as you destroy the entire world around you to get them back. You are a desperate man following your own rules; honor thy family; do what’s right; fear no man.

BlackSite: Area 51 (PLAYSTATION®3, Xbox 360™, PC; September) - Featuring a powerful single-player campaign, along with multiple online multiplayer modes, BlackSite: Area 51 delivers vicious combat action, next generation graphics and A.I., and a plethora of powerful weapons and vehicles. Set in present day, players take the role of a decorated military veteran charged by the government to lead a squadron of “secret soldiers,” each with his/her own specialty skill set, into the Rachel, Nevada area to fight off the invasion of unidentified enemy races.

Unreal Tournament 3 (PC; Fall) - Unreal Tournament 3 marks the return of the industry’s premiere first-person shooter franchise. In the latest installment of the award-winning Unreal® franchise, players assume the role of a futuristic warrior engaged in contests of intense warfare against dedicated and skilled opponents, controlled either by human contestants online or by A.I. These brutal contests are fought with the most powerful military weapons and vehicles known to man. In Unreal Tournament 3, players can go face-to-face with devastating close quarters weapons like the flak cannon and rocket launcher, or pick off their enemies from a distance with a high-caliber sniper rifle. Players will also be able to fully access the universe’s most capable and advanced set of vehicles in his quest to dominate and overwhelm opponents.

Ultimate Mortal Kombat (Nintendo DS, November) — Ultimate Mortal Kombat combines the visceral thrills of the classic Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 and the addictive puzzle action of the Puzzle Kombat component of Midway’s best-selling Mortal Kombat: Deception® in a single DS-friendly package. With unlockable content, new record-keeping capability, and Wi-Fi-connected multiplayer, players will be able take UMK anywhere for fighting action on the go.

Cruis’n™ (Wii™, November) — An all new version of the classic Midway arcade racer, Cruis’n is coming exclusively to the Nintendo Wii. Choose your ride from an impressive lineup of licensed cars and experience a rush of adrenaline as you race opponents through twelve different street circuits using the Wii remote to steer and perform outrageous stunts. Win races and earn upgrades including: turbos, body kits, neon and nitrous, allowing you to create the ultimate ride.

Aqua Teen Hunger Force Zombie Ninja Pro-Am (PlayStation 2, October) - Jealousy smolders inside Master Shake like chocolate in a fondue pot. Frylock has been admitted into Jersey Pines, South Jersey’s most prestigious and exclusive public golf course. And Shake was rejected. Actually, he didn’t apply. He doesn’t know how to play golf. But what does that matter? He’s mad and must defeat Frylock at his own game. With Meatwad as his caddy, Shake aims to crack some heads and sink some putts. Do battle against Carl, the Mooninites, MC Pee Pants, the Plutonians and other classic villains. Drive your electric golf cart like a real jerk, with complete disregard for your own life. Race against the Frat Aliens in a deadly game of cat and mouse. Hear the actual voices of your favorite cartoon characters, recorded in incredible digital quality. Learn how to finally hit a sand wedge properly. Only you can ensure that Master Shake is triumphant over evil, and the mandatory dress code regarding collared shirts.

Game Party (Wii, November) — Game Party for the Nintendo Wii is a collection of classic skill games from around the world, from American sports venues to European gathering spots. Using the Wii’s unique control interface, you can play classics such as darts; modern favorites such as table hockey and hoop shoot, or participate in multiplayer trivia contests. More than a half dozen games are available. It’s the ultimate party game.

Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends: Imagination Invaders (Nintendo DS, November) — For the first time on the Nintendo DS experience the fun of Cartoon Network’s hit show in Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends: Imagination Invaders, playing as head mischief-maker Blooregard Q. Kazoo. Goo has done it again…her overactive imagination has conjured up a group of diabolical cosmic invaders, the Space Nut Boogies. They’ve raided Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends and taken Madame Foster hostage in search of The Greatest Thing in the Universe, and it’s up to you to stop them! Play as Bloo as you explore the Foster’s house, sneak past the Space Nut Boogie guards, and gather Mac, Coco, Eduardo and the rest of the gang to rescue Madame Foster!

The Wheelman™ (PLAYSTATION®3, Xbox 360™, PC; Winter) - Starring Vin Diesel in The Wheelman, you’re on the run from the mafia in the U.S. and returning to Barcelona, a place where you have a dark past and criminal gangs infest the city. It’s your job to set the factions against each other to cover a daring heist. With a focus on over-the-top, intense vehicle combat, build your reputation by undertaking missions, taking part in challenging events, all the while looking to pull off stylish, extreme driving stunts.

TNA iMPACT!™ (PLAYSTATION®3, Xbox 360™, Wii, PlayStation 2; Spring) - TNA iMPACT! is set to be the most complete wrestling videogame to date. Featuring top talent such as Kurt Angle, Christian Cage, Rhino, Christopher Daniels, Jeff Jarret, AJ Styles and more, TNA iMPACT! will deliver all of the excitement and action of the top-rated weekly television show.

The Bee Game™ (Nintendo DS & Game Boy® Advance, November) — The Bee Game for Nintendo DS and Game Boy Advance lets players experience the adventures of Maya the Bee and her friend Willie as they search for their friends. A strong storm has blown through corn poppy meadow and some of the residents of the hive are now missing! Help Maya and Willie by taking on challenges and completing mini-games to find clues in the meadow, dark forest, blue pond, deep caverns and the garden to locate the other bees.

The Lord of the Rings Online™: Shadows of Angmar™ (PC, Available Now) — The Lord of the Rings Online is the world’s first and only massively multiplayer online (MMO) role playing game based upon the literary works of J.R.R. Tolkien. Gamers of all levels will establish their unique reputations, explore incredibly detailed realms and join familiar Tolkien characters, while adventuring solo or in fellowships within an evolving and persistent re-creation of Middle-earth. The Lord of the Rings Online™: Shadows of Angmar™ is developed by Turbine, Inc. and co-published by Midway in North America.

Hour of Victory™ (PC, Fall) - Hour of Victory allows you to play a key role in the pivotal and cinematic battles from the European and North African theaters of World War II, using the skills and gameplay style you choose. Built with Unreal Engine 3.0, Hour of Victory allows you to sneak into enemy territory as a covert operative, storm the gates as a British Commando, or snipe from afar as an Army Ranger – each character’s unique attributes will be needed for the fulfillment of the overall objective. Only with all these skill working closely together will you be able to say that you helped define the Hour of Victory.

More About: TNA iMPACT, Wii

AGOURA HILLS, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–THQ Inc. (NASDAQ:THQI) today announced de Blob™, currently in development exclusively for the Wii™ and Nintendo DS™, is scheduled to spread color and fun to gamers worldwide in February 2008. Developed for the Wii by THQ’s Australia-based studio, Blue Tongue Entertainment, and Nintendo DS by THQ’s Helixe studio, de Blob’s innovative style features ground and aerial maneuvers and color-spray gameplay that take full advantage of the Wii Remote™ and DS Stylus™. Players will take on the form of de Blob in a bouncing battle to explore, liberate and revitalize Chroma City, which has been drained of all color and life by the evil I.N.K.T. Corporation.

“In the spirit of some of Nintendo’s most innovative properties, de Blob’s simple game mechanic will be fun and easy for core and casual gamers to learn and reveal unbelievably addicting levels of depth and complexity as they progress through the game,” said Kelly Flock, executive vice president of worldwide publishing, THQ. “We look forward to unveiling de Blob at next week’s E3 press event.”

“With de Blob’s innovative control scheme, a swing of the Wii Remote or flick of the DS Stylus sends de Blob ricocheting and swinging through the city with splashes of color in his wake,” said Steve Dauterman, senior vice president of product development. “Gamers will be able to liberate the lifeless city of Chroma and create a collaboration of energy, music and color that is a reflection of each player’s gaming style.”

About de Blob

de Blob is an action puzzle title that allows players to explore and liberate an alien city from the evil, monochromatic I.N.K.T. Corporation that has taken over the city and outlawed all color and fun from daily life. Playing as de Blob, gamers will embark on a quest to re-animate the city of Chroma, and bring spunk and character back to the oppressed, by splattering buildings, landmarks, and citizens with color. de Blob features an intricate single player campaign as well as a multiplayer experience that supports up to four competitors via split screen. The game was conceived for the Windows PC by a team of nine students studying Game Design & Development at Utrecht University’s School of the Arts in the Netherlands. At the time of conception, sections of Utrecht were being rebuilt and the principal task in creating the game was to convey how the railroad station area of Utrecht would look in 10 years. The city of Utrecht has since adopted the character of de Blob to be its mascot.

More About: de Blob, Wii

Hudson Entertainment and Konami today announced Fishing Master exclusively for the Wii home video game system from Nintendo, an arcade style fishing game that armchair angling aficionados of all skill levels can enjoy. Under a publishing deal, Hudson will publish this title, while Konami will handle sales and distribution in North America.

Fishing gets closer to home in the upcoming game Fishing Master, a title that takes arcade style fishing and updates it for a whole new generation. Utilizing both the Wii Remote and Nunchuk, players will be able to bait, cast, hook, & battle a variety of different fish, all from the comfort of their living rooms.

In Fishing Master, players assume the role of an up-and-coming fisherman tasked by his grandfather to compete in increasingly difficult fishing tournaments to attain the coveted Fishing Master title. Deep in accessible and varied gameplay, Fishing Master sports an enthralling single-player mode and a four-player head-to-head multiplayer mode guaranteed to have players reeling in the fun for days.

“For years, gamers have looked to Hudson for innovative and enjoyable video gaming experiences, and we’re more than excited to say that we’re back with a great game like Fishing Master,” said John Greiner, President and CEO of Hudson Entertainment. “Fishing Master is sure to become an instant hit with the entire family.”

Fishing Master will be on display for the first time in North America at Konami’s E3 booth on July 11th, 2007.

source

More About: Konami, Fishing Master