SAN MATEO, CA — June 2, 2009 — Capcom®, a leading worldwide developer and publisher of video games, today announced that Tatsunoko vs. Capcom is coming to North America for the Wii™ home video game system. Capcom’s popular and critically acclaimed ‘VS’ fighting series is getting an all new next-generation introduction. Tatsunoko vs. Capcom pits Capcom’s iconic characters against Tatsunoko Productions anime superheroes. This clash of heroes face off in two-on-two battles for the ultimate 2D tag-team battle.
Originally released in Japanese arcades in the Fall of 2008, the original Tatsunoko vs. Capcom moved to the Wii console on December 11, 2008. This extraordinary fighter will blend these two rich universes by taking Capcom characters like Ryu from Street Fighter, Morrigan from Darkstalkers and the giant PTX-40A from Lost Planet and putting them against Tatsunoko fan-favorite characters from Gatchaman, Hurricane Polymar, Casshern and more. It’s a battler oyale that delivers match-ups that only exist in fans wildest dreams!
Unlike the more well-known six-button layout that the Street Fighter franchise pioneered, the VS line features a simplified four button system: “Weak”, “Medium”, “Strong” and “Assist” for the tag-team option of. The “Assist” feature adds another compelling element found Capcom’s other “VS” series: allowing players to switch their character on the fly or call for help from their tag-team partner, allowing for spectacular super moves (“Hyper Variable Combination”). Successful execution of the Assist feature can turn the tide of battle on a dime. Historically the VS series excels in integrating the tag-team options by including customized moves like Variable Assist, Snapback, and the previously mentioned Hyper Variable combination that lets both characters on one team perform their Hyper attack.
Platform: Wii
Genre: Sports
Players: 1-4
Rating: E (Everyone) – Cartoon Violence
Release: July 26, 2009
Developer: Nintendo
URL: www.Nintendo.com
Suggested Retail Price: $49.99FEATURES:
• Wuhu Island has so many things to do, there’s never a dull moment. A dozen activities await visitors: Archery, Frisbee®, Basketball, Cycling, Canoeing, Power Cruising, Table Tennis, Air Sports, Bowling, Swordplay, Golf and Wakeboarding.
• The activities use the precision controls of the Wii MotionPlus accessory to help players come much closer to the physical reality of engaging in the actual sports. Every real-world action, whether it’s a perfect drive on the fairway or a slice off the course, is meant to be faithfully replicated.
Become a Pokémon and Save the World!
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky is the newest installment in the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon video game series. The game expands on the fun found in Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time and Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Darkness. Players become a Pokémon and team up with a partner Pokémon. Together the two set out on an adventure of exploration and discovery, ultimately saving the world from destruction. With additional Pokémon to become, new “Special Episodes” and enhanced communication features, this is a grand adventure with a moving story and stunning finale. This game is a great starting point for players to enter the world of Pokémon Mystery Dungeon and for returning players to discover even more secrets.
Platform: Nintendo DS and Nintendo DSi
Genre: Role-Playing Game
Players: 1
Rating: RP (Rating Rating)
Release: 2010
Developer: PAON
URL: www.Nintendo.com
Suggested Retail Price: TBDTake Command of the Greek Squad
Glory of Heracles features the eponymous Greek hero in a pick-up-and-play role-playing game that has a rich storyline in a Greek motif and a deep battle system. The story begins when Heracles washes up on a beach with amnesia. Players must journey far and wide to figure out Heracles’ story and unravel the mysterious pasts of the other main characters in this new adventure. The game uses ancient Greece as its backdrop, and players can visit cities like Sparta and Athens on their travels.
Platform: Wii
Genre: Shooter
Players: 1
Rating: RP (Rating Pending)
Release: Q1 2010
Developer: TREASURE
URL: www.Nintendo.com
Suggested Retail Price: TBDResurrection of a Classic
Players engage in nonstop shooter action as they’re propelled through this run-and-gun style game. Isa and Kachi are being hunted. They go on the run and on the defensive, shooting everything in sight. Sin and Punishment 2 is the long-awaited sequel to the Japanese Nintendo 64™ cult-classic shooter. It brings a frantic arcade sensibility to a post-apocalyptic world. Fans who can’t wait for the sequel can replay the original game by downloading it fromthe Virtual Console™ section of the Wii™ Shop Channel.
LucasArts and Telltale Reveal Series of New Monkey Island Adventures Coming Soon!
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif – June 1, 2009 – LucasArts today announced that the original hilarious pirate adventure is back, with two new projects underway based on the classic Monkey Island franchise. First, Telltale will premiere the Tales of Monkey Island™ game series, delivering a completely new epic storyline and swashbuckling flair that will unfold across five monthly episodes on PC and WiiWare™ beginning with the season premiere episode on July 7. The Monkey Island celebration continues later in the summer when LucasArts publishes The Secret of Monkey Island™: Special Edition, a completely re-imagined version of the first game in the series that adds updated high definition graphics, a re-mastered musical score, and full voiceover to the classic adventure game originally launched in 1990. The Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition will be made available on Xbox LIVE® Arcade for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, and PC.
Today’s announcement represents a new partnership between LucasArts and digital entertainment pioneers Telltale who are crafting new experiences for today’s audiences with engaging stories delivered through regular monthly episodes. Tales of Monkey Island is developed by Telltale, whose team includes designers and artists who worked on all of the previous Monkey Island games. The Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition is being developed internally by LucasArts, the company that started it all with the original Monkey Island games.
LEGACY INTERACTIVE® AND UNIVERSAL PICTURES DIGITAL PLATFORMS GROUP TO DEVELOP VIDEO GAMES BASED ON TWO POPULAR TELEVISION SERIES
Companies Announce House M.D. For The PC and Nintendo DS™ and Murder, She Wrote For the PC
LOS ANGELES – June 2, 2009 – Casual games developer and publisher Legacy Interactive® today announced a licensing agreement with Universal Pictures Digital Platforms Group (UPDPG) to develop video games based on the popular television drama series House M.D. and the classic TV mystery series Murder, She Wrote.Legacy is transforming the successful medical mystery series House M.D., into a compelling game for both the PC and Nintendo DS™ where players make life and death decisions in the role of their favorite physicians from Princeton-Plainsboro Teaching Hospital. In the game, players will take turns stepping into the shoes of the skillful staff of the Diagnostic Medicine department which includes Dr. Taub, Dr. Hadley (AKA Thirteen) and, of course, the maverick medical genius himself, Dr. Gregory House. Players are part of the diagnostic team that attempts to diagnose and treat a variety of patients with complex illnesses. The game consists of five unique cases that represent the rare and fascinating types of maladies that viewers have come to expect from the popular medical drama.
LOS ANGELES, June 2, 2009 – For decades, Nintendo has endeavored to provide the most creative and immersive experiences in the world of video games and to lead the industry in new directions. At its media briefing in advance of the E3 Expo, the video game industry’s premier trade show, Nintendo announced products for social entertainment that stretch far beyond the current notion of what a video game can be, all while continuing to provide avid gaming fans with the challenges and thrills they desire.
“Nintendo continues to challenge how both new and longtime players perceive – and play – video games,” said Cammie Dunaway, Nintendo of America’s executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. “From modern updates of our most iconic franchises to the introduction of inventive devices, we are continuing to add entirely new dimensions to the video game experience.”
We mentioned this in our live blog but here is the official press release.
UBISOFT® TO PUBLISH NO MORE HEROES 2: DESPERATE STRUGGLE
Trailer, screenshots, and logo can be downloaded here: http://press.ubi.com
**THIS TRAILER MUST BE PLACED BEHIND AN AGE GATE. OFFICIAL LETTER INCLUDED**SAN FRANCISCO – June 1, 2009 – Ubisoft® revealed today at its E3 press conference that the company will be releasing No More Heroes 2: Desperate Struggle exclusively for the Wii(TM) system from Nintendo in North America in early 2010. No More Heroes 2: Desperate Struggle follows up on the success of No More Heroes that garnered multiple industry awards, including GamePro’s Wii game of the year, GameSpot’s Best Wii game and Editor’s Choice award and Best Original IP, IGN’s Best Wii Story and Best Action Wii Game.
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-Wii Holds the Top Spot for Sell Through While X-box Dominates Rentals-
PORTLAND, OR–June 01, 2009– Rentrak Corporation (NASDAQ: RENT), a multi-screen media measurement and research company serving the entertainment industry, today announced the new service, Ad Monitor for Video Games, an interactive database of advertising circulars from major retailers built directly from the feedback of video game publishers, providing users with analytics along with the most granular automated brand space tracking available.
Unique Experiential Journey Through The Beatles’ Career to Feature Introduction of Three-Part Vocal Harmonies, 45 Songs On-Disc and Reveal of First Downloadable Album, Abbey Road “All You Need Is Love” To Be Released Exclusively as Downloadable Song Through Xbox LIVE on 9/9/09 with Charity Proceeds to Benefit Doctors Without Borders New York – June 1, 2009 – Original band members Sir Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, along with Yoko Ono Lennon and Olivia Harrison, came together today to kick off the 2009 E3 Media & Business Summit with the world premiere of The Beatles: Rock Band. The first-of-its-kind music-based video game offers a revolutionary tour of The Beatles’ music, career, and legacy. Presented by Apple Corps, Ltd., and MTV Games’ Harmonix Music Systems, a part of Viacom’s MTV Networks (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), The Beatles: Rock Band will be released worldwide on 9/9/09, as will the release of the entire, original, digitally re-mastered Beatles CD catalogue.
Unveiled at Microsoft’s E3 press conference, the game represents the first time fans will be able to experience The Beatles’ musical career for themselves. From the early touring days in 1963 Liverpool to the immortal, final performance on the Apple Corps rooftop, fans can follow in the band’s footsteps as they traverse the globe during the height of Beatlemania. Adding to the experience is the introduction of three-part vocal harmonies to game play, allowing gamers to revel in the unparalleled vocal stylings of the Fab Four. Beatles fans will also be thrilled to hear previously unreleased authentic voice recordings from John, Paul, George and Ringo chatting between takes during studio sessions recorded at Abbey Road more than four decades ago.
With some of the biggest rock artists and most prolific bands of all time, Guitar Hero® 5 is tuned for the ultimate shredfest as players prepare to join together and rock any way they want, with any combination of instrument controllers. Guitar Hero 5 features the most diversified set list to date, comprised of songs from some of the hottest bands of today to all-time favorite classic anthems, with music from a variety of genres including hard rock, classic rock, indie rock, metal and more. Get ready to shred, drum and wail with any in-game instrument combination as Guitar Hero announces the full list of artists and bands that will be offering up some of their greatest works to living room rockers everywhere. The complete list of artists and bands to be featured in Guitar Hero 5 when it hits store shelves on September 1, 2009 will include songs from:
505 Games announces Cooking Mama 3
Milton Keynes, 1st June 2009 – 505 Games today announced that everyone’s favourite culinary queen will return to the kitchen in time for Christmas. Cooking Mama 3 will see all new features added to the world famous game play recipe the series is famed for as 505 Games have once again secured an agreement with Cooking Mama Ltd., to publish Cooking Mama 3 on Nintendo DS across Europe. “Mama provides a truly unique gameplay experience which can’t be replicated and always delivers,” commented Ian Howe, Managing Director of 505 Games. “Cooking Mama remains our most successful series to date and we know Cooking Mama 3 will only serve to build upon its existing legacy.”
Cambridge, Mass. – June 1, 2009 – Harmonix and MTV Games today announced 22 tracks from artists including Alice Cooper, Taking Back Sunday, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Foreigner and Roy Orbison coming this week to the Rock Band®Music Store catalog of downloadable content for the Wii™ system.
Wii Rock Band 2 owners will gain access this week to three tracks from Long Island-based alternative rockers Taking Back Sunday, as well as six songs each from pop legend Roy Orbison and shock rock legend Alice Cooper.
This week’s downloadable game releases include a spellbinding new installment in the FINAL FANTASY® series. This first true sequel to FINAL FANTASY IV is sure to get RPG fans’ blood pumping. Nintendo DSiWare™ users will find a challenging new puzzle game to help keep their minds spinning. A slick new poker title from the WiiWare™ service raises the stakes for virtual card sharps, while the Virtual Console™ debut of a classic Commodore 64 game puts players in pursuit of precious gems. With so much variety on the Wii™ Shop Channel and Nintendo DSi Shop™, your odds of having a humdrum summer are getting slimmer by the hour.
LOS ANGELES (May 29, 2009) – Square Enix, Inc., the publisher of Square Enix® interactive entertainment products in North America, announced today a broad lineup of titles for the 2009 E3 Expo, taking place between June 2 – 4. Highlighting the steps it has taken to become a more global entertainment company, Square Enix will not only feature games developed in partnership with U.S. and European developers such as FRONT MISSION EVOLVED™, ORDER OF WAR™ and SUPREME COMMANDER® 2 at their booth; but continues to offer the highest-quality experiences across all platforms, with highly anticipated new games such as DISSIDIA™ FINAL FANTASY® and FINAL FANTASY XIII, in addition to the next installment in the beloved KINGDOM HEARTS franchise, KINGDOM HEARTS 358/2 Days.
“As our best-selling FINAL FANTASY franchise continues to evolve, Square Enix is focused on creating the best entertainment experiences for all gamers,” said John Yamamoto, president and chief executive officer of Square Enix, Inc. and Square Enix Ltd., “Our new partnerships with companies such as Double Helix, Gas Powered Games and Wargaming.net are a testament to our commitment to offer a much broader variety of games across different genres. All while Square Enix remains unchanged in the quality and depth of story we bring to all of the games we publish. We look forward to showcasing the results of these partnerships at E3 2009 as well as several much awaited FINAL FANTASY titles and KINGDOM HEARTS 358/2 Days.”
LONDON, UK – 29th May, 2009 – LucasArts and TT Games today announced that LEGO® Indiana Jones™ 2: The Adventure Continues will whip onto Wii™, Nintendo DS™, PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system, PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system, Xbox 360®video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and Windows in the Fall of 2009. Developed by the same team at Traveller’s Tales that created the award-winning LEGO® Indiana Jones™: The Original Adventures and the LEGO® Star Wars™ series, LEGO Indiana Jones 2 presents a tongue-in-cheek take on all four cinematic adventures of pop culture’s most iconic archaeologist, including for the first time ever Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull and will give players the ability to create levels of their own!
“LucasArts and TT Games continue to set the bar for next-generation family entertainment with the LEGO Indiana Jones franchise,” said Darrell Rodriguez, president of LucasArts. “LEGO Indiana Jones 2 delivers something a little different for everyone. Parents will enjoy the humorous take on the classic moments from their favorite movies, and their kids have an opportunity to experience the most authentic LEGO experience by building their own fun levels brick by brick.”