Archive for January, 2009

2K Sports Brings Don King Boxing to Wii and Nintendo DS

Step into the ring with the Wii Balance Board!

2K Sports, the sports publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc., announced that Don King Boxing will be available in the UK on March 27th 2009 for Wii™ home video game system from Nintendo and Nintendo DS™. Don King Boxing provides a revolutionary boxing experience for Wii via accurate controls, a unique story mode, an exhilarating multiplayer system, and implementation of the Wii Balance Board*. The game is rated BBFC 15 for Wii™, and Pegi 12 for Nintendo DS™.

“Don King Boxing has been specifically designed to take advantage of everything the Wii and DS have to offer,” said Christoph Hartmann, 2K president. “We worked closely with Nintendo to make Don King Boxing a unique experience, especially using the Wii Balance Board. It is great for those who love boxing or those who just want a fun way to get some exercise.”

Developed by 2K China, Don King Boxing allows players to fight with or against over 20 licensed boxers in real venues like Madison Square Garden, Boardwalk Hall, and Trump Taj Majal. Players will experience what it’s like to be a real boxer as they throw jabs, hooks, and uppercuts with both hands all while ducking and dodging blows on the Wii Balance Board.

To get in shape, 2K Sports worked closely with Don King and his staff to design a Boxercise portion of the game that mimics the routines used by real boxers. The training program isn’t just for the human player; it also helps to improve your boxer’s skills for the next match in the game.

“Don King Boxing is not your prototypical boxing game,” Don King said. “What we have done here is truly innovative and provocative. Our goal with 2K Sports was to create realistic motions that most closely resemble the actual training regimens of prizefighters for maximum results.”

King added, “We’ve created our best set of real-life boxing exercises ever for Don King Boxing. It wouldn’t surprise me if a future world champion was introduced to the sport through this game. This is where you can get the skills that make for thrills.”

For more information about Don King Boxing, log onto http://www.2ksports.com/games/donkingboxing.

*The Wii Balance Board provides additional experiences for the game but is not required for play. Wii Balance Board sold separately with Wii Fit.

Big Bang Mini demo available

Light up Your World and Download the Demo of the Upcoming Nintendo DSTM Title from SouthPeak Games

SouthPeak Games is pleased to announce that a demo of Arkedo Studio’s Big Bang Mini for Nintendo DS™ is now available as a free download via the Nintendo Channel on Wii™. The explosive demo gives players a first taste of the unique shoot-‘em-up before it launches in Europe.

The demo of Big Bang Mini includes a selection of levels from three of the game’s worlds, including Hong Kong, Aurora and Luxor. These are just a handful of the full version’s nine uniquely themed locations, which see players travelling all over the globe blasting waves of enemies using spectacular firework displays. Featuring 90 challenging levels of play, tough boss battles and seven different modes, Big Bang Mini is the perfect game for Nintendo DS owners looking for their next action fix.

Developer Arkedo Studio has created a fast-paced firework-flinging title that gives everyone a chance to create their own firework displays. Although it may start off simple, the difficulty soon ramps up, making it one of the most compelling and challenging shooters on Nintendo DS.

So, what are you waiting for? Downloading the demo couldn’t be simpler. First make sure that on your Wii console you are opted in to send data to Nintendo and then select the demo from the Big Bang Mini information page on the Nintendo Channel. Instructions on Wii will then tell you to turn on your Nintendo DS and select ‘Download Play’ from the system menu.

For more information on Big Bang Mini, visit www.bigbangmini.com or www.southpeakgames.com.

Play Classic Casual Games Bejeweled2, Zuma, Heavy Weapon, Peggle and Feeding Frenzy, on the PlayStation Network

Sony Online Entertainment and PopCap Games Announce Publishing Agreement that Brings Five New Titles to the PSN

Sony Online Entertainment LLC and PopCap Games Inc. announced an exclusive publishing agreement that will bring five hit titles to the PlayStation®Network, with the first, Bejeweled® 2, being available immediately for download in North America with European versions to follow at a later date. Fan favorites, Zuma™, Heavy Weapon™, Peggle™ and Feeding Frenzy™ will also become available for download soon thereafter.

“As leaders in their genre, PopCap is to casual games what SOE is to MMOs,” said John Smedley, president of Sony Online Entertainment. “Being the second largest publisher on the PlayStation Network, SOE is excited that this partnership will expand the PlayStation®Network catalog with awesome casual titles that players of all types can enjoy.”

Beginning today, Bejeweled 2 is scheduled to be available for purchase from the PlayStation® Store for $9.99 (plus applicable taxes) and features four unique ways to play the time-honored Match-3 game. Players can solve handcrafted brainteasers in Puzzle mode while up against the clock or kick back, relax and rack up the points in Endless mode. With awe-inspiring planetary backdrops, explosive new gems and dazzling special effects, Bejeweled 2 is more wildly irresistible than ever before!

Features Include:

  • PlayStation®Network Trophies!
  • PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) Remote Play
  • Stunning 3D special effects and HD resolution (up 1080p).
  • Explosive new pieces: power gems, hyper cubes and time bombs!
  • Four ways to play: Classic, Action, Puzzle and Endless modes
  • Explore a galaxy of handcrafted puzzles in Puzzle mode.
  • Play for eternity and collect jewelry in relaxing Endless mode.
  • Discover secret game modes!
  • Hint-on-demand feature!

Relax, Play and Improve Your Mind with Challenge Me: Maths Workout on Nintendo DS

Oxygen Games presents Challenge Me Maths Workout, a fun & challenging game to help you relax & improve your mind

Oxygen Games™ introduces the next in a new range of games designed to relax and stimulate your mind; Challenge Me: Maths Workout!

Relax, Play and improve your mind. Challenge Me: Maths Workout, with its extended gameplay and variety of features, gives you the chance to test yourself while having fun. Guaranteed to stimulate and surprise with hours of gameplay to keep you entertained, Challenge Me: Maths Workout is a relaxing and entertaining way to keep your mind challenged and stimulated.

Challenge Me: Maths Workout! Challenge Me: Maths Workout is the second game to be released in the Challenge Me series after Challenge Me: Brain Puzzles.

Incorporating two number puzzle games, Challenge Me: Maths Workout will not only bring you hours of fun and relaxation, it may also improve your Maths skills.

Hidden Logic!
In hidden logic you must guess the value of your opponent’s cards whilst stopping them from guessing yours. Initially the cards are facedown on the Nintendo DS™ screen – a correct guess (from 1-11) will reveal the card. Play to reveal all of your opponents cards before they reveal yours!

Formulate! Formulate! is a numbers game that uses equations and cards to formulate answers. Each card, numbered 1-9 is also associated with a mathematical symbol such as +, – , x or ÷. You must move the cards around the screen to create a correct formula. Formulate! is a great way to sharpen up your arithmetic skills while relaxing at home or battling the hordes on the tube or bus!

Challenge Me: Maths Workout – Relax, Play and Improve Your Mind!

Guitar Hero Metallica Fact Sheet

“Ride the Lightning” with musical icons Metallica and over 20 other rocking acts in an all new Guitar Hero® experience – Guitar Hero® Metallica®. Enter the world of Lars Ulrich, James Hetfield, Kirk Hammett and Robert Trujillo and experience the intensity and skill of one of the greatest bands of all time. Shred on guitar, rip on drums and wail on the mic to a set list featuring over 45 explosive hits from Metallica’s illustrious career and a wide variety of other legendary artists personally selected by the band, such as Alice In Chains, Foo Fighters and Queen. Fans will be able to rock as Metallica while performing in venues reminiscent of the band’s epic album covers, themes from their music and real world locales.

KEY FEATURES:
Becoming the Band – For the first time ever, Guitar Hero Metallica will allow fans to come together and thrash as the explosive, world-renown metal and rock band, Metallica, whose album sales have exceeded 100 million worldwide. Transform into metal legends Lars Ulrich, James Hetfield, Kirk Hammett and Robert Trujillo as full body scans and signature moves motion capture allow players to virtually experience the high intensity of a Metallica performance.

Live Like Metal Legends – Follow the path of the metal legends in either single instrument or band career game modes playing as the band to a soundtrack of their greatest hits while also rocking with over 20 additional artists selected by the band. Featuring in-the-round stage designs and custom camera angles new to Guitar Hero, further highlighted by custom lightshows, special effects and encores, gamers and Metallica fans alike can fulfill their rock ‘n’ roll fantasies in a variety of new and famous settings, ranging from Tushino Airfield to The Forum. All venues reflect Metallica’s most memorable tours including themes from their album artwork to offer the authentic Metallica atmosphere.

Drum Like Lars – In addition to using the redesigned, more responsive and advanced Guitar Hero World Tour guitar controller and microphone, Metallica fans will truly be able to pound like Lars on the drums with a second bass pedal compatible with the Guitar Hero World Tour drum kit controller. The all-new “Expert+” difficulty level gives gamers access to the double bass drum note track which offers the authentic Metallica experience with a note-for-note translation of many tracks appearing in-game and adds a new difficulty option to all gameplay modes.

Seek and Destroy – Immerse yourself in themed Battle Mode attacks, such as briefly blacking out your fellow rocker’s note track or modifying the amp overload to include the signature Metallica lightening.

Test Your Metal – After nailing a song, test your Metallica know-how by replaying the song with trivia pop-ups. The on-screen displays give information about the song being played, and with guest artist songs, information about how the band is tied to Metallica will be displayed along with details such as band history and lyrics.

Off to Never Never Land – Guitar Hero Metallica is loaded with tons of bonuses throughout the game, such as unlockable venues, commentary, videos and behind the scenes footage, giving all Metallica fans exclusive content to enjoy.

All that Remains – Guitar Hero Metallica cranks all the great features, gameplay and fun of Guitar Hero World Tour to a new level with updates to the Music Studio featuring samples from James Hetfield’s ESP Truckster guitar and of Slayer fame, Tom Araya’s signature ESP bass guitar, GHTunesSM, and the Rock Star Creator. Online game modes allow competing gamers to see who tops the charts in Face-Off, Pro Face-Off, eight-player “Battle of the Bands” and Battle Mode as well as the online Quickplay mode that allows up to four gamers to shred together regardless of physical location.

Publisher: Activision Publishing/RedOctane
Developer: Neversoft (Xbox 360 and PS3)
Budcat Creations (PS2 and Wii)
Release Date: Spring 2009