Console Digest

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Petz RescueTM to Focus on Endangered Animal Conservation

Ubisoft unveiled Petz Rescue, a new brand of video games for Wii™ and Nintendo DS™. Fulfilling every child’s dream of protecting the planet and preserving diverse animal life, the first games in the Petz Rescue series allow young players to save, nurture and heal endangered animals.

“We are thrilled about the expansion of the popular Petz franchise, which is our sixth best-selling brand, with over 13 million units sold to date,” said Tony Key, senior vice president of sales and marketing, North America, Ubisoft. “In the Petz games, children had the chance to take care of a variety of cute animals; with Petz Rescue, they will be empowered to actually save and heal the wildlife they encounter. This new line is designed to provide young players with positive messages about animal conservation through fun and exciting adventures.”

In Petz Rescue Wildlife Vet, available for Nintendo DS and Wii, players live an amazing adventure as a young vet who cares for domestic and exotic animals, and investigates the cause behind the local animals’ illnesses.

Petz Rescue Endangered Paradise for Nintendo DS allows players to become members of an environmental rescue team whose mission is to save the wildlife on a beautiful island that has been threatened by pollution.

Petz Rescue Ocean Patrol for Nintendo DS puts players in the role of Greg or Mila, who must help their uncle save endangered marine life on a secluded island.

The Petz Rescue titles are rated E for Everyone by the ESRB and will be available in North America in October 2008.

A long time ago, in a room far, far away Gamecock Media and Space Squid, a fine purveyor of hand-scrubbed sci-fi and hijinx, had a private meeting to discuss the fate of the Mushroom world. The plan they hatched was so outrageous, that only the greatest minds in the fan fiction world could ever hope to win the grand prize. Hundreds wrote in, but only one would come out as top ‘shroom.

Space Squid asked their readers and contributors to craft outlandish tales from the three inch perspective of Mushroom Men! When the writing had ceased and the dust settled; they collected, read and evaluated these tall tales of mushroom mischief. They spent hours whittling down the list until six contenders were left afloat on a sea of hopes and dreams. With a renewed sense of vigor, the Space Squid team took to picking the grand prize winner and the 5 runner-ups. Now without further ado, we present winning titles in order:

Grand Prize

“The Legend of Shiitake” by Christopher J. Oatis

Runner-Ups

“The Reply of Margarita Amanita” by Aaron DaMommio
“Roger Works, Man” by Andrew Godsey
“The Fleet Bolete” by F.W. Choi
“Tales From the Suburbs” by Justin Gordon

“Fun Guy” by Derek J. Goodman

Check out the full stories here: http://www.spacesquid.com/contest/

With his vivid and insane imagination, Christopher J. Oatis from Roosevelt, NJ has taken the top prize with his story “The Legend of Shiitake.” By completely delving into the world of Mushroom Men, Christopher crafted a tale of danger (tobacco), intrigue (Compost Heap Canyon) and action (Amanitas riders on spiders) all the while conveying an important message of responsibility and honor (lone wolf mushroom kicks ass). As the Grand Prize winner, Christopher receives a brand spankin’ new Wii, a copy of Mushroom Men: The Spore Wars and a guest post on Destructoid.com; his reaction, “I’m the Mushroom Man now, dawg!”

Runners up Aaron DaMommio, Andrew Godsey, F.W. Choi, Justin Gordon, and Derek J. Goodman receive a bag of swag that includes clothing, games and limited edition Mushroom Men autographed posters. These works of art are signed by none other than Les Claypool (of Primus fame); the musical mastermind behind Mushroom Men’s out of this world soundtrack.

PAX attendees will be able to pick up an exclusive limited-edition Mushroom Men book with art and these stories at the Gamecock booth.

About Mushroom Men

Mushroom Men gives players the opportunity to jump into the fantastic microcosm that is the backyard battlefield. Take control of the crusade, creating devastating weapons from everyday items and teaming up with other sentient plant forms that’ll leave the enemy sliced and diced. Let the stylus be your rapier and the Wii Remote your bazooka as you cut down the multitude of household pests that threaten our very existence!

Mushroom Men - Rise of the Fungi for Nintendo DS is shipping October 14, Mushroom Men - The Spore Wars for Wii is shipping November 14.

Learn more about Mushroom Men here: http://www.mushroommen.com

Animal Friends Rejoice As the Popular Pet Sim for Nintendo DS^TM Nears Release

Empire Interactive, a leading publisher of interactive entertainment software, today announced that development on Animal Paradise for Nintendo DS™ has been completed. The family-friendly handheld videogame release of the season will join kids on their journey back to school this fall. Shipping to North American retail stores on September 23, 2008, Animal Paradise has received an ESRB rating of “E” for “everyone.”

After the kids have finished their first week back at school - and their homework - parents can reward them with Animal Paradise’s stable of adorably friendly animals to care for and play with on their DS. Graced with the endearingly comical “big-nose” style of animal photography, from famed Japanese photographer Yoneo Morita, Animal Paradise promises to warm hearts and keep children entertained for hours. Under Empire Interactive’s recent partnership with Atari, Inc., Animal Paradise’s release will mark the first of four announced titles to be distributed exclusively by Atari in North America.

“We know players want pet simulation games with a variety of animals to choose from, and Animal Paradise delivers just that with loads of adorable animals, engaging gameplay and appeal for children and animal lovers of all ages,” said Karim Farghaly, vice president of sales, Empire Interactive. “We think this is a perfect title to kick off our distribution deal with Atari and another step forward in establishing Empire as a major player in the US gaming market.”

Animal Paradise takes players to a virtual farm where they can try their hand at caring for and raising 18 different animals including dogs, cats, hamsters, horses, pigs and more. Pets will need to be fed, cleaned, walked and played with in order to make sure they stay fit, healthy and happy. As they progress through the game, players will unlock new animals to care for and fun-filled mini-games like Treasure Hunting, Footprint Trail and Shampoo Scrub. Getting to know the animals, learning what kind of care each one prefers, and building a bond with them will be rewarded by unlocking exclusive pet photos for your virtual album. No other game this fall will entertain kids while teaching them how to be responsible caretakers like Animal Paradise.