Four pocket-sized RPGs from Nintendo will be available this holiday season.Nintendo Meets Players' Demand for Deeper Storylines
Four New Titles Immerse Players in Fantasy Worlds
REDMOND, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 25, 2003--Emphasizing substance and involving storyline, Nintendo introduces four new games for the Game Boy® Advance to satisfy adventure and role-playing fans, while also meeting the current demand for all things magical and fantastic.
Role-playing games are not just for hard-core gamers, but are one of the most popular gaming genres, accounting for approximately 20 percent of U.S. game sales.(a)
The new titles -- Final Fantasy Tactics® Advance, Fire Emblem(TM), Mario & Luigi(TM): Superstar Saga, and Sword of Mana(TM) -- continue Nintendo's pursuit of developing deep, dynamic storylines and character-development opportunities for players. Quests in these games parallel the popularity of supernatural hits like the Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter movies. Unlike films, these new role-playing games allow players to immerse themselves in entertainment as an interactive player versus a passive viewer.
"These games feature out-of-this-world scenarios, engrossing players as their characters succeed," says George Harrison, senior vice president, marketing and corporate communications, Nintendo of America. "As the stories take dozens of hours to resolve, we provide a unique opportunity for role-playing fans to continue the game whenever and wherever they want in a portable manner."
The following games offer a new level of depth and breadth to role-playing game enthusiasts:
- Final Fantasy Tactics Advance, selling more than 150,000 copies in the U.S. in its first two weeks of availability, marks the popular franchise's debut on the Game Boy Advance. Marche, the main character, leads a squad of fighters in a quest to restore his peaceful hometown, which has been transformed into a kingdom of sorcery. With multiple levels, side quests and dozens of jobs and abilities, this game offers many hours of diverse game play. Multiplayer modes allow gamers to challenge one another to determine whose army is stronger -- and who is the better strategist. Players who want to go deeper into the storyline can call 866-PLY-2WIN (866-759-2946) to hear game characters tell their story in more detail. Final Fantasy Tactics Advance is available now, at an MSRP of $39.99.
- Fire Emblem combines military strategy with mages, berserkers and knights. Help a young noble named Eliwood hone his battle skills as he searches for his missing father. This epic game also includes a multiplayer game mode for battle with friends. Fire Emblem will be released Nov. 3, at an MSRP of $34.99.
- Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga follows the adventures of the Mario Bros. in a massive new land as they search for a villain who stole Princess Peach's voice. Blending reflex-testing battles with jumping challenges and brain-bending puzzles, this action-packed role-playing game will leave thumbs (and funny bones) sore. Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga will be released Nov. 17, at an MSRP of $34.99.
- Sword of Mana, the prequel to the famous Mana series, puts players in control of either a hero or heroine in the quest to save the Mana Tree from destruction, but each character experiences the story from a different perspective. The direction of the story changes based on which character the player selects. Sword of Mana will be released Dec. 1, at an MSRP of $34.99.
Between the four new titles, players can endow their characters with hundreds of different occupations and abilities. With the touch of a button, players can change characters, companions and even personalities, and begin an entirely new adventure. With these games set to be available for the 2003 holiday season, there's a title for gamers of every skill level.
Topic: Nintendo Quenches Gamers' Thirst for Depth (Read 1434 times)
