Topic: Buena Vista Games Announces E3 Lineup

[NWR_Karlie]

Several Wii, DS and GBA titles on show.

Buena Vista Games Strengthens Self-Publishing Business, Unveils New Video Game Lineup at 2006 Electronic Entertainment Expo    

   

 E3Expo 2006  BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 8, 2006--Buena Vista Games, Inc.:    

-- Portfolio Includes Console and Handheld Titles Based on New Intellectual Properties and Franchises from The Walt Disney Company    

-- Spectrobes, Turok and Desperate Housewives: The Game to Make World Premieres    

Buena Vista Games, Inc. (BVG), the interactive entertainment arm of The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS), today announced its largest and most diverse lineup ever of console, computer and handheld video game titles to be showcased at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3), May 10-12 at the Los Angeles Convention Center, Booth No. 1024 in the South Hall.    

With a broad portfolio of video games that appeals to a wide audience, BVG's portfolio includes titles inspired by major theatrical releases, popular and award-winning television shows and new intellectual properties.    

"Buena Vista Games' 2006 portfolio features the most diverse and extensive product mix to date, with titles based on the rich movie and television brands of The Walt Disney Company and new original properties that we look to build into evergreen franchises for the future," said Graham Hopper, senior vice president and general manager, Buena Vista Games. "We continue to strengthen our self-publishing business with compelling new games that have broad entertainment appeal across all audiences and all major markets worldwide."    

For console game players, BVG will showcase a broad range of titles including Turok, an FPS game set on a mysterious planet that is based on the Classic Media comic book license; Disney's Chicken Little: Ace in Action, based on the "super hero movie within a movie" of the box office hit film "Chicken Little"; Disney's Meet the Robinsons, inspired by the upcoming Walt Disney Pictures' futuristic computer-animated film; Lumines Plus, the first console extension of the highly popular Lumines puzzle franchise; and Disney's Kim Possible: What's the Switch?, the first console game based on the hit Disney Channel franchise.    

For Windows PC users, Desperate Housewives: The Game, based on the award-winning ABC/Touchstone Television series "Desperate Housewives" will be available for game play for the first time.    

BVG's strategy for its kids games portfolio is focused on three endeavors in 2006 -- the launch of the Disney on the Go brand; new efforts in handheld preschool learning games with the launch of Disney's Little Einsteins for Game Boy(R) Advance; and migrating handheld franchise hits to the console for sophisticated gameplay in a family-safe environment with Disney's Kim Possible for PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system.    

BVG will showcase handheld games for all major handheld platforms (the PSP(TM) (PlayStation(R)Portable) system, Nintendo DS(TM) and Game Boy Advance). The company's handheld portfolio will include Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest, based on the upcoming summer blockbuster movie; Spectrobes, a new original title being developed in Japan; Lumines II, Every Extend Extra and Meteos: Disney Edition, action puzzle games from Q ENTERTAINMENT; and games based on popular Disney Channel properties including "Hannah Montana," "Little Einsteins," "American Dragon," "Phil of the Future," "The Suite Life of Zack & Cody," "That's So Raven" and more. Also, BVG will present new titles for young girls based on the Disney Princess franchise including a game based on the upcoming DVD release of "The Little Mermaid."    

Along with its self-publishing business, BVG continues to work with its licensing partners on phenomenal games based on Disney and Disney-Pixar properties. THQ Inc. will showcase Disney-Pixar Cars and Bethesda Softworks will show Pirates of the Caribbean: The Legend of Jack Sparrow in their respective booths at E3.    

Disney's Meet The Robinsons  Disney's Meet the Robinsons, based on the upcoming Walt Disney   Pictures animated film, is a time-traveling action/adventure game.  Players will experience the adventure as Wilbur Robinson, helping him  chase the dastardly Bowler Hat Guy and his diabolical robotic hat  Doris through multiple timelines in an attempt to thwart their evil  plans. The game weaves in and out of the film's plot, expanding the  Robinson world and offering an all-new adventure. Wilbur will have a  host of gadgets at his disposal as he battles enemies and solves  puzzles while pursuing Bowler Hat Guy and trying not to alter the  future.    

Platforms: Wii(TM), PlayStation 2, Nintendo DS and Game Boy Advance    

Release Date: 2007    

Disney's Chicken Little: Ace in Action  Inspired by the "superhero movie within the movie" finale of Walt  Disney Pictures' box office hit film "Chicken Little," Disney's  Chicken Little: Ace in Action features Ace, the superhero alter ego of  Chicken Little, and the Hollywood versions of his misfit band of  friends: Runt, Abby and Fish-Out-of-Water. The crew of the  intergalactic Battle Barn faces off against Foxy Loxy and her evil  Amazonian sidekick, Goosey Loosey, who have an evil plan to take over  Earth. Battle evil alien robots through multiple levels across the  solar system and combat your foes in one of three distinct game play  modes: Ace on foot as a soldier, Runt as the driver of an armored  tank, or Abby as the pilot of a spaceship. The original Chicken Little  and his friends Abby, Runt and Fish we know from the film are featured  in cut scenes throughout the game.    

Platforms: Wii, PlayStation 2 and Nintendo DS    

Release Date: Fall 2006    

Spectrobes  An original concept and new intellectual property from Buena Vista  Games, Spectrobes introduces two junior Interplanetary Patrol officers  named Rallen and Jeena who learn of strange, prehistoric creatures  called Spectrobes that possess special powers. These Spectrobes hold  the key to defeating a vicious and merciless force, known only as the  Krawl that threatens to destroy the galaxy. The two heroes embark on a  mission to save their galaxy -- to do so they must excavate, awaken,  train and collect all the Spectrobes they can and battle to defeat the  Krawl.    

Platform: Nintendo DS    

Release Date: To Be Announced    

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest  Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest, based on the upcoming Walt  Disney Pictures' film, is a swashbuckling third-person   action/adventure. Players will engage in game play that reflects the  cunning world of the film franchise -- with an abundance of  disloyalty, humor and revenge. Players embark on a daring adventure  while sword dueling and hunting for hidden treasure in the quest for  the legendary Dead Man's Chest.    

Platforms: PSP system, Nintendo DS and Game Boy Advance    

Release Date: June 27, 2006    

Meteos: Disney Edition  Meteos: Disney Edition is a new version of the popular galactic action  puzzle title Meteos featuring beloved Disney characters.    

Platform: Nintendo DS    

Release Date: Fall 2006    

BVG will also showcase upcoming handheld titles including for the  Nintendo DS:    

Disney's American Dragon: Jake Long, Attack of the Dark Dragon  Disney's Kim Possible: Global Gemini  Hannah Montana  That's So Raven: Psychic on the Scene  Disney's The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Undersea Adventure  The Suite Life of Zack & Cody: Tipton Trouble    

Games for the Game Boy Advance include:    

The Cheetah Girls  Phil of the Future  W.I.T.C.H.    

    Licensed Games    

Disney-Pixar Cars  Published by THQ, Cars, the video game, is a high performance   interactive experience in the open world created in the film,  challenging players to relive the excitement created by Lightning  McQueen and his friends. Fans will discover unique characters and  environments inspired by the film with more than 10 playable  characters and 30 races and mini games to choose from. The game  features a fully immersive recreation of all major environments  introduced in the movie, including Radiator Springs and Ornament  Valley, which will offer distinctive racing experiences to players  while maintaining the artistic style of the film.       Platforms: Xbox 360, Wii, PlayStation 2, Xbox(R) video game and  entertainment system from Microsoft, Nintendo GameCube(R), Nintendo  DS, PSP system, Game Boy Advance, Windows PC and Mac    

Release Date: June 2006; Xbox 360 and Wii versions -- Fall 2006  

[KDR_11k]

... WHAT??? They are reviving Turok? I need to quickly collect all eight parts I've broken my ultimate weapon into to stop that nefarious plan!

[Dirk Temporo]

Man, all those people on other forums who said that the Wii won't have any third party support can suck it. There's been so many companies announcing that they're developing Wii games in the last couple of weeks.

[Arbok]

Just wondering, but was this edited so that it only included the Nintendo related ones? I ask as all of them seem to fit this bill (....except Desperate Housewives), and that would mean fantastic support, but games like the latest Turok don't seem to list which systems they are for.

Not that I care a great deal, as the only game I would likely consider from this list is the Meteos, assuming it might promise something substantial over the current version like wifi play.

[Hostile Creation]

"Desperate Housewives: The Game to Make World Premiere"

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