Messages

[Super-hero action in your pants! (Or backpack, suitcase, purse, etc.)]

5376

TalkBack / Midway Ships Justice League for GBA

« on: November 19, 2002, 03:52:52 PM »

Super-hero action in your pants! (Or backpack, suitcase, purse, etc.)

Today Midway shipped Justice League: Injustice for All on Game Boy Advance.  The action game features seven playable characters and twelve levels.

Players can control Batman, Superman, The Flash, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, Hawkgirl, and Martian Manhunter, and you can switch from one member to another at any time during gameplay.  If one hero is in danger, just switch to another one to save the day.  Each character also has special abilities, and those with flying will apparently take different paths than those stuck on the ground.

Justice League: Injustice for all should be available in retail stores nationwide.  Midway's press release (click the link above for the full text) mentions that console games based on Justice League will be released for all three major systems in the coming months.

[The new isometric multiplayer brawler is being released under the Atari brand of Infogrames.]

5377

TalkBack / Infogrames Ships Godzilla: Domination for GBA

« on: November 19, 2002, 03:45:26 PM »

The new isometric multiplayer brawler is being released under the Atari brand of Infogrames.

On the heels of Godzilla's GameCube debut last month, Infogrames and its Atari label have shipped Godzilla: Domination for Game Boy Advance.

Domination is a four-player isometric brawler in the style of the classic King of the Monsters for SNES.  You and three friends can battle it out with Godzilla and several of his friends (and enemies)...all on one cartridge.  Even more features are available if each player has his or her own copy of the game.

Godzilla: Domination is developed by WayForward Technologies, the same folks behind Shantae for GBC.  It should be available in stores now for an MSRP of $39.99.  Click the link above for the full press release.

[*Note: not the sequel to Deer Hunter 8. Totally different game, I swear.]

5378

TalkBack / Interplay Ships Hunter: The Reckoning for GameCube

« on: November 19, 2002, 03:38:36 PM »

*Note: not the sequel to Deer Hunter 8.  Totally different game, I swear.

HUNTER: THE RECKONING HAS ARRIVED  

Non-stop action is now available on the Nintendo GameCube

IRVINE, California, November 19, 2002  -  Interplay Entertainment Corp. (OTCBB:IPLY) and the Games division of Vivendi Universal Publishing today announced the arrival of Hunter: The Reckoning(tm) for the Nintendo GameCube(tm) game system to retail establishments. Developed by High Voltage Software, Hunter: The Reckoning is an action game based on the characters and fiction found in the popular role-playing game Hunter: The Reckoning and the immersive World of Darkness(tm) created by White Wolf Publishing Inc.  

Played from a third person perspective, Hunter immerses players in the nightmarish setting of Ashcroft, a town plagued by creatures of the night. Armed with a variety of weaponry, players go through the game's many gothic environments and battle over 30 creature variants from bloodthirsty vampires to unstoppable legions of the walking dead.  

"We are thrilled to offer the non-stop action of Hunter to the Nintendo GameCube audience" said Gary Dawson, Chief Operating Officer of Interplay.  

Hunter: The Reckoning Feature Set
* Single or Multiplayer madness! 1 - 4 Hunters battle up to 30 creatures all on the same screen
* Unload both barrels on 20 types of monster from zombies to vampires including 7 insane boss characters
* Deal out the damage with over 20 melee, ranged and spell weapons including axes, shotguns, swords and flamethrowers
* Take apart your enemies piece-by-piece by dismembering heads, arms and legs
* Movement Independent Targeting technology makes use of both analog sticks to allow the player to simultaneously move and shoot in different directions
* Bone-chilling soundtrack from gothic industrial band COMA

Hunter: the Reckoning for the Nintendo GameCube is now available in stores for a suggested retail price of $49.99.

[Help us celebrate the GameCube's first birthday, and relive your launch-day memories.]

5379

TalkBack / GameCube is One-Year-Old in America!

« on: November 18, 2002, 06:14:53 AM »

Help us celebrate the GameCube's first birthday, and relive your launch-day memories.

Nintendo launched its GameCube console in North America on November 18th, 2002.  That makes today the system's first birthday!  Some of our forum readers have already been celebrating, and we invite you to join them in the PGC Forums at this thread:

http://pub89.ezboard.com/fpgcforumsfrm1.showMessage?topicID=8905.topic

Reflect on the first year of games, talk about how far the system has come (or still has to go), or just recount some of those crazy launch-day stories.  The PGC staff will probably be adding their comments to this article throughout tonight and tomorrow.

Happy birthday, GameCube!

[BREAKING NEWS: A new production studio devoted to GameCube announces Biohazard 4, Mikami's newest project, and three more.]

5380

TalkBack / Capcom Reveals Five for GameCube

« on: November 13, 2002, 07:59:47 PM »

BREAKING NEWS: A new production studio devoted to GameCube announces Biohazard 4, Mikami's newest project, and three more.

Capcom's Japanese website has updated with a huge new section for Production Studio 4, the company's new developer suite devoted entirely, it seems, to the GameCube platform.  The new website is available in English at the link above.

The newly unveiled games include Biohazard 4, the next game in the series known as Resident Evil outside Japan, plus four more games that have never before been announced at all.

Shinji Mikami's long-awaited GameCube title is Product Number 03, or P.N.03 for short.  The game follows the exploits of a robot hunter and will feature lots of explosions and ballistic chaos.

Viewtiful Joe (yes, that's the correct spelling) is a superhero game from director Hideki Kamiya.  The director's comments describe the game as being all about action and the fluidity of movement; the goal is to make it feel like you're really controlling a superhero.

Dead Phoenix is a fantasy-themed game set in a city high floating in the clouds.  The main character is a winged warrior named Phoenix.  Director Hiroki Kato says he wants to create that "flying like a bird" feeling in this game.

Finally, Killer 7 is a hitman epic from director Gouichi Suda, produced by Shinji Mikami.  The main character is, according to the site, a wheelchair-bound old man who happens to be an assassin with seven different personalities.  Each one gives him different abilities in his quest to hunt down his evil adversary, Kun Lan.

We'll have more on all of these games very soon.  Until then, we suggest you check out Capcom's new GameCube site in English via the above link and read up on these games yourself.

[BREAKING: Three games for the price of one?]

5381

TalkBack / Zelda GC Preorders w/ Huge Bonus Disc

« on: November 13, 2002, 03:02:31 AM »

BREAKING: Three games for the price of one?

Reports are coming in from all over the place that the new Famitsu Weekly reveals a huge bonus for Japanese gamers who preorder The Legend of Zelda: Kaze no Takuto.

The first people to preorder will receive a bonus disc that contains The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, the never before released Ura-Zelda, and information and/or videos of F-Zero GC and Biohazard 4.

It is currently unknown whether Ocarina of Time has been upgraded at all to take advantage of the GameCube hardware, but this is the full and complete game.  Ura-Zelda is the expansion pack for OoT that was in development for the 64 Disk Drive, but was never released.  It is essentially a remix with new dungeons and possibly other new content.

Preorders for The Legend of Zelda: Kaze no Takuto begin on November 28 in Japan.  Naturally, supplies of the bonus disc are included.  No word on whether Nintendo of America will have a similar deal when the game is released here early next year.

Stay tuned for more info on this breaking story.

Bakudan Yoshinoya contributed to this article.

[Well, it's a good idea on paper. PUN ALERT!]

5382

TalkBack / Mario Party e-Reader Cards

« on: November 09, 2002, 07:12:06 AM »

Well, it's a good idea on paper.  PUN ALERT!

According to Gaming-Age, the newest Nintendo retailer catalogue mentions an upcoming set of Mario Party cards for the e-Reader.  It seems these cards will contain multiplayer mini-games.  Presumably the games are small enough to be sent from one GBA/e-Reader combo to other GBAs, just like a "single-cart" multiplayer GBA game.

It's currently not known how many players these games will support.  Multiplayer card games aren't even feasible on the original Japanese e-Reader model; a pass-thru port for the link cable was added for the American and subsequent worldwide releases.

No release dates or prices are mentioned in Gaming-Age's article, so stay tuned for further info.

[Banjo-Kazooie: Grunty's Revenge still in the works. Also, Rare USA closes shop.]

5383

TalkBack / Rare Confirms GBA Development

« on: November 07, 2002, 10:55:02 AM »

Banjo-Kazooie: Grunty's Revenge still in the works.  Also, Rare USA closes shop.

Rare's official website has updated with its first "Scribes" letters page since the famous developer was released by Nintendo and subsequently purchased by Microsoft.  Although we don't plan to cover Rare's every move now that they are no longer directly affiliated with Nintendo, there are a few tidbits worth mentioning this time.

First, Rare has confirmed that they will continue to develop for the Game Boy Advance, although it's not clear who will publish their games on that system.  (Microsoft is a licensed developer/publisher for GBA.)  In particular, the long-delayed Banjo-Kazooie: Grunty's Revenge is still in the works.

...there's still a solid relationship with Nintendo in place - how do you think we intended to manage future GBA development without it?

Wait until you discover that Grunty's Revenge on the GBA is a bit of a mix of the two (Banjo-Kazooie and Banjo-Tooie) with some new elements thrown in.

None of Rare's other GBA projects are mentioned.

The other big revelation is that Rare USA is currently being dismantled.  Based in Miami for years, Rare USA mainly handled distribution and legal matters for the parent company; no development ever took place there.  Still, the tiny American branch of this famously British developer was the focus of many rumors over the years, mainly because they were just as tight-lipped as the boys overseas.  No mention is made of what will happen to Rare USA's handful of employees, but we at Planet GameCube wish them the best of luck in any case.

[The company behind Top Gear and the upcoming Batman: Dark Tomorrow has a new website for its American fans.]

5384

TalkBack / Kemco Launches US Website

« on: November 07, 2002, 10:10:00 AM »

The company behind Top Gear and the upcoming Batman: Dark Tomorrow has a new website for its American fans.

Despite maintaining North American operations for years, Japan-based Kemco has never had a functional website for its English-speaking fans.  The company has used http://www.top-gear.com as its official site, but that address never pointed to anything more than an "Under Construction" notice.  Now Kemco's American branch finally has its own real website.  Check out the press release below:

KEMCO LAUNCHES U.S. WEBSITE

Bellevue, WA – November 7, 2002 - Japan-based videogame publisher Kemco, announced the launch of its U.S. website www.kemcogames.com.  Publishing and developing games since 1984, Kemco teams are currently creating games for Nintendo GameBoy Advance, Nintendo GameCube, the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system and the Xbox video game system from Microsoft.

Kemco’s current projects include Batman: Dark Tomorrow and Woody Woodpecker In Crazy Castle 5, both due out in Q1 2003.  Batman: Dark Tomorrow, the first-ever Batman next gen console videogame to be based on the DC Comics license, is promising to feature the Dark Knight Detective he’s never been seen before.  Additional game information can be found at www.kemcogames.com.

[If you still haven't tried out the 3D puzzle game, now's your chance. You can even email it to friends!]

5385

TalkBack / ZooCube Online Demo, Finally

« on: November 06, 2002, 12:33:53 PM »

If you still haven't tried out the 3D puzzle game, now's your chance.  You can even email it to friends!

Although an online demo of ZooCube has been promised on the game's website for months, the free trial is now finally available in the form of "What's Your ZQ?". This miniature version of ZooCube (already available on GameCube and GBA) can be played online, downloaded to your PC, or even emailed in its entirety among friends.  You'll have to download a special web driver to play the game, but after that it's quite simple to start playing.

"What's Your ZQ?" is essentially a stripped-down version of ZooCube.  The most notable change is the fact that you can only rotate the cube around the vertical axis.  Although this omission does limit your strategy and speed and can feel quite cumbersome to experienced ZooCube players, it does eliminate the difficult learning curve for ZooCube's rather unorthodox control scheme.  Also missing are the animal animations, power-ups, and bonus goodies, but the demo does manage to deliver the gist of ZooCube's unusual gameplay.  If the GameCube version's somewhat limited distribution kept you from renting the game to see whether you like it, the demo should give you a good idea of what to expect from a purchase.  Here's the full press release:

What's your ZQ?  

Puzzlekings creates world's first email video mind game

Wednesday  6th  November 2002/...  The world's first ever video mind game contained in an email allows people to discover their "Zonal Intelligence" or "ZQ" courtesy of PuzzleKings.

WhatsyourZQ? is a free video mind game which assesses the player's mental agility, multitasking ability and stamina, by seeing how many pairs of shapes they can match in the virtual arena of their own mind.  It is a Javascript application inside an email that runs within Internet Explorer 5.5 or greater on PCs with a 3D compatible graphics card.  To play this game online simply go to www.whatsyourzq.com where it can also be freely emailed to friends and colleagues, and published on third party web sites, within the scope of certain license restrictions.

What's your ZQ?  is inspired by the multiple award-winning ZooCube video game which is currently available on Nintendo GameCube and Nintendo Gameboy Advance, courtesy of Acclaim Entertainment.  

"We are delighted to be able to allow anybody the ability to find out their ZQ with this innovative application totally free of charge.  To the best of our knowledge this is the first time anybody has created a 3D game within the confines of an email." said Nalin Sharma, CEO of PuzzleKings and creator of "What's your ZQ?"

PuzzleKings is a UK based company dedicated to producing video mind games that combine arcade-style action with a cerebral challenge that emphasise playability and longevity.  PuzzleKings debut product, ZooCube, won many industry plaudits; at industry trade show E3 in May 2002, it was voted best Game Boy Advance puzzle game by IGN.com and best puzzle game for GameCube by PlanetGameCube.com.  Subsequently it received much high praise from Internet sites, specialist game magazines and consumer press including leading daily newspapers.

[The publisher kicks off their Disney Sports lineup on GameCube and GBA, which will soon encompass quite a few games.]

5386

TalkBack / Konami Ships Disney Sports Soccer

« on: November 05, 2002, 05:06:49 PM »

The publisher kicks off their Disney Sports lineup on GameCube and GBA, which will soon encompass quite a few games.

KONAMI KICKS OFF DISNEY SPORTS LINE-UP WITH DISNEY SPORTS SOCCER

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  

REDWOOD CITY, CALIF. – November 5, 2002 – Leading video game publisher Konami of America, Inc. announced today that Disney Sports Soccer for the Game Boy® Advance™ has shipped to retail outlets nationwide. Disney Sports Soccer for the Nintendo GameCube™ will follow on November 12th, 2002.  The first installment in the highly anticipated Disney Sports series, Disney Sports Soccer features an all-star cast of beloved Disney characters, fancy footwork, colorful graphics, and compelling soccer gameplay for action-packed fun.

 

Featuring pick-up-and-play controls and the lively antics of Mickey and his pals, Disney Sports Soccer is set in outrageous, fantasy stadiums. Virtual ballplayers can hone their quest for championship glory by taking advantage of the game’s array of playing modes including Exhibition Mode and Challenge Cup Mode. A robust Multiplayer Mode enables competitors to net neighborhood bragging rights (a link cable is required for up to four Game Boy® Advance users to play head to head). And for even more riveting goal-scoring action, players can use exciting magic moves to boost their performance as they compete in Disney-style soccer fun.

 

“We are thrilled that this lineup is making its debut just in time for the holiday season,” said Chris Garske, vice president, Marketing, Konami of America. “Disney Sports Soccer and the other titles from this exciting series will undoubtedly provide hours of fun for families and sports gamers everywhere.”

 

"The Disney Sports series has something for the entire family," said Sanjeev Lamba, vice president, International, Disney Interactive.  "Players will have a blast playing the games through the fall and into the New Year as they continue their holiday fun."    

 

Disney Sports Soccer was the 2002 recipient of IGN Media’s “Best of E3 Award” for Best Game Boy Advance Sports Game and runner-up for Best GameCube Sports Game categories.

 

Following Disney Sports Soccer, additional Disney Sports titles will ship throughout the winter according to the following release schedule:

 

Title                                                Release Date              Platform

Disney Sports Skateboarding            November 12                 Game Boy Advance

Disney Sports Skateboarding            November 12                 Nintendo GameCube

Disney Sports Basketball                November 25                 Game Boy Advance

Disney Sports Football                    November 25                 Game Boy Advance

Disney Sports Football                    December 17                 Nintendo GameCube

Disney Sports Basketball                January 14, 2003            Nintendo GameCube

Disney Sports Snowboarding            February 4, 2003            Game Boy Advance

Disney Sports Motocross                  March 4, 2003             Game Boy Advance  

[I like scooters. Do you like scooters?]

5387

TalkBack / Crave Ships Whirl Tour

« on: November 05, 2002, 03:26:55 PM »

I like scooters.  Do you like scooters?

HOLD ON TIGHT, WHIRL TOURT IS NOW AVAILABLE!

Trick sports combined with arcade fun now available on two platforms

LOS ANGELES, CA - (November 5, 2002) - Crave Entertainment, a leading publisher of videogame entertainment products, and the Games division of Vivendi Universal Publishing (VU Games) announced today that Whirl Tour has shipped and will soon be at retail stores throughout North America.  Whirl Tour is available for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system and Nintendo GameCubeT.

 "Whirl Tour capitalizes on the unique technology offered on both the Nintendo GameCube and Sony PlayStation and we are pleased to bring this fast paced, trick-oriented action experience to consumers," explained Anthony Crouts, Director of Marketing at Vivendi Universal Games.

In Whirl Tour, players assume the role of Wasa B., the roadie for the rock band Flipside.  After the band is mysteriously kidnapped during a concert, Wasa B. must rescue his friends and uncover the mystery of their capture. The action takes players through eight creative, colorfully rendered, interactive levels, including a castle, a theme park, a movie set and even a floating city.

Whirl Tour features:

· A wide variety of gas, electric, and rocket powered scooters to complete the game levels.
· Trick skills and puzzle solving are key aspects of the game as players battle crazy boss characters and pull off a huge variety of mad tricks.
· Several hidden bonus areas and bonus game levels and "mini" games where players acquire new scooters
· Kidnapped friends, once rescued, become playable characters, and introduce new tricks to the player's arsenal.
· A soundtrack that includes 33 tracks from 26 up-and-coming bands, covering four distinct musical styles:  Techno, Rock, Punk and Hip Hop.

For more information, visit the Whirl Tour web page at www.whirltour.com

[Here's a nice little summary of the games Sega is releasing this fall, across all platforms.]

5388

TalkBack / Sega Touts Holiday Lineup

« on: November 04, 2002, 12:24:57 PM »

Here's a nice little summary of the games Sega is releasing this fall, across all platforms.

SEGA DELIVERS GREAT GAMES FOR ALL AGES AND ALL CONSOLES THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

Eight Wish List Toppers Will Satisfy All Gamers - From Dad to Bro to Anyone You Know

SAN FRANCISCO - (November 4, 2002) - SEGA(R) of America, Inc. announced today that the company will fulfill any gamer's wish list this holiday season - regardless of their age or console of preference - with an incredible lineup of AAA games.  SEGA's roster shines with the return of several blockbuster entertainment franchises, including "Shinobi(TM) for the PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system," "Super Monkey Ball(TM) 2" and "Sonic Mega Collection(TM)" for the Nintendo GameCube(TM), "ToeJam & Earl(TM) III: Mission to Earth" for the Xbox(TM) video game system from Microsoft(R) and the newest editions of acclaimed SEGA Sports(TM) titles for all three consoles, featuring "SEGA Sports(TM) NFL 2K3," "SEGA Sports(TM) NBA 2K3," "SEGA Sports(TM) NHL 2K3" and "SEGA Sports(TM) NCAA(R) College Basketball 2K3."  This exciting array of must-have titles includes everything from adventure, party and sports games for the family to offbeat and intense action games for older audiences.  

The following highly anticipated titles are leading the charge among SEGA's lineup of games available this holiday season.

For party game animals, Sonic fans and the youthful gamer in everyone:  

* "Super Monkey Ball 2" (Nintendo GameCube):  SEGA is on a roll!  Hot on the heels of the runaway success of the original "Super Monkey Ball(TM)," the ultimate party game is back.  Jam-packed with 12 addictive Party Games, a new story mode and more than 150 stages, "Super Monkey Ball 2" delivers the ultimate in addictive multiplayer action.  "Super Monkey Ball 2" is available now for a suggested retail price of $49.95 and is rated "E" for everyone.

* "Sonic Mega Collection" (Nintendo GameCube):  Sonic and friends are back in the ultimate collection!  Whether you're a long-time fan or new to the series, "Sonic Mega Collection" lets you rediscover some of the best-selling and most-loved video games of all time.  Starring SEGA's own Sonic The Hedgehog®, and featuring seven complete SEGA Genesis(R) games and dozens of unlockable surprises, "Sonic Mega Collection" is a pure adrenaline rush of classic arcade action.  "Sonic Mega Collection" will be available in November for a suggested retail price of $39.95 and is rated "E" for everyone.

For the teenager who likes funked up adventures:

* "ToeJam & Earl III: Mission to Earth" (Xbox):  In "ToeJam & Earl III: Mission to Earth," ToeJam, Big Earl and their hot new homegirl Latisha embark on a mission to retrieve the 12 sacred Albums of Funk, stolen by the dysfunctional inhabitants of the planet Earth.  Gamers will explore sprawling environments as they master the ways of Funk-Fu and battle towards the ultimate showdown with the evil Anti-Funk.  Along the way, they'll collect gift-wrapped power-ups of almost endless variety, take on harrowing side quests and generally get down with their bad selves in a massive, wickedly funny Xbox exclusive adventure.  The game is available now for a suggested retail price of $49.95 and is rated "T" for teen.

For the mature gaming master that doesn't equate ninja action with turtles:

* "Shinobi" (PlayStation 2):  The legendary ninja returns, hunted by demons, haunted by the dead and hindered by the very rage that spurs him on in this latest installment of one of SEGA's most revered action franchises.  Players take the role of Hotsuma as he battles through the demon-filled streets of a post-apocalyptic Tokyo, running on walls, summoning Ninja magic and mastering an arsenal of ancient weaponry on a quest to avenge his clan. "Shinobi" will be available in November for a suggested retail price of $49.95 and is rated "M" for mature.

And for the sports star who wants realism that surpasses the real thing:

* "SEGA Sports NFL 2K3" (PlayStation 2, Xbox, Nintendo GameCube): The series that redefined the standards of football video gaming returns for a brand new season, with a totally revamped franchise mode, drastically improved AI, and brilliantly enhanced graphics featuring redesigned 3D stadiums, updated player and facial models and a new ESPN telecast system.  "SEGA Sports NFL 2K3" is the cure for gridiron fans everywhere and is playable online on the PlayStation 2 and Xbox.  "SEGA Sports NFL 2K3" is available now on the PlayStation 2, Xbox and Nintendo GameCube for $49.95 and is rated "E" for everyone.

* "SEGA Sports NBA 2K3" (PlayStation 2, Xbox, Nintendo GameCube): SEGA Sports once again establishes new levels of realism and entertainment in the basketball genre.  Building on its critically acclaimed roots, the ultimate hoops simulation, which brings uncompromisingly authentic gameplay to basketball fans, steps onto the court for another year with hundreds of new animations including highlight-reel quality dunks and dynamic cross-over moves, mid-air shot adjustments and redesigned player models. "NBA 2K3" is also playable online on the PlayStation 2 and Xbox.  "SEGA Sports NBA 2K3" is available now on the PlayStation 2, Xbox and Nintendo GameCube for $49.95 and is rated "E" for everyone.  

* "SEGA Sports NHL® 2K3" (PlayStation 2, Xbox, Nintendo GameCube): Building upon the acclaimed "NHL 2K" series, SEGA Sports is proud to bring to the passionate hockey fan the next level of authenticity in hockey video games - "SEGA Sports NHL 2K3." Highly adaptive AI and a variety of new gameplay options, including advanced line controls, enhanced Goalie controls and an all-new Franchise mode, defines this fast-paced game. "SEGA Sports NHL 2K3" brings the player closer to the ice than any hockey title ever before and can be played online on Xbox.  Available in November with a suggested retail price of $49.95 for the PlayStation 2, Xbox and Nintendo GameCube and is rated "E" for everyone.  

* "SEGA Sports NCAA College Basketball 2K3" (PlayStation 2, Xbox, Nintendo GameCube): SEGA expands its library of sports simulations by bringing its dominant basketball lineage to the college hardwood. Complete with more than 300 Division I teams, authentic rankings system, including a weekly top 25 and bubble watch, classic and custom tournaments and a comprehensive Legacy Mode, "SEGA Sports NCAA College Basketball 2K3" delivers the ultimate college basketball experience in its freshman season.  Also playable online on the PlayStation 2 and Xbox. "SEGA Sports NCAA College Basketball 2K3" will be available in December with a suggested retail price of $49.95 for the PlayStation 2, Xbox and Nintendo GameCube and is rated "E" for everyone.

Additional SEGA games available this holiday season include "The House of the Dead(tm) III" (Xbox, rated "M" for mature with a suggested retail price of $49.95) and "Phantasy Star Online Episode I & II(tm)" (Nintendo GameCube, rated "T" for teen with a suggested retail price of $49.95).

[You want more? Of course you do.]

5389

TalkBack / New BMX XXX Trailer Online

« on: October 31, 2002, 11:11:31 AM »

You want more?  Of course you do.

AKA ACCLAIM DEBUTS SECOND 'BMX XXX' ONLINE TRAILER

Builds on Success of Predecessor that was Downloaded More than One Million Times;

2002's Most Talked About Game Across All Next-Generation Systems

 

GLEN COVE, NY, October 31, 2002 - With the launch of this year's most talked about video game only weeks away, AKA Acclaim, a division of Acclaim Entertainment, Inc. (NASDAQ.SC: AKLM), today announced it has released a second trailer for BMX XXXÔ on http://www.bmxxxx.com/thisisbmx/movies/index.html.  The Company's first trailer was met by incredible demand from consumers, who downloaded the film more than one million times from the game's official site.  

 

"Millions of consumers flocked to our site to see for themselves why this game was being talked about on national television and in the pages of The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and CNN.com," said Ben Fischbach, Senior Brand Manager.  "Due to their overwhelming response and support of our product, we've created a second trailer that will be even more irreverent and reflective of the game's over-the-top satirical humor."  

 

The first action sports video game designed specifically for audiences over the age of 17, BMX XXX is one of the most talked about titles for this holiday season.  Combining outrageous Hollywood humor and characters, beautiful women from New York's famous Scores club, incredible arcade action and a dynamic soundtrack from today's top recording artists, BMX XXX will deliver an unparalleled interactive entertainment experience.

 

BMX XXX will be available on November 15 for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system at a suggested retail price of $49.99.  The game will be available in mid-November for the XboxÔ video game system from Microsoft and Nintendo GameCubeÔ at suggested retail prices of $49.99.  In order to ensure that consumers have their copy the day the game ships, the Company encourages consumers to pre-order BMX XXX from Electronics Boutique or GameStop.  For more information on BMX XXX, please visit www.bmxxxx.com.

[Scary. And just in time for Halloween.]

5390

TalkBack / Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse Website

« on: October 31, 2002, 10:56:16 AM »

Scary.  And just in time for Halloween.

The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse(tm) Website Rides On Halloween

3DO's Upcoming Horror Adventure Game Featured on New Site, www.4horsemen-game.com

SEVENTH LAYER, HELL (October 31, 2002) - Just in time for All Hallow's Eve, The 3DO Company (Nasdaq: THDO) has launched a website for their upcoming Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse videogame. The dark and stormy site includes all of the latest information about the highly anticipated horror adventure and initial details about the first of the game's Horsemen.  

3DO plans to announce the game's remaining Horsemen on the site before the game ships in Fall of 2003.  

About The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse  A dark adventure, The Four Horsemen of Apocalypse combines hand-to-hand, sword, and projectile combat with fantastic abilities to create a surreal cinematic experience. The game utilizes the expertise of celebrated artists Simon Bisley and Dave DeVries with the voice talents of Tim Curry (The Hunt for Red October, Charlie's Angels, The Three Musketeers), Lance Henriksen (The Right Stuff, Aliens, Millennium) and cult film star Traci Lords (Melrose Place, Profiler, First Wave).

The game is set in the present day, as the archangel Abaddon faces possessed zealots, demons, and the daunting powers of the four Horsemen: Pestilence, War, Famine and Death. As Abaddon, the player must also find three "Chosen" and combine their untapped powers in time to save the world from destruction. It won't be easy - God's Chosen are flawed mortals: a prostitute, a serial killer and a corrupt politician.  

The story unfolds via in-game cinematics and "graphic novel" sequences by Bisley.  These graphic novel images are displayed on-screen complete with animations, voices and sound effects, bringing his work to life and immersing the player in the dark underworld of Hell's emissaries.  

Features of the game include:

*  Incredible gore and destruction effects including dismemberment, realistic and dynamic exit wounds through objects and people, morph animations, melting, and blood splatters.
*  Diverse weaponry lends itself to spectacular cinematic violence - swords for melee combat, automatic weapons, projectiles for ranged combat, and magic (slow time).
*  Mature content with adult themes and extreme violence.
*  Stunning deaths (finishing moves) and Hollywood-style combat moves choreographed and performed by the Smashcut Action Team (The Matrix 1-3, Fight Club, The Crow).
 *  More than 18 levels of photo-realistic play that sweep players through gothic environments, the post-apocalypse of World War III, and the depths of Hell itself.

[The very impressive handheld 3D engine from Raylight Studios is coming along nicely. Check it out in these new videos.]

5391

TalkBack / New Vids of Blue Roses 3D GBA Engine

« on: October 31, 2002, 10:14:01 AM »

The very impressive handheld 3D engine from Raylight Studios is coming along nicely.  Check it out in these new videos.

Raylight Studios, a Game Boy Advance developer based in Italy, has updated its website with several new videos of its BlueRoses polygonal engine for GBA.

As before, the demos generally emulate popular console titles.  One looks like Resident Evil, another like Wave Race, another like Colin McRae and other rally games.  Other videos just show off some of the engine's new features, including motion-captured animation and lip-synching technology (using an audio clip from Monsters, Inc.).

Hit the link above to reach the Raylight Studios website, where you can download all these videos for free.  You'll want to navigate using the left sidebar menu, since the most recent update's links are both the same.  (Oops!)

[Motorcycle combat mayhem.]

5392

TalkBack / 3DO Announces Jacked

« on: October 29, 2002, 04:35:16 PM »

Motorcycle combat mayhem.

3DO GETS JACKED(tm) FOR NEXT GENERATION CONSOLES

Combat-Based Motorcycle Racing Title Coming In 2003

REDWOOD CITY, CA (October 29, 2002) - The 3DO Company (Nasdaq: THDO) today announced that JACKED(tm), a combat-based motorcycle racing game for the PlayStation(r)2 computer entertainment system, the Xbox(tm) video game system from Microsoft, and the Nintendo GameCube(tm) system, is in development. Bones will be broken as players jack the roughest bikers around, attacking competitors with any bludgeoning devices they can get their hands on.  

"With bone shattering melee combat and breakneck motorcycle racing, JACKED will be the roughest, toughest game on the market next summer," said Trip Hawkins, chief executive officer, The 3DO Company. "We have also added great details like character evolution. As the player wins more races, the character looks and gets tougher, with bigger muscles, tattoos and more."

About JACKED
JACKED mixes motorcycle racing and hand-to-hand combat in a rough competition that determines who is the baddest of the bunch. To edge ahead in the intense races, players can jack opponents by kicking, punching, or even bludgeoning them with various weapons like bottles, chains, and golf clubs. As part of the fun, players can also knock them into environmental hazards, including saw blades, fire pits, car crushers and more.  

In JACKED, computer opponents who take a beating will hold grudges, so players will need to watch out for them in the next race. The game uses next generation graphics, so every race is depicted in all its brutal reality. JACKED is scheduled for release in 2003.

About The 3DO Company
The 3DO Company, headquartered in Redwood City, Calif., develops, publishes and distributes interactive entertainment software for personal computers, the Internet, and advanced entertainment systems such as the PlayStation(r)2 computer entertainment system, and the Nintendo GameCube(tm) and Game Boy(r) Advance systems. 3DO has also been licensed to develop and publish interactive entertainment products compatible with the Xbox(tm) video game system from Microsoft Corp. More information about The 3DO Company and 3DO products can be found on the Internet at www.3do.com.

[And guess what? It's a totally new game in the series.]

5393

TalkBack / Croteam Confirms Serious Sam for GameCube

« on: October 29, 2002, 06:23:08 AM »

And guess what?  It's a totally new game in the series.

In a recent interview with the Adrenaline Vault (see link above), Croteam, the Croatia-based developer behind Serious Sam for PC and Xbox, mentioned that a GameCube version will be released in 2003.  Even more surprising is that this will be a totally new game in the series!  Here's the interview quote:

Since Croteam is branching out into the console market, will we see Serious Sam on other platforms?

We'll see new Serious Sam coming to GameCube in 2003. This will be a totally new game based on the Serious Sam character, but will have the same Serious Sam frantic action feeling.

Stay tuned for more info on this newly announced first-person shooter.

Thanks to Joel Rosenburg for the tip!

[Also, sales figures and some other interesting factoids about Animal Crossing.]

5394

TalkBack / Animal Crossing e-Cards Released

« on: October 28, 2002, 12:05:04 PM »

Also, sales figures and some other interesting factoids about Animal Crossing.

A Cross-Section of Americans Stampede to Nintendo's New Animal Crossing

New Genre of Video Game Creates Virtual Communities

REDMOND, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 28, 2002--Animal Crossing(TM) is becoming the talk of the town!

The first-of-its-kind, real-time communication game, where consumers live out a virtual life in a small town, is infiltrating American culture. Now a new element is introduced, offering additional entertainment and providing yet another way to engage existing and new Animal Crossing fans. Animal Crossing-e(TM), collectible trading cards for use with Nintendo's e-Reader(TM) accessory for Game Boy(R) Advance, has already sold nearly five million card packs in Japan. The first series of this game enhancing card set launches today at an MSRP of $3.29 per pack.

Still in its first four weeks out, Animal Crossing already is establishing a growing population of insatiable fans:

--  Sales for the Animal Crossing video game have surpassed         100,000 in just four short weeks, landing the game in the Top         Ten for September and climbing ahead of more than 100 other         new video game launches during that month

--  In its initial month, the Animal-Crossing.com Web site has         become a hot online destination with more than 5 million page         views and nearly 700,000 unique visitors, in addition to         60,000 entries into its Animal Crossing Sweepstakes

--  Demonstrating support for the game, the Animal-Crossing.com         web site is generating 60,000 codes for Nintendo Entertainment         System(R) Soccer and currently is adding Donkey Kong Jr.(R)         The site is updated weekly with new hints, tips and item codes

--  As another sign that the Animal Crossing civilization is         spreading through American society, the rock band, Weezer's,         official Web site (www.weezer.com) has a posting on its         message board with directions on how to incorporate a snippet         from the song "Buddy Holly" into the video game

--  Hundreds of fans have visited eBay's Web site to get new game         additions and materials to alter and enhance the content of         their game

"Exceeding our expectations, Animal Crossing has quickly built an amazingly strong fan community," says Peter MacDougall, executive vice president, sales and marketing, Nintendo of America Inc. "Animal Crossing's popularity is driven by its innovative game premise and engaging real-time interaction, proving that video games are not always about competition and violence."

Animal Crossing also has garnered attention from video game reporters. Gamers.com notes, "... This is a game I know I'll be playing for months to come." Computer and Video Games writes, "Crammed full of some of the neatest touches included in a current game, and bearing the absolute blessing of Nintendo legend Miyamoto, the title has become a platform definer for Nintendo GameCube."

Animal Crossing is a virtual existence in real-world time, allowing fans to create a friendly village of animal neighbors, where all the decision are made by you in lockstep with the real world. Nighttime outside is also nighttime in your game; holidays and special events all occur inside Animal Crossing just when they do on your wall calendar for the next 30 years. The immediate excitement of this new genre of video game crosses demographic and reality lines to impact mainstream consumers' day-to-day lives. Fans of all ages strive to stay in tune with the ever-evolving world of Animal Crossing.

"Nintendo's Animal Crossing is an instant hit with a diverse customer base," said Jerry Madaio, vice president, merchandising, Electronics Boutique. "We're seeing consumers young and old buying this real-time game, that unfolds as their lives do."

With Animal Crossing-e, players can get special letters from other players, along with items, songs and patterns by swiping them through the exclusive e-Reader accessory on the Game Boy Advance. The cards themselves are collectible and offer new information on the Animal Crossing characters. Each Animal Crossing-e character card has two passwords, one printed on the card and one in Dot Code. Users can either swipe the Animal Crossing-e character card or enter a password while playing the NINTENDO GAMECUBE game to receive an item or information immediately. The cards also offer another way of gaining access to the coveted classic NES games.

As the worldwide leader and innovator in the creation of interactive entertainment, Nintendo Co. Ltd., of Kyoto, Japan, manufactures and markets hardware and software for its popular home video game systems. The systems include Game Boy(R), Nintendo(R) 64, Game Boy Advance(R) and NINTENDO GAMECUBE(TM). Since the release of its first home video game system in 1983, Nintendo has sold more than 1.6 billion video games worldwide, creating enduring industry icons such as Mario(TM) and Donkey Kong(R) and launching such franchises as Zelda(TM) and Pokemon(R). As a wholly owned subsidiary, Nintendo of America Inc., based in Redmond, Wash., serves as headquarters for Nintendo's operations in the Western Hemisphere.

For more information about NINTENDO GAMECUBE or any other Nintendo product visit the company's Web site www.nintendo.com or the Animal Crossing Web site www.Animal-Crossing.com.

[The very popular PS2 game based on Dungeons & Dragons will soon be available on GameCube too.]

5395

TalkBack / Baldur's Gate: DA for GameCube Goes Gold

« on: October 28, 2002, 11:46:28 AM »

The very popular PS2 game based on Dungeons & Dragons will soon be available on GameCube too.

BALDUR'S GATETM: DARK ALLIANCETM FOR NINTENDO GAMECUBETM AVAILABLE AT RETAIL IN NOVEMBER  

First Nintendo GameCube(tm) Dungeons & Dragons(r) Game Approved for Manufacturing

IRVINE, California, October 28, 2002 - Black Isle Studios, the award-winning RPG (role playing game) division of Interplay Entertainment Corp. (OTCBB:IPLY), leading console game developer High Voltage Software and the Games division of Vivendi Universal Publishing announced today that Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance for the Nintendo GameCube video game system has gone gold and will be available at retail in November. The PlayStation(r)2 computer entertainment system version of Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance, developed by Snowblind Studios, has shipped more than 600,000 copies worldwide.

"We are excited to contribute to the expanding genre of games offered on the Nintendo GameCube; Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance will be a unique asset to the gaming system," stated Feargus Urquhart, president of Black Isle Studios.

Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance features a distinctive blend of action and adventure set in the most popular Dungeons & Dragons campaign setting: The FORGOTTEN REALMS(r) franchise owned by Wizards of the Coast Inc., a subsidiary of Hasbro Inc., and licensed to Infogrames Interactive. Faithful adaptation of the new 3rd Edition Dungeons & Dragons rules set, customizable player and character development allow for an engrossing gameplay experience new to the Nintendo GameCube audience. Dramatic spell effects and powerful abilities enhance this action-packed game, assisting the player in combat against an abundance of terrifying monsters found throughout the adventure. Played from a third person perspective, Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance immerses players in the port town of Baldur's Gate.  Darkness has fallen upon the town and rumors of a Thieves' Guild civil war brew beneath the streets of the city.  Entering this desperate situation, new to the world of adventuring, the players soon learn that they stand in the way of one of the greatest threats ever to strike the town of Baldur's Gate and the entire region of The Sword Coast.

Black Isle Studios, the creators of the Fallout(r) series, Planescape(r): Torment(tm) and the Icewind Dale(tm) saga, is proud to bring Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance to the Nintendo GameCube. More information on Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance for Nintendo GameCube can be found at www.blackisle.com.

[This latest handheld entry to the series will continue the popular RPG series.]

5396

TalkBack / Atlus Brings Lufia GBA to America

« on: October 27, 2002, 08:49:37 AM »

This latest handheld entry to the series will continue the popular RPG series.

ATLUS U.S.A., INC. SET TO RELEASE "LUFIA: THE RUINS OF LORE" ON THE NINTENDO GAME BOY ADVANCE IN THE SPRING OF 2003.

THE NEXT EPIC CHAPTER IN THE EVER-POPULAR LUFIA RPG SERIES.

Irvine, CA, October 21, 2002 - Atlus U.S.A., Inc., a leading publisher of console RPG’s, today announced its plans to publish "Lufia: The Ruins of Lore", the next title in the wildly popular Lufia role-playing series. Developed for the Game Boy® Advance, the title will be released in North America in the Spring of 2003. This exciting new chapter follows the adventures of Eldin and his childhood friends, Torma and Rami, as they strive to solve the mystery of the ancient ruins and halt the resurrection of an evil beast whose power could eradicate humanity.

The militaristic nation of Gratze has suddenly launched attacks on its unsuspecting neighboring kingdoms. Under the command of Ragule, a self-serving foreigner who mysteriously worked his way into the King's graces, Gratze's forces are attempting to locate and reunite the body and spirit of a legendary beast that was sealed away long ago. Ragule secretly wants the beast's power for his own, so that he may rule over all humanity. He'll stop at nothing to reach this end, whether it be pillaging helpless villages or dismantling ancient ruins one stone at a time.

Meanwhile, Rubius, a priestess of Nazarre, journeys afar to gather the ancient stones said to be the key to the beast's whereabouts. During her travels, she encounters Eldin and his friends, Torma and Rami. These aspiring treasure hunters are quickly drawn into the historic sequence of events. Rubius reveals to them the purpose of Gratze's invasion, and the companions set out to thwart Ragule's plans and save the world from destruction. Their quest will take them across foreign lands, into the depths of ancient underground caves, and even backward through time itself!

“We are thrilled to finally have the opportunity to bring this excellent series to the Game Boy Advance,” said Yu Namba, Project Lead, Atlus U.S.A., Inc. “This installment of Lufia possesses the same great storytelling and gameplay as its predecessors, but sets itself apart with a number of new features such as multiplayer mode and a random dungeon generator. It’s a must have for fans of the Lufia series and RPG fans in general!"

Title: Lufia: The Ruins of Lore
Publisher Atlus U.S.A., Inc.
Platform Nintendo Game Boy Advance
Planned Release Date: Spring 2003
ESRB Rating: RP
Genre: RPG
# of Players 1-4  

 Key Features

Control and manage up to 8 characters in your party. Dynamic battle system allows you to actively switch them in and out during battle sequences.

Capture various types of monsters to fight alongside you as loyal companions. Monsters can gain experience, learn new skills, and change into more powerful forms. You can even fuse with your monsters to overcome the toughest adversaries.

Choose from 11 distinct character classes, and take advantage of the job system to mold your characters as you see fit. Train them by accepting apprenticeships from a variety of skilled masters, including spellcasters, martial artists, thieves, and swordsmen. Gain experience and learn new spells and techniques as you prepare for the final battle.

Explore all 60 levels of the Ancient Cave to obtain rare and powerful treasures that you won't find anywhere else. Each time you enter the cave the mazes are randomly generated, creating a new adventure every time!

Link up to 4 GBA systems together to exchange monsters and explore the Ancient Cave with your friends.   Lufia: The Ruins of Lore has not yet been rated by the ESRB.

© 1993, 2001, 2002, 2003 TAITO CORP. Licensed to and published by ATLUS USA from TAITO CORP. Game Boy Advance and the Game Boy Advance logo are trademarks of Nintendo. All rights reserved.

[Super-powers and female players included. Oh yeah, and baseball too.]

5397

TalkBack / BAM Announces Crushed Baseball 2004

« on: October 25, 2002, 09:51:55 AM »

Super-powers and female players included.  Oh yeah, and baseball too.

BAM! ENTERTAINMENT TO BRING UNIQUE BASEBALL GAMEPLAY TO VIDEO GAME CONSOLES WITH CRUSHED BASEBALL 2004

 

Throws Tradition Out The Window With Its Unique Comic-Book Inspired Art Style, Superhuman Abilities, Power-Ups, Playable Female Characters, Mascots And More

 

San Jose, Calif. (October 25, 2002) – BAM! Entertainment announced today that it will publish Crushed Baseball 2004, a one-of-a-kind baseball game for next generation and handheld consoles.  Currently in production at Seattle-based Amaze Studios, Crushed Baseball 2004 will offer over-the-top characters, superhuman abilities and amazing special effects.  The game will be available for Sony PlayStation® 2, Nintendo GameCube™, and Nintendo Game Boy® Advance.  All are scheduled to release just in time for the 2003 baseball season next March.

 

“BAM! is committed to creating a unique game that offers consumers something that isn’t available anywhere else--something between a little kid’s game and an absolute simulation of the game, with the main focus being on fun.” said Bernard Stolar, President and Chief Operating Officer of BAM! Entertainment.  “We’ve identified an untapped market of gamers and Crushed Baseball 2004 delivers the type of gameplay this market demands.  We are capitalizing on the opportunity to make a game that’s never been done before—a game just for them.”

 

With its unique comic-book inspired art style, Crushed Baseball 2004 will offer fast-paced arcade gameplay that will appeal to both sports and non-sports gaming fans.  With its over-the-top style, players will be able to power-up characters and give them superhuman abilities and special powers called “Mojo” abilities.  For example, a pitcher might throw a pitch that acts as a buzz-saw and slices through the hitter’s bat; a batter may hit a ground ball that lodges itself in the field so it can’t be picked up, and a fielder might use their suction glove ability to suction the ball into their glove to record an out.  

 

Crushed Baseball 2004 will offer completely original fully-interactive ballparks, where a key interactive feature will reward the player with additional “Mojo” abilities if they perform a certain task.  For example, in a stadium with a stained glass window in the centerfield wall, if a player hits a ball that smashes through the window, they will be rewarded with additional “Mojo” abilities.  In the Karate Dojo stadium, decorated in the traditional Japanese style, players can hit the gong to gain more “Mojo” abilities.    

 

The game offers players the ability to set the time of day, weather effects and type of turf they play on.  Players can choose to play a night game in the rain on a dirt surface, a day game in the wind on AstroTurf or real grass and more.  In addition, Crushed Baseball 2004 will be the first baseball game to offer five fully playable female players and 10 original team mascots including a ram, an eagle and a bear.  

 

Crushed Baseball 2004 will be supported by a licensed soundtrack from some of today’s top artists and will offer colorful and lively color commentary from one of today’s top entertainment personalities.  To see artwork from the game or for more information on Crushed Baseball 2004 visit www.bam4fun.com.

[Acclaim's wrestling sequel has over 65 old-school grappling giants, including...Andy Kaufman?]

5398

TalkBack / Legends of Wrestling II Roster

« on: October 25, 2002, 09:30:16 AM »

Acclaim's wrestling sequel has over 65 old-school grappling giants, including...Andy Kaufman?

Here's the full roster for Legends of Wrestling II, which will be released in November for all three consoles.  In addition to last year's main draw, Hulk Hogan, you can now play as Captain Lou Albano.  Finally, you can be Mario from the Super Mario Super Show!  Comedian Andy Kaufman is an odd addition, his only wrestling experience being a series of matches against women as he proclaimed himself the "Inter-Gender" champion.  Kaufman also had a legendary (and probably staged) fued with Jerry Lawler, who is also a playable character.  No word on whether David Letterman is available as a hidden special referee.

Abdullah The Butcher
Andre The Giant
Andy Kaufman
Bam Bam Bigelow
Baron Von Raschke
Big John Studd
Bob Backlund
Bobby "The Brain" Heenan
Bret "Hitman" Hart
Brian Pillman
British Bulldog
Bruno Sammartino
Captain Lou Albano
Cowboy Bob Orton
David Von Erich
Don Muraco
Dory Funk, Jr.
Dr. Death Steve Williams
Dynamite Kid
Eddie Guerrero
Fritz Von Erich
George "The Animal" Steele
The Grand Wizard
Greg "The Hammer" Valentine
Hacksaw Jim Duggan
Harley Race
"Hot Stuff" Eddie Gilbert
Hulk Hogan
Iron Sheik
Ivan Koloff
Ivan Putski
Jerry "The King" Lawler
Jimmy Hart
Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka
Kerry Von Erich
Kevin Von Erich
Killer Kowalski
King Kong Bundy
Koko B. Ware
Michael Von Erich
Mil Mascaras
Mr. Fuji
Mr. U.S.A Tony Atlas
"Mr. Wonderful" Paul Orndorff
The Nasty Boys
Nikolai Volkoff
One Man Gang
Owen Hart
The Road Warriors
Rick Martel
Rick Steiner
Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat
The Rock & Roll Express
Rocky Johnson
Rowdy Roddy Piper
Sabu
Scott Steiner
The Sheik
Sid Vicious
"Superstar" Billy Graham
Ted DiBiase
Terry Funk
Tito Santana

Here are a few other tidbits about the game, according to Acclaim's press release.

Featuring:

6- and 8-man Elimination Bouts, Cage, Battle Royal, Ladder plus 3- and 4-way dances;

Never-before-seen $15,000 Body Slam Challenge with Big John Studd;

All-new storyline career mode, allowing players to battle throughout the United States and the world for the respect of promoters and fans while fighting for the heavyweight championship of the world;

Interviews with many of the legends talking about their famed careers, favorite opponents and more;

Fierce tag-team tournaments with great teams such as The Road Warriors, Steiner Brothers, British Bulldogs, Nasty Boys, Rock-n-Roll Express and more;

Signature entrances and taunts for each legendary wrestler, including all new licensed music composed by "Mouth of the South" Jimmy Hart;

Leverage the experience of some of the greatest managers in the business, including Bobby "The Brain" Heenan, The Grand Wizard, Captain Lou Albano, "Mouth of the South" Jimmy Hart and Mr. Fuji;

All-new dynamic cloth and hair technology enhancing the realism of the wrestlers' movements.

Advanced ISP system delivering even more bone-breaking one-button combos and reversals for outstanding game play;

Create-A-Legend returns bigger and better, allowing players to make their ultimate grappler.

[Now you can play the movie before the movie is out.]

5399

TalkBack / EA Announces The Two Towers for GameCube

« on: October 22, 2002, 07:20:01 AM »

Now you can play the movie before the movie is out.

Today Electronic Arts announced that the PS2 version of Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers has shipped to stores, and they also announced that GameCube and Xbox versions will be released sometime later this year.  The previously announced GBA version will be released on November 12th.

Based upon the upcoming movie, which is subsequently based upon J.R.R. Tolkien's legendary book, Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers follows the second leg of the broken Fellowship's journey.  Gimli the Dwarf, Legolas the Elf, and Aragorn the Ranger confront massive Orc armies and confront Saruman, the evil wizard.  The game mainly follows the exploits of these three heroes, and the Hobbits and other characters will take minor supporting roles.  EA's game will also include music, voice acting, and trailers from the upcoming movie.

Hit the link above for the full press release.

[...well, in a few days they will.]

5400

TalkBack / BAM Ships Reign of Fire for GC and GBA

« on: October 18, 2002, 03:50:45 PM »

...well, in a few days they will.

BAM! ENTERTAINMENT BRINGS REIGN OF FIRE™ HOME  

Multi-Million Dollar Marketing Campaign To Launch Video Games Based On Action Epic

 

San Jose, Calif. (October 17, 2002) – BAM! Entertainment™ (Nasdaq: BFUN), a publisher and developer of interactive entertainment software, announced today that it will begin shipping Reign of Fire for PlayStation® 2 and Game Boy® Advance to retailers worldwide next week.  Microsoft Xbox™ and Nintendo GameCube™ versions of the game will ship to retail by mid-November.  Inspired by the feature film from Spyglass Entertainment, the action-packed game is supported by a multi-million dollar marketing campaign that includes a nationwide TV advertising effort, print and online advertisements, special retailer promotions, pre-order incentives and a multi-product rebate offer tied to the movie’s DVD release slated for November 19th.

 

The film, starring Matthew McConaughey and Christian Bale, debuted this past July and was ranked among the top five feature films during the month of its release.  The video game release of Reign of Fire marks the first product to ship as a result of the multi-year partnership between Spyglass Entertainment and BAM! Entertainment.  Reign of Fire also marks the first game from BAM! to cross all platforms with its availability on PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube and Game Boy Advance.

 

 “We’re excited about this first product from our partnership with BAM! Entertainment,” said Gary Barber and Roger Birnbaum, Co-Chairmen and Chief Executive Officers of Spyglass Entertainment.  “The game is a great extension of the movie and its release exhibits the value of our joint collaboration.”

 

Reign of Fire’s marketing campaign includes a nationwide television campaign featuring a 30-second ad targeted at hard core gamers, online advertisements on consumer and gaming web sites, print advertisements appearing in all top gaming publications and retailer-specific coupons and promotions.  In addition, BAM! Entertainment has teamed with Buena Vista Home Entertainment, the home video division of the Walt Disney Company, in a unique promotion to offer a cross-product rebate to consumers.  With the release of the movie on DVD in mid-November, consumers who buy the DVD will find a rebate offer inside for $10 off any of the console versions of the video game and $5 off the Game Boy Advance product.  Consumers who buy the video game will find a rebate to receive $5 off the purchase of the movie on DVD.   The promotion is also supported with television advertising.  

 

“The launch of Reign of Fire is one of BAM’s finest hours,” said Bernard Stolar, President and Chief Operating Officer of BAM! Entertainment.  ”We have taken this great concept of man vs. beast across all platforms, backed it with a multi-million dollar marketing campaign and are bringing these games to an audience hungry for truly compelling content.”

 

The Reign of Fire video games have already piqued great anticipation from the press.  "Reign of Fire is one of those movie concepts that’s so ridiculously cool you can’t really believe no one thought of it before now," says GamePro magazine.  IGN.com says of the game “...it's the dragon levels that are truly the tastiest."

 

Reign of Fire PlayStation 2 and Xbox were developed by Kuju Entertainment in the United Kingdom and the Nintendo GameCube version was developed by BAM! Studios Europe.  All will be available at a suggested retail price of $39.99.  The Game Boy Advance version was developed by Crawfish Interactive and will retail for a suggested price of $29.99.  For more information on Reign of Fire visit www.bam4fun.com/reignoffire.