VideoGameNews

March 19, 2009--Electronic Arts Inc. announced today that NCAA Football 10 will be available in North American retail stores on Tuesday, July 14. As the highest-selling college football video game franchise for over a decade*, EA SPORTS NCAA Football brings an unparalleled college game day experience to football fans across the nation.

Each week leading up to the launch of NCAA Football 10, the newly unveiled www.ncaafootball10.com will host the latest features, videos, screenshots, blogs and news. In addition, the website will countdown the highly anticipated announcement of the NCAA Football 10 cover athletes. A different player will be featured on the packaging of each platform, giving fans plenty of opportunity to speculate whether their favorite athlete will grace one of the covers this season. With several major features scheduled to be announced between now and launch, football fans are encouraged to visit the website regularly for the most up-to-date information. Read more

March 18, 2009--The EA Play Label of Electronic Arts, Inc. today launched the HASBRO FAMILY GAME NIGHT destination on Xbox LIVE Arcade (XBLA) where players can access some of the world’s most beloved family-friendly board games. Inspired by Hasbro properties, fans can play digital versions of SCRABBLE, CONNECT 4 , BATTLESHIP, and YAHTZEE in a variety of classic and new modes of gameplay. The SCRABBLE game is available in the U.S. and Canada only. BOGGLE, SORRY! and SORRY! Sliders will also be launching on Xbox LIVE Arcade in the coming months.

"We have opened the doors to the ultimate digital game room on Xbox LIVE Arcade for family and friends," said Chip Lange, General Manager of EA’s Hasbro Division. "You can now sink your opponent’s battleship while sitting next to them on the couch or from hundreds of miles away. HASBRO FAMILY GAME NIGHT is the ideal blend of nostalgic childhood fun with cutting edge gaming technology that delivers an incredibly fun, online casual experience for everyone in the family."Read more

March 16, 2009--The March 22 launch of the Pokémon Platinum Version video game for the Nintendo DS system is almost upon us, and Pokémon fans are already buzzing with anticipation. This new game in the storied franchise brings a host of new features, including the mysterious new Distortion world, never-seen-before forms of powerful Pokémon, exciting online games in the new Wi-Fi Plaza and strategic battles that are the hallmark of the main Pokémon game series.

“The Pokémon franchise has been a force since it came to the United States more than 10 years ago,” said Cammie Dunaway, Nintendo of America’s executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. “To date, our two most recent games in the core Pokémon series, Pokémon Diamond and Pokémon Pearl, have sold more than 5.3 million in the United States alone. Pokémon Platinum Version brings fans a set of new challenges, fun and entertainment.”

On March 21, Nintendo will host a blowout launch celebration for the game at the Nintendo World store in New York. Pokémon fans will be able to demo and purchase the game a day before it’s available in other retail stores. Rockefeller Plaza will become a Pokémon fan’s paradise with a myriad of Pokémon activities, including game-play kiosks showing off the game and its online capabilities, the “Pokémon Platinum Plunge,” where Pokémon fans will get a chance to win a copy of the Pokémon Platinum Version video game, and opportunities to take photos with their favorite Pokémon characters. Read more

March 11, 2009 -- The EA Play Label of Electronic Arts Inc. today announced Zubo, an original rhythm-based video game property developed exclusively for the Nintendo DS handheld system, will hit store shelves in North America this week. Aimed at kids ages seven and up, Zubo is a quirky, rhythm-based battling adventure game packed with more than 50 crazy characters, more than 100 different battle moves, and ten lands to explore - all within the fantastic world of Zubalon.

“We’re very excited to unleash our colorful creations, the Zubo characters, this Spring,” said Rob O’Farrell, Executive Producer. “The game’s quirky characters, magical worlds and rhythm-based battling game play make Zubo incredibly engaging and fun for both girls and boys. It’s an immersive, laugh-out-loud, explore and battle adventure on the Nintendo DS.”

Zubo is set in Zubalon, a land comprised of a series of ten themed, 3-D worlds, such as Wild West, Pop and Horror, each home to five unique Zubo characters. But Zubalon is under attack by a villain named Big Head and his army of Zombos. To stand up against and defeat Big Head and his crew, players must explore Zubalon and recruit the help of 55 wacky characters ranging from Drakool, a vampire, to Pinky, a pop star, to Roswell, a cow-loving alien. Players befriend the Zubo characters they meet along the way, feed them and restore their health, track down missing items, and bring them into comical, over-the-top battles against the evil Zombos. Read more

March 11, 2009 -- Racing to the finish line takes on added excitement when competitors trigger destruction on the track to take out their opponents. Disney Interactive Studios today announced Split/Second, an intense action racing game set within the world of a hyper-competitive reality television show. Competitors vie to be the first across the finish line in a made-for-TV city built for destruction, with the ultimate goal of becoming the season champion.

Developed by Black Rock Studio, Split/Second is scheduled to be released in early 2010 for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system and Windows-based PC.

Competitors in Split/Second don’t just collide with other vehicles to knock them from the track -- they can also trigger explosive events that drastically alter the dynamics of the race. Players must use strategy and pinpoint timing to derail opponents, tactically alter the track or create entirely new routes. Read more

March 10, 2009 ―TAITO Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Square Enix Holdings Co., Ltd., announced today that it has shipped My Pet Shop for Nintendo DS to retailers across North America. This adorable simulation game is easy to play for children of all ages and perfect for kids who love animals.

With over 40 different types of animals, My Pet Shop offers a wide range of pets for kids to play with. From popular dog and cat breeds like pugs, golden retrievers and Russian blues, to animals from the wild such as pandas and penguins, players are sure to come across some of their favorite creatures. While the game is fun and easy to follow, it also teaches children to be organized, responsible and caring as they help run a pet store and learn to take care of animals. Read more

March 10, 2009--EA Play Label of Electronic Arts Inc., announced that MySims Party for Wii and Nintendo DS ships to retail outlets worldwide tomorrow. The next title from the MySims Franchise features a robust variety of fun and unique mini-games. Designed specifically for the Nintendo platforms, MySims Party offers something for every member of the family.

“We are very excited to deliver MySims Party and think that it will appeal to new and existing MySims fans with the engaging fun that it provides right from the start,” said Tim LeTourneau, General Manager of the MySims Franchise. “The game capitalizes on the universal appeal and trademark humor of the MySims characters, but also takes the franchise in a different direction providing a new way for players to interact through great multiplayer arcade gameplay.” Read more

March 10, 2009 - Harmonix and MTV Games just announced the addition of fourteen tracks, ranging across nearly all genres of rock, to the Rock Band Music Store catalog of downloadable content for Wii home videogame console from Nintendo. The lineup includes music from metal icons Metallica, songs from alternative bands Radiohead and Sonic Youth, as well as tracks from classic rock artists KISS and David Bowie. Rock Band Wii owners will also have access to music from punk band The Clash and rock bands Wolfmother and Garbage.

In addition, the offering features songs from five alternative country acts including Drive By Truckers, Lucinda Williams, Neko Case, Old 97s and Steve Earle. Read more

February 23, 2009 - Harmonix and MTV Games announced today the addition of eight remaining tracks from The Cars’ self-titled 1978 debut album to the Rock Band Music Store catalog of downloadable content for Wii home videogame console from Nintendo.

The lineup includes classic rock hits "Good Times Roll," "My Best Friend's Girl," "I’m in Touch with Your World," "Don't Cha Stop," "You're All I've Got Tonight," "Bye Bye Love," "Moving in Stereo" and "All Mixed Up." "Just What I Needed," also featured on The Cars album, was released to the Rock Band Wii music catalog in January.

This week's offering comes from the Rock Band Music Store catalog of downloadable content already released to owners of Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system. Wii fans can expect a rollout of the previously released downloadable content until the entire back catalogue of more than 570 songs is available. In addition, the regularly scheduled future DLC releases for Xbox 360 and PLAYSTATION 3 system will also be available for Rock Band 2 Wii owners soon. Read more

February 2009 – SEGA just announced that the Virtua Tennis series will, for the very first time, be released on the Wii system and will hit stores in May 2009.

Wii owners will finally be able to take to the courts in the fan’s number one tennis game, boasting all the features and arcade action that has made Virtua Tennis the most critically acclaimed and best selling tennis series available. Virtua Tennis 2009 for Wii includes the same impressive player roster as Virtua Tennis 2009 on other platforms, meaning top stars such as Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Maria Sharapova and Venus Williams will all be in the game, as well as players new to the series such as Andy Murray and Ana Ivanovic. Over 40 vibrant court environments will be playable within single player, multiplayer and online modes giving Virtua Tennis 2009 an impressive online and offline depth for a Wii title.

“The Virtua Tennis series is perfect for the Wii platform,” said Sean Ratcliffe, Vice President of Marketing, SEGA of America, Inc., “SEGA is excited to be able to bring this uniquely interactive experience to Wii. The multiplayer Court Games in particular will be a feature that family and friends can enjoy together.” Read more