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Tuesday, September 5, 2006 Shipping Announcements

by Rainier on Sept. 5, 2006 @ 6:03 a.m. PDT

Another day, another batch of games shipped to stores. Instead of giving them all their own posts, we grouped them, and so far there are announcements for:

LocoRoco (PSP)

Developed by Sony Computer Entertainment Worldwide Studios, Japan Studio, LocoRoco is a 2D platform/action game that allows players to control the unique and quirky world of the LocoRoco and guide them through more than 40 vibrant, lush levels filled with slippery slopes, swinging ropes and secret passages while they grow, divide, sing, change shape, and overcome obstacles. Inspired by Director Tsutomu Kouno's fascination with oil and water in classic toys, LocoRoco's simplified 2D graphic style is paired with complex physics so that these blobs of joy fluidly morph and respond to the environment in various ways.

"LocoRoco's charming characters, colorful environments and addictive play make will make it hard to resist the urge to share this game with friends," said Susan Nourai, director, online and product marketing, Sony Computer Entertainment America. "Even its whimsical soundtrack will have players humming the infectious music for the rest of the day!"

Featuring uniquely simple controls primarily utilizing the PSP's "L" and "R" shoulder buttons, LocoRoco tasks players with controlling the game world by "tilting or bumping" the landscape in order to help the brightly colored LocoRoco navigate through each level, save more LocoRoco and keep them all out of harm's way. The six different types of LocoRoco each have their own voices and actions, as well as their own enchanting theme songs that capture the happy creatures' colorful world. Bonus features include three mini-games, wireless game sharing features, and the LocoHouse, a customizable playhouse with dozens of pieces collectible throughout the game.

At the beginning of the game, the peaceful world of the LocoRoco is under attack by outer spacer creatures called the Moja Corps, who want to capture the blissful LocoRoco and take them from their land of blowing flowers, lively friends and pastel scenery. As the planet the LocoRoco inhabit, players must tilt, roll and bounce the LocoRoco to safety, increase their numbers, and regain world peace.

Test Drive Unlimited (Xbox 360)

The ultimate automotive and lifestyle gaming experience, Test Drive Unlimited provides gamers with M.O.O.R.(TM): Massively Open Online Racing and the pure freedom to go wherever they choose, whenever they choose and race whoever they choose all in a spectacular, wide open tropical setting. Test Drive Unlimited is available in North America for a suggested retail price of $39.99 and rated E10+. A 48-hour free trial of Xbox LiveĀ® online entertainment Gold membership is included with purchase.

"Atari has primed the gaming pump with Test Drive Unlimited," said Nique Fajors, Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Atari, Inc. "No other racing game comes close to what Test Drive Unlimited offers. The game's features, including an open, persistent environment, thousands of miles to explore, hundreds of gameplay hours, and over 350 multiplayer and solo challenges, coupled with an unprecedented mix of high-end cars and bikes, make Test Drive Unlimited a true model of next-generation gaming."

Test Drive Unlimited offers 90 licensed vehicles -- cars AND bikes -- from exclusive manufacturers that are fully customizable with unrivalled interior and exterior details and functions. Car packs featuring six or more vehicles, complete with genre-specific radio stations, will be available for download monthly, beginning six weeks after launch on Xbox LiveĀ® Marketplace for Xbox 360. In addition to many of the world's top cars, the game offers incredible customization options, unique character personalization, more than 1000 miles of diverse, photo-realistic Hawaiian terrain, a challenging single player game and a host of online options with M.O.O.R., which enables gamers to interact with thousands simultaneously. With these realistic features and more, Test Drive Unlimited is racing reinvented.

Spy Hunter: Nowhere to Run (PS2/Xbox)

For the first time in this popular franchise, players will be able to step out from behind the wheel of the Interceptor and straight into 3rd person action, as ex-fighter pilot Alex Decker, played by Hollywood heavyweight Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. In Nowhere to Run, players will experience high octane Hollywood action moments, intense melee combat and new, mission-based, high-speed chases in the infamous Interceptor, which takes form as a car, boat and even a motorcycle!

"Spy Hunter: Nowhere to Run represents the natural evolution of the Spy Hunter franchise by incorporating on foot shooting and melee combat to the driving combat experience," said Steve Allison, chief marketing officer, Midway. "Not only will the game feature the classic driving levels the time tested-franchise is known for, but we've added several new gameplay elements including 3rd person action, melee combat and high-powered cinematic action moments, taking the franchise to the next level."

"It's been a great privilege working with Midway to bring a persona to Spy Hunter's main character, Alex Decker," said Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. "From the voice-over sessions to the motion capture work, Midway allowed me to infuse the character with my own personality in every way possible."

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