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Tuesday, October 10, 2006 Shipping Announcements

by Rainier on Oct. 10, 2006 @ 5:25 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:

God Hand (PS2)

God Hand is a stylish over-the-top action game for the PlayStation 2. Play as a drifter bestowed with supernatural abilities who must confront the fate and responsibilities inherent with this new found power. Hand-to-hand combat is at its best when gamers unleash the power of the God Hand to deliver righteous punishment onto worthy enemies. The brainchild of Clover Studio's Atsushi Inaba, acclaimed producer of Okami and Shinji Mikami, director of Resident Evil 4, God Hand promises to deliver dangerous whirlwind adventures filled with slapstick antics. God Hand is now available at retailers across North America and carries an "M" rating for mature audiences by the ESRB.

Centuries ago, the world was in imminent doom until a man with the divine powers of god in his arms defeated Demon King Angra. Grateful that Angra's threat had subsided, people bestowed this fighter with the title God Hand. Legend states that to this day, a single clan continues to protect the sacred hands and anyone who acquires such immense power could become a deity or demon. Fast forward to a small town overrun with thugs wielding super-human strength. A gruff drifter named Gene finds his way to this troubled region only to fall unconscious after his right arm is severed while trying to defend a woman in distress. He later awakens to find his limb whole again and is now the possessor of the legendary God Hand. Now the burden of being hunted by demonic legions seeking the right hand of god begins.

In God Hand, it's judgment day as players try to ward off the demons that seek to obtain the coveted appendage. Although Gene may have been granted the strength of the almighty, keeping these foes at bay won't be easy as evil approaches one after another for the ultimate showdown. Fortunately with a vast repertoire of moves and accompanying canned laugh tracks, delivering deadly blows and crushing attacks has never been so satisfying. Featuring a deep fighting system, customize combos to suit any particular desire by choosing from more than 100 moves or trigger the "Roulette" to execute a number of flashy and often humorous finishing attacks. Or better yet, build up the special God Hand meter and unleash the power of god to make attacks effortlessly stronger and faster. It's Armageddon time!

GUN (PSP)

A free roaming action-adventure, GUN Showdown expands the untamed West by allowing players to work both sides of the law as a gunslinger who must shoot, knife and dynamite his way through an epic story with new wireless multiplayer and Quickplay modes, exclusive missions, and gameplay features unique to the PSP system.

"GUN Showdown lets players experience the renegade nature and gritty lawlessness of the West all in the palm of their hands," said Will Kassoy, senior vice president of global brand management. "With pick up and play action and all-new wireless multiplayer functionality, GUN Showdown adds to all of the great elements of the original console game and delivers the ultimate in PSP system action."

In GUN Showdown gamers dole out vengeance as they face-off against corrupt lawmen, a murderous preacher, a renegade army psychopath, and merciless outlaws. In a world where greed, lust and murder reign, players wage war on horseback, hold up banks, collect bounties on prisoners dead or alive, and commandeer trains as the lines between good and evil are drawn in blood.

Extending the GUN console experience, GUN Showdown delivers five new missions that expand upon the rich story as well as deliver new gameplay mechanics, characters, and weapons and a host of Quickplay modes. Gamers can also team up or go head-to-head in Showdown mode, which includes Deathmatch, Golden Cross and Texas Hold'Em poker gameplay modes via the PSP system's wireless network capabilities.

GUN Showdown will soon be available for the PSP, for a suggested retail price of $39.99, and is rated "M" ("Mature" - Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Strong Language and Use of Alcohol) by the ESRB.

Naruto: Clash of Ninja 2 (GBA)

The sequel to the hit NARUTO: Ninja Council follows the storyline of VIZ Media's hit anime series Shonen Jump Naruto and features a special change on the fly feature where gamers can switch between Naruto, Sasuke or Sakura in the middle of ninja action. TOMY Corporation and D3PA recently announced the release of Naruto: Clash of Ninja 2 now available for Nintendo GameCube(TM).

"Gamers and fans of Naruto are going to love the new features of Naruto: Ninja Council 2, especially switching from Naruto to Sasuke or Sakura in the middle of a fight," said Mark Shinohara, executive vice president, TOMY Corporation. "The enhanced character and background graphics are a big step up and with the multi-player options via theGBA Game LinkĀ® cable gamers are going to have many more game play options."

"We are very proud to bring Naruto: Ninja Council 2 to North American fans of Naruto," said Careen Yapp, vice president of licensing and business development, D3PA. "The combination of the absorbing storyline from the TV show, intuitive controls and the fluid animations make for a great game."

Developed by Aspect, Naruto: Ninja Council 2 is the second Game Boy Advance title in the series and builds on the storyline of the first game and provides solid side-scrolling, vertical or horizontal ninja action for 1-4 players. Players will be able to switch between three unique characters on the fly to strategically conquer each challenging level. Also during a fight, players can call on back-up characters such as Kakashi and Kiba to help win the battle with their special jutsus. All-new multiplayer modes offer head-to-head action or cooperative play for up to four players.

Naruto takes place in a world where ninja hold the ultimate power. Infused with the spirit of a once fearsome Nine-Tailed Fox, Naruto Uzumaki is a ninja-in-training who is learning the art of Ninjutsu with his classmates Sakura and Sasuke. The trio studies under the instruction of their teacher Kakashi, who helps the group face dangerous and daunting tests and challenges. Through their adventures, the young ninja learn the importance of friendship, teamwork, loyalty, hard work, creativity, ingenuity, and right versus wrong.

Scarface: The World Is Yours (PS2/Xbox/PC)

Scarface: The World Is Yours, which presents a sequel storyline that asks "What if Tony Montana survived the mansion shootout?" is available on the PlayStation 2, Xbox and Windows PC for an estimated retail price of $49.99.

Scarface: The World Is Yours was created through a licensing agreement with Universal Studios Consumer Products and is now available at retail stores in North America.

Scarface: The World Is Yours will plunge players deep into the seedy underbelly of 1980s Miami as the one-and-only Tony Montana, featuring the likeness of Al Pacino. Players are challenged to re-enact the climactic mansion shoot-out from the original film, but in the game the player has the opportunity to make Tony fight his way out of the mansion and survive. As Tony, they must then rebuild his fallen empire and seize vengeance on his enemies.

Scarface: The World Is Yours has secured a AAA voice cast of more than 50 celebrities from movies, television, sports and music and boasts a soundtrack of more than 120 licensed music tracks from the 80s and today, as well as the original motion picture score by Giorgio Moroder.

The "Collector's Edition" version for PlayStation 2 will ship at the same time for an estimated retail price of $59.99. Sierra Entertainment is also releasing Scarface: Money. Power. Respect., a unique game designed specifically for the PSP system that combines turn-based strategy gameplay with real-time combat, this week for an estimated retail price of $39.99.

Tales of the Abyss (PS2)

Developed by Namco Tales Studio's Team Symphonia, Tales of the Abyss will offer up a grandiose new RPG adventure with a brand new storyline and the most realistic looking character models ever seen in the series, making the game come to life before the players' own eyes. Tales of the Abyss' stunning character designs were created by Kosuke Fujishima (known for his character designs in the Ah! My Goddess manga) and its beautiful anime cut scenes by Production I.G.

Tales of the Abyss will follow the story of the young aristocrat, Luke fon Fabre. Kidnapped seven years ago, Luke returns to his family with no memories of his life before. In order to protect him, Luke's family keeps him confined to the quiet lifestyle of the palace. Suddenly, Luke is thrust into the outside world, caught in the workings of the Order of Lorelei and the Oracle Knights who serve as keepers of the prophecy known as the Score. He knows nothing of those who might be his allies or those who are already his enemies. He must learn of the power of friendship and feel the pain of sacrifice. Luke's actions could save the world or destroy it.

Rated 'T' for Teen, Tales of the Abyss will be available nationwide on October 10, 2006 for the PlayStation 2 for a suggested retail price of $39.99.

Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 07 (PSP/PS2/Xbox/X360/PC)

Compete against 21 of the world's top players, including Tiger Woods, John Daly, Vijay Singh, and Annika Sorenstam. Dominate any of the 21 courses on Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 07, such as the newly added Four Seasons Resort Aviara, The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island, Riviera Country Club, The National, and The K Club. Use the all new Team Tour mode to assemble a team, improve your status, establish rivalries and drive for the coveted EA Cup as you hunt down Tiger. In the PSP, work on your game through mid-week training and unique challenges, then take on the best PGA TOUR pros in tournaments in the chase for The FedEx Cup.

Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 07 on the Xbox 360 adds a whole new level to the golfing experience with enhanced crowds and galleries that build throughout the week and culminate on Championship Sunday. The revolutionary Universal Facial Capture or UCAP technology brings realism and emotion to the golf course like never before. The featured UCAP golfers are Tiger Woods, Chris DiMarco, Mike Weir, Colin Montgomerie, and Luke Donald. Gamers will be challenged to compete in The FedEx Cup, the new PGA TOUR championship playoff system that takes the top players to Championship Sunday by accumulating FedEx points during the tournament season. Use the new True Aiming system to place your shots like a pro or develop your drive, chip shots and putts in the new Practice Facility.

Developed by EA Redwood Shores, Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 07 is rated "E" for Everyone by the ESRB and has an MSRP of $39.99 for Xbox, the PS2, PSP and PC and an MSRP of $59.99 for Xbox 360.

Dora the Explorer: Dora's World Adventure! (GBA)

The game creates a new interactive experience based on the Dora The Explorer World Adventure! October DVD release and hour-long primetime television special airing next month on Nickelodeon, the number-one-rated basic cable network. Fans of the award-winning preschool series can interact with Dora and her pal Swiper as they travel around the world to save International Friendship Day.

"We're excited to launch our newest Dora video game in conjunction with this major Nickelodeon media and product initiative," said Steve Lux, vice president of publishing for Global Star Software. "We're joining a world-class lineup of manufacturers, including Fisher Price, Random House Books and Nick Records, in bringing Dora's World Adventure! products to retail this holiday season."

In the game, players team up with Dora and Swiper to return the Friendship Bracelets that Swiper swiped in France, Tanzania, Russia and China! As they journey from Mt. Kilimanjaro to the Eiffel Tower to the Great Wall of China, they meet new friends from around the world along the way.

"We worked closely with our partners at Global Star to ensure Dora's World Adventure! for Game Boy Advance was the perfect interactive companion to our DVD and on-air movie," said Paul Jelinek, vice president, digital media products of Nickelodeon and MTVN Kids and Family Group. "From Dora's actual voice in the game to learning to say 'hello' in four languages, Dora's World Adventure! has something for Dora fans of all ages."

The Dora The Explorer World Adventure! DVD will be released on October 10, followed by the primetime television special, Dora's World Adventure on Sunday November 19 from 8:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. (ET/PT) on Nickelodeon. The video game promotion will be included in "Stuff Ads" created by Nickelodeon, radio and online ads, in-pack in Nick Jr. fall release DVD's, and in co-promotions with other manufacturers. The game will also be featured in the 2006 Toy Industry Association Toy Wishes Holiday Preview.

Dora the Explorer: Dora's World Adventure! has a suggested retail price of $19.99. It was developed by Black Lantern Studios, Inc. and is rated E for everyone.

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