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Thursday, November 9, 2006 Shipping Announcements

by Rainier on Nov. 9, 2006 @ 5:00 a.m. PST

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:

Disney's Kim Possible: What's the Switch? (PS2)

In "Disney's Kim Possible: What's the Switch?," players control Kim, Shego or Rufus the naked mole rat as they traverse the globe to defeat enemies.

"As the fifth video game starring Disney Channel favorite, Kim Possible, 'Disney's Kim Possible: What's The Switch?' is an exciting opportunity for video game players to follow the crime-fighting heroine's exploits on the living room TV," said Craig
Relyea, vice president of marketing, Buena Vista Games. "Kim Possible is an extremely successful handheld video game franchise and this game looks to repeat that success on the console by bringing more fun and thrills to this engaging PlayStation 2 title."

In "Disney's Kim Possible: What's the Switch?," Kim Possible must begrudgingly team up with her nemesis, Shego, to restore everything back to normal when the minds of Dr. Drakken and Ron Stoppable are switched. It's now up to Kim and Shego to save the day – together.

Features of "Disney's Kim Possible: What's The Switch?" include 11 missions as one of three characters (Kim Possible, Shego or Rufus); the ability to acquire and use six gadgets; and a two-player mode.

Published by Buena Vista Games and developed by A2M, "Disney's Kim Possible: What's The Switch?" is rated E for Everyone and is available for a suggested price of $29.99.

Every Extend Extra (PSP)

Published by Buena Vista Games and developed by Q ENTERTAINMENT, "Lumines II" and "Every Extend Extra" are now available at retail stores throughout the United States. "Lumines II" is the sequel to last year's best-selling, critically acclaimed puzzle video game. "Every Extend Extra" is an innovative "puzzle shooter" game that combines classic arcade action with electrifying visuals and music.

"'Lumines II' and 'Every Extend Extra' are both highly anticipated handheld video games that combine visceral puzzle gameplay with memorable music tracks," said Craig Relyea, vice president of marketing, Buena Vista Games. "These two games meld visuals and beats together to offer unequaled experiences for the PSP system."

"Every Extend Extra" is a unique "puzzle shooter" that combines classic arcade gameplay with dazzling visuals and thumping musical beats.

"Every Extend Extra" is a unique "puzzle shooter," brought to the PSP system by Q ENTERTAINMENT. "Every Extend Extra" delivers an addictive gameplay experience through a fusion of arcade-style shooting action, cutting-edge music and visuals. Players evade enemy attacks and then use perfect timing to blast their foes in a colorful display of explosive chain reactions. The bigger the chain reaction results in the higher the score and the larger the rewards. The game features nine challenging levels, each with its own unique theme, as well as a two-player wireless game (extra PSP system and game required). "Every Extend Extra" also includes the original PC freeware game, "Every Extend," from which the game originates.

"Every Extend Extra, rated E for Everyone, is available for the suggested retail price of $29.99.

For Liberty! (PC)

David Heath, CEO of Matrix Games said, "This is a really great game that stands head to head with many of today's classic strategy games. The detail in the design will really give fellow gamers a good feel for commanding a campaign in the 18th century."

Bulcsu Varhegyi of Hussar Games said, "We are very proud of this release and with Matrix Games support we feel twe have provided excellent service to our fans and really improved the gameplay we received from our fans."

Each campaign has a unique soundtrack, accurate map covering over 3,000 hexes each, and accurate units for each side and time period. There are 8 total campaigns, 4 for each theatre of revolution. At the strategic level manage resources such as recruits, horses, muskets, cannons, money, and supply. Use influence to affect political decisions. Command four hundred historic leaders and give strategic orders to troops such as siege, defend, attack, retreat, and rest.

In the tactical level, fight battles on randomly generated maps, giving a new tactical situation each time you play. Command 16 different large size 3D unit types from 5 countries, each with authentic uniforms. Units may adopt several stances in combat, including line, column, and skirmish.

In For Liberty! there are many realism factors that bring out the best of revolutionary combat. Morale plays a major role in combat, and no soldier will fight to the last man. Break the opposition's morale and drive them from the field of combat. Also there are plenty of random events, such as pirates, betrayal, epidemics, fires, and much more. To top it all off, a full campaign editor will be included along with a special bonus USA scenario.

  • Campaign editor - create your own fictional or historical campaign
  • New bonus American campaign.
  • Improved fatigue system in tactical battles.
  • AI enhancements on both the strategic and tactical levels
  • and much more.

Left Behind: Eternal Forces (PC)

The public will be able to experience a post-rapture world in the ultimate battle of good versus evil. The storyline is based on the best-selling LEFT BEHIND book series by Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins, which has sold more than 63 million copies worldwide.

"For nearly five years, we have imagined this product and today is glorious," said Troy Lyndon, co-founder and CEO, Left Behind Games. "Finally, we have an inspirational game for the marketplace which challenges game makers' beliefs that gore is better by introducing one of the first high-quality games with a positive moral message. No blood, no gore, just great fun!" said Troy Lyndon, co-founder and CEO, Left Behind Games.

"This is a very exciting day not only for us but for the entire industry. The warm embrace by retail in combination with the awesome swell of media support should tell everyone that this is a new day in the gaming industry and that the landscape of games may now have a new and positive approach to compelling, captivating fun gaming experience," said David Klein, Senior Vice President.

Lumines II (PSP)

Published by Buena Vista Games and developed by Q ENTERTAINMENT, "Lumines II" and "Every Extend Extra" are now available at retail stores throughout the United States. "Lumines II" is the sequel to last year's best-selling, critically acclaimed puzzle video game. "Every Extend Extra" is an innovative "puzzle shooter" game that combines classic arcade action with electrifying visuals and music.

"'Lumines II' and 'Every Extend Extra' are both highly anticipated handheld video games that combine visceral puzzle gameplay with memorable music tracks," said Craig Relyea, vice president of marketing, Buena Vista Games. "These two games meld visuals and beats together to offer unequaled experiences for the PSP system."

Featuring full-length music videos from international artists and tracks from popular Japanese DJs, "Lumines II" is the follow-up to last year's hit PSP system game, which remains one of the best-selling and highest-rated games for the system. Along with new "skins" (backgrounds), music videos and modes, "Lumines II" also includes the original song and music video, "Heavenly Star" performed by Genki Rockets, a new band produced by Q ENTERTAINMENT.

"Lumines II" for the PSP system is the highly anticipated sequel to the addictive puzzle-based video game, "Lumines." To play, gamers control colorful squares made of four smaller block pieces that are dropped into the playing field one at a time to form same-color rectangles. The vertical "timeline" sweeps across the playing field from left to right and wipes the same-color rectangles from the playing field. Unmatched blocks pile up, and the game ends when the pile gets to the top of the playing screen. Players advance through many action-packed levels, each with its own musical theme and sound effects. "Lumines II" features a variety of modes including Challenge, Sequencer, Mission, Puzzle, Time Attack and Vs. (both against CPU and two-player -- extra PSP system and game required) as well as 60 skins and 100 puzzles.

"Lumines II" is the first handheld video game with actual music videos from international artists: Beck ­ "Black Tambourine"; Black Eyed Peas ­ "Pump It"; The Chemical Brothers ­ "Star Guitar"; Fatboy Slim ­ "Gangster Trippin'"; The Go! Team ­ "Bottle Rocket"; Gwen Stefani ­ "Hollaback Girl"; Hoobastank ­ "Born to Lead"; Junior Senior ­ "Take My Time"; Missy Elliott ­ "Lose Control"; and New Order ­ "Regret." Tracks by Junkie XL ("Breezer"), Stigmato Inc. ("Reality Check"), Star Casino, Techriders and Ken Ishii are also included.

"Lumines II, rated E10+ for Everyone 10 and Older, is available for the suggested retail price of $29.99.

The Sopranos: Road to Respect (PS2)

The game brings to life the Golden Globe, Peabody and Emmy-award winning HBO series as one of television's favorite families makes its video game debut, complete with voiceover work by key cast members and a storyline collaborated with show creator David Chase.

"The Sopranos: Road to Respect embodies the strengths and idiosyncrasies of the critically acclaimed television series to faithfully recreate the Sopranos world in an interactive entertainment format," said Kelly Flock, executive vice president of Worldwide Publishing, THQ. "With familiar locations, interactions with key family members and many ways to assert physical and verbal intimidation, players will tap into the true backbone of the show as they earn their stripes working for Tony Soprano's crew."

"The Sopranos has redefined crime genre television and captured the hearts of viewers everywhere," said Carmi Zlotnik, executive vice president of New Media Programming Group, HBO. "We are pleased to break new ground with The Sopranos: Road to Respect in order to give fans of the series and gamers alike the opportunity to experience The Sopranos in a brand new way."

The Sopranos: Road to Respect delivers a unique storyline collaborated with show creator David Chase and voiced by several key cast members, including James Gandolfini, Michael Imperioli, Steven Van Zandt, Tony Sirico, Vincent Pastore, Joe Gannascoli and Robert Iler. In the game, a mob war is brewing after the murder of the Philadelphia boss' nephew, and the Sopranos crew has been named the culprit. Playing as Joey LaRocca, the illegitimate son of the late Sal "Big Pussy" Bonpensiero, players have an opportunity to demonstrate their loyalty to Tony Soprano and become a "made" man by moving up within the ranks of his organization. They carry out orders in familiar locations like the Bada Bing!, Satriale's and Nuovo Vesuvio's, gamble in high stakes poker and report to Paulie, Silvio, Christopher and Vito as they seek admiration and family respect. A deep visceral combat system adds a variety of brutal attacks, and each environment allows ordinary objects to become weapons. Players can also impact storylines in real time by being confrontational or keeping their cool when verbally intimidating others.

The Sopranos: Road to Respect limited edition includes an exclusive "making of the game" DVD that gives viewers a behind the scenes look at game development, actor interviews, voiceover recordings, location shoots and more. The collector's edition also includes a commemorative booklet and limited edition poster.

The Sopranos: Road to Respect is rated "M" for Mature and is available for the suggested retail price of $39.99. A special limited edition with bonus features is also available for the suggested retail price of $49.99.

Viva Piñata (X360)

People of all ages will enjoy the vibrant world where they can create and customize their own environment to attract, tame and nurture more than 60 species of wild piñata and make their experience uniquely their own. Packed with hundreds of personalization options, "Viva Piñata" lets people name their piñatas, choose accessories for them to wear, decide where to plant grass and flowers, and more. The colorful, fully customizable game invites people into a world with all kinds of possibilities.

People first experienced the world of "Viva Piñata" in September, with the debut of the Saturday-morning computer-generated animation series produced by 4Kids Entertainment and Bardel Entertainment on 4Kids TV on FOX. The arrival of "Viva Piñata" for Xbox 360 establishes a crossover between the show and the game as people, young and old, tune in to the series to pick up hints and tricks to take back to the game.

"Viva Piñata" gameplay will be extended through the Xbox Live. Xbox Live Gold subscribers will be able to connect with friends, family or other players from around the globe to trade items from their piñata paradise — everything from the smallest plant to the largest piñata. Players with the free Xbox Live Silver membership also can trade items. And Xbox Live will offer accessories for download into the game to personalize piñata collections.

The genesis of the "Viva Piñata" franchise came from Rare Ltd., known for such all-age-friendly games as "Banjo-Kazooie®" and "Grabbed by the Ghoulies®." Veteran developers of these games, as well as a new crop of talent, worked together to craft "Viva Piñata" into the fun-filled game available now on store shelves.

Additional "Viva Piñata" products are expected to debut in fall 2007, with Playmates Toys Inc. and American Greetings Corp. already on board for toys and party goods. The latest information about "Viva Piñata" is available at http://www.vivapinata.com, the virtual island where gamers can find hints and tips for the Xbox 360 video game, get the latest updates on the 4Kids TV animated TV series, and score exclusive extras including games, activities, ring tones and avatars.

"Viva Piñata" from Rare and Microsoft Game Studios is rated "E" for Everyone and is available exclusively on Xbox 360. The game started being shipped on Nov. 9, and will be on store shelves by the following week with an estimated retail price of $49.99. The two-disc "Viva Piñata" Special Edition Xbox 360 game, available for a limited time, will include a second disc with playable demos of LucasArts' "LEGO Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy," the arcade classic "Frogger" as well as family favorites "Cloning Clyde," "Time Pilot" and "Marble Blast." In addition, a full-length episode from the zany, anything-can-happen animated TV series "Viva Piñata" is also included.

World Championship Poker Featuring Howard Lederer: All In (X360)

World Championship Poker: Featuring Howard Lederer "All In," for Xbox 360 is now shipping to retailers nationwide.

WCP: All In features some of the most recognizable and successful poker stars in the world, including Howard Lederer, his sister Annie Duke (who becomes exclusive to the World Championship Poker franchise with this installment), and Robert Williamson III. Joining the roster in this year's edition are noted international poker superstars Marcel Luske, Thomas Bihl and Erin Ness, who parlayed a victory at a Maxim Magazine office tournament into a seat at the 2004 World Series of Poker.

Over the past few years, the World Championship Poker series has developed a reputation for being a game intelligent and diverse enough to appeal to poker players of all skill levels. The Xbox 360 version of WCP: All In takes advantage of next-generation technology with larger, more detailed environments and a more cinematic view. A dynamic shadow-casting system, self-shadowing on characters and advanced shader effects lend additional realism.

World Championship Poker: All In is also available for PlayStation 2 and PSP.

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