Alvin and the Chipmunks (NDS/PS2/Wii/PC)
Released as a part of a novelty record in the fall of 1958, The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late) was the first hit from The Chipmunks. Written and sung by Ross Bagdasarian, Sr., in what has become the Chipmunks' signature sound, the song was credited to a fictional group "The Chipmunks" comprised of Alvin, Simon and Theodore, who were named after actual executives at Bagdasarian's first record label, Liberty Records. The record became an immediate success, selling more than 4 million copies in seven weeks and spending four weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart. It went on to earn three Grammy Awards and a nomination for Record of the Year, and has enjoyed tremendous popularity every year since.
Alvin's ditty about wanting a hula hoop (which was THE hot new toy that first year) has gone on to become part of our pop culture and has been featured in various film and television hits, including Saturday Night Live, Friends, The Sopranos, Almost Famous, King of Queens, Nip/Tuck, Boston Legal, Ally McBeal and Ugly Betty.
"Alvin and the Chipmunks have entertained three generations of fans," said Ross Bagdasarian, Jr., President of Bagdasarian Productions, LLC. "Next year marks the 50th anniversary of the franchise, and gives parents an opportunity to introduce their kids to the same trio they grew up with twenty years earlier through the new Alvin and the Chipmunks videogame and live action film."
"I look so cool in my first video game AND major motion picture ...." said Alvin, lead singer of the band. "By the way, if all you fans are wondering, I finally did get the hula hoop. Now if you're listening Dave, I want a Maserati."
In addition to the Chipmunk Song, the game features 40 popular hits and cult favorites that parents and kids alike can play along to. These songs include chart-topping songs originally written by artists such as RUN-DMC, Boy George and Blink 182. It is available for the PS2, Wii, NDS, and PC. The game has been rated E for Everyone by the ESRB and is available at retailers nationwide today.
Cranium Kabookii (Wii)
Developed by Ubisoft in collaboration with Toy Industry Association Game of the Year winner Cranium, Cranium Kabookii celebrates the amazing things friends and family can do as they create, perform, discover and connect with one another. Cranium Kabookii is rated "E" for Everyone and has an MSRP of $49.99.
Cranium Kabookii brings a new dimension to Wii play through the use of the Wii Remote and special Kabookii Decoder Glasses. New questions and 15 activities get teams playing music, drawing, acting, puzzling and even cracking codes to win. Spray paint the solar system on a wall (you actually hear the can shaking in your hand!); use the Wii Remote as a mallet to hammer out "Auld Lang Syne� on a xylophone; solve word puzzles (what word is both a face card and car lifter?); or even trot the globe to test your knowledge of world flags, landmarks and national anthems (frequent flier miles not included!).
Key Features:
- The family game show for your Wii: Enter the Cranium Kabookii arena, spin the carousel and land on one of 15 different activities to start the fun!
- CREATE works of art and imagination with spray paint, chalk and disappearing ink
- DISCOVER fascinating new things in true-false, multiple choice and globe-spinning trivia puzzles
- PERFORM hilarious feats by acting, playing songs and mastering the art of memorization
- CONNECT with friends and family as you crack codes, decipher clues, and remix phrases.
- Something for everyone: Unlimited players! Up to four teams, each with two or more players of all ages, can compete against each other. Engaging and hilariously entertaining, Cranium Kabookii is perfect for any combination of aspiring artists, performers, data heads or wordsmiths.
- Special Kabookii Decoder Glasses: Unveil secret clues on the TV without revealing them to other players in the room.
- Play globally, act locally: Custom built! Cranium Kabookii is the first Wii game with international questions carefully crafted to celebrate the unique culture and sense of humor of players in Canada, France, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States.
DanceDanceRevolution Universe2 (X360)
DDR Universe2 takes interactive gameplay to a whole new level with crisp, high-definition graphics, a wide variety of songs to choose from, all-new non-stop megamixes, exclusive downloadable songs and online head-to-head competitions via Xbox Live. Newcomers to the franchise will love the Freestyle Mode, allowing players to dance how they want to dance without arrows (perfect for kids or anyone with two left feet).
Delivering added proof of the game's "universal" appeal is the soundtrack, which draws inspiration from four decades of both classic and current smash-hits from the '70s, '80s, '90s and today such as "Walk Like an Egyptian", "Jungle Boogie" and "The Way You Move", to deliver the most complete music library of any DDR game to date. For those who want an even wider array of music, they can take their game to the online "universe" via Xbox Live, where they can download new songs as well as compete head-to-head, and even have access to exclusive DDR-related items. The game's crystal clear high-definition graphics provide vivid colors and life-like character animations, easily making DDR Universe2 the sharpest looking DDR game ever.
As with previous DDR game releases, DDR Universe2 features a Workout Mode, which challenges would-be dieters to dance off those extra pounds. With the ability to track calories burned and provide vigorous exercise, the Workout Mode in DDR is the perfect alternative to more traditional forms of exercise. Because of its health and fitness benefits, the game has appeared in health clubs and school physical education classes around the country, spawning an ever-growing sub-genre of DDR fitness fanatics.
Highlighting the newest title in the popular franchise are all new songs, the debut of the freestyle mode, and the new and improved Quest Mode - allowing players to build their own unique characters and advance through a set of missions to complete all of the gameplay challenges.
"DDR Universe2 is a perfect fit for the Xbox 360 because of the great graphics, plethora of hit songs and the downloadable content available" said Anthony Crouts, Vice President of Marketing for Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. "There's also a new feature, Freestyle Mode, which enables players to create their own dance steps without depending on the directional arrows."
DDR Universe2 is rated "E10+" by the ESRB and is available for an SRP of $69.99 for the video game and controller bundle.
The Golden Compass (ALL)
Featuring pivotal environments from the movie, the vivid characters are brought to interactive life, featuring the likeness of the movie’s impressive cast, which includes Daniel Craig as Lord Asriel and newcomer Dakota Blue Richards as Lyra Belacqua.
Produced by New Line Cinema and Scholastic Media, The Golden Compass follows the screenplay adaptation of the first book in the acclaimed trilogy, capturing the exciting fantasy adventure set in a parallel world where giant armoured bears rule a kingdom, beautiful witches fly through the frozen skies, and human beings' deepest essence is manifest as talking animals that remain their faithful companion for life – their daemon.
Players can assume the role of Lyra, a young girl, along with her daemon Pantalaimon (Pan), as she travels through the frozen wastes of the North collecting special items in order to explore, evade and deceive her way through confrontations to rescue a friend kidnapped by a mysterious organisation known as The Gobblers. Lyra can also use her daemon and collaborate with in-game characters to journey through an epic quest to save not only her world, but ours as well.
Gamers can also take on the character of Iorek Byrnison, a great armoured polar bear who joins the quest. Iorek battles to protect Lyra during their journey using a riding mechanic and special attacks to fend off enemies, players will also be able to unlock secrets and mini-games using a mysterious truth-telling golden compass device called an alethiometer. The Golden Compass has 13 vast locations to explore including all-new, breath-taking environments not seen in the books or the film, on this massive journey of collaboration, exploration and the eternal struggle between good and evil.
The Golden Compass video game is being developed by Shiny Entertainment, best known for developing games based on the blockbuster The Matrix film franchise. Shiny was acquired by Foundation 9 Entertainment in October 2006. The Nintendo DS version is being developed by A2M.
This epic tale has been released on the PS3, Wii, X360, PS2, PSP, NDS and the PC, just prior to the opening of the New Line Cinema motion picture on Dec. 7, 2007.
The History Channel: Battle for the Pacific (PS2/Wii/PS3/X360/PC)
History is brought to life in this authentic, epic experience as players relive famous conflicts fought on the intense battlefields of World War II. Told through the eyes of an American GI, the game features heart-pumping action, real WWII weapons and actual documentary video footage as players fight through a variety of territories including Guadalcanal, the Philippines and Iwo Jima.
"We're thrilled to continue our collaboration with the award-winning The History Channel to deliver gamers with a new chapter in the WWII series," said David Oxford, Activision, Inc. "Everything in The History Channel: Battle for the Pacific from the combat and mission locations to the weapons and documentary footage is painstakingly researched, allowing us to deliver a cinematic war experience that is both incredibly exciting and accurate."
The History Channel: Battle for the Pacific thrusts players directly into the Pacific's most historic battles of WWII. Utilizing real combat skills and authentic allied and axis weapons, including sub-machine guns, sniper rifles, anti-aircraft guns and grenades, players will be able to relive history and fight through missions based on actual battles. Additionally, players can go online on next generation platforms and the PC and play as an American or Japanese soldier in individual or team based modes such as elimination, deathmatch, team deathmatch and capture the flag.
The History Channel: Battle for the Pacific, rated "T" (Teen), is available now on the Xbox 360 ($49.99), the PS2, Wii and the PC ($39.99). The game will also be available on the PS3 for $49.99 on December 12, 2007.
Left Brain Right Brain (NDS)
Left Brain Right Brain is the only brain game that promotes ambidexterity by requiring players to flip the DS and play a challenging set of mini-games with both their dominant and non-dominant hands.
"Left Brain Right Brain uses the unique Touch Screen capabilities of the DS to give this first-rate gaming device a dual purpose as a self improvement tool," said Gui Karyo, Executive Vice President of Operations, Majesco. "Regardless of their age, players will enjoy the wide variety of games designed to help each hand keep pace with their brain."
In Left Brain Right Brain, players flip the DS around in book-style play to improve their hand-eye coordination in games based on speed, accuracy, association, recognition, memory and strategy. Using both right and left hands to play develops physical dexterity while also encouraging development of the right and left side of the brain.
Additional game features include:
- 15 different drills: Connect the Dots, Pop the Balloons, Defend Earth, Touch the Green Square, Open the Safe, Trace the Shape, Navigate the Maze and eight more;
- Five difficulty levels per activity help prepare players for ambidexterity tests;
- Four single-player game modes: Hand Exercises, Balance Check, Left Hand vs. Right Hand and Ambidexterity Check;
- Development percentages for each hand let you monitor improvement;
- Challenge a friend via single card DS download play.
Left Brain Right Brain, rated E for Everyone, is now available for a suggested retail price of $19.99.