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Tuesday, May 22, 2007 Shipping Announcements

by Rainier on May 22, 2007 @ 9:34 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:

Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End (ALL)

Players will take on the roles of Jack Sparrow, Will Turner and Elizabeth Swann as well as other familiar characters as they face swashbuckling skirmishes and acrobatic maneuvers in games that feature action and humor while extending beyond the story, environments and characters of both films. More than 2.8 million copies of the game have been shipped to retail stores worldwide.

"Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End allows players to experience a swashbuckling pirate's life through adventure and swordplay that goes far beyond the events of the films," said Craig Relyea, vice president of marketing, Disney Interactive Studios. "With its unique, dynamic gameplay and stunning graphics, Pirate of the Caribbean: At World's End provides a new and significant chapter in the Pirates of the Caribbean video game franchise."

Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End takes players to treacherous and exotic locations to encounter a wide variety of notorious pirates, mythical creatures and fearsome villains. Players will develop swordsmanship skills throughout the game as they experience a story that is familiar to the films, but features new storylines and a unique ending.

The Xbox 360 and PS3 versions of Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End feature high-definition graphics and sound while inviting players to venture throughout the Caribbean and beyond with swashbuckling combat, exploration throughout environments and classic dueling. The Xbox 360 version features an assortment of challenging Achievements for more advanced players and a leader board to globally compare in-game notoriety tallies. The PS3 version makes use of the SIXAXIS wireless controller's motion-sensing technology for beam balance mechanics.

For the Wii version, the Wii Remote allows players to slash and thrust in combat, mimicking the motions of an actual sword. Players will also be able to grab enemies by shaking the Wii Nunchuk. When playing the Wii, PS2, PSP system and PC versions, players will take down opponents as they learn new combinations and special moves. Once a level is completed, players can choose among more than 50 unlockable characters to use as their controllable character for expanded replayability when they play levels again.

Inspired by the events of the third film, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End for the Nintendo DS focuses on adventure, platforming and puzzle solving as players explore environments and experience touch screen dueling to slash, parry and dodge using the Nintendo DS stylus. In addition to wireless multiplayer games such as dueling and pirates' dice, players can download "cheats" through a special Nintendo DS Download Program available starting today and continuing through Labor Day exclusively at Disneyland and Walt Disney World.

Published by Disney Interactive Studios and developed by Eurocom Entertainment Software (home consoles, PSP and PC) and Amaze Entertainment, a division of Foundation 9 Entertainment (Nintendo DS), Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End is now available for suggested retail price of $59.99 (Xbox 360 and PS3), $49.99 (Wii), $39.99 (PS2), $29.99 (PSP system and Nintendo DS) and $19.99 (PC). The game is rated T for Teen by the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) on all systems except Nintendo DS, which is rated E 10+ for Everyone 10 and Older.

Odin Sphere (PS2)

Featuring beautifully hand-drawn and animated graphics, a moving score, and a deep and rewarding story arc, Odin Sphere delivers an unforgettable gaming experience that fans of the genre and platform have been waiting for! As a special bonus, Odin Sphere will offer fully-voiced dialogue with a dual-language track. Players can opt for an all-new English voice track or experience the story as voiced by the original Japanese actors.

The nations of Erion had always held an uneasy peace, as the various kings and queens watched each other for any signs of weakness. When the country of Valentine is obliterated by the power of an ancient artifact, it sparks a bloody war between the fairies of Ringford and the warriors of Ragnanival. Little do they know that they are acting out an almost-forgotten prophecy: one that, if fulfilled, will lead to the destruction of the entire world.

Key Features:

  • Gorgeous hand-drawn artwork and animations!
  • Intense side-scrolling action with astonishing attacks and magic effects!
  • Fantastic bosses that tower over the heroine!
  • Five playable characters in all; each one’s fate is intertwined with the others’!

Odin Sphere has been rated “T” for Teen by the ESRB for Mild Language, Fantasy Violence, Suggestive Themes, and Use of Alcohol.

Naruto: Ninja Council 3 (NDS)

Naruto: Ninja Council 3 for the Nintendo DS. Based on episodes from VIZ Media's hit anime series SHONEN JUMP Naruto, the series expands as the third game delivers 27 playable characters and features mission-based gameplay with 62 different missions for up to four players. Available for $29.95 MSRP, the ninja action game utilizes an interchangeable attack system allowing players to combine attack techniques from all available characters to increase their chances of success.

"According to Nintendo the DS is the fastest-selling video game system in the world and it deserves to have a fantastic gaming experience featuring the hottest brand - Naruto!" said Mark Shinohara, executive vice president, TOMY Corporation. "The great thing for Naruto fans is that Naruto: Ninja Council 3 is just the first of three Naruto games for Nintendo gaming systems scheduled for release in 2007, including Naruto: Clash of Ninja MVZ (working title) for the Nintendo Wii, in the Fall of 2007."

"Naruto: Ninja Council 3 offers more playable characters and gameplay than the first two games in the series," said Careen Yapp, vice president of licensing and business development, D3PA. "Not only that, it is the perfect game for the DS because the mission based gameplay offers great pick-up and play capabilities that Naruto fans and gamers alike will love."

Just like a true ninja, in Naruto: Ninja Council 3, players will have to attack, defend or defeat as they train hard to perfect their skills in order to progress through the ranks in over 60 missions ranging in difficulty from moderate to challenging. Up to four players (wireless) can choose from 27 different characters with four different playing modes including Timed Mode, Scroll Collection Mode and Head-to-Head Versus Mode.

Brooktown High (PSP)

Brooktown High lets players enjoy the drama, energy and humor of high school life as they create their own unique look and personality and attempt to take the boy or girl of their dreams to the senior prom.

Immersing gamers in contemporary high school culture, Brooktown High thrusts gamers against a backdrop of cliques, social pressures and flirtatious co-eds. As they create their own unique character, players will have to choose how their gender, clothes and personality impact their perception by the Brooktown High student body. Making friends (or enemies) with distinct social groups such as jocks, preppies, rebels and nerds, each character will have a different high school experience as they take classes, participate in extracurricular events and try to gain the affections of 20 unique students. Their smarts, looks, social skills and more all contribute to an overall attraction gauge that will either make the player a field-playing Casanova or a pocket protector-toting Poindexter.

As players become attracted to different characters in Brooktown High, they can take their potential love interests on dates to bring their relationships to the next step. In between personality-defining conversations, players will participate in fast-paced mini-games such as strip blackjack, dancing and make-out sessions that will make or break their chances for prom night bliss. As each potential suitor has a different personality and interests, players will need to plan out each date to prepare for success, choosing from different locations such as the beach, restaurants and weekend parties, and preparing their favorite pick up lines.

Developed by Backbone Entertainment, a division of Foundation 9 Entertainment, Brooktown High has a suggested retail price of $39.99 and is rated "T" for teen by the ESRB.

Death, Jr. and the Science Fair of Doom (NDS)

The first adventure for Death, Jr. (DJ) and Pandora on the Nintendo DS, the game seamlessly blends precise platforming with frantic touch screen action as the unlikely pair of heroes battle through a science fair gone horribly wrong.

Death, Jr. and the Science Fair of Doom follows DJ and his friend Pandora as they try to rescue their friends Smith and Weston, Seep and Stigmartha from their magically mutated school after a science experiment unleashes the fearsome evil demon Moloch. Controlling both DJ and Pandora as they progress through the game, players will use a unique combination of touch screen gestures and button presses to unleash a variety of melee attacks. DJ and Pandora can also collect an arsenal of ranged weapons including twin pistols, shotguns and explosive C4-equipped hamsters. In addition to combat, players will use advanced platforming maneuvers through the game's fully 3D levels, grabbing onto ledges and swinging from poles to reach incredible heights.

Marking the debut of competitive head-to-head multiplayer action to the Death, Jr. series, Death, Jr. and the Science Fair of Doom features intense mini-games that let up to four players battle it out wirelessly across two unique game types. In Reaper Ricochet mode, two players bounce C4 hamsters off of graveyard headstones to see who can destroy the most fixtures before their hamster detonates. In War mode, players split up into teams of two and engage in tactical shoot `em up action in a number of side-scrolling stages.

Developed by Backbone Entertainment, a division of Foundation 9 Entertainment, Death, Jr. and the Science Fair of Doom has a suggested retail price of $29.99 and is rated "E10+" by the ESRB.

The New York Times Crosswords (NDS)

Developed by Budcat Creations, The New York Times Crosswords features more than 1,000 genuine puzzles direct from The New York Times archive.

"Given the broad and growing demographic of the DS audience, we think The New York Times Crosswords has terrific potential," said Ken Gold, vice president of Marketing. "Handwriting recognition and system portability make the title a natural fit for the DS, while the 4-player cooperative and competitive multiplayer modes add a new dimension to the social nature of puzzle solving."

The New York Times Crosswords features more than 1,000 real crossword puzzles and the unique ability to write in answers with the stylus or use a Touch Screen keyboard to enter letters. Various modes of play include Puzzle Me Quick for a fast word fix; Puzzle Week for extended play with progressive difficulty; or Challenge mode with adjustable time and difficulty settings. In addition, the game includes both cooperative and competitive 4-player play so puzzle fanatics can work together or face off in wireless challenges.

Rated T for Teen, The New York Times Crosswords has a suggested retail price of $29.99.

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