WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009 (NDS/PSP/PS2/Wii/PS3/X360)
Celebrating its 10th anniversary, the latest addition to the leading fighting videogame franchise delivers the definitive simulation of World Wrestling Entertainment live programming, including added depth and realism, a first-ever tag team co-op storyline, multiple ways to generate and share player-created content, as well as the debut of downloadable content.
“WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009 is the undisputed choice for those who seek an ambitious, content-rich and rewarding sports entertainment videogame experience this holiday season,” said Bob Aniello, senior vice president, worldwide marketing, THQ. “Offering an impressive list of new features and significant franchise improvements across all platforms, WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009 will allow players to achieve Superstar greatness alone or with fellow WWE fans on their favorite console, handheld and mobile devices.”
“Players will have unlimited opportunities to take their WWE videogame experience to new heights with WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009,” said Nelo Lucich, senior vice president of interactive, JAKKS Pacific. “As this extremely popular franchise continues to grow year-over-year, we look forward to seeing even more fans establish their WWE identities through activities such as creating Superstars, sharing their biggest accomplishments online and broadening their gameplay options through downloadable content.”
WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009 for Xbox 360, PS3, PS2 and PSP will unleash a brand-new tag team experience, allowing players to build momentum and attributes, eliminate opponents with high-impact double teams and finishers, as well as get the “hot tag” for the win. The franchise’s renowned creation system offers a brand new Create-A-Finisher option, while a new Road to WrestleMania® Mode paves the way to WWE’s biggest event of the year and lets players experience a franchise-first co-op storyline. WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009 also extends the virtual WWE gameplay experience with robust online capabilities, including the debut of downloadable content.
WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009 for Wii builds upon its inaugural offering by significantly expanding its match type options, giving players more ways to enjoy the platform’s unique pick-up-and-play experience. Gameplay advances to the next level, giving players more Superstar control with interactive entrances and victory scenes. WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009 for Wii will also include a wide variety of new weapons, the debut of online gameplay and much more.
WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009 for Nintendo DS returns with new gameplay controls that utilize the stylus and D-pad to deliver a compelling handheld fighting game experience. The redesigned Season Mode takes a role-playing approach, allowing players to interact with Superstars, upgrade their abilities and complete missions on a quest toward legendary goals. In addition, a larger Superstar roster, new match types and the inclusion of Create-A-Superstar will provide players with a variety of intriguing options to enhance gameplay.
WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009, rated “T” for Teen, is now available for the Xbox 360 and PS3 ($59.99), PS2 and PSP ($39.99) , Wii ($49.99) and NDS ($29.99).
Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia (NDS)
The new Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia action-adventure game lets players capture Pokémon in a fun, new way: by circling them on the touch screen with a “Capture Styler.” Capturing a Pokémon allows players to use its abilities to overcome various obstacles and challenges they face along the way. As the game progresses the stylus-controlled Capture Styler is upgraded with new abilities.
“The first Pokémon games launched in the United States more than 10 years ago, and new fans are created every day,” said Cammie Dunaway, Nintendo of America’s executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. “To date, the Pokémon franchise has sold more than 60 million games in the United States. Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia gives fans new challenges and new adventures.”
In Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia, players take on the role of a Pokémon Ranger, who works to help people, Pokémon and nature. Along the way, players meet and capture all kinds of different Pokémon who can help them overcome various challenges, such as fighting wildfires, rescuing people or delivering important packages. Different Pokémon have different powers that can help players as they progress through the game.
Players get to travel through a larger land, go on more Missions and experience more adventures than in the original Pokémon Ranger game. The game is set in Almia, a new region that has locations such as oceans, forests and deserts not found in the original game. Players can start the game as a boy or girl Ranger, and add up to 17 Partner Pokémon (special Pokémon that remain with the Ranger even after their powers are used) to their team as the game progresses. Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia features Pokémon from the Pokémon® Diamond version and Pokémon® Pearl version games (each sold separately).
Tennis Elbow 2009 (PC)
Tennis Elbow 2009 is a tennis simulation with an easy and intuitive learning curve, but with exceptional gameplay depth.
This tennis game gives you the control of a professional tennis player with efficient technique, focusing on what is really possible to simulate in a tennis game. Therefore you?ll have to show all your tactical skills, use an iron mind and quick reflexes, as well as a sharp eye to guess the ball trajectories, all of this to choose your next strike wisely.
To beat your opponent, you have the choice between all the possible strikes on a real court, from the safe strike to the acceleration, including the drop shot and the topspin lob.
In Tennis Elbow, you have to position yourself correctly to efficiently strike the ball. The earlier you prepare your shot, the more accurate it will be. The power depends on the kind of shot you choose, as well as your position from the ball and where you are on the court.
The ball?s physics are faithfully reproduced, with serves faster than 200 km/h that will wind you, as well as the topspin and slice effects, without forgetting the topspin passing shot with a side effect that a well-known player with a big left arm likes to do so much when his opponents are at the net.
TE2009 is destined to appeal to all tennis lovers, whether gamepad specialists or keyboard novices, because of its numerous difficulty levels. In addition, a visual help system will assist you to aim the ball and position your player. You can turn this option on and off whenever it suits you.
Key Features:
- 8 different court surfaces, each with a specific rebound : clay, grass, hard, blue-green hard, classic synthetic, NewLine synthetic, indoor hard and indoor synthetic
- 300 tournaments, with 3000 players evolving over 35 years
- Singles & doubles competitions
- 6 difficulty levels, each split into 10 sublevels
- 3D fully customizable male & female players
- Network : LAN and online games
- 4 camera modes
- Supported languages : English, French, German, Italian, Spanish
- Controls : keyboard, mouse, joystick
The full version of Tennis Elbow 2009 is priced at USD24.95 / EUR19.
My Baby Girl / My Baby Boy (NDS)
Played on NDS, My Baby Girl and My Baby Boy allow kids to raise their very own baby from its first month until its fourteenth month, putting them in charge of just about every important aspect of raising an infant.
The new line, which is set to hit shelves of leading retailers this month provides a unique, valuable and interactive play pattern for children three to twelve, according to Melanie Mroz, CEO of SouthPeak Games. “My Baby Girl and My Baby Boy encourage creativity, problem solving and responsibility and the nurturing associated with raising an infant,” Mroz adds. “Most of all, however, children will just have fun playing with each of these new games.”
Developed in response to a growing demand for educational products available for play on Nintendo DS, My Baby Girl and My Baby Boy engage children in the parenting process, something many children are curious about at an early age. The child is in charge of every aspect of making a baby happy, from feeding and bathing to changing the baby’s diaper and clothes.
And the baby will let you know how you’re doing. When your baby is happy with what you’re doing, purple hearts and giggles will come out of the baby. Conversely, if the baby is upset, you will hear faint cries and see broken hearts. If the baby is making progress, you will see stars and when the baby needs something, like changing its diaper or is hungry, you will hear whimpers and cries. In this situation, the child is directed to an icon which identifies the specific problem which can be taken care of immediately.
The game is easy to play with players beginning by choosing a name, ethnicity and eye-color for their baby. From baby’s first smile, to her first steps players engage in tasks to help their baby grow both physically and emotionally. Rewards for good parenting come in the form of credits which are exchanged for a choice of 300 different toys, clothes and accessories, giving a child the creative freedom to apply their own style.
My Baby Girl and My Baby Boy are designed to be as real and accurate as possible. Along the way, players get help from a pediatrician who offers advice on caring for the baby. From how to change a diaper to how to hold a bottle, children learn all the ways they can keep their baby happy and healthy.
As children take on parenting, My Baby encourages creative and cognitive skills through problem solving. In addition, seeing real baby-like reactions in a giggle or coo gives children the positive reinforcement that encourages kindness and responsibility when playing with other children.
“All child development experts agree that pretend play is an important part of a child’s developmental growth, offering them an outlet for creativity and the development of problem solving skills,” Mroz contends. “With My Baby children enjoy looking after a virtual baby while developing hand-eye coordination, dexterity, and developing a sense of responsibility and achievement. My Baby is a doll for the twenty first century.”
My Baby uses several functions of Nintendo DS, including the microphone for talking to your baby, the speaker for hearing when the baby cries, and the stylus for moving items, changing diapers, bottle feeding, tickling and more. Game play can be stopped and progress saved between play sessions, as the player works towards the goal of helping their baby walk.
My Baby Girl and My Baby Boy have a suggested retail price of $29.99 and is suitable for children aged three years and over.