In SimAnimals Africa, playerstame exotic animals including lions, gorillas and elephants by befriending, petting, playing and even controlling their movements as they explore landscapes like savannas, jungles and river deltas.
"SimAnimals Africa transports players to the African wilderness where they must restore the balance of nature to win the game," said Tim LeTourneau, General Manager of the SimAnimals Franchise. "Throughout their journey, they'll interact with exotic animals, learn to unlock their unique abilities, discover new locations, and uncover interesting collectibles. It brings the current focus on the environment home in a safe and entertaining way."
SimAnimals Africa for the Wiiallows players to interact with wild African animals while they venture across jungles, deserts, savannas, river deltas and more. Each brand new animal has their own unique skill and it's up to the player to find their secret abilities. Kicking zebras, rock-breaking rhinos and crocodiles that excel at hunting are all part of the cast of characters that will assist players in keeping the environment happy and help them unlock new areas, animals, and special items. Mini-games give players more ways to interact with the animals. The ring toss, drumming, and petting games help the animals hone their unique skill and assist players in achieving their goals more quickly. Additionally, there are over five dozen rare objects for players to collect including bugs, fruits and flowers. If players feed one of these rare items to an animal they may get an unexpected surprise. Players can now choose to play as an animal as well where they can water the terrain as an elephant, kick fruit off trees as a zebra or jump over riverbeds as a gazelle.
SimAnimals Africa on NDS allows players to bring the African adventure with them anywhere and play with friends. Featuring all of the animals included in the Wii adventure, the Nintendo DS version also features exclusive animals including cheetahs, meerkats, aardvarks, a parrot and even a surprise secret animal as a reward for finishing the game. Build relationships with these wild, African animals, discover their secret abilities and use them to help solve challenges. Collect items to earn each reward badge in the game. The stylus and microphone allow players to interact with the animals and environment in a totally unique way. A friendly parrot is the guide through the African landscape--players can talk to the parrot through the Nintendo DS microphone and hear their words repeated back. Kids will conquer the African kingdom in co-op mode, where they can trade plants and animals and play together with friends to achieve goals faster.
Developed by The Sims Studio,SimAnimals Africa is rated E for Everyone by the ESRB, and us un stores for Wii ($39.99) and NDS ($29.99).
Shimano Xtreme Fishing lets you take the fight to the fish either traditionally with rod and reel, or up close and personal with spear gun and SCUBA, or bow and arrow. Fast play makes Shimano Xtreme Fishing a wild ride from the start, and robust multiplayer options make it an ideal party game or way to spend time with your fishing buddies.
Players will be well-equipped with cutting-edge fishing gear like Shimano Voltaeus fishing rods, Hoyt bows, AMS Bowfishing reels and accessories, and Muzzy arrow points. Armed with the very best in extreme fishing gear, players will navigate massive environments filled with more than 50 varieties of fish and dangerous predators like sharks, piranhas, and alligators.
Shimano Xtreme Fishing guides players, by boat or SCUBA, through exotic environments ranging from the cold, dark waters of a North American reservoir to a roaring Amazon waterfall, eerie submerged Mayan ruins, the hidden lagoons of a southern island, and the shark-infested shipwrecks of a tropical sea. Whether it's a vigorous fish fight with traditional rod-and-reel tackle, aiming a bow and arrow at fast moving fish, or venturing into the dangerous depths with SCUBA gear and a spear gun, there's never a dull moment in Shimano Xtreme Fishing.
Shimano Xtreme Fishing includes a series of challenging tournaments, each with beautiful scenery and unique weather conditions. As players progress through the levels, they will unlock new tackle, clothing and sporting accessories. With three careers, 12 tournaments and more than 65 stages, Shimano Xtreme Fishing gives players hours of non-stop fishing action. Players looking for a more open-ended fishing trip can roam the vast environments in search of new hot spots while mastering their gear of choice in Free Fish mode. Multiplayer mode allows up to four players to compete against another kind of predator--humans--on their way to fish-hunting glory.
Shimano Xtreme Fishing is available at retailers throughout North America for $29.99.
SpongeBob’s Truth or Square (NDS/PSP/Wii/X360)
In this off-the-wall action adventure game, players will experience the wacky world of SpongeBob and some of its most humorous events from the last 10 years. The game also introduces a new and unique morphing capability that turns SpongeBob into unlikely objects like a spatula or sledgehammer.
“SpongeBob’s Truth or Square provides the ultimate SpongeBob experience for kids, parents and SpongeBob fans of all ages,” said Randy Shoemaker, vice president, global brand management at THQ. “The game delivers innovative new gameplay features combined with a story that celebrates 10 incredibly fun and zany years of SpongeBob. Whether you’re an avid SpongeBob fan or a first-time gamer, you’ll want to join the top adventure this game offers.”
“For SpongeBob’s 10th Anniversary year, we’re excited to provide gamers with SpongeBob’s Truth or Square,” said Shaan Kandawalla, vice president, digital retail games at Nickelodeon. “Coupled with the celebrity-filled Truth or Square Nickelodeon television event in November, there is something for every SpongeBob fan this month.”
In SpongeBob’s Truth or Square, players must journey through memorable SpongeBob SquarePants locations to find the missing Krabby Patty formula in time for Krusty Krab’s Eleventy Seventh Anniversary. From Jellyfish Fields to downtown Bikini Bottom, players will run, jump, spin and hammer their way through 10 challenging levels. Each level will take players back to a happy SpongeBob SquarePants moment, such as when SpongeBob becomes a fry cook, gets into the Salty Spittoon or meets Sandy for the first time.
Equipped with special morphing abilities, players can transform SpongeBob into bizarre objects -- such as the Spatula Slam, Propeller Spin and Sledgehammer Smash -- to help him conquer treacherous obstacles and legions of Plankton’s robots. Players will also be able to soak up water, hose down enemies, and jump into a bubble gum fling as they navigate their way through an obstacle course of traps. In two-player co-op mode, friends will be able to join in on the action as Plankton to help SpongeBob solve puzzles, unlock new pathways and defeat super-powered creatures.
SpongeBob’s Truth or Square, developed by Heavy Iron Studios, is rated E for everyone and is available on Wii/X360 ($39.99) and NDS/PSP ($29.99).
World of Zoo (NDS/PSP/Wii/X360)
World of Zoo opens the creativity gates for kids and animal lovers of all ages and encourages them to explore the zoo in ways they have only imagined, from caring for their favorite wild animals, to creating their very own exhibits and learning about each animal through educational fun facts provided by National Geographic.
“What truly sets World of Zoo apart is the incredible hands-on interactions you have with the world’s most amazing animals, combined with a variety of tools that lets players create and customize their own unique animals and zoo environments,” said Randy Shoemaker, vice president, global brand management at THQ. “Players will discover their animal’s favorite foods, activities and behaviors, all the while learning interesting information about each one. The National Geographic fun facts are something that animal lovers of all ages will enjoy and parents will appreciate.”
World of Zoo is a family-friendly game that will open the gates for gamers to care for and play with their favorite wild animals. With nearly 100 animals to tend to, players will have ample opportunities to engage with all types of species. The Animal Creator feature will allow players to create an unlimited number of animals and be able to customize each one. Players can also learn about their animals through fun animal facts provided by National Geographic. Each animal is completely unique with different personalities and behaviors. It will be up to the player to determine ways to gain their trust and keep their animals happy, ultimately earning a Magic Moment from their animal.
World of Zoo, developed by Blue Fang, is rated E for everyone and is available on Wii $39.99 (Wii), NDS ($29.99) and PC ($19.99)