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Tuesday, January 18, 2011 Shipping Announcements

by Rainier on Jan. 18, 2011 @ 5:35 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:


We will update this throughout the day when new announcements become available. Read more for details ...

LittleBigPlanet 2 (PS3)

LittleBigPlanet2 provides players a new means to Play, Create, and Share, with revolutionary gameplay mechanics that allow for a level of control and customization that has never been seen before.  This franchise has always empowered players to Create their own levels with the same tool set used by the development team, but now with evolved creation abilities, players can not only make better levels, but completely new games across multiple genres.  LittleBigPlanet2 also features a brand new storyline, a revamped graphics engine supplying stunning visuals, and added accessories and equipment to help Sackboy to make his way through this new world.

"Since the launch of LittleBigPlanet, our online community has uploaded over three million levels to the PlayStation Network, with creations popping up everyday that continue to amaze," said Scott A. Steinberg, vice president, product marketing, SCEA.  "With LittleBigPlanet 2, players now have the ability to create actual games across different genres, so it will be very exciting to see what our community can come up with.  LittleBigPlanet 2 also boasts a brand new story mode for Sackboy to explore that, coupled with the millions of user-created levels online, provides an endless entertainment experience that can be enjoyed by the entire family."

LittleBigPlanet 2 begins with a new story mode that provides a beautifully reshaped world for Sackboy to explore and Play.  The campaign includes 40 story levels across six different themes; each level influenced by cultural high points in history and visually stunning when seen through the game's revamped graphics engine.  All of the new levels and territories to Play fuse different historical ideas together to create fresh aesthetics that populate this new world, with themes including: Techno Renaissance, Steampunk and Cake, Neon Propaganda, Fluffy High-Tech, Designer Organic, and Hand-made Arcade.

With the implementation of a new Create mode, the tools have evolved to allow users to make actual games, not just levels.  Players can reset the controller buttons for any object and change the rules to any level using the Controlinator, and new multiplayer abilities advance the types of games possible for a social/competitive experience--imagine racing games, flying games, shooters, puzzle games, sports games, action/adventure games, and more.  

And what would a LittleBigPlanet game be without new Share abilities.  An enhanced Share experience will have gamers spending less time searching and more time playing the millions of levels and games created by fans around the world.  With the unveil of LBP.me, a social networking website, every published online level/game will get its own webpage, so users can search/find creations while online at home/work, mark them, and have these favorites queued up and ready to Play when you return to your PS3 and sign onto PlayStation Network.  Users will also be able keep an eye on what games/levels your friends are playing via activity steams, as well as link levels together to provide longer gameplay experiences without the breakup of going back to the 'Pod.'

Sackboy will also have new tools and equipment to aid him on his journey, including a Grapple Hook for swinging across large gaps and pulling small objects towards you, the Grabinator for picking things up and throwing them, and the customizable Creatinator for Sackboy to carry and can spew out anything a creator desires.  

Additional new features include the Music Sequencer, allowing players to compose their own musical score and connect in-game objects to your own custom tunes, a cinematic Cut-Scene Maker to create stand-alone movies or cut-sequences in levels, customizable Sackbots--interactive, programmable non player characters that bring the game to life, and of course a host of new Create materials and gadgets to satisfy any imagination.  

LittleBigPlanet 2 offers four-player offline and online multiplayer, a host of fun and challenging trophies to collect, and is backwards compatible with LittleBigPlanet allowing players to access the more than three million online levels created with the original game.  The Blu-ray disc will also include Sackboy's Prehistoric Moves--stand-alone bonus levels that support PlayStation Move.  LittleBigPlanet 2 is a single or multiplayer creative gaming experience that has an ESRB rating of "E" for Everyone.

Plants vs. Zombies (NDS)

Expertly adapted in the PopCap tradition, the game features all of the engaging gameplay included in the PC edition —Adventure, Survival and Puzzle modes—while adding multiplayer action, plus four all-new, exclusive mini-games and 14 achievements.  Available immediately in North America, the game carries an SRP of US$19.95. Plants vs. Zombies for the Nintendo DS will also be available in international markets in the coming weeks.

In the next several weeks, PopCap will also launch a DSiWare version of Plants vs. Zombies.  The title will contain Adventure mode gameplay, all four of the new mini-games from the DS adaptation and one DSiWare exclusive mini-game, Zombie Trap.

“Plants vs. Zombies is already a fan favorite on PC, iPhone, iPad, and Xbox, and with this latest incarnation, we’re bringing something special to DS enthusiasts that’ll keep players equally enthralled,” said Ed Allard, head of worldwide studios at PopCap.  “Four modes of dual-screen play, multiplayer action, four all-new mini-games, and 14 achievements offer a great combination of original gameplay and unique features that makes the backyard battle for brains fresh and fun.” 

Plants vs. Zombies for the Nintendo DS has been tuned specifically for dual-screen gameplay and features multiplayer action via an ad-hoc wireless network in the game’s Versus mode, where players can go head-to-head against one another as sunflowers, or zombies. Along with this, and all three modes of original content, the game introduces unique non-stop action:

Four All-New and Exclusive Mini-Games 

  • Air Raid: As a pilot flying repeater, players have to dodge, weave and shoot their way to victory in this side-scrolling shooter-style mini-game
  • Home Run Derby:  In a wacky marriage of zombies and baseball, players hit home runs to score sun.  But they’ll have to watch out for the oncoming, sporty hordes of some all-new zombies.
  • Heat Wave:  It’s a real scorcher!  Players have only a few plants and they tire out quickly.  Swap them around with the stylus and cheer them up with the microphone!
  • BOMB All Together:  Players will blast zombies into the hereafter, but they’ll have to use their plants wisely; there’s a limited supply.

14 New Achievements

  1. Resolute Homeowner – Complete Adventure Mode
  2. Attention Deficit – Earn a trophy in each mini-game
  3. Think Hard – Earn a trophy in each puzzle mode
  4. Tough Beans – Earn a trophy in each survival mode
  5. Shopping Spree – Spend $25000 in Crazy Dave’s store
  6. Book Learner – Fill out the Almanac
  7. Greenhouser – Raise 10 plants to full growth in the Zen Garden
  8. Cerebral Canopy – Grow the tree of wisdom to 100 ft.
  9. Demolitioneer – Blow up 10 zombies at once with a single cherry bomb
  10. Photosensitive – Beat a night level without picking up any sun
  11. Don’t Drink the Water – Beat a pool level without using any aquatic plants
  12. Nebulaphile – Beat an extremely foggy level without disturbing any fog
  13. Unsiege Mentality – Complete a roof level without using any catapult plants
  14. Street Team – Play Download-Play at least once
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