Crash Bandicoot - Mind Over Mutant on Wii DS PS2 and PSP

Crash Franchise Returns This Holiday In Sierra Entertainment's Crash Bandicoot: Mind Over Mutant

Crash is Back with New Abilities and his Signature Bandicoot Hilarity; Sidekick Coco Fully Playable for the First Time

Sierra Entertainment, a division of Vivendi Games, today announced the upcoming return of everyone’s favourite marsupial hero, Crash Bandicoot, in Crash Bandicoot: Mind over Mutant, the latest instalment of the best-selling Crash Bandicoot video game franchise. Developed by Radical Entertainment, a Sierra Entertainment studio, Crash Bandicoot: Mind over Mutant is scheduled for release this fall on the Wii home video game system, Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system, PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, Nintendo DS and PSP (PlayStationPortable) system.

In Crash Bandicoot: Mind over Mutant, a rejuvenated Neo Cortex is taking over the world one brain at a time! Cortex and N. Brio devise a new kind of evil – a text-messaging, do-anything device which controls both mutant and bandicoot minds. Armed with his quick-wits and lightening agility, Crash must free his friends, the titans and save the day!

“The Crash Bandicoot franchise has built a wide audience of loyal fans, appealing to both male and female gamers of all ages,” said Al Simone, senior vice president, Global Marketing for Sierra Entertainment. “The Crash series remains one of the most recognizable franchises in our industry and we’re excited to make this year’s family-friendly title appear at the top of every gamer’s wish list this holiday.”

Key features in Crash Bandicoot: Mind over Mutant include:

• Mutant in your Pocket! - Not only does Crash gain the ability to control his enemies when he jacks them – now he can store his favourite monsters in his pocket, upgrade them and utilise their powers when they are most advantageous

• “Free-Romping” World Design - Wumpa Island becomes a “free-romping” environment, allowing players to travel and explore through intersecting worlds, with different gameplay options available depending on what creature you've brought along for the ride

• Girl Power! - Your co-op partner is Crash’s sister, Coco, playable for the first time in the cooperative mode. Not only does Coco make the game that much more inviting for girls to pick up and play, she also brings with her a new tactile “treasure hunt” ability

• New Abilities
- Roll and Counter Combat System - Crash will have a fun, agile dodge move and “counter” move which will inflict extra damage on his enemies
- Digging - Crash can now dig underground as real-life bandicoots really do; this will allow for Crash to unlock bonus items
- Climbing - Crash can climb vertical surfaces and jump side-to-side to connected areas and dodge hazards

Crash Bandicoot: Mind over Mutant is being developed by Radical Entertainment and will be available this fall at retail stores worldwide on Wii, Nintendo DS, Xbox 360, PlayStation 2 system and PSP system.

Zombie Wranglers on Microsoft XBox live - Fact sheet

Zombie Wranglers

Basic Fact Sheet

Publisher Sierra Online

Developer Sierra Online

Category Action

Platform XBox live

Overview/Storyline
Be very, very quiet… we’re wrangling Zombies!! Save the city of Potters Field from an infestation of zany zombies in the quirky and comical Zombie Wranglers, attacking XBLA in 2008! Armed with a trustworthy Wrangler-Pack and your own unique special abilities, play as one of the four gallant apprentice Wranglers and rescue your neighborhood before it’s too late!

Game Features

• Engrossing, Contagious Humor – Laugh out-loud moment galore enhance play
  
• 4 Distinct and Powerful Wranglers – unique upgradeable abilities, powerful weapons and screwball personalities
  
• Unrelenting Enemies – Including the grotesque Fast-Food Zombie, the fast-on-its-feet Skater Zombie and the loving Soccer Mom Zombie
  
• Exhilarating 4 Player Co-op – Play with up to 3 of your friends through the Single Player Story or competitive Arena Mode – Online or Off
  

Availability Q3 2008

Rating TBD

Sea Life Safari on XBox live - Fact Sheet

Sea Life Safari

Fact Sheet

Publisher Sierra Online

Developer Sierra Online

Category Family Games

Platform Xbox 360 - Xbox LIVE Arcade

Overview/Storyline
Embark on a journey the whole family can enjoy! Make a splash as an underwater photographer tasked with capturing the most incredible pictures of wild sea life. Use your camera skills to bring out the bubbly personalities of exotic creatures, from the silly clownfish to the legendary kraken sea monster! Entice your subjects into playful poses, provoke photo worthy reactions, and reel in those picture-perfect scores!

Game Features

• 60 Animated Creatures – Photograph the sparkling personalities of fascinating underwater sea animals to build memorable albums and your own personal scrapbook.
  
• 5 Jaw-Dropping Environments – Explore unique destinations from the colorful Coral Reef to the murky Ship Graveyard, filled with countless treasures to discover!
  
• Family-Friendly Tutorial – Experience a fully interactive tutorial that teaches simple step by step instructions on how to become a great deep-sea photographer!
  
• Intuitive Photo Evaluations – See how your photographs rank as you are scored on 4 different criteria: size, orientation, centering, and interaction with each fish.
  
• Endless Replayability – Discover secret routes, collect hidden items, and encounter special appearances by unique day and night creatures.
  

Availability Summer 2008 XBox live

ESRB Rating E

Assault Heroes 2 On Xbox live Fact Sheet

Assault Heroes 2

Fact Sheet

Publisher Sierra Online

Developer Wanako Games

Category Action

Platform XBox Live

Overview/Storyline
Jump back into the action with Assault Heroes 2, sequel to the award-winning arcade shooter, exploding with more intense combat! Battle on land and in space to save mankind against the sinister alien force before it’s too late.

Game Features

• Enhanced Multiplayer Co-op – Quickly activate improved cooperative weapons to rain destruction on hordes of bazooka soldiers, kamikaze bombers and more
  
• Hi-jackable Enemy Units – Steal the attack helicopter, armored tank or mechanical walker from the enemy base for surprise attacks
  
• More Powerful Weaponry – Utilize a superior arsenal of weapons including the newly designed sub-zero ice cannon, homing missiles, rocket launcher and upgraded firearms from the original
  
• Frantic On-Foot Action – Survive on-foot warfare while equipped with all your weapons in expansive underground areas
  
• Monstrous Bosses – Face-off against challenging mechanoid beasts before they destroy you
  
• New Diverse and Interactive Environments – Blast through the Snowy Mountains, Rainforest and Outer Space with extensive destructible terrain from burning trees to shattering buildings
  

Availability Spring 2008

Rating Teen

Gin Rummy on Microsoft XBox 360 - Fact sheet

Gin Rummy

Fact Sheet

Publisher Sierra Online

Developer Studio Ch’in

Category Card & Board

Platform Xbox 360 - Xbox LIVE Arcade

Game Overview
Enjoy challenging variations of the classic card game Gin Rummy! Strategically select the right cards to complete sets of combinations, minimizing the risk of getting caught with a poor hand. ‘Knock’ out your opponent with high scores and bonus points, and video chat with players from around the world for endless hours of casual card game fun.
6 Popular Game Modes – Challenge your opponents to a game of Classic Gin Rummy, Speed Gin Rummy, Oklahoma Gin, Hollywood Gin, Three-Hand Gin, or Customize Your Own Rules!
Rapid Auto-scoring – Enjoy immediate automatic scoring at the end of each match to get a detailed breakdown of each player’s total accrued points and bonuses.
Unique Game Themes – Choose from colorful game skins, artistic card decks, and entertaining music selections.
Multiplayer Matches – Test your skills in a real-time multiplayer match with up to 3 other competitors.
Xbox LIVE Vision – Video chat with your friends over Xbox LIVE Vision for a knock-out time!

Availability Q3 2008 (XBLA)

ESRB Rating E

CHARTTRACK WEEKLY UK VIDEO GAMESCHARTS

All formats

(Full price) Week ending 26 April 2008

1 WII FIT NINTENDO
2 MARIO KART WII NINTENDO
3 MARIO & SONIC AT THE OLYMPIC GAMES SEGA
4 PRO EVOLUTION SOCCER 2008 KONAMI
5 CALL OF DUTY 4: MODERN WARFARE ACTIVISION
6 SEGA SUPERSTARS TENNIS SEGA
7 UEFA EURO 2008 AUSTRIA-SWITZERLAND ELECTRONIC ARTS
8 TOM CLANCY'S RAINBOW SIX: VEGAS 2 UBISOFT
9 GUITAR HERO III: LEGENDS OF ROCK ACTIVISION
10 FIFA 08 ELECTRONIC ARTS
11 ASSASSIN'S CREED UBISOFT
12 COOKING MAMA 2 505 GAMES
13 CONDEMNED 2 SEGA
14 MARIO KART DS NINTENDO
15 NEW SUPER MARIO BROS. NINTENDO
16 THE SIMPSONS GAME ELECTRONIC ARTS
17 HALO 3 MICROSOFT
18 FOOTBALL MANAGER 2008 SEGA
19 TIME CRISIS 4 SONY COMPUTER ENT.
20 DARK SECTOR D3P

Ultimate Board Game Collection on Nintendo Wii PSP and PS2

THE GAMES

Ultimate Board Game Collection brings together some of the World’s best loved board and table top games in one must have compilation. Play all time classic games such as Chess, Checkers, Backgammon and Reversi and unlock trophies by completing specific goals. Take on friends and family and learn new games with tutorials included for novice players. You can even customise each game by selecting different rules, environments and piece types.

There’s something for all the family, and no little pieces to lose!

Wii

12 Games included
Chess, Checkers, Backgammon, Naval Battle (Battleships), Sudoku, Mahjong Solitaire, Chinese Checkers, Word Cubes, Quattro, Gomoku, Jigsaws and Reversi.

PSP

24 Games included
Chess, Quattro, Checkers, Enigma, Backgammon, Reversi, Snakes & Ladders,
Naval Battle (Battleships), Parcheesi, Dice, Dominoes, Go, Chinese Checkers, Word Cubes, Mahjong Solitaire, Anagrams, Concentration, Tic-Tac-Toe, Mancala,
Jigsaws, Shogi, Gomoku, Sudoku and Kakuro.

PS2

20 Games included
Chess, Quattro, Checkers, Enigma, Backgammon, Reversi, Snakes & Ladders, Naval Battle (Battleships), Parcheesi, Dice, Dominoes, Go, Chinese Checkers, Word Cubes, Mahjong Solitaire, Anagrams, Concentration, 3D Tic-Tac-Toe, Mancala and Jigsaws.


FEATURES

• A must own collection of the World’s best loved board and table top games.
• With classic family games, all-time favourites, puzzle and strategy games all included, there’s something for players of all ages.
• Play against friends, family or CPU opponent (with multiple difficulty levels).
• Customise each game by selecting different rules, environments and piece types.
• Learn new games with tutorials included for novice players.
• Choose from 4 different soundtracks. Use your own songs as the soundtrack (PSP).
• Unlock trophies by completing specific tasks (PSP, PS2)
• Use the Wii Remote to point, grab and flick pieces with 3 control mechanisms: “flick” control, pointer or +Control Pad. (Wii only).
• Includes lots of different Jigsaw puzzles. Use your own pictures as jigsaws! (PSP).

NARUTO: Ultimate Ninja 3 Brings The Ultimate In Ninja Battles To Europe

Largest Selection of Playable Ninja Coming to Europe in September 2008 for PlayStation 2

Atari today announced the forthcoming European release of NAMCO BANDAI Games’ Naruto: Ultimate Ninja 3 for PlayStation 2. As the latest and most advanced in the fighting game series based on the Naruto Universe, Naruto: Ultimate Ninja 3 boasts the largest ever selection of playable ninja characters, brand new playing modes for even more gameplay variety, and unprecedented freedom and immerson into the Naruto world with a 3D rendered Hidden Leaf Village. Set in the Naruto universe popularised by the anime TV show currently on air across Europe, Naruto: Ultimate Ninja 3 is scheduled for European release in September 2008.

The game’s main story mode, Ultimate Contest, revolves around the Leaf Village where the All-Out Ninja Tournament is being held between the rival Leaf and Sand ninja. The winner of the tournament will be crowned Hokage and will be able to put forward a new rule for the Leaf Village, but this power must not fall into the wrong hands. To ensure this does not happen, the player enters the Naruto world to explore the massive 3D rendered Hidden Leaf Village, engage in all out battle royale matches, interact with residents in the village and complete over 55 missions.

Players can choose their favourite ninja from the most extensive selection of over 40 playable characters from the hit anime TV show including Naruto, Sasuke, Itachi, The Hokages, The Sound Ninja 4 and many more. Battles are made bigger than ever before by unleashing Ultimate Jutsu to customise favourite characters into powerful ninja warriors, and summoning gigantic creatures as allies in Summoning Mode. Naruto: Ultimate Ninja 3 also offers tons of combat variety either as close combat or using a variety of ranged weapons, and support characters can be called upon to help with super attacks.

Another unique feature of Naruto: Ultimate Ninja 3 is the Hero's History mode which lets the player participate in major events and battles from the anime series through the Sasuke Retrieval Arc where the decisive battle of destiny will be played out to determine the fate of the two greatest ninja. For the first time in the series, the player can choose between English and Japanese voiceover to enhance the original flavour of the anime series.

Naruto: Ultimate Ninja 3 for PlayStation 2 is published by NAMCO BANDAI Games Europe SAS, distributed in Europe by Atari, and scheduled for European release in September 2008.

Grand Theft Auto IV Available Today for Xbox 360 and Exclusive Episodes Available Starting Autumn 2008

The day has finally arrived; today “Grand Theft Auto IV” is available on the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft.

Play “Grand Theft Auto IV” multiplayer online with your friends starting today over the Xbox LIVE online entertainment network. Starting this autumn, Xbox 360 owners will also have access to exclusive “Grand Theft Auto IV” episodes that will provide hours of additional game play.

Developed by Rockstar Games, “Grand Theft Auto IV” is a powerful crime epic set in modern-day Liberty City, a world with an unparalleled combination of scale, depth and detail.

Matrix Games Unveils Gary Grigsby's War Between the States!

The latest project from the people who created War in the Pacific heads to the American Civil War!

Matrix Games and 2 by 3 Games are thrilled to announce Gary Grigsby’s War Between the States, an innovative turn-based grand strategy game set during the American Civil War!

David Heath, Director of Operations at Matrix Games, said “2 by 3 Games have brought us some timeless wargames that people will be enjoying for years to come. Now that they’re taking their talent in grand strategy games to the American Civil War we can look forward to another masterpiece of wargaming!”

Taking gamers back to the American Civil War, Gary Grigsby’s War Between the States allows players to experience the trials and tribulations of the role of commander-in-chief for either side. Historically accurate, detailed and finely balanced for realistic gameplay, War Between the States is also easy to play and does not take months to finish.

Promote and cultivate talented young colonels or brigadiers to build Corps and Army commanders that will help you fight and manage the war effort from battles to training of recruits with the utmost efficiency and success. An innovative multi-faceted rank promotion system allows leaders to gain in abilities and power based on their successes, while also simulating the historical progression of leaders during the war. Each decision you make must be weighed carefully, as promoting and demoting leaders, entering neutral states, raising troops and many other actions cost you the political capital that will determine your ability to achieve victory.

Explore the historical tactics of the day to find the best way to win. Use cavalry to raid the enemy supply depots and conduct reconnaissance to determine the best place to strike and then engage the enemy head on and watch the epic push and pull of battle unfold in front of you. In between battles, the mighty Union navy or brave Confederate raiders can strangle and disrupt supply flow at critical times in your campaign. Build river gunboats and transports to exploit the strategic value of the Mississippi and entrench and fortify key locations to deny passage to the enemy.

Test your mettle and strategic vision in one of the most bitterly fought contests in history – the War Between the States.

Features include:

• Use wisdom and strategy to appoint the best leader for the job – With an innovative new system, units train and function best with the right leader. Weigh the strengths and weakness of the men commanding your armies to maximize unit attributes like attack, defense, movement, initiative probability, and training.
• Play on the edge of your seat with a suspenseful battle resolution system – Watch the push and pull of forces as the battle unfolds that will make or break your plans resolve.
• Master critical Cavalry Scouting and Raiding and penetrate deep into enemy territory - With the optional Fog of War rule, cavalry scouting becomes even more important. The Confederate early war cavalry advantage is accurately simulated.
• Achieve naval superiority with a realistic and complete naval war model – Harass and interrupt critical trade routes with a Union blockade and or Confederate commerce raiders. Build river gunboats and transports to control the “Father of Waters” and conduct amphibious assaults by river or sea.
• Fortify and Entrench – Entrench your armies and build permanent fortifications to protect strategic locations and interdict river movement.
• Conserve your Political Capital – Use it prudently to call for new troops, change leaders and enter neutral states. Build it up through successes and keep it high enough to secure final victory.