Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. today announced that Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's Wheelie Breakers for the Nintendo Wii and Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's Stardust Accelerator: World Championship 2009 for the Nintendo DS are currently in development and set to launch in May 2009. The latest iterations in the popular franchise are based on the Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's series on the 4Kids Network, which takes place in the future and features Yusei Fudo and Jack Atlus, the hottest duelists in Neo Domino City.

Based on "Riding Duel" in the Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's animated series, Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's Wheelie Breakers introduces players to a fast-paced twist on a racing game. Yusei and Jack duel in a new motor sport called "Wheelie Breakers" that combines card dueling with duel wheel racing. As they race around the track in their Duel Runner motorcycles, players call upon monsters from their decks to battle their opponents and prevent them from finishing the race. Using achievement points which players receive based on their race results, they can purchase new cards and add them to their decks providing upgrades.

Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's Wheelie Breakers takes full advantage of the Nintendo Wii as players use the Wii Remote for competitive card dueling and Duel Runner racing. Gamers can also use the Nunchuk during races, allowing for split-second maneuvers including, acceleration, steering and recovery. Various gameplay modes are also offered including Story Mode, Grand Prix Mode and Competition Multiplayer Mode with up to 4 friends in racing split screen.

In Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's Stardust Accelerator: World Championship 2009, players can experience the most robust offering in the World Championship franchise to date with up to 2,800 playable cards. The title features multiple gameplay modes including Story Mode, where players journey from Satellite to Neo Domino City and duel with characters from the animated series in various situations. Players can also compete in the World Championship Mode, where head-to-head battles take place against Yu-Gi-Oh! gamers around the world.

Offering more playable cards than any other Yu-Gi-Oh! World Championship title, Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's Stardust Accelerator: World Championship 2009 includes playable cards from the latest booster pack "Crimson Crisis," as well as three exclusive trading cards bundled in the package.

Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's Wheelie Breakers for the Nintendo Wii and Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's Stardust Accelerator: World Championship 2009 for the Nintendo DS are scheduled to launch in May 2009. For more information, please visit www.konami.com. ...

Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. today announced that Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's Wheelie Breakers for the Nintendo Wii and Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's Stardust Accelerator: World Championship 2009 for the Nintendo DS are currently in development and set to launch in May 2009. The latest iterations in the popular franchise are based on the Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's series on the 4Kids Network, which takes place in the future and features Yusei Fudo and Jack Atlus, the hottest duelists in Neo Domino City.

Based on "Riding Duel" in the Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's animated series, Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's Wheelie Breakers introduces players to a fast-paced twist on a racing game. Yusei and Jack duel in a new motor sport called "Wheelie Breakers" that combines card dueling with duel wheel racing. As they race around the track in their Duel Runner motorcycles, players call upon monsters from their decks to battle their opponents and prevent them from finishing the race. Using achievement points which players receive based on their race results, they can purchase new cards and add them to their decks providing upgrades.

Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's Wheelie Breakers takes full advantage of the Nintendo Wii as players use the Wii Remote for competitive card dueling and Duel Runner racing. Gamers can also use the Nunchuk during races, allowing for split-second maneuvers including, acceleration, steering and recovery. Various gameplay modes are also offered including Story Mode, Grand Prix Mode and Competition Multiplayer Mode with up to 4 friends in racing split screen.

In Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's Stardust Accelerator: World Championship 2009, players can experience the most robust offering in the World Championship franchise to date with up to 2,800 playable cards. The title features multiple gameplay modes including Story Mode, where players journey from Satellite to Neo Domino City and duel with characters from the animated series in various situations. Players can also compete in the World Championship Mode, where head-to-head battles take place against Yu-Gi-Oh! gamers around the world.

Offering more playable cards than any other Yu-Gi-Oh! World Championship title, Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's Stardust Accelerator: World Championship 2009 includes playable cards from the latest booster pack "Crimson Crisis," as well as three exclusive trading cards bundled in the package.

Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's Wheelie Breakers for the Nintendo Wii and Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's Stardust Accelerator: World Championship 2009 for the Nintendo DS are scheduled to launch in May 2009. For more information, please visit www.konami.com. ...

THQ Inc. (NASDAQ:THQI) today announced its plans to bring the Up video game, based on the highly anticipated Disney/Pixar film, to all major consoles worldwide beginning in spring 2009. Up is currently in development across seven game systems, including Wii home video game system, Nintendo DS, Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system, PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, PSP (PlayStation Portable) system, and Games for Windows and Mac.

Development for the Up video game is being led by THQ's Heavy Iron Studios, the same creative team responsible for the video games based on Disney/Pixar's Ratatouille and WALL-E. In 2007, Ratatouillereceived recognition from The International Animated Film Society's annual Annie Awards as the "Best Animated Video Game."

About the Up Video Game

The Up video game will take players on an exotic adventure with Carl Fredricksen and his young sidekick, Wilderness Explorer Russell, as they set off on a wild journey through the undiscovered jungles of South America. Players will be able to experience all four main characters from the movie -- Carl, Russell, Dug the lovable dog or Kevin the prehistoric bird -- while playing as a single-player or with a friend cooperatively throughout the entire game. Players will encounter exciting, new environments as they navigate through treacherous jungle terrains, battle dangerous creatures and trek the slippery slopes of the Amazonian Tepuis. In addition, the game also features multi-player game modes, including an epic level that will allow up to four players to compete in aerial combat.

For more information on the Up video game, please visit www.upvideogame.com. Information on the rest of THQ's line-up of family-friendly titles is also available on www.playthq.com. ...

via Eurogamer


New ball rolling game Vertigo has been confirmed for a release next month.

The Wii version can be played using either the remote or the balance board. There are more than 50 levels, three classes of ball and a host of unlockable upgrade options. You can also customise balls to suit your playing style.

There's a deathmatch mode for multiplayer action, along with mini-games such as ten pin bowling and football.

Vertigo will be released for PC and Wii on 3rd April. ...

Penguin United is doing its part to contribute to the world of video game sports by offering the ultra soft Safe Sports Pack for Nintendo Wii. Designed for comfort and versatility, the Safe Sports Pack provides consumers with a three-in-one kit for tennis, golf and baseball games for Nintendo Wii. The Safe Sports Pack is a must-have for any serious fan of Wii sports.

The Safe Sports Pack adds realism and improves game play to any tennis, golf or baseball video game for Nintendo Wii. The Safe Sports Pack's ultra soft design is child-safe, extremely durable and has a suggested retail price of only $29.99.

"In terms of comfort and game play, the Soft Sports Pack is perfect for Wii sports fans," stated Richard Huang, Penguin's President. "Each attachment -- for tennis, golf and baseball -- is molded in ultra soft, durable material which makes the Soft Sports Pack exceptionally reliable and safe."

Product Highlights:

Soft, Safe and Durable Spongy Material Design

Includes Tennis, Golf and Baseball Attachments

Easy Fit Design with Interlocking Handle

Port Access for Nunchucks

SRP: $29.99

http://uk.wii.ign.com/articles/960/960786p1.html ...

Activision Publishing, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI) announced today that Little League World Series Baseball 2009, the sequel to 2008's acclaimed hit baseball game, will be released this June for Wii and Nintendo DS. The title is a natural progression for the franchise, offering Little Leaguers and their families more features and refined, accessible gameplay.

"We are very proud of the warm reception our first Little League baseball video game received last year," said David Oxford, Activision Publishing. "Little League World Series Baseball 2009 aims to broaden the franchise's appeal even wider, giving experienced gamers a sense of depth and to feel more challenged while still making it easy for parents or grandparents to pick up and play!"

Little League® World Series Baseball 2009 is the second officially licensed Little League video game for next-generation consoles, and once again it is being developed by world renowned Japanese studio NOW Production. Players will have the chance to become a Little League World Series baseball Champion, or play with up to three other friends in a variety of exhibition modes. New features include a full team editor, regional tournaments, all new stadiums, new skills challenges, an expanded set of collectible content and much more. Both versions improve upon the popular motion and stylus controls, respectively, for batting and pitching.

"The response to last year's game was phenomenal, and Little League fans have been enthusiastic in giving us ideas for the 2009 version," Jud Rogers, Sr. Marketing Executive, Little League International. "Activision and NOW Production are the best partners imaginable and we look forward to creating the best family-friendly baseball game of all time."

For more information, visit www.activision.com. ...

Activision Publishing, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI) announced today that Little League World Series Baseball 2009, the sequel to 2008's acclaimed hit baseball game, will be released this June for Wii and Nintendo DS. The title is a natural progression for the franchise, offering Little Leaguers and their families more features and refined, accessible gameplay.

"We are very proud of the warm reception our first Little League baseball video game received last year," said David Oxford, Activision Publishing. "Little League World Series Baseball 2009 aims to broaden the franchise's appeal even wider, giving experienced gamers a sense of depth and to feel more challenged while still making it easy for parents or grandparents to pick up and play!"

Little League® World Series Baseball 2009 is the second officially licensed Little League video game for next-generation consoles, and once again it is being developed by world renowned Japanese studio NOW Production. Players will have the chance to become a Little League World Series baseball Champion, or play with up to three other friends in a variety of exhibition modes. New features include a full team editor, regional tournaments, all new stadiums, new skills challenges, an expanded set of collectible content and much more. Both versions improve upon the popular motion and stylus controls, respectively, for batting and pitching.

"The response to last year's game was phenomenal, and Little League fans have been enthusiastic in giving us ideas for the 2009 version," Jud Rogers, Sr. Marketing Executive, Little League International. "Activision and NOW Production are the best partners imaginable and we look forward to creating the best family-friendly baseball game of all time."

For more information, visit www.activision.com. ...

via Computer and Video Games


Project Gotham Racing 4's Premium Challenge Pack is the new Xbox Live Deal of the Week.

The pack, which includes more than ten new vehicles and the World Challenge Arcade Mode, is now available for 240 Microsoft points (£2.04), a saving of 40% from its original 400 point price tag.

The deal's available only to Xbox Live Gold members, says Microsoft, and it's trying to make sure that XBL deals are available to all regions.

Forthcoming Xbox Live deals include a discount (between 25% and 50% apparently) on the original Xbox version of Fable, which will be nice. ...

The current generation of consoles are excluding themselves from a mass-market audience due to their excessive price points, according to Activision's Bobby Kotick in a recent interview with Reuters.

"The price on platforms today has still not gotten down to mass-market price points," said Kotick in the interview, picked up by gamesindustry.biz. "I think when you're in the economic circumstances that the world has found itself in, there really is a difference between a $199 game system and a $299 game system."

Kotick went on to outline how the company would adjust its philosophy in regard to the Wii, saying, "In the past we approached the Wii as an extension of what we were doing on PlayStation and the Xbox and I think we can do a better job of creating original content for the Wii, and I think you'll see more of that this year."

Activision has three new franchises planned this year, as well as a new Call of Duty from Modern Warfare developer Infinity Ward and a multitude of entries in the ever expanding 'Hero' franchise.

http://uk.wii.ign.com/articles/960/960773p1.html ...