REDMOND, Wash., Dec. 17, 2008 — Continuing its commitment to create fun and engaging experiences for everyone, Nintendo of America Inc. today unleashes a broad list of exciting new games for the first quarter of 2009. Topping the list is Pokémon” Platinum version for Nintendo DS”, a remarkable new entry in the beloved Pokémon series, slated for a March 22 launch across North America. Nintendo’s roster of more than 100 new games includes an impressive array of challenges and experiences for new players and loyalists, as well as everyone in between. Notable titles include the enhanced ” and New Play Control! Pikmin” for Wii”, and Fire Emblem”: Shadow Dragon, Personal Trainer”: Math and Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars for Nintendo DS.
“Our fans expect a diverse selection of entertainment options, and we’re eager to deliver exactly that,” said Cammie Dunaway, Nintendo of America’s executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. “We’re building on the momentum of a strong holiday season by offering new and experienced players an even greater library of game titles in 2009.”
Pokémon fans in particular will have plenty to cheer about as Pokémon Platinum is readied for its U.S. debut. Following the vast popularity of Pokémon® Diamond and Pokémon Pearl, Pokémon Platinum is the newest in the core series of Pokémon games. Pokémon Platinum features a new story full of adventure, never-before-seen forms of powerful Pokémon including the legendary Giratina’s Origin Forme — and the Distortion World, a mysterious new world that suddenly appears in the Sinnoh region. In addition, with Pokémon Platinum up to 20 players can interact with other Pokémon fans from around the world in the new Wi-Fi Plaza, featuring mini-games and activities. Players can also enjoy the new features in the Global Terminal, such as posting battle videos using the new “Vs. Recorder.” In addition, Pokémon Platinum features a new Battle Frontier, where the toughest Trainers can test their skills in new ways. Pokémon Platinum already has broken previous Nintendo DS sales records in Japan, selling more than 1 million copies in its first two days of release.
For the portable Nintendo DS, Personal Trainer: Math builds on the new Personal Trainer” series, which launched with Personal Trainer”: Cooking, now extends its reach beyond the stomach to the brain. Personal Trainer: Math introduces 40 fast-paced exercises to give players a fun way to improve their arithmetic skills. The Personal Trainer series is designed to help users enrich their lives and learn new skills in fun and interesting ways. Also for Nintendo DS, fans of the Fire Emblem franchise will enjoy the arrival of Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon, a revamped and re-imagined version of the NES” classic, featuring touch-screen controls. Players with a broadband Internet connection can enjoy worldwide battles over Nintendo® Wi-Fi Connection, Nintendo’s online gaming service.
Meanwhile, for the Wii console, Nintendo is offering up two classic Nintendo GameCube” games: New Play Control! Mario Power Tennis and New Play Control! Pikmin enhanced for play using the Wii Remote” controller. The enhanced New Play Control! Pikmin game lets players point the Wii Remote controller at the screen and use it as a cursor, making it easy to select either a single Pikmin or an entire army. When a player tosses Pikmin, they fly wherever the cursor is pointing. New Play Control! Mario Power Tennis lets players enjoy an afternoon on the court as their favorite characters from the Mushroom Kingdom, complete with motion-controlled serves and swings. With Wii controls, players can swing the Wii Remote controller to hit forehands and backhands and to apply spin. Experienced gamers can also attach a Nunchuk” controller for additional precision. Both games are scheduled to launch next March.
Third-party publishers continue to bring diverse, creative games like FINAL FANTASY® CRYSTAL CHRONICLES®: Echoes of Time” from Square-Enix for Wii and Nintendo DS. These games offer unique features that allow users to play multiplayer across Nintendo platforms. MADWORLD” from Sega will be available exclusively for Wii, and the highly acclaimed franchise Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars from Rockstar Games will be available for Nintendo DS.
Below is a partial list of upcoming games for Wii and Nintendo DS. Note that game titles and launch dates are subject to change.
Wii
Monsters vs. Aliens March 24
Monster Palsâ„¢ March
Solitaire & Mahjong February
Puzzle Challenges and More! February
Crayola Colorful World March
Onechanbaraâ„¢ Bikini Zombie Slayersâ„¢ February
Coraline January
WordJong Party January
Battle Rage February
Cradle of Rome February
Cate West: The Vanishing Files March
Burger Island March
Disney Sing It: High School Musical 3: Senior Year Winter
DreamCatcher Play the World March
NASCAR® Kart Racing Feb. 10
SimAnimalsâ„¢ Jan. 27
TRIVIAL PURSUIT Early spring
FISHING MASTER WORLD TOUR Jan. 6
Marble Saga Kororinpaâ„¢ Spring
DanceDanceRevolution® Disney Grooves March
Escape the Museum January
Major Minor’s Majestic March March
Little King’s Story Feb. 17
Rune Factory: Frontier March
Mastiff Deer Driveâ„¢ Jan. 20
We Skiâ„¢ and Snowboard March
Nintendo New Play Control! Mario Power Tennisâ„¢ March
New Play Control! Pikminâ„¢ March
The House of The Dead: Overkillâ„¢ February
SONICâ„¢ and the Black Knight March
MADWORLDâ„¢ March
Roogoo Twisted Towersâ„¢ Feb. 17
Pirates vs. Ninjas Dodgeballâ„¢ March 17
Brave: A Warrior’s Taleâ„¢ Feb. 17
Paws & Claws Pet Resort Jan. 5
Neighborhood Games Jan. 5
Tenchuâ„¢: Shadow Assassins February
Broken Swordâ„¢: Shadows of the Templars (Director’s Cut) March
Super PickUpsâ„¢ Q1
Nintendo DS
Monsters vs. Aliens March 24
Pimp My Ride 2â„¢ March 24
Animal Planetâ„¢ March 10
My World, My Wayâ„¢ Feb. 3
Legacy of Ysâ„¢: Books I & II Feb. 10
Trackmaniaâ„¢ DS March 17
Monster Pals â„¢ March
Puzzle Questâ„¢: Galactrixâ„¢ Q1
Coraline January
USA TODAY Puzzle Craze January
DinoPets March
Phineas and Ferb Winter
Inkheart January
Learn Math January
Drivers’ Ed Portable January
Monster Band January
Zoo Quest February
My Personal Diary February
Music Star: Pop Star February
Paint by DS March
Matchstick March
Dreamer: Top Model March
Sarah – Keeper of the Unicorn March
Learn Chess March
Dragon Master April
Zuboâ„¢ March
Henry Hatsworth in the Puzzling Adventureâ„¢ Q1
SimAnimalsâ„¢ Jan. 27
Empire Interactive Jagged Alliance Feb. 17
American Popstar – Road to Celebrity March 9
Elebits: The Adventures of Kai and Zeroâ„¢ Q1
Suikoden Tierkreis Q1
Little Magician’s Magic Adventureâ„¢ Q1
WonderWorld Amusement Parkâ„¢ January
Powerbike January
Our Houseâ„¢ Q1
Hot ‘n’ Cold March
Avalon Code February
Flower, Sun, and Rain March
Mastiff Moonâ„¢ Jan. 13
MumboJumbo Chicken Hunter Star Karts March 10
Nintendo Personal Trainerâ„¢: Math Jan. 12
Fire Emblemâ„¢: Shadow Dragon Feb. 16
Pokémon™ Platinum version March 22
ROCKSTAR GAMES Grand Theft Autoâ„¢: Chinatown Wars Winter
Big Bang Mini® Jan. 6
Roogoo Attackâ„¢ Feb. 17
Brave: Shaman’s Challengeâ„¢ Feb. 17
FINAL FANTASY® CRYSTAL CHRONICLES®: Echoes of Time™ Spring
THE GAME FACTORY WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP GAMESâ„¢ Jan. 19
THQ Paws & Claws Pampered Pets Jan. 5
My DoItAllâ„¢ February
Jake Power Fireman January
Jake Power Policeman January
Imagineâ„¢ Cheerleader February
JoJo’s Fashion Show February
Petz® Horseshoe Ranch February
Imagineâ„¢ Family Doctor February
Imagineâ„¢ Ice Champions March
Jake Power Handyman March
My Fashion Studio Paris Collection Feb. 17
American Popstar – Road to Celebrity March 24
Broken Swordâ„¢: Shadows of the Templars (Director’s Cut) March
Games Retro Game Challenge Jan. 6