Namco Bandai Games hops on the chairlift to bring ‘Family Ski & Snowboard’ for Wii to Europe

– Powder-fresh Gameplay and High Octane Snowboarding Tempt Snow Sports Game Fans to the Slopes for a Whole New Wintry World of Fun Exclusively on Wii –

LONDON, UK – 2 December 2008 – Wii gamers are dreaming of virgin snow and the dazzling winter sun with the news that NAMCO BANDAI Games’ Family Ski & Snowboard, the sequel to the much-loved snow sports game for Wii, will make its wintry way into European homes this coming February 2009.

Amongst the abundance of gameplay advances jostling for space on the slopes in this latest instalment of the Wii Balance Board standout series are all-new high performance snowboarding, enhanced skiing functionality, two statuesque new mountains to conquer and an additional 10,000 vertical metres to hurtle down. There’s big, big air to be grabbed by skiers and snowboarders alike with fun boxes, rails and a half-pipe all throwing down the thermal gauntlet to players as they test their skills to pull off an array of wild aerial tricks.

Family Ski & Snowboard takes players on a wintry thrill ride through a multitude of different environments on the imposing Mt. Angrio and cool Jamboree Snow Resort. Take the Wii Remote and Nunchuk controllers in hand to enjoy the classic motion-based controls popularized by Family Ski, while the addition of the Wii Balance Board brings an even greater level of realism to the fun. Custom characters and player Mii’s add another dimension as the player kicks up powder on adventures across the vast free-riding areas boasting even more mountain terrain than ever. Hopping on the chairlift for a ride to the summit ensures a breathtaking view, while heli-drops from vertigo-inducing heights give players the chance to shred down vertical cliffs and sheer precipices. And don’t forget to watch out for avalanches!

Hot Doggers can quench their thirst for thrills with half-pipe courses, and ski technique challenges, while those looking for a more leisurely time on the piste can indulge in other activities including ski school, board school, moguls, slaloms, and even animal search and rescue. The day, night and dusk skiing across the sprawling vistas offer endless variations on the whole snowy experience. When it comes to getting the family involved there’s four player fun in fast-paced racing action or free-skiing, while solo players can enjoy the ride with up to three AI-controlled skiing buddies for company.

For more information on Family Ski & Snowboard visit http://www.namcobandaigames.eu/ and for Atari’s entire product line-up visit www.atari.com.

About NAMCO BANDAI Games Europe:
NAMCO BANDAI Games Europe S.A.S., is a leading interactive entertainment software publisher based in Cergy-Pontoise, France. The company is a part of the NAMCO BANDAI group of companies known for creating and publishing many of the industry’s top video game franchises including the RidgeRacer™, Tekken™, SOULCALIBUR™, Tamagotchi™, Digimon™, Dragonball® and Naruto™ brands.

About Infogrames Entertainment and Atari:
The Infogrames group, including the Atari brand, is a global producer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment software for all market segments and all interactive game platforms including consoles from Microsoft, Nintendo and Sony, advanced smartphones, Personal Computers, web and online. Its games are sold in more than 60 countries through an international distribution network and direct to consumers via www.atari.com.
Atari’s extensive catalogue of popular games is based on original franchises (Alone in the Dark, Test Drive, V-Rally, My Horse & Me, Backyard Sports franchise, Total Annihilation, Outcast etc.), publishing properties (The Witcher, Legendary, Race Pro etc.), international licenses (Dragon Ball Z, Dungeons & Dragons, Jamie Oliver etc.) and classic games covering the entire history of the video game industry (Pong, Missile Command, Asteroids etc).

In September 2008, Infogrames Entertainment announced that it had signed a letter of intent to establish strategic partnership between Infogrames and NAMCO BANDAI Games. The partnership is expected to provide NAMCO BANDAI Games with a distribution network across the PAL territories.

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© 2008 NBGI

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