Highly Anticipated Sequel to Debut in High Definition and 3D, Features Creative New Gameplay, Activities, and Characters
AGOURA HILLS, Calif., Jun 14, 2010 -THQ Inc. (NASDAQ: THQI) today announced that de Blob® 2: The UndergroundTM, the sequel to the award-winning 2008 sensation, will debut on high definition consoles and in 3D for the first time ever in Spring 2011 and is set to deliver a fun-filled, creative gameplay experience for players of all ages. de Blob 2: The Underground features new moves, more friends, free-form painting activities, and is currently in development for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, WiiTM and Nintendo DSTM.
“We are thrilled to expand the world of de Blob into high definition and 3D gaming with an entertaining and immersive experience that brings back the adventures of the fun-loving, free-spirited hero,” said Danny Bilson, Executive Vice President, Core Games, THQ. “In addition to the release of de Blob 2: The Underground, THQ will extend the reach of its most colorful owned intellectual property with an upcoming Syfy partnership and de Blob-branded consumer products.”
School may be out, but there’s no shortage of interesting subjects for you to learn about: Fascinating spirits, dazzling gems and stealthy ninjas are all ready to be discovered in this week’s lineup of new game downloads for Nintendo® systems. Guide a mythical spirit through a series of puzzling trials as he attempts to make his way to the human world in A Kappa’s Trail for the Nintendo DSiWare™ service. Experience a famous puzzle game on America’s top-selling home console with Bejeweled® 2 for the WiiWare™ service. A total of nine new games are now available for download, but that’s not the only big news this week. The annual E3 Expo kicks off in Los Angeles on June 15, and Nintendo is inviting fans with broadband Internet access to watch a live video stream of its E3 Expo presentation. Go to e3.nintendo.com at 9 a.m. Pacific time on Tuesday, June 15, and watch all of Nintendo’s announcements as they happen.
You’re also invited to check out the latest addition to the “Big Name Games” section of the WarioWare™: D.I.Y. series, which features downloadable microgames from some of the industry’s most talented figures. This week, the team at EnjoyUp Games takes the spotlight with a new Chronos Twins microgame. New “Big Name Games” will be added every Monday through July 26, all available to download for zero Nintendo DSi Points™ to anyone with broadband Internet access and a copy of either WarioWare: D.I.Y. for the Nintendo DS™ family of systems or WarioWare: D.I.Y. Showcase software for the WiiWare service. Visit the Nintendo Channel on your Wii™ system today to learn more about these games.
01. / 01. [WII] Super Mario Galaxy 2 (Nintendo) – 105.149 / 445.050 (-69%)
02. / 00. [PSP] Fairy Tail: Portable Guild (Konami) – 34.971 / NEW
03. / 05. [NDS] Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker 2 (Square Enix) – 23.417 / 1.121.989 (-31%)
04. / 03. [NDS] Let’s Make a Pro Soccer Club! DS World Challenge 2010 (Sega) – 18.305 / 68.511 (-64%)
05. / 06. [PS3] Lost Planet 2 (Capcom) – 16.543 / 135.006 (-51%)
06. / 00. [PSP] Hisshou Pachinko Pachislot Kouryaku Series Portable Vol. 1: CR Neon Genesis Evangelion – Tamashii no Kiseki (D3 Publisher) – 14.521 / NEW
07. / 07. [PSP] Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker (Konami) – 14.262 / 711.838 (-44%)
08. / 04. [NDS] Medarot DS: Kabuto / Kuwagata (Rocket Company) – 14.090 / 64.254 (-72%)
09. / 08. [PS3] World Soccer Winning Eleven 2010: Blue Samurai Challenge (Konami) – 14.056 / 93.438 (-37%)
10. / 12. [NDS] Friend Collection (Nintendo) – 13.918 / 3.251.000 (-13%)
This information comes from a recent news article from Nintendo-Revolution…
“Let us start with what I know. A big publisher will present a very promising peripheral for Wii. You might think that all sensible peripherals have been done, but not quite. This one could become quite useful. And, surprisingly, the publisher has managed to secure the support of other publishers for it, I am told. So this one will not gather dust as soon as that ´Tony Hawk Ride´ board, they hope. I will only give you a cryptic hint: the peripheral will enable some seminal DS games to be adapted to Wii better than would otherwise have been possible. A cryptic hint, like I said.”
Usually I wouldn’t post a rumor like this, but this particular author has been correct on quite a few occasions. Most third-party accessories haven’t been able to match Nintendo’s success with add-ons, but based on the comments above, it seems like this one could.
Wild West Shootout (Wii) – T
Soul of Darkness (DSi) – T
Everyday Soccer (DSiWare/DSi) – E
Gold Gym’s Dance Workout (Wii) – E10+
Puzzle Time (DS) – E
JellyCar 2 (DSi) – E
Green Day Rock Band (Wii) – T
This information comes from Nintendo Power…
– Switch from Aang and Prince Zuko
– As Aang, use your staff to defeat Fire Nation soldiers
– Wind can also be used to defeat enemies and pick up objects (throw them at enemies, put them on switches, slam them to the ground)
– “Insight move” – Move very fast, helps solve some puzzles, ride winds from statues
– More combat for Zuko stages
– Fireballs, flaming punches, firebombs for Zuko
– When near a fire pillar, you can enter first-person mode and scorch enemies from a distance
– Prince of Persia-like platforming, climb walls by grabbing vines and rocks
– Stealth attacks
– Play through a stage as one character, then play through a modified version of the stage as the other character
– Cartoony graphics for DS version, more of a top down perspective
– RPG elements
– Nonlinear levels, side quests, collectibles to extend health/chi, upgradeable special moves
– Interact with NPCs
– Many touch controls (moving, fighting, conversing, elemental powers)
– L or R to enter a combat stance
Even though I always enjoy this time of year, the amount of rumors published on gaming websites skyrockets to astronomical levels as a result of E3. There have already been a number of Zelda Wii-related rumors over the last few months, but I’ve been extremely hesitant to post them since Nintendo tends to keep secrets quiet. Since E3 is on the horizon, though, we might as well have a bit of fun, right? The “details” about Zelda Wii below have been labeled as “confirmed” by Zelda Informer, but I’m not believing anything until Tuesday!
– The game will just be called “The Legend of Zelda”
– Takes place several hundred years before Ocarina of Time, how the Master Sword was created
– Character’s name from the art is Zordiana
– Hookshot returning, has new abilities, has the grappling ability from Wind Waker, doesn’t use MotionPlus
– Somtimes “draw” a symbol on a door with your sword to open it
– Bow controls similar to that of Wii Sports Resort
– Two difficulty levels, though Miyamoto was against it, Normal and Hero modes, tougher enemies and no “Super Guide” in Hero mode
– On-stage demo at E3, playable, is an ice “dungeon”, you won’t notice when you’re in a dungeon as it’ll be a smooth transition, there will be dungeons with no bosses and vise versa
Thanks to Damir H for the tip!
Retro Studios has already worked on a major Nintendo franchise in Metroid and now rumor has it that the company has moved on to Donkey Kong. That’s all IGN – who initially reported the story – seems to know, but we’re just a few days away from finding out if the nebulous speculation is spot on.
Although Retro Studios released a title last year, it was only a remake of the Prime titles bundled into one package. Alongside it, many had logically assumed that they were working on a bigger, original project as well. Last year, Michael Kelbaugh said “I think you’ll be very excited when you find out what we’re working on.” Does the prospect of a Retro Studios-made title excite you?
