Nintendo has released a press release featuring all of their upcoming game releases for the first half of 2008. In that, they’ve given us the release dates for the Wii and DS versions of The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian video game. I’m sure that the game will also be releasing for practically everything else on the same date, but we’ll see! The release date announced is May 13, just three days prior to the release of the film, nationwide, and in a few other countries. This is a US release date, however, no word on other countries as of yet.
The press release follows.
With their focus on fun for everyone, Nintendo’s Wiiâ„¢ and Nintendo DSâ„¢ systems are leading a new movement in the world of video games. Games based on brain exercises. … New experiences that surprise even core gamers. … Grandparents buying video game systems – for themselves! Surely, these are unprecedented times.
“The video game industry has never had so many new players, and they’ve never had so much fun,” said Cammie Dunaway, Nintendo of America’s executive vice president of sales & marketing. “Our momentum is not limited to one system or one game. We’re going broad and bold in 2008, with something for every member of the family.”
Nintendo DS and Wii finished as the No. 1 and No. 2 best-selling systems of the year, respectively. Nintendo continues its momentum into 2008 with a strong lineup of games. In the first half of 2008 alone, more than 65 new Wii games will add to the current library of more than 195 and 80 new Nintendo DS games will add to the current library of nearly 500. Nintendo DS opens the first half of the year with games that demonstrate the breadth of the Nintendo DS library. Advance Wars®: Days of Ruin is a treat aimed squarely at core gamers, while Crosswords DSâ„¢ is for all consumers, whether they currently play games or not.
Likewise, the first half of 2008 brings a diverse array of Wii games from Nintendo, including core games like Super Smash Bros.® Brawl; games with universal appeal for gamers old and new with Mario Kart® Wii, which uses the easy-to-pick-up Wii Wheelâ„¢; and Wii Fitâ„¢, which comes with the Wii Balance Board and has appeal for new consumers well beyond the traditional video game audience. On top of all that, new downloadable WiiWareâ„¢ games will make their debut. These unique games have much lower entry barriers for developers and let consumers enjoy an incredibly diverse selection of content.
Third-party publishers also continue their strong support for Wii and Nintendo DS. Some of the innovative Wii games for the first half of 2008 include Ninja Reflex from Electronic Arts, No More Heroesâ„¢ from Ubisoft, DeBlob from THQ, Star Wars: The Force Unleashed from LucasArts and Okami from Capcom, in addition to compelling Nintendo DS games like FINAL FANTASY CRYSTAL CHRONICLES: Rings of Fate from Square Enix, Ninja Gaiden Dragon Sword from Tecmo and Quick Yoga Training from Ubisoft.
The following is a partial list of Wii and Nintendo DS software for the first half of 2008. Note that details are subject to change.
Wii
Jan. 21: Endless Oceanâ„¢ from Nintendo
Jan. 22: One Pieceâ„¢: Unlimited Adventureâ„¢ from Namco Bandai Games America Inc.
January: No More Heroesâ„¢ from Ubisoft
February: Karaoke Revolution Presents: American Idol Encore from Konami
March 9: Super Smash Bros.® Brawl from Nintendo
March 25: Okami from Capcom
May 6: Speed Racer from Warner Bros. Games
May 13: The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian from Disney Interactive Studios
May: THE DOG Islandâ„¢ from Ubisoft
June: Cooking Mama Cook Off 2 from Majesco Entertainment
June: Rygar: The Battle of Argus from Tecmo, Inc.
June: DeBlob from THQ
June: Wall-E from THQ
Spring: Mario Kart Wii with Wii Wheel from Nintendo
Spring: LEGO: Indiana Jones from LucasArts
Summer: Star Wars: The Force Unleashed from LucasArts
Q2: Wii Fit from Nintendo
Nintendo DS
Jan. 24: Aquarium by DS from Bold Games
Jan. 24: Fantasy Aquarium by DS from Bold Games
Jan. 29: Pet Pals: Animal Doctor from Majesco Entertainment
Feb. 4: Paws & Claws: Pet Resort from THQ
Feb. 12: Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney from Capcom
Feb. 12: New Zealand Story Revolution from Ignition Entertainment
Feb. 19: Zoo Tycoon II from THQ
Feb. 26: Bubble Bobble Double Shot from Ignition Entertainment
February: My Horse and Me from Atari
February: Assassin’s Creed Altair’s Chroniclesâ„¢ from Ubisoft
February: Petz® Wild Animals: Tigerz from Ubisoft
February: Puppy Palaceâ„¢ from Ubisoft
March 3: Let’s Ride: Friends Forever from THQ
March 4: Disney Friends from Disney Interactive Studios
March 4: Eco-Creatures: Save the Forest from Majesco Entertainment
March 8: Plushees from Destineer
March 8: Harvest Moon DS Cute from Natsume Inc.
March 11: FINAL FANTASY CRYSTAL CHRONICLES: Rings of Fate from Square Enix
March 11: Lost in Blue 3 from Konami
March 25: Ninja Gaiden Dragon Sword from Tecmo, Inc.
March: Myst from Empire Interactive
March: Narutoâ„¢: Ninja Destiny from Tomy Corporation
March: Petz® Bunnyzâ„¢ from Ubisoft
May 6: Speed Racer from Warner Bros. Games
May 13: The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian from Disney Interactive Studios
June 8: Harvest Moon: Island of Happiness from Natsume Inc.
June: Wall-E from THQ
Spring: LEGO: Indiana Jones from LucasArts
Summer: Star Wars: The Force Unleashed from LucasArts
Q2: Pokemon® Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time from Nintendo
Q2: Pokemon® Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Darkness from Nintendo
[See the full release lists at GamesIndustry.biz]