Professor Layton and the Last Specter Fact Sheet

Professor Layton is Back with a Puzzling Prequel

This fourth installment of the Professor Layton puzzle adventure series begins a new trilogy that is a prequel to the original games. Three years before the events in the Professor Layton and the Curious Village™ game, Professor Layton receives a letter from his old schoolmate Clark Triton, telling him that a “mysterious giant” is destroying his town.” The professor heads to the town of Misthallery to investigate, and is joined by Emmy, his new assistant. What is the meaning of all the destruction, and is it related to the village’s folklore legend of a “specter”? The unfolding story details how Professor Layton and his apprentice, Luke, met.

FEATURES:
• Players move the mysterious story forward by solving a multitude of brain teasers, riddles and conundrums. This game contains more puzzles than any in the series so far.
• Free downloadable puzzles will be available weekly after the game’s launch (broadband Internet connection required)
• Players will get a bonus role-playing game called Professor Layton’s London Life™ that contains 100 hours of additional content.
• In the bonus role-playing game Professor Layton’s London Life™, the player’s character lives in “Little London” with Professor Layton and a number of characters from the series. Players can customize their character with special clothing and collect items and furniture. Some of these help the player’s character to enter certain areas of the city or perform tasks that help out the townspeople.



Platform: Nintendo DS family
Genre: Puzzle Adventure
Players: 1
Rating: Everyone 10+ –
Release: Oct. 17, 2011
Developer: LEVEL-5
URL: http://professorlayton.nintendo.com/thelastspecter
Suggested Retail Price: $29.99

Source: Nintendo PR

Fossil Fighters Champions

A Bone to Pick

In this dino-tastic adventure, players get some hands-on time to hunt and clean fossils, and revive and battle vivosaurs. A fossil park is hosting a large-scale tournament in which competitors enter vivosaurs created from dinosaur fossils into competition. Fossil Fighters from all over the world battle their vivosaurs against one another to find out who will be crowned champion.

FEATURES:
• Players excavate and clean fossils. New giant fossil rocks (containing complete dinosaur fossils) and odd fossil rocks (which are two-sided) add to the fun of the cleaning process.
• Once the fossils have been cleaned, they can be revived into vivosaurs, which players can then arrange into teams for battles. The better the fossils have been cleaned, the more powerful the vivosaurs are in battle.
• Strategy is key in battles. Players must put forth teams of three vivosaurs, then rotate their positions to maximize their power advantage over opponents.
• New “super evolver” vivosaurs evolve into new forms with the help of gold fossils.
• Players can compete in matchmaking battles or upload their best team to see how it fares against others. Players can also download additional vivosaurs and events.
• Using DS Download Play, one player who has the game can link up wirelessly with up to three other Nintendo DS owners within range and cooperate to expertly clean fossils together.



Platform: Nintendo DS family
Genre: Role-Playing Game
Players: 1 - 4
Rating: RP (Rating Pending) –
Release: Nov. 14, 2011
Developer: Red Entertainment Corporation/ARTDINK CORPORATION
URL: http:\\fossilfighterschampions.nintendo.com
Suggested Retail Price: TBA

Source: Nintendo DS

The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword Fact Sheet Brings New Information

 A Link to the Future

One of the most storied franchises in history soars to new heights. The Legend of Zelda™: Skyward Sword shakes up the tried-and-true adventure game formula and marks a turning point for the franchise. The introduction of full motion controls enabled by Wii MotionPlus™ technology synchronizes player movements with Link’s actions while offering the most intuitive play control of any game in the series to date.

FEATURES:
• The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword boasts the most realistic sword combat of any game to date, turning every encounter into a challenge of both brains and brawn. Wii MotionPlus technology accurately translates the angle of every sword slice, effectively putting Link’s blade in the player’s hand. Analyzing enemy attack and defense tendencies and counteracting with precise swings of the sword provide a satisfying experience that blends puzzle-solving with a new and distinctly unique combat system.
• Explore a massive, multilayered world that seamlessly blends soaring exploration in a sea of clouds with intense ground-based adventuring that blurs the line between the main world and traditional Zelda dungeons. Link™ soars through the skies on the back of a noble bird and dives beneath the clouds to the continent below in an epic quest that lays the foundation for the events in the critically acclaimed The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.
• Prepare for intense puzzle-solving as only The Legend of Zelda games can deliver. Exploration of the forests, volcanoes and deserts requires players to think on their feet as they solve puzzles, overcome obstacles and escape deadly traps. Once they find their way to each dungeon, they are confronted by even more puzzles guarded by fiendish enemies.
• The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword redefines the traditional Zelda framework and introduces an arsenal of items, upgrades and rewards unlike any game in the franchise to date. The adventure guides players into, out of and back to dungeons and areas they’ve already completed. Along the way, Link gathers a massive inventory of peculiar items and resources that can be used to upgrade many of his weapons and equipment.
• A new weapon upgrade system allows players to gather raw materials from throughout hyrule that can be used to upgrade weapons, equipment and items, or create entirely new ones from scratch.
• The game also will feature a boss challenge mode and, for players who need assistance, optional hint movies to help them along.
• A special limited-edition The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword bundle containing the game and a gold* Wii Remote™ Plus controller will be available when the game launches on Nov. 20.
• Every copy in the initial production of the game will come packaged with a special music CD featuring orchestral arrangements of select songs that will be performed at The Legend of Zelda 25th Anniversary Symphony Concert.



Platform: Wii
Genre: Action Adventure
Players: 1
Rating: E 10+ (Everyone 10+) - Animated Blood, Comic Mischief, Fantasy Violence
Release: Nov. 20, 2011
Developer: Nintendo
URL: http://www.zelda.com/skywardsword
Suggested Retail Price: Limited edition bundle: $69.99 Game: $49.99
Source: Nintendo PR

Kirby's Return to Dream Land Fact Sheet

Kirby Returns to Dream Land – and the Living Room

Kirby™ and his friends are back in an adventure designed to satisfy longtime Kirby fans and beginners alike. When an alien spaceship crashes in the otherwise peaceful realm of Planet Pop Star, its pieces are scattered throughout the land. Players must guide Kirby as he retrieves the ship’s parts and helps an alien return to its home planet. This time, however, he’s not alone. At any time, up to three more players can join in the fun and play as Meta Knight, King Dedede, Waddle Dee or a different color Kirby.

FEATURES:
• Kirby’s powerful Copy Ability returns, allowing him to inhale, spit and transform as he encounters enemies.
• Players can deploy classic and new abilities, including:
○ Sword: Kirby dons a green cap and wields a sword.
○ Beam: Kirby wears a jester hat and can shoot energy from a magic wand.
○ Whip: Kirby wears a cowboy hat and can lasso enemies.
○ Leaf: Kirby is surrounded by a whirlwind of leaves.
• The game also introduces new Super Abilities, which are activated when Kirby inhales special enemy characters. For example, the “Ultra Sword” Super Ability allows Kirby to swing a giant sword and wipe out an entire screen’s worth of foes.
• Up to four players can enjoy the action together. (Additional controllers required and sold separately.) While playing cooperatively to progress through the game, players can join and leave the game at any time.

Platform: Wii
Genre: Action
Players: 1 - 4
Rating: E 10+ (Everyone 10+) - Mild Cartoon Violence
Release: Oct. 24, 2011
Developer: HAL Laboratory, Inc.
URL: http://kirbysdreamland.com
Suggested Retail Price: $49.99

Source: Nintendo PR

Mario Kart 7 Fact Sheet

A New Dimension of Kart Racing

The newest installment of the fan-favorite Mario Kart™ franchise brings Mushroom Kingdom racing fun into glorious 3D. For the first time, drivers explore new competitive kart possibilities, such as soaring through the skies or plunging into the depths of the sea. New courses, strategic new abilities and customizable karts bring the racing excitement to new heights.

FEATURES:
• The Mario Kart franchise continues to evolve. New kart abilities add to the wild fun that the games are known for. On big jumps, a kart deploys a wing to let it glide over the track shortcut. When underwater, a propeller pops out to help the kart cruise across the sea floor.
• Players can show their own style by customizing their vehicles with accessories that give them a competitive advantage. For instance, giant tires help a kart drive off-road, while smaller tires accelerate quickly on paved courses.
• People can choose to race as one of their favorite Mushroom Kingdom characters or even as their Mii™ character.
• New courses take players on wild rides over mountains, on city streets and through a dusty desert. Nintendo fans will recognize new courses on Wuhu Island and in the jungles from Donkey Kong Country™ Returns.
• The game supports both SpotPass™ and StreetPass™ features.
• Players can compete in local wireless matches or online over a broadband Internet connection.



Platform: Nintendo 3DS
Genre: Racing
Players: 1 - 8
Rating: E (Everyone) - Comic Mischief
Release: Dec. 4, 2011
Developer: Nintendo
URL: http://mariokart7.com
Suggested Retail Price: TBA

Source: Nintendo PR

Star Fox 64 3D Fact Sheet

Fox McCloud is Back and in 3D in a Re-mastered Nintendo Classic

Star Fox 64™ 3D invites players to take on the role of legendary Fox McCloud as they lead a fearless squadron of fighters in fierce aerial combat to battle the evil forces of Andross and save the galaxy from destruction. Players can also face off against their friends in a new local wireless multiplayer mode that
comes complete with motion controls, new power-ups and a live video display of their friends’ faces as they battle. The rich 3D visuals provide a remarkable sense of depth, distance and position as players dodge meteors and blast enemy fighters out of the sky.

FEATURES:
• A complete graphical update brings a Nintendo classic into the era of portable 3D fun. The game makes effective use of the Nintendo 3DS system’s dual screens: The top screen features 3D aerial combat, while the bottom screen displays characters and dialogue.
• A new multiplayer option lets up to four players engage in fierce aerial combat via a local wireless connection (using four systems and one game card via DS Download Play). The multiplayer mode also includes new power-ups and special weapons. Players can use the Nintendo 3DS system’s inner camera to display a live video feed of their faces as they battle, bringing a new level of fun and personalization to the multiplayer experience.
• There are two control methods for the player to experience. The Nintendo 64 Mode offers original controls, while the new Nintendo 3DS Mode uses the motion controls of the built-in Gyro Sensor of the Nintendo 3DS system.
• Trusted wingmen Peppy, Slippy and Falco are along for the ride – if one of them is chased or captured by an enemy, players must act to protect them in order to keep their team strong.
• Each mission takes players through a different planet of the Lylat system as they blast enemies, collect power-ups and fight powerful bosses on their way to the final battle.
• Score Attack is a new mode that allows players to select individual missions that they have unlocked and play for the highest score.



Platform: Nintendo 3DS
Genre: Action Space Shooter
Players: 1-4
Rating: E10+ (Everyone 10 and Older) –
Release: Sept. 9, 2011
Developer: Nintendo
URL: www.nintendo.com
Suggested Retail Price: $39.99

 Source: Nintendo PR