November 25, 2008

Disney Video Games Get Families Playing Together This Holiday


BURBANK, Calif. – (November 25, 2008) – Kids want to be entertained, families want to spend time together and parents want value when purchasing holiday gifts this season. Disney’s wide array of exciting video games bring families together without emptying piggy banks this holiday shopping season. Disney has the entertainment that kids want, and parents looking to get the most value for their dollar can bring Disney video games home to the living room for quality family time or take them on-the-go during holiday travel.

With kids of all ages and families playing video games in greater numbers, Disney Interactive Studios has games for everyone. Whether it’s get-up-and-play games for the Nintendo Wii, hot music games at easy prices, adrenaline-pumping action sports games, trivia games, mobile games on-the-go, Nintendo DS portable games or bringing the season’s hottest movie-inspired games into living rooms, Disney Interactive Studios’ entertainment will generate endless hours of memorable fun.

“Disney is a brand synonymous with creativity and quality entertainment that families can trust,” said Craig Relyea, senior vice president of global marketing, Disney Interactive Studios.” Our line-up of games offers great value for the entire family, especially during a time when budgets are tight and value is critical for holiday shopping.”

Video games rank as one of the top four types of consumer electronics on gift wish lists for adults and teens this year, according to the Consumer Electronics Association. With games for all major platforms, Disney Interactive Studios has everyone in mind for providing engaging interactive entertainment for this winter and beyond.

Products have been rated for age appropriateness by the ESRB (Entertainment Software Rating Board). Details about ratings can be found at esrb.org.

Disney Interactive Studios’ 2008 holiday season video games, mobile games and iPhone games lineup includes:



With Ultimate Band, you don’t need to break the bank buying instruments to rock out with this peripheral-free performance music game. Use the Wii Remote™ and Nunchuk™ to become the ultimate “air band” as you perform to more than 30 hip indie and mainstream hits. This storyline-driven game also lets players create and customize characters that reflect their own unique personalities and attributes. For rocking-on-the-go, the Nintendo DS version features exclusive songs and puts players in the studio to let them create and perform their own tracks.

* Available on Wii and Nintendo DS
* ESRB Rating: E on Nintendo DS and E 10+ on Wii


Go airborne with PURE, an action sports game that features vertigo-inducing massive aerial jumps and spectacular airborne tricks in photo-realistic real-world locations. Players take on opponents in races and freestyle events to compete in the PURE world tour. PURE has been selected for numerous industry awards, including the IGN Editors’ Choice Award and the prestigious Game Critics Award for Best Racing Game of E3.

* Available on Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3 system, Windows PC and mobile
* ESRB Rating: E



Whether it’s a slumber party, birthday party or a social gathering that needs to be pumped up, this game will be a hit with anyone who likes to belt out pop tunes. Disney Sing It is the only karaoke video game that challenges players to out-sing friends with songs and videos from favorite Hollywood Records artists, such as Miley Cyrus, Jesse McCartney, Aly & AJ and more; and Disney Channel Original Series and Disney Channel Original Movies such as Hannah Montana, Camp Rock and High School Musical. Available on Wii, Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3 and PlayStation 2 systems, and Windows-based PC

* ESRB Rating: E for Everyone

Bolt is inspired by the computer animated film from Walt Disney Pictures, but the video game follows a unique storyline, taking place within the high-action television series featured in the film. In the game, players must take on the personalities of super-dog Bolt and his companion Penny to utilize their unique talents and superpowers to save the world and Penny’s father from the evil Calico. The game captures the cinematic look of the movie with a mix of intrigue, combat, action and platform-style gameplay.

* Available now on Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3 and PlayStation 2 systems, Wii, Windows-based PC and Nintendo DS. Mobile available soon
* ESRB Rating: E to E10+


Based on the new Disney Parks attraction, mobile users can join Woody, Buzz and the gang for wacky and fun carnival games on their phone to earn points redeemable for unique unlockable prizes. Toy Story Mania features one button quick-play for beginners and hidden targets and combo rewards for advanced players. The Academy Award® nominated song “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” from the original “Toy Story” movie is also featured in the game.

* Available now on mobile




High School Musical 3: Senior Year DANCE! features songs from all three “High School Musical” films and allows kids to dance along to the music while playing as their favorite Wildcats. Bundled versions with “High School Musical” branded dance pads are also available for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 2 system as an added bonus for players who truly want the complete dance party experience.

* Available on Wii, Xbox 360, PlayStation 2 system and Windows-based PC
* ESRB Rating: E


Fans can now take their favorite “High School Musical” stars on the go with two portable games. An all-new Nintendo DS title is a rhythm-based game with brand new music from the theatrical release of “High School Musical 3: Senior Year.” Players take “High School Musical” themed quizzes to find out which Wildcat they have the most in common with. Fans use captured dance photos to create memorable layouts for the East High yearbook – the “High School Musical” way. Mobile gamers choose from two unique storylines based on Troy or Gabriella and improve personal attributes by balancing academics and performance skills while interacting with the other Wildcats to become the most popular Wildcat at East High. Mini-games include a brain challenge and a dancing rhythm-based game.

* Available on mobile and Nintendo DS
* ESRB Rating: E

This sequel to Spectrobes, the top-selling sci-fi action/role playing game exclusively for the Nintendo DS, Spectrobes: Beyond The Portals continues the story of Rallen and Jeena, two planetary patrol officers who discover, excavate, awaken and train mysterious fossilized creatures known as Spectrobes and then use them to battle enemies. Among the new features are more than twice the number of creatures, an online community that tracks results, new collectible code input cards and the debut of an online battle system utilizing the Nintendo® Wi-Fi Connection.

* Available on Nintendo DS
* ESRB Rating: E10+


Disney TH!NK Fast

This new Disney quiz game that offers more than 5,000 questions ranging from classic Disney trivia to general knowledge. Genie from Disney’s “Aladdin” serves as the host in popular game show style. Variable difficulty settings allow players of all abilities to compete at different levels that match their knowledge.

* Available on Nintendo Wii and Playstation 2 system
* ESRB Rating: E


Club Penguin: Elite Penguin Force

This game invites kids to play all new and familiar mini-games in the snow-covered Club Penguin world, giving players a chance to complete secret agent missions, solve mysteries and connect with friends and the Web site in new ways. Players take on the role of a covert agent in the Elite Penguin Force and utilize new gadgets, accessories and vehicles as they investigate mysteries and embark on missions.

* Available on Nintendo DS
* ESRB Rating: E

Disney Fairies: Tinker Bell

Experience the magical world of Pixie Hollow and interact with Tinker Bell and other Fairies on the Nintendo DS through time-based activities and mini-quests to bring on the seasons. Form new friendships, set fashion trends among the Fairies, embark on adventures and explore environments as seen in the all-new “Tinker Bell” movie from Walt Disney Home Entertainment. Because Disney Fairies: Tinker Bell utilizes the DS real-time clock, Pixie Hollow changes with the time of day and season. Players will witness their birthdays being celebrated, fireflies glowing at night and their Fairy friends in costume at Halloween. Special items hidden throughout Pixie Hollow contain secret codes which can be used to unlock items in the virtual world on PixieHollow.com. Due out soon for the iPhone, gamers can play as Tinker Bell and five Fairy friends to complete tasks such as placing dew drops on petals or tilting the iPhone to collect trinkets and solve puzzles. Each Fairy plays differently based on their unique Fairy abilities in speed of flight, agility, endurance gathering pixie dust. Similar to the DS game, players earn codes for unlocking bonus material in PixieHollow.com.

* Available soon for the iPhone and now on Nintendo DS
* ESRB Rating: E


Based on the blockbuster film and franchise, this new “Cars” racing game was created by mDisney’s Living Mobile studio and features fast frame rates, great control and dazzling graphics. Players race as Lightning McQueen and can unlock six other tricked-out racers, each with special abilities. The game includes 15 diverse and challenging tracks loaded with power-ups and hazards, and build-a-track mode lets players create a custom race. Rascal Flatts’ hit song “Life is a Highway” is featured in the game.

* Available now on mobile


ESPN Bowling

ESPN Bowling replicates the fun of bowling with the iPhone. While holding the iPhone, players will swing their arm in the motion of bowling in order to throw the ball down the lane. The speed and angle of the arm motion determines the result. ESPN Bowling includes three game modes: Standard, Target and Precision. Standard mode enables bowling a 10-pin game while Target and Precision modes require completing specific objectives. ESPN Bowling also allows competitors to bowl against others nearby in a four-person game.

· Available soon

© Disney. Product names, dates, pricing and platform availability are not final and may be subject to change.

(Article courtesy of Disney Interactive Studios)

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