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RETAILBIZ: SPECTROBES ORIGINS 70 MCV 14/08/09
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Disney’s best-selling DS series makes its Wii debut as the publisher introduces the monster-hunting franchise to a whole new audience… by James Batchelor RELEASED IN 2007, the first Spectrobes title was a huge success – becoming one of the biggest-selling third party titles on Nintendo DS. It was perhaps the most ambitious game to challenge Pokemon’s monstercollecting crown. Not content with following the same concept with its own set of beasts, the game explored the genre further and enchanced the experience with some innovative uses of the DS’s functionality. The premise, along with other gameplay twists and its original characters, proved to be popular enough to prompt a sequel last year, but now the series reaches for new heights – on a new format. “Spectrobes comes to Nintendo Wii for the first time with an all-new storyline in the shape of Spectrobes: Origins,” says product manager James Thornby. “The game features will appeal strongly to boys as they lead the army of Spectrobes they have uncovered and trained into epic multiplayer battles. “With the installed base of the Wii and the large number of boys actively playing on the platform, there is an opportunity to extend the experience of current Spectrobes fans and extend the franchise to a new audience.” Players once again take on the role of young Planetary Patrol officers Rallen and Jeena, as they continue the fight against the Krawl – vicious creatures that pose a threat to the galaxy. The only way to foil their diabolical plot is to capture as many Spectrobes as they can, train them up and lead them into battle.
accompany gamers on their travels. When a battle is triggered, the monsters fight alongside Planetary Patrol officers in real time, so gamers are advised to have the strongest Spectrobes with the most effective attacks in their party at all times.
Disney is employing similar marketing initiatives to those used for its DS Spectrobes games in With the Wii’s installed base years gone by. The publisher and young male audience, this CREATURE FEATURES believes that retail can As with the DS versions, expect the Wii version game can extend Spectrobes Spectrobes are recruited to reap similar attention to a new demographic. by digging up their fossils from gamers. James Thornby, Disney and resurrecting them. In From online videos that the absence of a stylus, players use Wii There are hundreds of Spectrobes for expand the game’s narrative to Remote gestures that recreate the players to collect, with a mixture of old other products that unlock sensation of using the on-screen tools, favourites from the DS titles and brand additional in-game content, the including hammers, drills and chisels. new ones created specifically for the company will be going all out to There’s even a scanner to let players see series’ Wii debut. recreate the series’ handheld success on the creature inside and a blow drier to Only by thoroughly exploring the vast Nintendo’s home console. clear away the debris from their digging. worlds and patiently progressing “There will be a strong focus on Once they have been excavated, through the story will players be able to marketing at retail level for this game,” incubated and educated, the Spectrobes find them all. says Thornby. “There are also
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interactive cards that unlock exclusive characters and items within the game that we will be using to add value to retail accounts. In addition, there are a range of competitions and ads going into key kids press, such as Jetix magazine. “We also have Spectrobes ‘webisodes’ that will be hosted on the Disney XD site. These are available for use on retailers’ sites as well.” RELEASED: SEPTEMBER 18 FORMATS: WII PUBLISHER: DISNEY DEVELOPER: GENKI PRICE: £29.99 DISTRIBUTOR: CENTRESOFT CONTACT: 0121 625 3388