BUENA VISTA GAMES UNVEILS BLOCKBUSTER LINE-UP
BVG to Showcase Console and Handheld Games Based on The Walt Disney Company’s Top Entertainment Properties
BURBANK, Calif. (May 16, 2005) - Buena Vista Games, Inc. (BVG), the interactive entertainment arm of The Walt Disney Company, today announced its line-up of highly-anticipated console and handheld titles to be unveiled at this week's Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) in Los Angeles. For console gamers, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas, KINGDOM HEARTS II, and Disney's Chicken Little will be available for hands-on game play. Also showcased will be additions to BVG's highly successful handheld games business with new titles for the '"tween" market, including games based on the upcoming theatrical release "Herbie: Fully Loaded," and Disney Channel properties "Lizzie McGuire," "Kim Possible," "That's So Raven" and "The Proud Family." BVG will be located in Booth #900 of the South Hall at the Los Angeles Convention Center, May 18-20.
"Buena Vista Games' 2005 E3 line-up reinforces the company's commitment to publishing high quality console and handheld games for players of all ages," said Graham Hopper, senior vice president and general manager, Buena Vista Games. "Due to the wealth of diverse properties from The Walt Disney Company, kids will always be an important focus for us, but we are also expanding our portfolio to include more core games as well. This year's releases represent our most comprehensive and diverse line-up to date."
Buena Vista Games' 2005 E3 line-up includes:
From the Silver Screen:
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe - Based on the epic tale of The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, the best-selling book series by C.S. Lewis and the forthcoming film by Walt Disney Pictures and Walden Media, the console games are being developed by UK-based Traveller's Tales and slated for release with the film this holiday season. The Narnia games will be available for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, the Xbox® videogame system from Microsoft, Nintendo's GameCubeTM, Nintendo DSTM and Game Boy® Advance systems, and PC.
Disney's Chicken Little - Based on Walt Disney Pictures' upcoming 3D animated film "Disney's Chicken Little," this action-packed game invites players to visit Oakey Oaks and experience first-hand all of the humor, fun and heart-warming adventure portrayed in the film. Players will assume the roles of Chicken Little and his friends, Abby Mallard, Runt of the Litter and Fish out of Water, as they try to outwit the town bully Foxy Loxy, save the town from an alien invasion and try to reverse Chicken Little's reputation from zero to hero! The game is a fast-paced action adventure and will feature movie clips, including a never-before-seen bonus clip made especially for the game. Disney's Chicken Little will be available with the film, Holiday 2005, for PlayStation 2, Nintendo GameCube, Xbox, Game Boy Advance and PC.
Herbie: Fully Loaded - Inspired by Walt Disney Pictures' upcoming feature film "Herbie: Fully Loaded," starring Lindsay Lohan, the action-packed video game will thrust players into the high-octane world of auto racing. The game offers fans a chance to slip behind the wheel of one of the world's most beloved cars, Herbie, and compete in a 3D stock car race. Herbie: Fully Loaded for Game Boy Advance is being developed by Climax Group, Inc. and will be available this summer.
Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas: Oogie's Revenge - This brand new action adventure game expands the depth of the environments and characters first introduced by Director Tim Burton in the movie ten years ago. Fans and gamers will enjoy an unsurpassed interactive experience that remains true to the spirit of the film by incorporating faithful depictions of the original characters, beautifully rendered visuals, fun exploration and engaging gameplay elements. Players assume the role of Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King of Halloween Town, who must help reclaim the town from the mischievous Oogie Boogie and his henchmen. Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas: Oogie's Revenge, developed by Capcom, will be available Halloween 2005 for PlayStation 2 and Xbox.
Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas: The Pumpkin King - Serving as the video game prequel to the imaginative world Tim Burton introduced in the film, this game tells the story of how Jack Skellington met Oogie Boogie and saved Halloween. Jack and his trusted pal Zero will embark on a journey to locate the source of bugs invading Halloween Town. With help from familiar faces, such as Sally, the Mayor, and the inventions of Dr. Finklestein, Jack discovers that the bugs are under the command of Oogie Boogie. It's up to Jack to rid the town of this new infestation and stop Oogie Boogie from carrying out his evil plot. Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas: The Pumpkin King for Game Boy Advance will be available Halloween 2005.
Original Console Game Content:
KINGDOM HEARTS II - In this sequel to the five million unit selling original PlayStation 2 title, players will join Sora, Donald, and Goofy on their continuing quest to find their friends and King Mickey. Haley Joel Osment reprises his role as Sora and is joined by Ming-Na, who voices Mulan and James Woods, who returns as the villain Hades, along with additional celebrity voice talent. In an effort to help Mulan and stop the villain Hades' devious plots, Sora and friends will encounter countless dangers both familiar and brand-new. They are joined by a vibrant new cast of characters, including the king himself! Created and published by Square Enix, KINGDOM HEARTS II for PlayStation 2 is currently in development.
Disney Channel Titles:
Kim Possible 3: Team Possible - Kim Possible has teamed with Ron Stoppable to battle evil villains such as Monkey/Gorilla Fist, Senor Senior, Jr., Shego and the evil Dr. Drakken and save the world! Players will switch between Kim and Ron to master their unique gadgets, such as the Grappling Hook, Sonic Mines, Rocket Rollerblades and more. Single and multi-player action will make for varied game play. Collectible trading cards and un-lockable mini-games featuring Rufus, the naked mole rat, keep the fun going. Kim Possible 3 will be available for Game Boy Advance this summer.
Lizzie McGuire 3: Homecoming Havoc - Everybody's favorite girl-next-door is back in a new micro-arcade game that calls for quick reflexes. With Homecoming rapidly approaching, Lizzie is determined to be crowned Homecoming Queen. Of course, Lizzie's archrival Kate wants the crown too. In order to win the affection of the student body and become popular enough to become Homecoming Queen, Lizzie will need to complete over 100 different speed challenges, plus compete in dance-offs with Kate to win the title. Players will build friendships to get past obstacles and gain popularity points on the way to the homecoming dance. Lizzie McGuire 3 will be available for Game Boy Advance this summer.
That's So Raven 2: Supernatural Style - Raven is back in an all-new adventure in which her psychic ability gets her into some wacky predicaments. It will take the help of her friends and family -- Chelsea, Devon, Eddie, Cory and Dad -- to bail her out. This time, Raven's on her way to the season's premiere fashion show, but is diverted in a series of hilarious escapades that have her running from school to the mall, off to the zoo, a science fiction convention and a concert. Along the way, she needs to collect accessories to complete her fashion line. It will take clever disguises and insightful premonitions to hit the runway in time! Raven 2 will be available for Game Boy Advance this summer.
BVG will also showcase upcoming fall 2005 titles including Disney's The Proud Family for Game Boy Advance, Kim Possible: Kimmunicator for Nintendo DS, Lizzie McGuire & That's So Raven game for Nintendo DS, Cinderella's Dollhouse of Dreams for PC, and Cinderella: Magical Dreams for Game Boy Advance.
About Buena Vista Games
Buena Vista Games, Inc. (BVG) is the interactive entertainment arm of The Walt Disney Company. The division publishes, markets and distributes a broad portfolio of multi-platform video games and interactive entertainment worldwide. The company also licenses properties and works directly with third-party interactive game publishers to bring products for all ages to market. For more information, please log on to www.buenavistagames.com
TM, ® and Game Boy Advance are trademarks of Nintendo. ® 2001 Nintendo.
TM,® and Nintendo DS are trademarks of Nintendo. ® 2004 Nintendo
CONTACTS:
Buena Vista Games, Inc.
Angela Emery
818-553-3923
Bender/Helper Impact
Lindsay Plotkin
(310) 694-3137