Nintendo Barks Up Games Market Europe

Wednesday 31 August 2005/... The organisers of this week's Games Market Europe trade event have revealed that an area of the Business Design Centre will be turned into a virtual dog show as Nintendo hosts a special Nintendogs showcase ahead of the title's October release.

A huge hit in Japan, and just released in America, Nintendogs is a handheld phenomenon with massive appeal. The idea is simple and beautifully executed. Available exclusively for the Nintendo DS handheld console, Nintendogs is a brand new way to play. It develops the concept of the virtual pet by adding a whole new dimension of interaction - players can actually touch and speak to their dog which, will in turn react realistically to this attention. This interaction is unlike any other seen before on a games console - with DS consoles and their virtual pets automatically communicating wirelessly whenever they are in range.

The game comes in three varieties: Miniature Dachshund, Labrador and Chihuahua - with each version offering a host of additional, unlockable breeds. Nintendo will be showcasing the entire range of Nintendogs at Games Market Europe.

Games Market Europe is the only UK trade show for the computer and video games business. Taking place at the Business Design Centre, Islington, London, on August 31st and September 1st, it is the only time all sectors of the business will unite under one roof. Exhibitors attending include Electronic Arts, Ubisoft, Codemasters, Buena Vista Games and Vivendi Universal Games, among many others.

"There's little doubt that Nintendogs will be one of the most popular games this Christmas," says Andy Lane, event director, Games Market Europe. "Games Market Europe is the perfect environment for the entire trade to see for themselves how popular this innovative title is - and appreciate the business it will generate come its October release."

More information on the show is available at www.gamesmarketeurope.com. Attendees can register for free at the event.