THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF ANIMAL CROSSING: WILD WORLD TAKES JAPAN BY STORM AND LAUNCHES IN EUROPE TODAY
31 March 2006 - Today people across Europe will be settling down to enjoy a second life as Animal Crossing: Wild World launches across Europe. Japanese sales of Animal Crossing: Wild World have rocketed past the 2 million mark, continuing the success of the Nintendo DS and reaffirming Nintendo's position as leader in the handheld market. From the makers of Nintendogs, which itself has sold approximately 6 million units worldwide, Animal Crossing: Wild World utilises Nintendo's newly launched Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection service, allowing Nintendo DS users to play each other across the globe.
Animal Crossing: Wild World, offers gamers entertainment without restrictions as they are given the freedom to live the life of a new resident in the world of Animal Crossing. Players must explore their new town, take part in daily chores and make friends with their animal neighbours, all of which is set in real time using the Nintendo DS's internal clock. The touch screen provides a new level of interaction within the game, such as hand writing letters and designing complex patterns for clothes.
One of the key features of Animal Crossing: Wild World on the Nintendo DS is the multiplayer gameplay, this makes use of Nintendo's Wi-Fi Connection service, which already has over 1 million unique users worldwide since it launched in November 2005. Players can travel to friends' towns via the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection or Wireless Multi Card Play providing the opportunity to meet new characters and exchange rare items. Building friendships while visiting can also entice a creature to move to the player's town. These two multiplayer modes give players the flexibility to choose how and with whom they play Animal Crossing: Wild World.
This 'feel-good' title seems to have inspired dedicated gamers around the world as Animal Crossing websites and online communities have sprung up across the globe, paying homage to the world of Animal Crossing.
Animal Crossing: Wild World is available across Europe on the Nintendo DS from 31st March 2006 for the estimated retail price of around 40.
Click onto www.nintendo-europe-media.com for all of the most up to date official information on Nintendo. Click onto www.nintendowifi.com for further details on the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection Service and Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection public WiFi hotspots.
For further information please contact the Nintendo Press Office
on 020 7307 3103
Notes to editors:
Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection - FREE, SIMPLE & SAFE
The Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection service launched globally in November 2005 and to date has over one million unique users and more than 29 million connections worldwide. The Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection service allows you to play games over the Internet, wirelessly, at home or at a public Wi-Fi (wireless internet) hotspot provided by (territories to insert provider details), using a Nintendo DS and a Nintendo Wi-Fi compatible Nintendo DS game.
The Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection service is free* - there are no fees or subscriptions to pay (usual broadband line rental costs apply when accessing the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection at home). It's simple to use - you simply turn it on and select Wi-Fi. There are no complicated menu screens or confusing instructions to follow. It's safe for everyone - you currently do not have direct communication with other players when playing anonymously and therefore personal details or inappropriate comments can't be exchanged. For further information on Nintendo's Wi-Fi Connection service visit www.nintendowifi.com
About Nintendo
Nintendo Co., Ltd. of Kyoto, Japan, is the acknowledged worldwide leader in the creation of interactive entertainment. To date, Nintendo has sold more than 2 billion video games worldwide and more than 350 million hardware units globally, creating such industry icons as Mario® and Donkey Kong and launched franchises like The Legend of Zelda® and Pokémon. Nintendo manufactures and markets hardware and software for its popular home video game systems, including the Nintendo 64, NINTENDO GAMECUBE, Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS, and Game Boy - the world's best-selling video game system which has sold over 180 million units. As a wholly owned subsidiary, Nintendo of Europe, based in Grossostheim, Germany, was established in 1990 and serves as headquarters for Nintendo's operations in Europe.