THQ Wireless launches Top Trumps for mobiles

THQ Wireless, a subsidiary of videogame publishers THQ, has announced the launch of a series of branded games in association with Winning Moves UK, owners of the global rights to the Top Trumps card trading system.

Available through major global operators from November, the wireless entertainment company begins the series with Star Wars Top Trumps, featuring everyone's favourite sci-fi characters from the Star Wars universe. Successive releases, scheduled to hit market over the coming months, include MotoGP, Gumball 3000 Supercars and Football Legends. Further, as yet unannounced game types will follow in 2006.

Adam Comiskey, general manager for THQ Wireless EMEA commented: "Adults fondly remember Top Trumps from their childhood as much as children love the game today. It has experienced tremendous global success as it is simple to play, addictive and competitive. So we think this is the perfect brand to bring to a mobile audience with an added bonus of an almost limitless number of titles that could fit under the Top Trumps Mobile banner!"

Capturing the look and feel of the traditional card game, Top Trumps Mobile will feature a Classic mode with 15 cards per player and a ten minute game time. The simple premise remains, challenging players to pick the statistic with the highest value to beat your opponent and win their card. The winner is the person with the most cards at the end of the game.

The new Advanced mode features ten successive two-minute levels, where ultimate success depends on winning more and more cards each round. Because competition is such an integral part of the Top Trumps gameplay, up to four players can compete on a single handset, and two-player challenges are available through Bluetooth capable devices.

James Rankin, head of interactive at Winning Moves UK, added: "Top Trumps Mobile is a very exciting progression for our brand. With a huge player base now buying millions of packs a year, we're confident that what is probably the world's simplest, yet most engaging card game will be a huge success on mobile.

The launch titles, which make up just four of the 50 or more packs currently available in card format, will be immediately recognizable to all Top Trumps fans; however we're very excited to bring a new dimension to the brand with a number of original gameplay features including Advanced Mode."