Konami Digital Entertainment Inc. announced new titles and additional details for its 2007 lineup. This year's roster will boast the latest versions of legendary franchises such as WINNING ELEVEN as well as the company's first next generation music title, DANCE DANCE REVOLUTION UNIVERSE for Xbox 360 as well as DANCE DANCE REVOLUTION HOTTEST PARTY for Wii. For handheld systems, new titles include: CASTLEVANIA: THE DRACULA X CHRONICLES for the PSP and TIME ACE for the Nintendo DS. In addition to the many new video games, Konami also introduced new products from its Mobile and Toy & Hobby divisions.
Konami's DANCE DANCE REVOLUTION HOTTEST PARTY integrates the gameplay of the DANCE DANCE REVOLUTION (DDR) series with the interactivity of the Wii Remote. The title includes several new modes of play, an all-new selection of hit songs and support for simultaneous four-player dancing.
Combining the traditional mat-based gameplay of the series with the motion sensing Wii Remote, DDR HOTTEST PARTY lets players move their whole body as they dance for a physical and immersive gameplay experience. While matching the directional arrows with their feet on the dance mat, players will also make specific movements with the Wii Remote and Nunchuk, adding even more complexity to each song as they dance alone or with up to three other players across a variety of new game modes, including fun new mini-games.
Taking advantage of the motion-based gameplay opportunities provided by the Wii Remote and Nunchuk, DANCE DANCE REVOLUTION HOTTEST PARTY features several new modes of play that test players' dancing skills, coordination, endurance and teamwork. In the new Friendly Synch multiplayer mode, each player must step on the correct arrow or make the right Wii Remote movement in unison for it to count. The game also includes an updated Battle Mode and a new Support Mode in which players can dance cooperatively. Fan favorite modes such as Free Play and Workout Mode will return with new twists that utilize the Wii Remote for an entirely new dancing experience. Continuing the series' tradition of standout hit dance music, DANCE DANCE REVOLUTION HOTTEST PARTY will feature a new and exclusive soundtrack with chart-topping songs from the last four decades across a variety of genres.
Additionally Konami announced DEWY'S ADVENTURE (working title), an original action title exclusive for the Wii from the producer that created the critically acclaimed ELEBITS. DEWY'S ADVENTURE lets players use the Wii Remote to control the elements and manipulate the terrain of the game world as they help a small droplet of water save its home world from a mysterious dark force.
DEWY'S ADVENTURE introduces players to a world where pure green forests flourished under the careful watch of the towering Elder Tree. However, a mysterious dark force known as the evil Don Hedron has taken hold of the Elder Tree and transformed the land into a gloomy world shrouded in shadows and fog. Using the last of its remaining power, the Elder Tree created a small droplet of water named Dewy and granted him the power of the elements with hope that he could overcome the evil Don Hedron and restore tranquility to the land.
Taking advantage of Wii Remote, DEWY'S ADVENTURE grants players full control over the game world and the elements as they take control of Dewy and seek to overcome the evil Don Hedron. Players can tilt the Wii Remote to create inclines in the landscape, moving the droplet to precisely the right spot while rotating the environment to solve puzzles. Most often found as a small ball of water, Dewy can alter the temperature of his immediate area to transform into ice and mist. These transformations are useful in freezing or heating different parts of the world to solve puzzles and also to defeat the game's fearsome enemies.
Players can also take control of the elements by using motion-specific gestures with the Wii Remote, such as shaking it to cause an earthquake, waving it to create gusts of wind or summoning blots of lightning while in mist form. Combined with Dewy's three different forms and landscape tilting abilities, these skills provide players with extensive control over the environment and a great degree of freedom in approaching each of the game's six stages.
In addition to a single player story mode, DEWY'S ADVENTURE also features an edit mode that allows for full customization of complete stages with unique puzzles, different types of landscape and a wide variety of enemies. These stages can be played alone or enjoyed cooperatively with a friend.
For the PSP, Konami announced CASTLEVANIA: THE DRACULA X CHRONICLES. Delivering the classic PC Engine game CASTLEVANIA: RONDO OF BLOOD with updated 3D graphics and new gameplay elements, the game marks the first time this title has been released in North America. Complete with unlockable versions of the original localized PC Engine version of RONDO OF BLOOD and the classic CASTLEVANIA: SYMPHONY OF THE NIGHT, CASTLEVANIA: THE DRACULA X CHRONICLES sets a new standard for side scrolling action on the PSP system.
Taking place in 1792, CASTLEVANIA: THE DRACULA X CHRONICLES follows Richter Belmont as he battles to return Dracula to the oblivion from which he came. Having seen his beloved Annette kidnapped by Dracula, Richter must wield the legendary Vampire Killer whip and fight through the corrupted countryside to Dracula's Castle to stop this horrific scenario from destroying humanity.
Players can battle through the game's more than 10 stages as either Richter or Maria, each with their own unique skills and battle abilities. In addition to new 3D graphics, CASTLEVANIA: THE DRACULA X CHRONICLES will feature new character designs by renowned CASTLEVANIA visualist Ayami Kojima. The game will also introduce a new sound collection system that will let players find songs from both RONDO OF BLOOD and SYMPHONY OF THE NIGHT and create their own customs soundtracks as they play.
Enhancing Rondo of Blood with additional replay value, CASTLEVANIA: THE DRACULA X CHRONICLES lets players return to stages they have previously completed to compete for high scores or rare items. Players can also unlock the original version of RONDO OF BLOOD, localized in English for the first time as well as CASTLEVANIA: SYMPHONY OF THE NIGHT.
Moreover, Konami revealed that Ron Perlman will reprise his role as Hellboy in the upcoming videogame for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and PSP.
Konami's current 2007 release schedule is as follows:
BROOKTOWN HIGH SENIOR YEARRelease date: Spring 2007Genre: Dating/Social GamesPlatform: PSP
CASTLEVANIA: THE DRACULA X CHRONICLESRelease date: 2007Genre: ActionPlatform: PSP
CODED ARMS CONTAGIONRelease date: March 2007Genre: First Person ShooterPlatform: PSP
DANCE DANCE REVOLUTION UNIVERSERelease date: February 2007Genre: MusicPlatform: Xbox 360
DANCE DANCE REVOLUTION HOTTEST PARTYRelease date: 2007Genre: MusicPlatform: Wii
DEATH, JR. AND THE SCIENCE FAIR OF DOOMRelease date: Spring 2007Genre: ActionPlatform: Nintendo DS
DEWY'S ADVENTURE (working title)Release date: 2007Genre: ActionPlatform: Wii
GOPETSRelease date: 2007Genre: Virtual Pet/Social GamesPlatform: Nintendo DS, PC
HELLBOYRelease date: 2007Genre: ActionPlatform: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PSP
HONEYCOMB BEATRelease date: Spring 2007Genre: Puzzle/MusicPlatform: Nintendo DS
KONAMI CLASSIC SERIES: ARCADE HITSRelease date: 2007Genre: ActionPlatform: Nintendo DS
LOST IN BLUE 2Release date: Spring 2007Genre: AdventurePlatform: Nintendo DS
LUNAR KNIGHTSRelease date: February 2007Genre: Action RPGPlatform: Nintendo DS
KORORINPA: MARBLE MANIARelease date: Spring 2007Genre: PuzzlePlatform: Wii
TIME ACERelease date: Spring 2007Genre: Flight CombatPlatform: Nintendo DS
WING ISLANDRelease date: Spring 2007Genre: Flight ActionPlatform: Wii
WINNING ELEVEN PRO EVOLUTION SOCCER 2007Release date: February 2007Genre: Sports/SoccerPlatform: Xbox 360, PlayStation 2, Nintendo DS, PSP, PC DVD-ROM
For more information, visit www.konami.com.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
