LucasArts and TT Games have shipped its hotly anticipated videogame, LEGO STAR WARS II: THE ORIGINAL TRILOGY, to retailers worldwide.
LEGO STAR WARS II combines the endless customization of LEGO play with a hilarious, tongue-in-cheek take on the epic story, characters and action from the classic STAR WARS: EPISODES IV, V and VI films. LEGO STAR WARS II is available on eight platforms, including the PlayStation 2, Xbox 360, Xbox, Nintendo GameCube, Nintendo DS, Nintendo Game Boy Advance, PSP and Windows.
One of LEGO STAR WARS IIs most amusing new features is the Character Customizer. More than 60 playable characters, and their assorted heads, torsos, midsections and legs, can be unlocked throughout the course of the game. These parts can then be mixed and matched like actual LEGO minifigures to create the likes of Darth Threepio, Stormbacca or Ewok Organa.
Based on presale information from major retailers, LucasArts expects extremely high consumer anticipation for LEGO STAR WARS IIs arrival on store shelves and has created special programs at retailers across the country, including Toys R Us, Wal-Mart, Target, Best Buy, GameStop and Circuit City.
"LEGO STAR WARS II offers fans a brand new way to experience the classic trilogy and is a terrific addition to the largest selection of Star Wars toys and games already available at Toys "R" Us stores nationwide," said Ron Boire, president, Toys "R" Us, U.S. "The first LEGO STAR WARS was a fan favorite, and we believe families will be excited by the chance to step into the roles of their favorite, original STAR WARS characters in LEGO STAR WARS II. To celebrate the launch, Toys "R" Us will offer an exclusive promotion for customers who purchase LEGO STAR WARS II during the week of the game's release."
"STAR WARS is a cultural icon that is adored by fans of all ages and demographics, and as the industry evolves, games like LEGO STAR WARS II: THE ORIGINAL TRILOGY help us expand beyond the traditional hardcore gaming audience," said Jeff Bell, corporate vp of global marketing, interactive entertainment business, Microsoft. "As the first of many family-oriented titles for Xbox 360, LEGO STAR WARS II leads the charge in broadening the range of consumers who will enjoy all of the system's high-definition, next-generation content."
LucasArts, a Lucasfilm Ltd. company, is a leading developer and publisher of interactive entertainment software worldwide for video game console systems, computers and the Internet. Based in San Francisco, as well as on the Internet at www.lucasarts.com, LucasArts was created in 1982 by George Lucas to provide an interactive element to his vision of a state-of-the-art, multifaceted entertainment company.
The LEGO Group, a privately-held, family-owned company based in Billund, Denmark, is one of the world's leading manufacturers of educational play materials for children. For more information, visit www.LEGO.com
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
