Lots of good things are surfacing for the Nintendo DS, with downloadable content from Professor Layton and the Curious Village being the most recent. There's another one in the form of DGamer, an instant messaging service for Disney's Nintendo DS games. It's jampacked with features, some mimicking the Wii's Mii system as well as Xbox 360's Achievements. More details and screenshots in the full article!

The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian for the Sony PlayStation 3, Microsoft Xbox 360, the Nintendo Wii, the Nintendo DS, and the PC by Disney Interactive Entertainment and Traveller's Tales is due out early in summer of 2008. With the launch approaching, new details and screenshots have been made public. See the full article for more details.

Based on the Walt Disney Pictures and Walden Media film capturing the renown and beloved book series from author C.S. Lewis.

Players enter the world of Narnia, a land frozen in a 100 year winter by the evil powers of the malevolent and evil White Witch. In order to end this frigid captivity and free his people, the mighty lion Aslan, true ruler of Narnia, invokes an ancient prophecy. It will become the destiny of four young siblings from our world: Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy Pevensie to work together and use their unique combat skills, weaponry and abilities to defeat the Witch and her armies to save Narnia. These four unlikely heroes must battle the evil forces of the White Witch by waging war against a vast variety of creatures, including Centaurs, Minotaurs, Minoboars, Cyclops, Werewolves, Wraiths, Ankleslicers, Wolves, Satyrs, Boggles and more.

  
  
  
  

Buena Vista Games announced they have shipped over 2 million copies of its movie based action game The Chronicles of Narnia in US, the game is currently available on PS2, Xbox, GC, NDS and GBA.

In anticipation of Walt Disney Pictures and Walden Media’s epic feature film release of “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe” on December 9, retail support of the movie-inspired video game has been brisk throughout North America and Europe. Buena Vista Games, the interactive entertainment arm of The Walt Disney Company, announced today that the company has shipped more than 2 million units of the multiplatform video game to retail outlets in the two regions. The video game is available for the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, Xbox® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, Nintendo GameCube, Nintendo DS, Game Boy Advance system and PC.

“The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe video game launch marks the largest self-publishing initiative executed to date by Buena Vista Games,” said Graham Hopper, senior vice president and general manager, Buena Vista Games. “There is great excitement building for the release of the film and that buzz has helped ignite an event atmosphere at retail for the video game. By building upon and expanding the Narnia entertainment experience, BVG is playing an important role as the next content creation engine for the company.”

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe video game takes the classic story from the renowned book from C.S. Lewis to new heights by bringing the feature film’s cinematic experience to life in a stunning interactive adventure. Players can take on the role of each of the four Pevensie heroes – Peter, Edmund, Susan and Lucy – to battle the White Witch’s sinister minions in team-based, action-packed combat.

In the action/adventure console and PC versions, players take on 15 levels of combat and puzzle-solving game play. The console and PC games also feature seamless integration of film footage with game play and includes extensive use of voice talent from the film.

“The ever-expanding video game marketplace is of great interest to me,” said Andrew Adamson, the film’s director. “It was such a thrill to work with the Buena Vista Games and Traveller’s Tales teams to provide creative input for the video game, which has resulted in a beautiful translation of the film into an epic interactive experience.”

"Transitioning from the movie into the video game area is an uplifting experience because every person who has read the book has longed to go to Narnia,” said Douglas Gresham, stepson of author C.S. Lewis. “With the video games, people can not only visit Narnia but they can control the heroes' actions. In a sense, they can invent their own adventure within Narnia."

In addition to strong retail support throughout North America and Europe, the game is receiving positive reviews from video game critics. IGN.com, a leading online video game site, recently awarded The Chronicles of Narnia video game the prestigious IGN.com Editor’s Choice Award, an 8.3 out of 10 review score and described the title as “a near perfect example of how to make a movie-based video game the right way.”

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe for PlayStation 2, Xbox, Nintendo GameCube and PC is developed by Traveller’s Tales and is rated “T” for Teen by the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB). The PlayStation 2, Xbox and Nintendo GameCube versions carry a suggested retail price of $49.99. The PC version carries a suggested retail price of $39.99. The Nintendo DS and Game Boy Advance versions are developed by Amaze Entertainment. The Nintendo DS version has an ESRB rating of “E10 ” for Everyone 10 and older and carries a suggested retail price of $34.99. The Game Boy Advance version is rated “E” for Everyone by the ESRB and carries a suggested retail price of $29.99.

The quest to save the enchanted land of Narnia has begun. Buena Vista Games, Inc., the interactive entertainment arm of The Walt Disney Company, brings gamers and Narnia fans an unforgettable adventure with video games inspired by Walt Disney Pictures and Walden Media's epic feature film, "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe," scheduled to release in cinemas December 9. The video games are now available at retail outlets in PAL territories for the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, Nintendo DS, Game Boy Advance system and PC, Buena Vista Games announced today.

Players are thrust into a mysterious frozen world where they will play as four heroes - Peter, Edmund, Susan and Lucy Pevensie - to free Narnia from a cold, bleak eternity under the control of the evil White Witch.

"The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe video games beautifully translate the film into an epic interactive experience," said Andrew Adamson, film director. "They demonstrate the importance of having a film team that is involved in the production of the video games inspired by that film. Players will truly feel as if they have walked through the wardrobe doors and into Narnia, where they can control the destiny of the characters."

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe video games take the classic story from the renowned book from C.S. Lewis to new heights by bringing the cinematic experience to life in a stunning interactive adventure. Playing as each of the four Pevensie heroes, gamers will battle the White Witch's sinister minions in team-based, action-packed combat. Taking on a variety of creatures, including Minoboars, Cyclopes, Werewolves and Ankleslicers, gamers must utilise each hero's unique combat skills, weaponry and special moves to defeat hoards of enemies, solve elaborate puzzles and advance towards restoring Narnia.

"'The Chronicles of Narnia' is one of The Walt Disney Company's most highly-anticipated ventures this year," said Graham Hopper, senior vice president and general manager, Buena Vista Games. "The Narnia video game represents collaboration between film making and game development at its best. The game immerses players into the land of Narnia and lets them experience an extensive adventure beyond the epic film."

Sean Ratcliffe, European Director of Marketing, BVG added "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe marks our first step as a publisher in creating an interactive entertainment franchise. BVG is bringing a truly wonderful and compelling game experience to the mass-market this Christmas with an integrated pan-European marketing campaign and fits perfectly with our broadening portfolio of properties targeted at a range of different gamers."

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe for PlayStation 2 and PC is developed by Traveller's Tales and is rated PG. The Nintendo DS and Game Boy Advance versions are developed by Amaze Entertainment. The Nintendo DS version has a rating of 7+. The Game Boy Advance version is rated 7+.

About The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe video games

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe video games uniquely convey the classic story. The console and PC versions are action/adventure games featuring 15 levels of combat and puzzle solving game play. The game also features seamless integration of film footage with game play and includes extensive use of voice talent from the film. Included are numerous unlockable bonus levels and features that reveal secrets about the making of the game. Also, the console and PC versions include a two-player co-op "drop in/drop out" feature in which a second player can easily join a single-player game already in progress.

The Nintendo DS version is an action/adventure game with role playing game features. The Nintendo DS game, which includes 60 maps, utilizes the Touch Screen for game play options, including managing inventory, conversing with allied creatures, casting spells and controlling one of four possible characters in real-time combat. A wireless multiplayer mode allows up to four people to play simultaneously.

The Game Boy Advance version is an action/adventure game that includes 17 levels of game play inspired by the film. Players earn role playing game-based Nobility power-ups to defeat the minions of the White Witch. The game includes a two-player linked or wireless multiplayer mode (accessories sold separately).

Based on the Walt Disney Pictures and Walden Media film capturing the renown and beloved book series from author C.S. Lewis.

Players enter the world of Narnia, a land frozen in a 100 year winter by the evil powers of the malevolent and evil White Witch. In order to end this frigid captivity and free his people, the mighty lion Aslan, true ruler of Narnia, invokes an ancient prophecy. It will become the destiny of four young siblings from our world: Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy Pevensie to work together and use their unique combat skills, weaponry and abilities to defeat the Witch and her armies to save Narnia. These four unlikely heroes must battle the evil forces of the White Witch by waging war against a vast variety of creatures, including Centaurs, Minotaurs, Minoboars, Cyclops, Werewolves, Wraiths, Ankleslicers, Wolves, Satyrs, Boggles and more.

source: nintendoinsider
 

I’ve seen a lot of C.S. Lewis’ The Chronicles of Narnia over the years, having knocked out all 7 books (The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is only one book in a longer series), seen two different plays based on the books and even watched an old 1980’s made-for-TV adaption of the classics. But, after several generations of games systems, I’ve still never played a Chronicles of Narnia video game. With a brand new Disney movie planned for this winter, Buena Vista Games is seizing the opportunity to release The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe across a slew of platforms – GameCube, PlayStation 2, Xbox, PC, Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS and PlayStation Portable. While the Game Boy Advance and DS versions are being developed by Griptonite games, Traveller’s Tales is helming the console and PSP versions of the game. But can the UK development team do this classic series justice?

Game Features

    – Live the epic adventure while playing as one of four heroes (Lucy, Peter, Edmond, Susan) in a team-based action adventure.
    – Battle the evil forces of the White Witch by waging war against a huge variety of creatures, including Centaurs, Minotaurs, Minoboars, Cyclops, Werewolves, Wraiths, Ankleslicers, Wolves, Satyrs, Boggles and more.
    – Utilize the unique combat skills, weaponry and special moves of each character to fight and fend off hordes of dark mythical beasts, or solve intricate puzzles and progress through the adventure.
    – Two-player action featuring all four characters
    – Seamless game play integration of film footage with music and voice talent plus unlockable secrets to open exclusive content and more.

The Chronicles of Narnia is a great license, so here’s hoping Traveller’s Tales can get its creative juices flowing and produce an above-average movie game this November. Traveller’s Tales biggest asset will be the four different playable characters; if the developer can avoid normal hack-and-slash fare and capitalize on each of the children’s strengths and weaknesses, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe could turn out to be a very engaging title. As with all licensed titles, there’s no way to be sure of the game’s quality, though, so we’ll have to wait and see if this game will be as magical as the book.

-Jonathan Coley

Game: The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
Publisher: Buena Vista Games
Developer: Traveller's Tales
Genre: Action Adventure
Release Date: November 2005
Players: One to Two