Lucha Libre AAA pre-order mask canceled; Wii version delayed

by: Tina - posted: 10/4/2010 5:18:00 PM

We’ve got some bad news for people anticipating the release of Lucha Libre AAA: Heroes Del Ring. While the PS3 and 360 versions will release on October 12 as planned, the Wii version will be delayed until November of this year.

Slang cites the reason for delay as wanting their project to be as prepared as possible for release day. No details otherwise have been provided.

In addition, the AAA pre-order mask that was promised with the game has since been revoked, with something to do with a non-compliant qualification according to the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008. No word on what in particular was the issue with the mask, but CEO of Slang Abraham Bautista decided that it would be more beneficial to retract the gift rather than post warning signs on the mask. However, fret not swag-lovers. Slang is currently looking into a replacement gift in its stead. 

REDWOOD CITY, CA – OCTOBER 2010 – Slang announced today that Lucha Libre AAA: Heroes del Ring for Wii™ system will move out of its current launch window and into the November 2010 timeframe. Lucha Libre AAA: Heroes del Ring for PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft will hit store shelves on October 12, 2010.

“Lucha Libre AAA: Heroes del Ring is our first video game. And similar to proud parents, when you allow your creation, whether it is your offspring or a product, to proceed out into the world on its own, you want to arm it with the best possible upbringing so that it will succeed. With that in mind we have decided to delay the launch of the Wii version of Lucha Libre AAA: Heroes del Ring until November 2010. The slight delay will help to ensure that the game will provide fans with the best possible experience mixing the sport’s rich tradition and over-the-top action with a fantastic arcade combat style,” said Abraham Bautista, CEO of Slang.

Developed by Sabarasa, distributed by Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. and published under license of Televisa Home Entertainment, Lucha Libre AAA: Heroes del Ring is both an enthralling single player experience with a unique story line and a competitive multiplayer game. Like its Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 siblings, the Wii version allows fans to create their own character or battle with friends using one of more than 30 real life luchadores from the AAA league. Lucha Libre AAA: Heroes del Ring brings all the six-sided ring excitement, over-the-top action and rich tradition and history to video game fans and is unlike anything ever experienced on Wii.

Additionally, after concluding several months of long lead CPSIA (Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008) compliance lab testing on the authentic AAA pre-order masks that were designed to be a gift with purchase of Lucha Libre AAA: Heroes del Ring, Slang has voluntarily decided to cancel the pre-order bonus/free mask giveaway promotion with retail outlets in the US and Canada. The pre-order gift received a non-compliant qualification.

“Rather than post a warning sign on the official AAA mask, we have decided to cancel the mask pre-order gift with purchase because we could not in good conscious distribute them to consumers due to the potential health risk. The mask is a sacred article of clothing worn by luchadores and recognized throughout the world as a symbol of honor and strength. We were excited to provide fans who pre-ordered Lucha Libre AAA: Heroes del Ring with a taste of the history and culture of Lucha Libre,” said Bautista.

Slang has been and will continue cooperate with all retail outlets to make sure that all marketing of the pre-order gift with purchase will cease immediately and that no masks will be distributed to consumers. Slang is working on securing a new premium item/gift to replace the mask and that will represent the rich tradition of Lucha Libre.

Lucha Libre AAA: Heroes del Ring is rated T for Teen by the ESRB.

For more information, please visit www.heroesdelring.com.