Wii to feature fighting Ballz

by: Chuck - posted: 11/17/2006 4:01:00 PM

Atari sends word that the Wii version of Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 2 is headed to stores.  This is the only launch fighting game for the Wii so you're SOL if you're not a fan of the series.  If you want some more information on the game check out our interview with US Producer Donny Clay.

ATARI SHIPS DRAGON BALL Z GAME FOR WII

- Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 2 is Company's Premier Launch Title for New Nintendo System -

NEW YORK, NY, November 17, 2006 - Atari, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATAR) today announced that Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi for Wii has shipped to retail stores nationwide as a third-party launch title. Developed by NAMCO BANDAI Games Inc./Spike, Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 2 delivers fast-paced combat, intense action and the complete DBZ mythology to its passionate fans along with the added dimension of the unique Wii controls. Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 2 is rated T for Teen and is available for a suggested retail price of $49.95.

With over 10 million units since May of 2002, Dragon Ball continues to prove why it is the gold standard of anime-based video games with Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 2. The latest installment takes the series to a higher echelon with over 120 playable characters, 16 vast and vibrant 3D destructible environments, and nine different game modes, including single and multiplayer battles. The powerful fighting action, popular acrobatic and flying dynamics, and light role-playing game (RPG) elements that span the entire Dragon Ball, DBZ, and Dragon Ball GT series add to this remarkable fighting experience for fans and fighting game enthusiasts.

GameSpy comments "no matter what, there's something fun about getting physical with the Wii controller and using it to incapacitate a Saiyan." Emily Anadu, Product Manager, Atari, Inc. adds, "We are incredibly excited to be a launch title for the Wii. The innovative Nunchuk and Wii Remote are perfectly suited for Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 2, allowing players to finally engage and physically recreate signature moves such as Goku's Kamehameha. As our first next-gen DBZ title, Budokai Tenkaichi 2 offers just a hint of what is to come."

In addition to the unprecedented number of characters, wide selection of massive 3D destructible environments and abundance of game modes, Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 2 features in-game transformations, tag team battles, and a story mode which covers the complete Dragon Ball mythology - offering over 50 hours of gameplay.

Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 2 for Wii is available now at retailers across North America. For more information on Dragon Ball Z video games, please visit http://www.atari.com/dragonballz.

About FUNimation Entertainment
FUNimation® Entertainment, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Navarre Corporation (NASDAQ: NAVR), is the leading company for home video sales of Japanese animation in the United States. FUNimation is known for acquiring top-rated anime series from Japan and for developing some of North America's most popular anime series. The company has a proven formula for launching and advancing brands, and manages a full spectrum of rights for most of its brands including broadcasting, licensing, production, internet, and home video sales and distribution. For images, or more information on FUNimation or any of its properties, contact Jeff Dronen at 817-788-0627, ext. 251 or jeff.dronen@funimation.com.

About Atari>
New York-based Atari, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATAR) develops interactive games for all platforms and is one of the largest third-party publishers of interactive entertainment software in the U.S. The Company's 1,000+ titles include hard-core, genre-defining franchises such as The Matrix (Enter The Matrix and The Matrix: Path of Neo) and Test Drive; and mass-market and children's franchises such as Dora the Explorer, and Dragon Ball Z. Atari, Inc. is a majority-owned subsidiary of France-based Infogrames Entertainment SA (Euronext - ISIN: FR-0000052573), the largest interactive games publisher in Europe. For more information, visit www.atari.com.