Posted by: Aaron Lockard on September 13, 2006 6:50:27 PM
LucasArts and TT Games Ship LEGO Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy, One of the Most Anticipated Family Entertainment Titles of 2006
LucasArts and TT Games today announced that it has shipped its hotly
anticipated videogame, LEGO Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy, to
retailers worldwide. Presale data, retailers and wide-ranging rave
media reviews of the game all point to its broad appeal.
LEGO
Star Wars II combines the fun and 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. In
order to provide immediate fun and accessibility for all families, LEGO
Star Wars II is available on eight platforms, including the
PS2, Xbox 360 and Xbox , Nintendo GameCube, Nintendo DS, GBA, PSP and Windows.
Families Can Mix and Match Their Favorite Star Wars Heroes
One
of LEGO Star Wars II's 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 “ there are literally millions of possibilities! LEGO Star Wars II Is Already Garnering Rave Reviews
Reader's
Digest named the game one of "5 Things We Don't Want You to Miss" in
its September 2006 issue, saying that it's "a fun-for-any-age adventure
in a galaxy far, far away."
Family Fun magazine called it one of "Our Favorite Things" in its September 2006 issue.
Disney's
Big Time! magazine in the UK asserted that LEGO Star Wars II is "The
Galaxy's Greatest Game!" in their September 2006 issue.
BusinessWeek.com says, "LEGO Star Wars [II] seems to have the kind of likeability that almost everybody can find instantly."
In
its October 2006 issue, Official Xbox Magazine awarded the game an 8.5
out of 10 rating, saying "LEGO Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy is an
even quirkier blend of off-kilter humor, weird puzzles, and
blaster-blazing, lightsaber-slashing action."
PSM magazine noted that LEGO Star Wars II is "a great game with charm to spare" in its October 2006 issue.
Whimsical Take on Star Wars "Clicks" With Consumers, Retailers
Based
on presale information from major retailers, LucasArts expects
extremely high consumer anticipation for LEGO Star Wars II's 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."
LEGO Star Wars II Has Wide-Ranging Appeal That Showcases the Breadth of Family-Gaming Fun Available Today
"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 Vice President 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."
Also
shipping today are the individual two-disc DVD sets of the original
Star Wars film trilogy, Episode IV A New Hope, Episode V The Empire
Strikes Back and Episode VI Return of the Jedi. More Information About LEGO Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy
With
a unique tongue-in-cheek take on the original trilogy, LEGO Star Wars
II lets gamers build and battle their way through their favorite film
moments. From Darth Vader's pursuit of Princess Leia aboard her
Blockade Runner to Luke's final confrontation with Emperor Palpatine,
the game includes even more of the family-friendly LEGO action, puzzles
and humor that helped the original LEGO Star Wars sell over 2.5 million
copies worldwide (according to NPD Funworld).
In LEGO Star Wars
II: The Original Trilogy, for the first time ever, characters can get
in and out of vehicles, as well as ride creatures. Because of its LEGO
brick style, players also can mix and match the body parts of more than
50 playable characters to create one of millions of possible LEGO Star
Wars heroes. And on PlayStation 2, Xbox and Windows platforms, a game
save from the first LEGO Star Wars can unlock another 50-plus
additional characters for Free Play mode; that's more than 100 total
characters! Other exciting additions include free-roaming vehicle
levels, the ability to switch ships at will in Free Play mode, cool new
character-specific attacks and maneuvers, playable mini-kit vehicles,
an adaptive difficulty option and more. LEGO Star Wars II was
developed by Traveller's Tales for the Xbox 360 and Xbox video game
systems from Microsoft, PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system,
PSP system, Nintendo GameCube and Windows, and by Amaze Entertainment
for Nintendo DS and Nintendo Game Boy Advance.