I am so excited about the up coming release of Tim Burton’s movie Alice in Wonderland. I’ve seen the trailer and it looks fantastic; it reminds me a lot of Tim Burton’s animated features like The Nightmare Before Christmas or The Corpse Bride, but live action. The film is expected in theatres March 5, 2010 and I’ll be there.
As if the movie itself wasn’t enough to get me excited, Disney Interactive Studios will be releasing video games based on the Alice in Wonderland movie, for both Nintendo DS and the Wii.
When I received an invitation from High Road Communications and Disney Interactive Studios to attend a sneak peek presentation of the new games and I jumped at the chance. Sitting at the Mad Hatter’s table for high tea set the tone of the presentation wonderfully.
In Disney Alice in Wonderland, players journey down the rabbit hole into a whimsical world of immersive exploration. The objective is to protect Alice from the angry Red Queen and you do so by playing various characters like the White Rabbit, Mad Hatter, March Hare, Cheshire Cat, Dormouse and more. From what I saw of the Wii game, the look and feel is very close to that of the movie. You solve puzzles, battle the Red Queen’s army and discover new powers. The game can be played in single player mode or as a co-op game with two players working together. Disney Alice in Wonderland for the Wii is expected in stores around the same time the movie is released (March) and will retail for $39.99 Cdn.
Disney Alice in Wonderland, Wii
Release date: March 2010
Rating: 10+ for everyone with fantasy violence
Age range: 10+
Platform: Nintendo Wii
Retail: $39.99 Cdn
There will also be a DS version of Disney Alice in Wonderland and although it is based on the movie, the game itself is different from the Wii version. The graphic design is a flatter, 2-D cartoon like feel, but from what I’ve seen, I think it works really well. Like the Wii version, you role is to protect Alice and you can play one of the various characters in the story. The game is designed to work well with the stylus. Even the menus are creatively built into the screen design. The DS version of Disney Alice in Wonderland is also expected in stores March, retailing for $29.99 Cdn.
Disney Alice in Wonderland, DS
Release date: March 2010
Rating: 10+ for everyone with fantasy violence
Age range: 9-14
Platform: Nintendo DS
Retail: $29.99 Cdn
Although both games are based on the Tim Burton’s movie Alice in Wonderland, the look and varied game play seem to make them unique enough that I could own both (and probably will). Now I’m excited about the movie AND the games. I look forward to the opportunity to review the games when they’re released.
Other games Disney Interactive Studios also has releasing in March:
Sonny with a Chance for Nintendo DS™ allows players to experience random and humorous events inspired by the hit Disney Channel series with the “So Random” cast. Fans can play as their favourite character and take their chance in a board game loaded with mini-games, random events and wacky power-ups to get the most fan mail. Players compete in more than 40 mini-games, including pie throwing, puzzle solving, races, and more, with two designed exclusively for Nintendo DSi. Navigate through five different game boards inspired by familiar locations in the show as well as customize your characters with costumes. Sonny with a Chance will launch in 2010, timed to coincide with the second season premiere of the Disney Channel series.
Sonny with a Chance, DS
Release date: March 2010
Rating: E for Everyone with comic mischief (anticipated)
Age range: 8-12
Platform: Nintendo DS
Retail: $29.99 Cdn (anticipated)
In Disney Stitch Jam, Stitch must embark on rhythm-based missions that take place in stunning locations, from tropical beaches to outer space, and defeat Dr. Hamsterviel in an epic galactic showdown to save his kidnapped girlfriend, Angel. Disney Stitch Jam is also equipped with two-player co-operative play via download, which means two players can play with one game and play as Stitch and Angel.
Disney Stitch Jam, DS
Release date: March 2010
Rating: E for Everyone with comic mischief
Age range: 6-12
Platform: Nintendo DS
Retail: TBD
All four games are due out in March which will be great as a March break boredom buster.
