Xseed Bringing Retro Game Challenge, Populous To U.S.

Publisher Xseed has announced its lineup of games to be shown at the forthcoming E3, showing for the first time that it is bringing nostalgic DS title Game Center CX to the U.S. as Retro Game Challenge, as well as Populous DS and Korg DS-10. Based on cult hit Japanese TV show Game Center CX, in which host Shinya Arino is filmed struggling to complete retro Famicom titles, the critically lauded Game Center CX: Arino’s Challenge (pictured) will be known as Retro Game Challenge in the U.S. for its winter 2008 release. The game plays out as a story of two boys in the 80s taking on specific challenges in a number of fictional 8-bit shooting, racing, action and role-playing games, and seeking hints and cheat codes in collectible fictional game magazines. Xseed will also be localizing Electronic Arts' handheld version of Bullfrog's classic PC title Populous, noted for establishing the 'god game' genre. The DS version includes a multiplayer wireless mode, where four players can "unleash earthquakes, tidal waves and raging volcanoes onto rival players’ lands," and is expected in Fall 2008. The publisher has also announced it will be bringing Korg DS-10 to the states this fall. First announced in March, the title is a full-featured music creation package for the Nintendo DS based on Korg's MS-10 synthesizer, which uses the DS touchscreen and features two analog synth simulators, a drum module, and a 6-track/16-step sequencer. Finally, the company laid out its lineup of titles being co-published with Japan-based publisher Marvelous, as previously announced. These will include DS action RPG Avalon Code, Rune Factory: Frontier for the Wii, Little King’s Story, and Valhalla Knights 2 for PSP. Said Xseed president Jun Iwasaki, “It’s been an amazing year for us, and we feel that we’re well positioned going into E3. We’ve got a fantastic partnership with Marvelous Entertainment which we greatly appreciate, and the overall line up of titles we’re showcasing is strong and diverse, which we’re exceptionally excited about.”