"For
Go, Diego, Go!: Safari Rescue, we've created an
entirely new interactive experience for preschoolers
that is only possible on the Wii," said 2K Play
VP of business development Steve Lux.
"Nickelodeon's intensive study of how two through
six-year-olds experience the new technologies offered
by the Wii helped us create an all-new play pattern
that extends beyond current games. Physical activity
is an integral part of the fun and the new title is
perfectly suited for the younger gamer."
Based
on Nickelodeon research with preschoolers and their
families to determine how the platform's motion-play
capabilities are absorbed by younger children, Go,
Diego, Go!: Safari Rescue was designed with 13
intuitive Wii-centric motions that maximise the engineering
of the Wii Remote for a preschooler. Taking on the
role of Diego in a race across Africa, gamers stomp
to scare away lions, jump with baby jaguar, paint
stripes on zebras, climb up ladders and swim across
the jungle river by mimicking those actions with the
Wii Remote.
Research
findings show that parents often chose to stay in
the room and participate in gameplay. Accordingly,
the game has a unique feature which allows parents
to collaborate with younger gamers by using the special
'Safari Guide Helper Feature' and a second Wii Remote.
Preschoolers can, by themselves, help Diego blow up
a hot air balloon by pumping up and down, but their
actions are enhanced with speed and vibrant animations
when assisted.
Also
available on 12 February is 2K Play's Dora the
Explorer: Dora Saves the Mermaids for the PlayStation
2 system. In the new title, Dora and Boots need help
bringing a Magic Crown to Marianna the Mermaid. By
swinging, sliding and bouncing through the game, players
travel over tropical land and sea to save Mermaid
Kingdom. Along the way, Dora magically becomes a mermaid
herself.
The
Go, Diego, Go!: Safari Rescue and Dora the
Explorer: Dora Saves the Mermaids games
feature the same voice actors as the popular Nick
Jr TV shows. In addition to pre-development research,
the games were also tested by children and moms for
age-appropriateness, fun factor and overall quality.
The packaging on both titles features a "Kid-Tested"
seal.
Go,
Diego, Go!: Safari Rescue was developed by High
Voltage and will be available for the Wii for a suggested
retail price of $39.99 and the PlayStation 2 system
for $29.99. Dora the Explorer: Dora Saves the Mermaids
was developed by Totally Games and will be available
for the PlayStation 2 system for a suggested retail
price of $29.99. All games are rated E for Everyone.
A
national marketing programme will support the games'
launch, which will include TV commercials on Nick
Jr, Toon Disney and Treehouse; print advertising in
Nick Jr magazine; and web support and cross-promotions
with Nickelodeon licencees.