2K Play, a publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO), and Nickelodeon, the number one entertainment brand for kids, today announced the debut of the popular Dora the Explorer character on the Wii home video game system from Nintendo. Dora the Explorer: Dora Saves the Snow Princess is now available at retailers in North America for Wii, PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system and Nintendo DS. Launching alongside Dora will be Go, Diego, Go!: Great Dinosaur Rescue for Wii, PlayStation 2 system and Nintendo DS, and the DS premiere of The Wonder Pets!: Save the Animals!
"We've worked hand-in-hand with Nickelodeon to create gaming experiences designed exclusively for today's preschoolers and their families," said Steve Lux, vice president of business development for 2K Play. "From the magical movements of the Wii Remote in Dora's first game for Wii to the touch and play activities that bring The Wonder Pets to life on their DS debut, we're heading into the holiday season with our most innovative and engaging lineup of Nick Jr. games to date."
"Dora, Diego and The Wonder Pets are among our most beloved preschool brands," said Dave Williams, senior vice president and general manager, Nickelodeon Kids and Family Games Group. "The combination of Nickelodeon's indelible characters with 2K Play's pioneering games is a great way for preschoolers and their parents to enjoy a Nickelodeon interactive experience."
In Dora the Explorer: Dora Saves the Snow Princess, players join Dora, Boots and Pirate Piggy on an adventure to save the Magic Snowy Forest from the spell of an evil witch. Over 12 unique motions are used with the Wii Remote to build snowmen, skate on an icy pond, steer a dogsled, ride a snowboard and fly on Pegasus.
Go, Diego, Go!: Great Dinosaur Rescue takes gamers back in time with Diego and Baby Jaguar to help Maia the Maiasaura find her lost family in this prehistoric quest. Players utilize more than 12 different Wii Remote motions to stomp and roar like a dinosaur, climb across monkey bars, bounce along the jungle on a pogo stick and fly atop a Pteradon.
In The Wonder Pets!: Save the Animals! interactive debut on DS, players team up with popular classroom pets Linny the Guinea Pig, Ming-Ming Duckling and Turtle Tuck to help animals in need. With the Nintendo DS stylus and microphone, gamers tap, drag, blow, speak and circle their way through activities including pulling a thorn from a tiger's paw, building a ladder to rescue a baby panda and towing a chimpanzee's space capsule to safety.
Each game features the voice actors from the popular Nick Jr. television shows. The games were tested by kids and parents for age-appropriateness, fun-factor and quality, and the packaging features a "Kid-Tested" seal. For the console games, parents and siblings can collaborate with younger gamers by using the special "Helper" feature and a second controller.
A national television, print and online campaign on media outlets including Nickelodeon, Cookie Magazine and Nickjr.com will support the games' launch. In addition, promotions with partners including Fisher Price, Paramount, Scholastic and Simon & Schuster provide cross-marketing opportunities with a broad range of Nickelodeon products and licensees.
The Wii titles were developed by High Voltage Software, Inc. and the DS titles by Black Lantern Studios, Inc. Dora the Explorer: Dora Saves the Snow Princess and Go, Diego, Go!: Great Dinosaur Rescue are both available for Wii PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system and DS and are rated E for Everyone. The Wonder Pets!: Save the Animals! is available for DS and rated EC for Early Childhood. The games have suggested retail prices ranging from $19.99 to $39.99.