Right on the heels of “Infinite World” on the PS2, “Dragon Ball: Origins” (originally released in Japan as “Dragon Ball DS”) for the Nintendo DS has gone gold and is also ready for its North American release from Atari:
‘Dragon Ball: Origins’ Goes Gold
– Atari Completes Development on the First Action-Adventure Dragon Ball Game Featuring Goku and Bulma as Kids –
NEW YORK, Oct. 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Atari announces that development of the latest hit from the Dragon Ball franchise, Dragon Ball: Origins for Nintendo DS(TM), is complete! Developed by NAMCO BANDAI Games Inc., Dragon Ball: Origins takes players back to the original Dragon Ball series and around the world for a thrilling action-adventure game with innovative stylus controls. Marking the first ever Dragon Ball game to feature Goku and Bulma as kids, and filled with several new gameplay elements including puzzle solving, fighting action, and mazes, Dragon Ball: Origins will be an essential and unique part of any Dragon Ball collection. Rated T for Teen, Dragon Ball: Origins will be available in North American retailers on November 4, 2008 for the suggested price of $29.99.
Presenting an all-new story line that takes place before the Dragon Ball Z sagas, Dragon Ball: Origins introduces Goku and his clever sidekick Bulma who must travel the world overcoming enemies and obstacles to collect the 7 Dragon Balls. Players control Goku in two modes: Combat and Power Pole mode. Each mode allows Goku a new set of enemy attacks to protect Bulma from incoming assaults while Bulma’s brains and her knack for inventing machines and weapons out of discarded spare parts help the formidable team to defeat the strongest of enemies and overcome the trickiest of obstacles.
Dragon Ball: Origins immerses fans with vibrant 3D graphics on both screens and further pulls players into the spectacular universe with the lively humor well-known to Dragon Ball games. This unique action-adventure game includes dozens of challenging puzzles and problem-solving obstacles, as well as plenty of room for exploration and treasure hunting – with, of course, an array of enemies on which to practice signature Dragon Ball fighting elements.
Through Goku and Bulma’s travels, players can progress through the game using the stylus to direct the character, control action, and unleash a variety of attacks. For example, a double tap on Goku followed by tapping on the Ka-me-ha-me-ha letters unleashes his famous devastating move. Another DS feature available for the first time in a Dragon Ball title is a unique wireless exchange, which will enable players to wirelessly trade items, vehicles, costumes and weapons.
The immensely popular Dragon Ball Z(R) series is the gold standard of anime-based video games, with more than 30 different games and over 12.7 million units sold since May 2002.
For more information on Dragon Ball Z(R) video games, please visit http://www.atari.com/dragonballz.
About FUNimation Entertainment
FUNimation(R) Entertainment is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Navarre Corporation and the market share leader for the home video sales of Japanese animation in the United States. FUNimation is known for acquiring top-rated anime series from Japan and for developing some of North America’s most popular anime series. The company has a proven formula for launching and advancing brands, and manages a full spectrum of rights for most of its brands including broadcasting, licensing, production, internet, and home video sales and distribution.
About Infogrames Entertainment and Atari
The Infogrames group, including Atari, Inc., is a global producer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment software for all market segments and all interactive game platforms including consoles from Microsoft, Nintendo and Sony, advanced smartphones, Personal Computers, web and online. Its games are sold in more than 60 countries through an international distribution network and direct to consumers via http://www.atari.com.
The Infogrames group’s extensive catalogue of popular games is marketed under the Atari brand and based on original franchises (Alone in the Dark, Test Drive, V-Rally, My Horse & Me, Backyard Sports franchise, Total Annihilation, Outcast etc.), publishing properties (The Witcher, Legendary, Race Pro etc.), international licenses (Dragon Ball Z, Dungeons & Dragons, Jamie Oliver etc.) and classic games covering the entire history of the video game industry (Pong, Missile Command, Asteroids etc).