The Mummy is one sleeper hit that was released many summers ago, and the movie has apparently done so well to even have a spin-off story in The Scorpion King. This summer, we will have the third installment - The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor, and what’s the point of a surefire summer blockbuster without a corresponding video game to back it up? Taking on the same namesake, this title will be developed by Eurocom Studios and will be made available for the Nintendo Wii and PS2, while A2M will handle the Nintendo DS version. For all the graphical power of the PS3 and Xbox 360, I guess this game won’t be making an appearance on either platform since most movie franchises on the video game platform are turkeys, and the development costs on both of the mentioned consoles won’t be able to be justified.
It goes without saying that while the Wii might be doing gangbusters where console sales are concerned, it isn’t really all that healthy on the serious software front. By serious software, I mean noteworthy games that are released, including blockbusters from Nintendo themselves. Unfortunately, the quality gap between those in that category as well as those outside of it is just pretty big, and rarely comes along a title that has absolutely no hype surrounding it but managed to gain a cult following by word of mouth alone. Zoo Hospital for the Wii could be a sleeper hit (not wildly successful but good enough to warrant a sequel, perhaps?) when it is finally released this August.
Drawn to Life on the Nintendo DS was released last year, and that title was extremely refreshing as it brought together a whole new way of playing games, enabling players to use the DS’ stylus and touch screen to draw a whole bunch of items in the game itself, including the main character for that added touch of personality. That was a successful game to say the least, and THQ has decided to expand on the idea by releasing another Drawn to Life title, and it won’t be the DS that will benefit from such a title this time round but another Nintendo’s best seller instead - the Wii. As for the DS, gamers on that lovable portable platform need not feel left out as THQ has plans for a Drawn to Life: SpongeBob Square Pants version.
Harmonix, famous for being at the forefront of music-based games, has collaborated with MTV Games, a division of MTV Networks, partnering with Electronic Arts, has just unveiled plans to release Rock Band Track Pack Volume 1 for the Nintendo Wii console as well as the aging PS2. This pack will feature up to 20 tracks of electrifying classic hits as well as current favorites, of among the artists include Boston, Nine Inch Nails, Stone Temple Pilots, and All American Rejects. These 20 tracks all use original master recordings, so you can be sure that the audio quality is definitely top notch. I’d strongly recommend a high quality speaker system when you play this expansion in order to maximize your experience. The full list of artists and tracks (in that order) can be found after the jump.
Majesco Entertainment has begun to ship Toy Shop to retail outlets nationwide, bringing yet another non-game title to the DS that will definitely appeal to casual gamers. More serious gamers ought to give this a miss - after all, the Sony PSP surely has more than its fair share of gaming titles that will tug the heartstrings and wallets of more mature gamers. Toy Shop requires one to have a more childlike approach to gaming, encouraging entrepreneurship and creativity by challenging players to run a successful business that creates and sells toys.
