Electronic Arts Return to Nintendo

EA announces over 20 new titles being developed for the Nintendo GameCube, including at least four will link to the Game Boy Advance.

Nintendo and Electronic Arts have announced a collaboration on over 20 new games that will come with new features for connected play between the GameCube and Game Boy Advance. EA will lead the creative effort, with Nintendo's Shigeru Miyamoto to provide input on game play elements.

EA will release three new titles that will support connectivity between the two systems. These are FIFA 2004, Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2004 and Madden NFL 2004. FIFA 2004 and Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2004 will launch in Europe this fall, and will be available on both systems. Tiger Woods is scheduled for October. Madden NFL 2004 comes to us a bit earlir, and will launch on the GameCube and GBA simultaneously in August. In the next year, EA plans to develop at least 20 GameCube titles from their EA Sports, EA Games, and EA Sports Big branches. EA plans to support connectivity between the GBA and GameCube with their upcoming titles.

The GBA and GameCube are connected using a cable that links the two systems. Depending on each software design, connectivity allows users to exchange various forms of data, unlock new game levels, or use it as a game screen or controller.

"Nintendo GameCube and Game Boy Advance link up to bring gamers enhanced gameplay, and allows developers to stretch their creativity in unique and original ways." says David Gosen, Managing Director for Nintendo of Europe. "This alliance with EA will build this connectivity into some of the world's most popular entertainment franchises and demonstrates EA's commitment to Nintendo."

"This agreement means that three of the world's most popular sports games - FIFA soccer, Tiger Woods PGA TOUR golf, and Madden NFL football - are going to include a new way to play, and new way to compete on Nintendo systems," said EA Senior Vice President and General Manager for Europe, Gerhard Florin.

Colin "AsH" Wilson
So it goes like this. A priest, a rabbi and an EA rep...