Ubisoft Reveals DS Launch Titles

European titles to debut at launch. First screens of Rayman DS, Sprung and more!

With the North American launch of the Nintendo DS now a done deal and the Japanese release soon to follow, publishers are at last turning their attention to Europe. Ubisoft has announced a trio of titles for the dual-screen portable when it hits Europe early in 2005.

Sprung - looks like the pick for us

"We're really excited to deliver three fun, original and very different titles on the new Nintendo DS handheld video game system, when it launches next year," said Ubisoft's John Parkes. "The Nintendo DS will be a unique handheld machine with never-seen-before capabilities and we're thrilled to develop such innovative titles on this new console."

Of the three titles, Rayman DS is the most recognisable. The limbless character has had a long history in videogames and with the transition to Nintendo DS the developers at Ubisoft have tried to make full use of the Nintendo DS' touch-screen.

Rayman DS - you knew he'd be back

Thanks to the lag between the North American and European releases, Ubisoft has had time to tinker. New to the European version of Rayman DS will be a multiplayer that takes advantage of the touch-screen functionality of the Nintendo DS.

Asphalt Urban GT, on the other hand, is a brand-new driving game published by Gameloft that combines aspects of simulation and arcade racers. The developers have secured licences from several leading manufacturers, including Lamborghini, Jaguar and Hummer.

Asphalt Urban GT - seems to be a racing game.

The quirkiest of Ubisoft's offerings is Sprung, a dating simulation game set in a ski resort. While dating sims have long been a staple in Japan, it is only recently that Western publishers have dared venture down a similar path. The script for Sprung was penned by TV scriptwriter Colleen McGuiness.

Despite Ubisoft and others preparing for launch, Nintendo has yet to announce the official release details for the handheld.

The Nintendo DS is currently scheduled to launch in Europe sometime in the first quarter of 2005.

Alex Wollenschlaeger
Editor, Kikizo Games