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Michael Jackson Gets New Singing, Dancing Game

Ubisoft and The Estate of Michael Jackson have joined together to announce the holiday release of a performance-based Michael Jackson game. The game will feature hits songs, such as Billie Jean and Beat It, as players sing and dance like the pop star.

The game will be available on Microsoft’s Kinect (Project Natal) for the Xbox 360, Sony’s PlayStation 3 system with PlayStation Move support, Nintendo’s Wii, Nintendo’s DS, and PlayStation’s PSP.

This is the first Michael Jackson game to be released since Sega Genesis’ Moonwalker in the early ’90s.

Photo Credit: WiiNintendo

Disney Introduces Slate of New Video Games at E3

Disney Interactive Studios, a division of Disney Interactive Media Group, announced a potpourri of new video games at this year’s E3 Expo in Los Angeles, Calif.

Titles at Disney’s E3 booth include TRON: Evolution, Disney Epic Mickey, Pirates of the Caribbean: Armada of the Damned, and Disney Guilty Party, among others. New video games based off of the Kingdom Hearts, Club Penguin, Toy Story 3, Pixar’s Cars, Disney Fairies, Disney Channel, and Disney Sing It! franchises will also make appearances.

For a full list of announced games, along with descriptions, click here.

Get Fit With EA SPORTS Active 2, Microsoft Kinect

EA SPORTS, a division of Electronic Arts, Inc., announced its latest product, EA SPORTS Active 2 at the E3 Expo in Los Angeles, Calif., yesterday.

The game utilizes the full-body motion capturing features of Microsoft’s upcoming Kinect peripheral (formerly dubbed Project Natal) to provide 1:1 movement recognition and voice commands. EA SPORTS Active 2 tracks user’s fitness progress and includes a wearable heart monitor.

PlayStation 3 and Nintendo Wii version have accessories that attach to various points on the body, while iPhone and iPod Touch versions are also in the works.

EA SPORTS Active 2 will be available in the U.S. on Nov. 16.

Photo Credit: MTV Multiplayer

Rock Band 3 Features New Instrument, Expanded Set List

Harmonix and MTV Games, a division of Viacom’s MTV Networks, has announced the third installment to the Rock Band series. Distributed by Electronic Arts, Inc., Rock Band 3 gives players the option to expand their game into real practice sessions with additional accessories.

Rock Band 3 features a new keyboard instrument and an 83-song, on-disc set list, expandable to over 1,500 from an online catalog. The game will be compatible with both previously-downloaded songs from the Rock Band series and previously-released instruments. Users will also be able to share set lists with friends online.

For expanded realism, players can purchase instruments with real-world functionality to play with the game. For example, the drum set can be expanded with three cymbals, and a hybrid, electric guitar/game controller can both be used in the Rock Band Pro game mode. Mad Catz, Inc., is the official accessories maker.

Up to seven players can interact at the same time on instruments ranging from the bass to three-part vocal harmonies. The game also features new game play modes and will be available this holiday season on the Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii and DS, and Sony PlayStation 3.

From the Swiss Comes Squap

Diggin Active, Inc., is bringing the latest European toy to the U.S. this summer with Squap. Developed in Switzerland, Squap is currently the No. 1-selling outdoor toy in Germany, according to Diggin’s press release.

Squap is played by cupping a ping pong-sized ball in a “snap trap” mitt and then quickly uncupping it to send the ball flying with a pop. Another player catches the ball in his or her mitt and returns it.

Diggin is the official U.S. distributor of Simba Toys’ product. Each Squap package comes with two mitts and four balls for around $24.99.

Enjoy the World Cup With Your Fingers

Zelosport has announced its latest game, World Cup Finger Soccer.

Featuring all 32 teams from the World Cup tournament, Zelosport’s game, for two or more players, is played akin to paper football and is resistant to food and drink accidents. The company believes that the widespread appeal of soccer makes the game playable across cultures, regardless of language barrier.

According to FIFA, the World Cup is the most widely viewed sporting event in the world. Approximately 715 million people watched the final match in 2006.

Mezco Toyz to Create Mez-Itz for DC Comic Characters

Mezco Toyz has announced a deal with Warner Bros. Consumer Products on behalf of DC Comics to create Mez-Itz, Mezco’s signature designer vinyl brand. The deal gives Mezco Toyz access to the DC Comics catalogue of characters, which includes Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, and Green Lantern.

The first characters introduced in the line will be Batman and the Joker, in a two pack of six inch Mez-Itz. They will debut at San Diego Comic Con in June 2010. The 12 inch Green Hornet figures will be released November 2010 and will feature 11 points of articulation, an alternate right hand, gas gun, and a cloth coat. The Kato figure will also be released November 2010 and will feature nine points of articulation and an alternate right hand with gun.

Fox Consumer Products Announces Glee Merchandising Program

Twentieth Century Fox Consumer Products has announced the launch of a merchandising program for the Fox television series Glee. Merchandising plans have been announced for interactive products, apparel and accessories, publishing, electronics and games, and bedding and beauty.

Fox Consumer Products has partnered with Konami Digital Entertainment to produce Karaoke Revolution Glee, which will be release for the Wii this fall. “Gleeks” will be able to sing along with performances from the first season.

Little, Brown Books for Young Readers will release a series of Glee original novels, along with a deluxe gift book. C&D Visionary, Inc., will release stickers, patches, magnets, and temporary tattoos in the U.S. and Canada. Other licensees include Trends International, LLC for bookmarks and posters; P.C. Woo, Inc. for holiday gift sets; Sky High International for branded pens, planners, and other school supplies; and Hallmark for a line of greeting cards.

LeapFrog Releases Leapster Explorer Learning Experience

LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc., is releasing the Leapster Explorer Learning Experience, a combination of handheld and online educational gaming geared toward children ages 4 to 9. The Leapster Explorer features a hi-res touch screen, a click-in camera accessory, and supports downloadable Leaplet Learning Apps, which include e-Books and videos. The Leapster Explorer will store information about the child’s progress, and game play and activities can be adjusted for customized curriculum and pacing.

Cartridge games for the Leapster Explorer will range from literacy skills to mathematics to music using a variety of characters, such as Disney Princesses and Dora the Explorer. Children can also use Leapster Explorer to connect to LeapWorld, an online component that is only accessible through the LeapFrog connect application.

The Leapster Explorer will be in stores July 15 with 12 cartridge games and 18 Leaplet Learning Apps. More than 40 different learning play experiences will be available by the end of the year. It will retail for $69.99 and will be available in green or pink, with cartridge games retailing at $24.99.

Nickelodeon and Wiley to Release Dora the Explorer Cookbook

Nickelodeon Consumer Products (NCP) and Wiley have announced that they are partnering to publish Dora and Diego Let’s Cook, a children’s cookbook based on Nickelodeon’s Dora the Explorer series. The cookbook will include 50 recipes featuring the the show’s characters, words and phrases in Spanish, Kid Help icons denoting the steps in recipes where children can help, and nutrition and safety information for children.

The book will be released in August and will retail for $16.95. The book is the first of two Nickelodeon-branded children’s cookbooks and will be followed by a SpongeBob SquarePants cookbook in fall 2011.

NCP also recently announced a licensing agreement with Allstar Products Group to produce SpongeBob SquarePants and Dora the Explorer Snuggie Blankets, Bendaroos building sticks, and Touch N’ Brush Hands Free Toothpaste Dispensers.