Spectrobes sequel announced for Nintendo DS

Disney Interactive Studios has announced a sequel to the highly successful Nintendo DS game, Spectrobes. Spectrobes: Beyond the Portals continues the story of Rallen and Jeena, interplanetary patrol officers who discover, excavate, awaken and train mysterious fossilised creatures known as Spectrobes. Developed by Jupiter Corp., the Japanese development studio behind the first game, Beyond The Portals has a number of new features, which should make the new game stand out from the original. More inside These include an entirely new story; a new three-dimensional perspective; a map to assist with exploration; new excavation and battle features; more creatures; and the debut of an online battle system utilising the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection.

Disney Interactive Studios senior vice president of global marketing, Craig Relyea, said the original Spectrobes had become an international sensation and the second game was part of the companys plan to expand the series. By continuing to build on its enthralling story, unique gameplay features and memorable characters, Spectrobes: Beyond The Portals will continue to thrill fans, Craig said.

Disney Interactive Studios Tokyo-based producer, Kentaro Hisai, said Spectrobes was a major success last year and the group was looking forward to continuing the series. With Spectrobes: Beyond The Portals, were working with Jupiter Corp. again and ensuring the series adheres to its defining features while capturing new elements of anime style and storytelling, Kentaro said.

Spectrobes: Beyond The Portals also includes DGamer, Disney Interactive Studios new technology that provides a fun, connected online game community for Disney video game fans. Spectrobes: Beyond The Portals is being overseen by Disney Interactive Studios Tokyo office and is currently planned for a Autumn 2008 release.

With more than 1 million units shipped worldwide, the original Spectrobes is one of the most successful third-party Nintendo DS games.