Xboxist

Spider-Man 3 Swings into North American Stores

That's right Spidey fans, it's web-slinging time again, and Activision have just unleashed the power of the black suit into North American stores, just in time with the movie release. Here's the press release:

Even the noblest of Marvel's Super Heroes have a dark side - it's time to unleash yours in the Spider-Man 3 video game from Activision. Timed to the highly anticipated theatrical release of Sony Pictures Entertainment's Columbia Pictures and Marvel Studios' "Spider-Man 3," based on the famous Marvel characters, the game allows players to experience for the first time Spider-Man's mysterious black-suited persona, as well as heroic red suit while battling villains in a massive New York City playground teeming with activity.

"The Spider-Man 3 video game gives fans the chance to relive their favorite scenes from the film, as well as new storylines brought to life by movie talents Tobey Maguire, Topher Grace, Thomas Haden Church, James Franco and J.K. Simmons," said Rob Kostich, vice president, global brand management, Activision, Inc. "Players will swing into action and choose to follow the film plot or new storylines, fight off crime waves, explore vast exterior and underground locations or battle super-villains while harnessing the power of the black suit."

Set in a large, dynamic, free-roaming New York City which includes over 20 miles of subterranean environments, Spider-Man 3 for the PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system, Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and PC, gives players more freedom than ever before to choose their own gameplay experience through multiple movie-based, comic-based and original storylines, fully integrated city missions and performance rewards including improved speed, combat maneuvers and agility. Utilizing an all-new combat system, Spider-Man 3 allows players to perform a huge variety of suit-specific attacks as they protect the city, complete challenges and defeat nemeses using expanded aerial and ground fighting, finishing moves and dynamic webbing during missions and epic boss battles which feature the villains from the movie as well as a host of legendary comic book foes.

Spider-Man 3 on the Wii video game console and PlayStation 2 share the overarching storyline of the movie, feature an expansive free-roaming city, incorporate their own unique red-suited and black-suited Spider-Man combat and gang warfare mechanics, and deliver two exclusive storylines featuring the notorious Marvel villains, Shriek and Morbius. Additionally, Spider-Man 3 on the Wii takes full advantage of the Wii Remote and Nunchuk controllers' capabilities allowing players to experience Spider-Man gameplay in an entirely different way. With a unique new way of web shooting and swinging through the city - the Wii Remote and Nunchuk become your webshooters.

Spider-Man 3 for the Nintendo DS is set in a 3D side scrolling world and delivers complete touch screen handling, in which players must draw upon Spider-Man's vast array of moves, attacks and upgrades as they choose their path and embark on a wide variety of city-based missions and multiple movie-based and original story arcs. Additionally, Spider-Man 3 for the Nintendo DS features local wireless multiplayer gameplay featuring with a variety of modes enabling awesome two-player head-to-head challenges like Brawler, Hot Potato, Target Practice, and Combo Challenge. Gameplay differs on the Game Boy Advance platform.

Partnering with Activision and Sony Entertainment on the launch of Spider-Man 3, GameStop Corp., the world's largest video game and entertainment software retailer, hosted the official game launch at Studio 450 in New York City on Thursday, May 3, 2007, allowing celebrities and guests to be among the first to experience the next chapter of the Spider-Man story through game clips, movie trailers and hands-on time with the PlayStation 3 version of the game. Video clips from the launch event can be viewed at www.gamestop.com/spiderman3webweek. Additionally, GameStop held midnight launch events on May 4, 2007 at approximately 300 of its stores in the United States allowing consumers to get their copies of Spider-Man 3 timed to the midnight release of the motion picture.

Spider-Man 3 is available now for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system for a suggested retail price of $59.99, the Wii video game console for $49.99, the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system for $39.99 and the Nintendo DS, Game Boy Advance and PC versions are $29.99. The console and PC platform versions have been rated "T" ("Teen" - Animated Blood, Mild Language and Violence), the Nintendo DS version has been rated "E10+" ("Everyone 10+" - Animated Violence) and the Game Boy Advance version has been rated "E10+" ("Everyone 10+" - Cartoon Violence) by the ESRB.

For more information on Spider-Man 3, please visit www.sm3thegame.com.

Video footage for Spider-Man 3, as well as comments from the movie actors regarding the game, are available at www.thenewsmarket.com/activision. Media can preview and request broadcast-standard video digitally or by tape at no cost from this site.

BradyGames' Spider-Man 3 Official Strategy Guide is available at electronics, book, and software retailers nationwide, and online at www.bradygames.com.