Novel Entertainment partners with P2 Games for Horrid Henry’s Krazy Karts

Novel Entertainment has partnered with P2 Games to develop and launch a new racing game for its internationally renowned Horrid Henry brand.

Targeting kids aged 6+ and families, ‘Horrid Henry’s Krazy Karts’ will initially be available exclusively from the Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch worldwide from Friday 21 January.

Based on Novel Entertainment’s hit TV series Horrid Henry, the all-new game will give players the chance to race as Horrid Henry or go head-to-head with him as Rude Ralph, Moody Margaret, Perfect Peter, Brainy Brian or Singing Soraya, gaining cups and upgrades to become the ultimate ‘Horrid Hero.’

The game features 40 challenging levels set across four themed locations: Gross World, Ashton Town, Ashton Primary and the Park. During the races, players control their racing karts to swoop over jumps and dodge obstacles, farts, goo and slime. Fans are also able to customise their kart in the ‘Wacky Workshop’ for extra advantage and win perfect power-up tokens.
‘Horrid Henry’s Krazy Karts’ will be available to play in single and multiplayer modes as well as offering both a Tournament and Race Mode option. The game also features a level design editor, giving users the chance to create and share their own horridly tricky challenges.

Lucinda Whiteley, Co-Founder and Creative Director at Novel Entertainment, says: “There continues to be a high expectation from Horrid Henry’s extensive international fan base for engaging ways to experience the brand across a multitude of formats and platforms. As such, it’s fantastic to once again team up with P2 Games and bring fans a new action-packed racing game, which incorporates all the Horrid Henry elements they know and love.”

Gerry Whiteside, Co-Director at P2, added: “We’re absolutely delighted to be working with Novel Entertainment once again to introduce the hugely successful Horrid Henrybrand to Nintendo Switch. This is the first game that P2, in collaboration with Mobile Pie, has developed for this device and we believe there’s a huge gap in the market for high quality kids gaming content.”

Nintendo partners with Sanrio to launch character residents and items to Animal Crossing: New Horizons

Nintendo’s hit video game title, Animal Crossing: New Horizon has welcomed a cast of Sanrio residents and themed items through the launch of the Animal Crossing Sanrio Collaboration Pack.

Launched to sell out success last week, the pack includes all six amiibo cards from the unique Sanrio Collaboration Series, all of which are compatible with Animal Crossing: New Horizons and arriving with a different theme inspired by various Sanrio characters.

After updating the game to the latest version, players will be able to tap the Sanrio amiibo cards to their Nintendo Switch to unlock exclusive posters to order in-game, along with furniture and  fashion items inspired by the Hello Kitty, Pompompurin, Cinnamonroll, My Melody, Little Twin Stars and Kerokerokeroppi series.

Players can use these items to dress up and decorate their island to the theme of their favourite Sanrio characters. Six exclusive residents matching these various themes can be invited to the player’s campsite and can move to the player’s island. These residents can also be invited to Harvey’s island for a photo shoot session. 

Sanrio is also bringing back the friendship, kindness and cuteness of its characters to the Animal  Crossing: Pocket Camp mobile game. Beginning 26th March through to 10th May, the Sanrio Characters Collection 2021 in-game event will bring Sanrio character themed items to players’ campsites.

From 26th March through the end of the in-game event, Sanrio additions will include a free Sanrio Characters clock in the game by tapping the gift icon. One new Sanrio themed fortune cookie will be available for purchase at the Fortune Cookie Shop, with each cookie providing players one of ten different Sanrio items.

Players will also be able to craft Sanrio gifts to send to their friends, which randomly reward friends with one of several special Sanrio character-themed uchiwa fans. There are a variety  of fans to collect featuring popular Sanrio characters, including Cinnamoroll, Hello Kitty,  Pompompurin and more. 

Zynga and Lucasfilm announce Star Wars: Hunters for Nintendo Switch and mobile

The mobile gaming goliath, Zynga is making its first move into the console arena, having been unveiled as the newest partner for Lucasfilm’s renewed, post-EA push into the video games space.

In a virtual event hosted by Nintendo this week, details of a new Star Wars console game for the Nintendo Switch were finally announced, with Zynga taking the lead on the cross-platform title and its own first steps in the previously unexplored segment.

Under the new partnership with Lucasfilm and Nintendo, Zynga will launch the free-to-play Star Wars: Hunters across the Switch console and mobile platforms. The deal is yet another development for the Star Wars franchise and its activity in the gaming market, following the recent news that Lucasfilm’s exclusivity deal with EA for console games would not be renewed.

During this week’s Nintendo Direct, a virtual event in which the video games company detailed a swathe of upcoming releases, Star Wars: Hunters was described as “a competitive arena combat game… coming in 2021.

“Star Wars: Hunters will bring players together to engage in thrilling, squad based, multiplayer battles featuring a diverse array of distinctive new Star Wars characters.”

Bernard Kim, president of publishing at Zynga, said: “Bringing Star Wars: Hunters to the Nintendo Switch and its passionate fan-base marks an exciting milestone for Zynga.

“We created Star Wars: Hunters for every fan who has ever dreamed about playing a high-intensity action game set in the Star Wars galaxy and are excited to see Switch players embrace our foray into console gaming.”

US consumers spent $56.9 billion on gaming in 2020 according to NPD latest

US consumers spent a record $56.9 billion on gaming in 2020, a jump of 27 per cent from 2019, according to data from the NPD Group.

December was a particularly big month for games, consumer spending across video game hardware, content and accessories reached a December record of $7.7 billion, 25 per cent higher than in December 2019.

Hardware dollar sales, meanwhile, reached $1.35 billion in December 2020, a jump of 38 per cent compared to 2019, and the highest total for a December month since the $1.37 billion generated in December 2013.

Hardware dollar sales totalled $5.3 billion for the year, 35 per cent higher than 2019, and the highest since the $5.6 billion generated in 2011.

As reported by Licensing.biz sister title, MCV UK, the Nintendo Switch was the best-selling console of 2020, with annual dollar sales being the second highest for an individual platform in a single calendar year in U.S. history – beaten only by another Nintendo console, the Wii, in 2008.

Despite supply issues, the Playstation 5 was the second best-selling console in dollar sales, while PlayStation 4 ranked second in units sold. PlayStation 5 set a new dollar sales record for PlayStation hardware through each PlayStation platform’s first December at retail.

Call of Duty: Black Ops: Cold War was both the best selling game of December 2020 and the year as a whole, while Call of Duty: Modern Warfare was the second best-seller of the year.

Call of Duty ranked as the best-selling gaming franchise in the U.S. market for a record 12th consecutive y

Animal Crossing:New Horizons, while not quite as popular as it is in Japan, still proved successful in the US, ranking third. In 2020, the title achieved the highest physical dollar sales for a Nintendo-published game in a calendar year since Wii Fit Plus in 2010.

Nintendo saw a strong December 2020, with half of the top 20 best-selling games of the month being published by Nintendo.

Cyberpunk 2077 debuted as the second best-selling game of December, and the 19th best-selling game of 2020, despite the lack of digital tracking.

The Last of Us: Part II finished 2020 as the year’s best-selling PlayStation exclusive, and the sixth best selling game overall. The game now ranks as the third best-selling Sony-published game in U.S. history in dollar sales, trailing only Marvel’s Spider-Man, and 2018’s God of War.

Spin Master and Warner Bros partner to launch Bakugan: Champions of Vestroia video game to Nintendo Switch

Spin Master, Warner Bros Interactive Entertainment, and WayForward have detailed the upcoming launch of Bakugan: Champions of Vestroia. a new role-playing video game that will arrive exclusively on Nintendo Switch later this year.

The new video game is the latest extension of the Bakugan franchise that already spans its anime adventure TV series, innovative toy line, card game and more. The game will centre on an new original story and the franchise’s signature Bakugan brawls.

“We’re pleased to partner with Spin Master and WayForward to bring the brawling action of Bakugan: Champions of Vestroia to Nintendo Switch,” said Kevin Kebodeaux, senior vice president, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. “The global popularity of Bakugan is undeniable, and this game is sure to excite players everywhere.”

“Bakugan: Champions of Vestroia expands the popular brawling franchise with a new exhilarating, interactive game format with customization, competitive action, deep strategy, and anime-style characters and worlds that all gamers and Bakugan fans will love,” said Simonetta Lulli, vice president, Spin Master Studios. “Whether playing solo or against Bakugan brawlers online, the game offers endless hours of play at home or on the go.”

“The brand new, action-packed video game and our partnership with Nintendo Switch and WayForward is so important to the Bakugan franchise as it continues expand globally,” said James Martin, SVP Brand Marketing and GBU Lead of Bakugan. “Now, a whole new generation of fans can experience the excitement and skill of Bakugan in more ways than ever before.”

Published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, produced by Spin Master and developed by WayForward, the Bakugan: Champions of Vestroia video game will take players on a journey through an original story expanding on the hit TV series and toy franchise. They can create and fully customize their Brawler to fight side-by-side with the mysterious alien Bakugan as their human partner in battle.

The game features a fully navigable 3D world divided into different districts each with dedicated battle arenas. Players can interact with other characters, go on quests, and explore with their Bakugan friends. They can also test their brawling skills online in head-to-head multiplayer against friends or players from the around the world to become a true Champion of Vestroia.

A physical Deluxe Edition pack, featuring the video game, an exclusive Ultima Dragonoid toy which transforms into a fierce Bakugan, Ultima Dragonoid trading card, Ultima Dragonoid metal gate card, plus two powerful BakuCores™ will also be available at launch.

Spin Master and Warner Bros partner to launch Bakugan: Champions of Vestroia video game to Nintendo Switch

Spin Master, Warner Bros Interactive Entertainment, and WayForward have detailed the upcoming launch of Bakugan: Champions of Vestroia. a new role-playing video game that will arrive exclusively on Nintendo Switch later this year.

The new video game is the latest extension of the Bakugan franchise that already spans its anime adventure TV series, innovative toy line, card game and more. The game will centre on an new original story and the franchise’s signature Bakugan brawls.

“We’re pleased to partner with Spin Master and WayForward to bring the brawling action of Bakugan: Champions of Vestroia to Nintendo Switch,” said Kevin Kebodeaux, senior vice president, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. “The global popularity of Bakugan is undeniable, and this game is sure to excite players everywhere.”

“Bakugan: Champions of Vestroia expands the popular brawling franchise with a new exhilarating, interactive game format with customization, competitive action, deep strategy, and anime-style characters and worlds that all gamers and Bakugan fans will love,” said Simonetta Lulli, vice president, Spin Master Studios. “Whether playing solo or against Bakugan brawlers online, the game offers endless hours of play at home or on the go.”

“The brand new, action-packed video game and our partnership with Nintendo Switch and WayForward is so important to the Bakugan franchise as it continues expand globally,” said James Martin, SVP Brand Marketing and GBU Lead of Bakugan. “Now, a whole new generation of fans can experience the excitement and skill of Bakugan in more ways than ever before.”

Published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, produced by Spin Master and developed by WayForward, the Bakugan: Champions of Vestroia video game will take players on a journey through an original story expanding on the hit TV series and toy franchise. They can create and fully customize their Brawler to fight side-by-side with the mysterious alien Bakugan as their human partner in battle.

The game features a fully navigable 3D world divided into different districts each with dedicated battle arenas. Players can interact with other characters, go on quests, and explore with their Bakugan friends. They can also test their brawling skills online in head-to-head multiplayer against friends or players from the around the world to become a true Champion of Vestroia.

A physical Deluxe Edition pack, featuring the video game, an exclusive Ultima Dragonoid toy which transforms into a fierce Bakugan, Ultima Dragonoid trading card, Ultima Dragonoid metal gate card, plus two powerful BakuCores™ will also be available at launch.

Has Nintendo cracked the next big gaming IP amid the Coronavirus pandemic?

Animal Crossing: New Horizons has become the fastest-selling single title on Nintendo’s Switch to date, selling more copies in its first week of sale than the combined launch sales of all previous Animal Crossing games in the franchise.

Reports are already coming in that the title is ‘3.5 times bigger than the last game in the series, 2013’s Animal Crossing: New Leaf on Nintendo 3DS.’ The title was previously the biggest launch for Nintendo’s franchise.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons is a non-linear life simulation game played in real-time. Each player assumes the role of a customisable character who moves to a deserted island. The open world game then allows players to explore the island as it develops into a community of animals.

Not only is the game one solution to maintaining communication and world-exploration social distancing, but also carries the potential to be one of Nintendo’s next big franchises. Video games analysts already expect New Horizons to be shipping over 12 million games in the next few months, and that is not accounting for digital downloads.

Benji Sales, an independent video game analyst, wrote on Twitter:

“Animal Crossing New Leaf was the previous best-selling Animal Crossing game, hitting over 12 million sold lifetime. Whatever your optimistic sales expectations for Animal Crossing New Horizons launch sales were, I can already tell you it’s too low. Holy hell, HUGE opening incoming.”

Digital download numbers – which Nintendo does not share externally – are tipped to be vast, particularly considering the concerns around the COVID-19 virus that has seen the UK Government recommend self isolation measures across the country.