Bleach brightening DS, Wii this fall

The Bleach anime is relatively new to North American shores, appearing for the first time on Cartoon Network's late-night block known as Adult Swim last September. But that doesn't mean it hasn't been around. More than 10 games based on the series have landed on Japanese gamers' systems, spanning six different platforms. North American fans of the anime will be pleased to know two games will launch in time for the show's second season, and for a change, the anime adaptations won't be handled by Namco Bandai.

Sega sends word today that Bleach: Shattered Blade on the Wii and Bleach: The Blade of Fate on the Nintendo DS will be available this fall. Both Bleach games will follow the anime's 15-year-old protagonist, Ichigo Kurosaki, as he fights to protect Earth from spectral beings known as "Hollows." In the past, the megapublisher has been responsible for all Nintendo-platform versions of the game in Japan.

In Bleach: Shattered Blade, players will arm themselves with the Wii Remote and Nunchuk, and use slashing, jabbing, and lunging motions to attack enemies. The game's storyline features 32 characters, and players will be able to repeat passed episodes with characters unlocked throughout the adventure. Shattered Blade will also feature a competitive offline multiplayer mode.

The DS version, Bleach: The Blade of Fate, will be a 2D action game featuring 28 characters from the anime. Blade of Fate will also incorporate spirit card decks, which are cards that can be used in battle to give special power-ups or cast unique spells. The DS version offers cooperative local online play for up to four players.