Midway to Rampage on Wii and DS?

  • By thorsen-ink, GameSpot
  • Posted Jul 24, 2006 3:45 pm PT

Source: Several product listings on major game retail and rental Web sites (see below). The official story: "We can't comment at this time."--Midway rep. What we heard: Though they may now hold respectable jobs and/or be pillars of the community, many gamers in their late 20s and early 30s grew up...


Source: Several product listings on major game retail and rental Web sites (see below).

The official story: "We can't comment at this time."--Midway rep.

What we heard: Though they may now hold respectable jobs and/or be pillars of the community, many gamers in their late 20s and early 30s grew up dreaming of laying waste to major metropolitan centers. These youthful fantasies came courtesy of Rampage, the Midway Games arcade classic that put players in the oversized paws of one of three giant monsters: the King Kong-esque ape George, the Godzilla-esque reptile Lizze, and the oversized werewolf Ralph. Its gameplay comprised climbing skyscrapers, smashing foundations, crushing military vehicles and eating any hapless humans which cross said monsters' path.

The title was a solid hit in arcades from its 1986 introduction well until the 1990s and beyond--a functional unit attracted crowds in San Francisco's North Beach district until it died in 2004. However, console versions of the franchise have had a rather spotty record. Rampage World Tour (PlayStation, Saturn, Nintendo 64, and Game Boy Color) garnered mediocre reviews when it hit stories in 1997 and 1998, as did Rampage 2: Universal Tour (PlayStation, N64, and GBC) in 1999, Rampage Through Time (PS), and Rampage Puzzle Attack (GBA) in 2001.

Besides a poorly received 2005 GBA port of the original game, the Rampage franchise lay fallow until this April, when Midway released Rampage: Total Destruction for the GameCube and PlayStation 2. Though the game also garnered a lukewarm response from reviewers, it now appears the revamped version of the monster mash will be making its way to next-generation consoles--and a certain popular handheld.

According to retail-posting product listings on CD Universe and GameFly, Rampage: Total Destruction is coming to the Nintendo Wii. Though neither listing had any details on the game, it is almost certain that it would take advantage of the next-generation console's motion-sensing controller, which would in turn transform adults pushing 34 into stomping, jabbering Gorgo wannabes in their living rooms. For those who would prefer to crush buildings on the go, GameFly is also listing Rampage: Total Destruction as coming to the Nintendo DS, Nintendo's dual-screen handheld.

So will Rampage tear it up on Nintendo's latest gadgets by year's end? Though Midway wouldn't comment, a source close to the publisher strongly hinted that both versions would be announced shortly. "It won't be long now, " he or she said, essentially confirming that Midway, having already announced Ant Bully for the next-gen console, is joining the third-party rush to jump on the Wii-wagon by year's end.

Bogus or not bogus?: Not bogus.

60 Comments

  • drewcal58

    Posted Aug 29, 2006 4:55 am PT

    It's about time I get to see all the trash talkers on XBL, let's see them act all though now, that is if their man or woman enough to show themselves.

  • yakato_x3

    Posted Aug 6, 2006 8:28 am PT

    its true go to ign.com search rampage on ign.

  • bunchofpixels

    Posted Jul 30, 2006 12:15 pm PT

    rampage is fun so ill probably get it for the DS. Not sure about the WIi version, though.

  • thepeter

    Posted Jul 29, 2006 8:28 pm PT

    they should digitally distribute it somehow...but thats what i say for everything.

  • Pero_619

    Posted Jul 28, 2006 2:37 pm PT

    It would be awesome for the ds. but i hope there is not gonna b alot of touch screen using

  • dexter111344

    Posted Jul 28, 2006 10:56 am PT

    Cool. I hope the N64 Rampage is on VC for download, too. So, how many people are still saying Nintendo has no third party support?

    P.S. If this game does well, we may see Midway release Mortal Kombat on the Wii or even the DS!

  • wii___man

    Posted Jul 27, 2006 11:12 pm PT

    never liked rampage games but if the wii adds a new feeling to it than mabe it will be cool

  • randomjay

    Posted Jul 27, 2006 8:47 am PT

    LOL SCREW THAT... PUT IN MORTAL KOMBAT.. OH MAN MORTAL KOMBAT AND STREET FIGHTER ... OH MAN *hyperventilates... LOL

  • Riorio99

    Posted Jul 27, 2006 5:15 am PT

    DS version should be good, but whats the point in making a 2D ancient arcade port on Wii? just get N64 version from virtual console. Duh.

  • togo2828

    Posted Jul 26, 2006 5:39 pm PT

    cool
    i think, now i wonder how its gona work on the Wii
    and the DS

  • togo2828

    Posted Jul 26, 2006 5:35 pm PT

    cool
    i think, now i wonder how its gona work on the Wii
    and the DS

  • snarple_basic

    Posted Jul 26, 2006 11:57 am PT

    Man there was this 1 time back in the day. I was waiting behind these older kid's that were playing rampage, they would die and throw more quarters never letting me play. It was a mall, we had a pathmark in it. My grandfather was buying groceries and then he came to the arcade to get me, but I told him i still didn't get too play So he look at these older kids then me and yelled at them whats wrong with you let my grandson play lol so i got to throw in my 1 quarter in and die (cause they were on the harder levels) and then leave the mall, fun times man YAY FOR HOME CONSOLES!!!!

  • REVOLUTIONfreak

    Posted Jul 26, 2006 10:32 am PT

    if its a port of the same game i dont care, if its a new rampage however it may be interesting on wii

  • stiker71

    Posted Jul 26, 2006 8:17 am PT

    Rampage Wii is just gona use the acarde controler...

  • LinkLovesWii

    Posted Jul 26, 2006 5:37 am PT

    Rampage online would be sick

  • macacd

    Posted Jul 26, 2006 12:39 am PT

    ah the money i wasted on this game back in my arcade days, those were the days!!

  • THEDSKING

    Posted Jul 25, 2006 2:09 pm PT

    i like the wii and the ds, but please on the ds version don't have stylus controls(or at lease have both styles of control) please i hate that and so does my friends

  • Seymour47

    Posted Jul 25, 2006 2:01 pm PT

    Rampage would be an awesome game for the Wii and the DS. Both have the quirky game style that could easily be reflected in the unique controllers.

  • bobreturns

    Posted Jul 25, 2006 1:27 pm PT

    i find these kinds of games obring the novelty of destroying things wears off quicker than you think but hooray for Wii if its true

  • neoand12

    Posted Jul 25, 2006 1:13 pm PT

    $50 for this game No way, just get it for $20 on PS2 and Xbox.

  • themando

    Posted Jul 25, 2006 12:05 pm PT

    I just cant wait to get it for my ds, think about it tap the ppl in there windows to eat them and seeing the close up one the top screen, or even sliding the stylus to let ur monster punch... sounds good to me

  • faizali86

    Posted Jul 25, 2006 11:19 am PT

    i never liked rampage but because its coming on the wii i would like to see how it would turn out.

  • ghostadv

    Posted Jul 25, 2006 11:19 am PT

    Although I'm getting Wii, this game still isn't interesting. I liked it back when I was li'l but now you can see how simplistic and boring it is.

  • NeverenoughWW2

    Posted Jul 25, 2006 10:56 am PT

    Rampage was an awsome game on the N64 I hope it will be good on the Wii. When it lost its esclusivity it lost its playableness.

  • hemakm3

    Posted Jul 25, 2006 10:15 am PT

    Could be cool.

  • HappyInvader101

    Posted Jul 25, 2006 9:40 am PT

    better than having it be rehashed as a multi-play game

  • Robio_basic

    Posted Jul 25, 2006 7:23 am PT

    Rampage was fun back in the 80's, but this is one franchise that just needs to die. Like Gauntlet, this game was a quarter eater and half the fun of it was seeing just how far you could go on a few quarters. It was never meant to be a console game, and for that reason nearly all the home versions have been bombs. Unless they make some radical changes to the game, just beating up buildings isn't enough to sell a game anymore.

  • snarple_basic

    Posted Jul 25, 2006 6:54 am PT

    I have a DS and a PSP and would prefer to play this on my PSP, I hope they releash it on psp 2. I have TD on the ps2 and it was fun, new features with old, a handheld version would be great fun. Kind of weird there bringing it on the Wii, i got it on GC, but I guess those new features make it a reason to bring on the Wii, cool enough. Rampage good fun!!!

  • GKBeetle

    Posted Jul 25, 2006 6:13 am PT

    They really need to kill this game. It's okay as a quarter munching stand-up arcade machine, but definetly loses something when going to the consoles. for some reason, its just not as fun on a console. My two cents.

  • ColossusKiller

    Posted Jul 25, 2006 5:05 am PT

    Yeah. Like thrusting the Wiimote forward to punch, raise both controllers to grab, and drop then raise to climb. This could be intresting.

  • nix6six6

    Posted Jul 25, 2006 4:21 am PT

    could be ok if it was a downloadable game like on xbox live. I wouldn't spend $40-50 for it though.

  • JimLad800

    Posted Jul 25, 2006 3:32 am PT

    Nunchuk to move & climb, wii-mote to batter things, that would be wicked.
    Slight annoyance for us who already bought TD on the Gamecube or PS2 though. :/
    I wonder what the DS version would be like.

  • shasam712

    Posted Jul 25, 2006 2:26 am PT

    Interesting, though...Total Destruction was a bit disapointing, but it was really cheap so I can't very well complain can I.

  • t-bag11

    Posted Jul 25, 2006 2:25 am PT

    could be interesting to see how this one turns out...and mk armageddon on wii and ds would be freakin' sweet *crosses fingers*

  • metalheadbrian

    Posted Jul 25, 2006 1:12 am PT

    why do a rampage it would be cool if midway did a mortal kombat armageddon on wii and ds.

  • John_of_Fire

    Posted Jul 24, 2006 11:13 pm PT

    I loved the original. I hope they can finally make a worthwhile remake but for now the spiritual succsessor to Rampage is War of the Monsters.

  • YearoftheSnake5

    Posted Jul 24, 2006 11:04 pm PT

    This should be interesting. Perhaps Midway will make some of their arcade light gun games available for the Virtual Console since they seem interested in Wii.

  • chickenoverlord

    Posted Jul 24, 2006 10:10 pm PT

    not so sure about this one... but hey i thought the whole movement sensitive thing sounded stupid at first... now i can't wait to get my grubby mits on it... hmmm
    (remembers hearing about touch screens)

  • dragon_king64

    Posted Jul 24, 2006 9:52 pm PT

    Rampage on DS. Sounds interesting. I'd buy it. I'm a definte Rampage fan.

  • taytizzle

    Posted Jul 24, 2006 7:37 pm PT

    Rampage, as much as I love the series, needs to stop.

  • gamer_10001

    Posted Jul 24, 2006 7:26 pm PT

    The DS/Wii are the only places Rampage belongs.

  • thebill1979

    Posted Jul 24, 2006 7:23 pm PT

    YEAH! Stop releasing old franchises! Let's also get rid of The Legend of Zelda, Super Mario Brother, Metroid, and Castlevania! Those are all old and been done too many times.

    [end sarcasm]

  • daigre7

    Posted Jul 24, 2006 6:39 pm PT

    The Wii can and will breathe a bit of new life into this very dead franchise. I'd imagine playing this game through the Wii could be quite a workout.

  • gjb-sensei

    Posted Jul 24, 2006 6:32 pm PT

    Nice to see another game headed to the Wii.

  • Kenzo287

    Posted Jul 24, 2006 6:21 pm PT

    maybe put the old ones on vc

  • kinncolts

    Posted Jul 24, 2006 6:16 pm PT

    this cud be really good with online support and unique controls with the Wiimote

  • magnolio369

    Posted Jul 24, 2006 5:54 pm PT

    i'd buy it (maybe)

  • Cunder

    Posted Jul 24, 2006 5:21 pm PT

    This game is old =| no point of making or bring a game like Rampage back to life.

  • wiZDestroyer

    Posted Jul 24, 2006 5:15 pm PT

    Re-releasing a released title which was re-released many times under many releases!

    ...

  • metdevthegamer

    Posted Jul 24, 2006 5:07 pm PT

    I love Rampage, lots of fun with that game. A version for the DS and Wii would be fun, just hope it's a 2D side scroller and not in 3D when on either system.

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