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Geometry Wars: Galaxies blasting off

Xbox Live monster hit Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved getting a sequel on Wii and DS.

As it turns out, rumours of the existence of Geometry Wars: Galaxies for the Wii and Nintendo DS were not greatly exaggerated. The simple, addictive shoot-'em-up game will indeed be coming later this year to the Nintendo platforms, developed by UK-based Kuju Entertainment's Surrey studio and Bizarre Creations.

The game will be a follow-up to Bizarre Creations' Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved, which was released on Xbox Live Arcade in 2005 and has since been downloaded hundreds of thousands of times. Geometry Wars: Galaxies will be the first in the series to feature a variety of multiplayer modes--namely hot seat, co-op, simultaneous, and versus.

The game will also have a number of new features, including using the DS touch screen and Wii Remote to execute "hotshot" moves, a fresh mission-based campaign, and new battle grids.

Geometry Wars: Galaxies' producer Roger Carpenter commented, "The ship has become a bit of an icon, so that's going to stay as is. Everything else is getting a bit of a shake-up; familiar foes will endure, but there'll be new enemies, weapons, and a healthy number of totally new 'things,' too."

The game, which will be published by Sierra, will also include the full version of the previous title, Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved. It is expected to be ready for release for this year's holiday season.

For more on Geometry Wars: Galaxies, please read GameSpot's full interview with producer Roger Carpenter.

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Chaudzff 5 pts

This is one fun game Name is kind of a turn-off though

theKSMM 34 pts

I guess the platform change is an attempt to reach the more casual, quick-play audience. I wonder if this will be a downloadable game or an in-store purchase. The Wii-DS tie-ins should be noteworthy too.

Mr_Shnickles 5 pts

Playing it on the wii does sound hard, but hopefully they will think of som imaginative way to make it great. Cant wait to hear more.

Slayer420 5 pts

Wow.. I sure hope this gets some love thrown in the direction of the 360.. considering the 360 is what made this game a hit. I do completely agree with some of the other posters that this game really does need dual analog stick or it is going to be very difficult to see scores like the leaders on XBLA have.

Pedro7_2000 5 pts

Love this game. But, I hope they do these versions right. I think the DS version has the best chance of succeeding, but we'll see. It?s going to be tough with no dual analog sticks. The campaign mode sounds weak, but the co-op sounds awesome!!!

thetraitor 5 pts

thanks for writing a novel about the article, mbeacom

mbeacom 5 pts

@Omegacis, You're right, without XBLA we might not have heard of GW:RE. We were lucky the 360 launch lineup was pretty weak as well. It made GW:RE look all the more promising. However, without XBLA, GW would have been a much different product. They would likely have added more features and gameplay scenarios if they had put it on store shelves. They would not have released the product they did if it were a retail offering. Sure they would have charged $19.99 or more for it, and likely because of that, the game would have been deeper and more robust, just like what it sounds like they are doing now to the Wii/DS versions. Thats the point of Digital distro. They can test the waters with a simple idea (or rather, MANY simple ideas) to decide what concepts have legs and warranty a full featured release. Clearly they decided GW was just such a concept. As for the 2 analogs comments you make. Give Grid Wars a try on your PC and you'll soon realize that you don't need 2 analogs at all. in fact, having put a lot of time into geometry wars AND grid wars, I feel 2 analogs is a detriment to the gameplay. I play with the mouse to move the the arrow keys to aim, (4 buttons, not 8) and I average about 2 million on my good games. The scoring isn't identical to GW:RE but they feel pretty close. Dual analogs is absolutely not necessary. I can think of a few schemes where the Wii pointer could me much better. In fact, if they use the pointer to move the ship, I think they'll need to crank up the difficulty to keep scores in the range we see already on XBLA.

omegacis 5 pts

mbeacom... Yunno, without Xbox Live, Geometry Wars could have easily been one of those games we never heard of. Quite frankly, the game would have retailed for $19.99 or more if it was released for store shelves. And most gamers (aside from the handful of hi-scoring players who can appreciate this game) wouldn't pay all that much for something so bare. In this sense Xbox Live doesn't seem so "obscure" at all. BTW, I run a game retail store and I can tell you that Tetris Evolution hasn't sold more than 1 copy where I work. This is a perfect example of why Xbox Live is so useful. I honestly believe this title could have made a ton more if it were available as a $10 DL purchase.

omegacis 5 pts

I absolutely love Geometry Wars but I highly doubt it'll work with anything other than two analogs. Iv'e broke the 4 million mark in the game and I'm convinced that it can not be done without analogs. Anyone who's ever scored past a few million will probably agree. This game demands an extreme amount of precision movement requiring more than what an 8-direction pad can offer. the only way this will work is if the whole game (including enemy quantity and strategy methods) is designed differently. But even then, it just wouldn't be Geometry Wars at all. I'm guessing that's why they're incorporating a campaign mode. I'll wait for a 360 version.

Onenottoforget 5 pts

It will be interesting how it handles on the ds without the two analog sticks that for me really make the game

mbeacom 5 pts

"lol, it was downloaded over 100000 times." yeah, that's jack compared to what it could do on the shelf at wal-mart. "Xbox Live? Obscure? errrr..... O. K." Yes, believe it or not LIVE is obscure. A few million raging fanboys don't make a very diverse demographic. If you get this on the shelf in stores, you're get a real shot at mainstream and that's where the money is. Look at games like Tetris, the masses will eat this game up if they just have a chance to see it. Xbox LIVE doesn't give most average consumers that chance.

InnerHeaven_X 5 pts

Sounds as though Bizarre creations is'nt quite cut out for working in HD crispness. Although I really did love Geo. Wars for the 360.

diablobasher 5 pts

Awesome, although i hope it's a budget release, not a full price. If it's full price i'll probably still pick it up when it hits like £10 secondhand.

YukoAsho 25 pts

jahnee - And the retail release will likely be bought 500,000+ times. Your point?

cowbrains788 5 pts

new stuff should be released in downloads for the 360

interpolred 5 pts

Sounds good. The fact that it's going to have the previous game included os definitely a plus!

powerframe8 5 pts

i heard so many things about the 360 version. i'm so happy its for the ds.

Manatassi 5 pts

Errr this sounds a little like thetre going to mess things up. part of the great thing about gemetry wars evolved on the 360 was the simplicity and crispness of the HD visuals and the streamlined feel of the gameplay. from the sounds of it they are losing most of that. Seriously people dont start adding 'stuff' to geometry wars thats just missing the point. oh and "Games like this deserve more than to be buried in some obscure download service." ? Xbox Live? Obscure? errrr..... O. K.

HandsomeDead 5 pts

Any chance of this coming out on the 360 too? I

jahnee 5 pts

yukoAsho: "Games like this deserve more than to be buried in some obscure download service." lol, it was downloaded over 100000 times.

YukoAsho 25 pts

Everything says this is going to be retail. To which I say "good." Games like this deserve more than to be buried in some obscure download service.

General_Gustaf 5 pts

This is a good move for the Wii. After the initial buzz of frenzied buying and innovation, nintendo are actually getting some solid games going, bringing in more people. Good job. I can't wait to play Co-op! :D

Link_6512 5 pts

Actually there is a big rumor that Nintendo is gonna release another downloadable game store or revamp the Virtual Console that will sell original titles soon, this would be the perfect candidate. The new service is rumored to launch in two months. I found the story on Digg btw.

kavadias1981 5 pts

As I posted in the other report, i've never heard of this game but it looks great.

RaiKageRyu 18 pts

So what it is this? Retail or VC dl for the Wii? If so, then that would mark the first time the Wii had something original for dl.

RaiKageRyu 18 pts

So what it is this? Retail or VC dl for the Wii? If so, then that would mark the first time the Wii had something original for dl.

phatrat1982 5 pts

YES!, I loved Geometry wars on Xbox and now it seams the Wii is getting the better version, looks like I will be getting some Wii games this Christmas after all!

magicalclick 6 pts

Wow, no Xbox360 version. I wonder how Bizarre's relation with MS. If it is going down hill, my favorite PGR series will be in danger too.

RebornInFlames 5 pts

well they better have the sequel for the 360 as well, or feature it in an update for the original

nickythenewt21 8 pts

yes, finally! my dream come true! now, when i have to go to my grandparents' house, i can play Geometry Wars on the drive there?

VfighterX 5 pts

Wouldn't there be a monopoly if there's only 1 console out there?

littlestreakier 5 pts

i'm glad others can now experience the awesomeness that is geometry wars :)

NaturalBornGamR 5 pts

Hazz wrote: Unless a company sends you regular paychecks, theres no reason to "pick a side" unless you annonymously need something/someone to root for. The #1 reason to root for a particular game console, is that in the end.. all we really want is one console that plays them all and does it all so we don't have to spend more money on another system, controllers.. and whatever else. Ultimately we want the console we bought and believe in to succeed and have everything we want on it. In a perfect world there would be one console that played all your Marios, Ratchet and Clank, Forza, Gears, Halo, Final Fantasy, Metal Gear Solids... if one console wins and destroys the other .. the possibility of a one world console could happen... so come now fanboys of the beast be strong and shout at the devil

NaturalBornGamR 5 pts

"Thats probably a good idea.. don't release the sequel on the platform that it was hugely successful on.. NOT.. i don't mind that its on wii or ds but at least include a XBL version as well" Whats the deal with developers lately with not showing love for the 360... ? Guitar Hero 80's going to ps2.. no 360 announcement.. and now a Geometry Wars sequel not announced for the 360 XBLA. Is there a consipiracy going on against an American based console here? It also makes sense to put your games on the 360 cause the piracy rate is much less than PS2, or Wii ... Now I'm not saying they shouldn't have a version of it.. I'm just saying 360 should certainly get a version of it as well without question.

-Squirrel- 5 pts

If it's $35 or less than yes, otherwise no. I have always wanted to play the quirky looking lil' game, but it doesn't look like a new deep involving $50 game to me.

PaperLink64 5 pts

I'm guessing this may be a VC download, although retail is probably more likely.

dupe576 5 pts

Thats probably a good idea.. don't release the sequel on the platform that it was hugely successful on.. NOT.. i don't mind that its on wii or ds but at least include a XBL version as well

Chainblast 5 pts

I'm hoping that if BC cannot created a good Wii motion control scheme they just revert to the option of being able to use a standard controller...like the classic controller for example. Too many Wii ports and/or games of tacked-on, sub-par novelty control scheme that really don't end up working all that well. That needs to change before the Wii becomes bloated even more crap.

ssj4_2004 5 pts

I wonder, is it coming to Virtual Console? or full blown retail? I can't help but think this game alone could take up a nice chunk of memory space. But only time will tell I suppose

deathgod35 5 pts

Geometry Wars is an extremly addictive game. I wonder how Galaxies will use the touch screen and motion sensitivity.

HaaZ 5 pts

I re-iterate "Zeecorner"s statement. I hope everyone gets a chance to enjoy Geometry Wars. Unless a company sends you regular paychecks, theres no reason to "pick a side" unless you annonymously need something/someone to root for.

prioritymail 5 pts

Hope its done right, I enjoyed the live arcade version

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