Disney Interactive Studios

Disney Interactive and Harmonix’s “Fantasia: Music Evolved” launches in 2014!

21 June 2013 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

At The E3 Convention last week, Disney Interactive and Harmonix announced “Fantasia: Music Evolved,” a breakthrough musical motion video game inspired by Disney’s classic animated film, “Fantasia.” The game will be available for Xbox One, the all-in-one games and entertainment system from Microsoft and Kinect for Xbox 360 in 2014.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kq0_dGKx4Os&w=560&h=315]

Disney Interactive announced that Modest Mussorgsky’s “Night on Bald Mountain,” will be playable in “Fantasia: Music Evolved,” in addition to over 25 hit artist selections ranging from chart-topper Bruno Mars to rock royalty Queen and electronic DJ and producer AVICII. Fans of “Fantasia” will remember “Night on Bald Mountain” as the final song from the film.

About Fantasia: Music Evolved
“Fantasia: Music Evolved” is a breakthrough musical motion video game inspired by Disney’s classic animated film “Fantasia.” In the game, players enter the magical realms of Fantasia, selected by the legendary sorcerer Yen Sid, to hone their musical and magical prowess as his new apprentice. “Fantasia: Music Evolved” takes players on an interactive and immersive motion-controlled journey through worlds of music and magic.

Players will control music spanning all genres and eras, including classics from the original film such as “Night on Bald Mountain” to over 25 hit artist selections ranging from chart-topper Bruno Mars to rock royalty Queen and electronic DJ and producer AVICII. Using Kinect motion control technology and natural, controller-free gameplay, players will control the musical flow of these hits, unlocking the power to transform the music and living world.

Designed by Harmonix, critically acclaimed creators of Rock Band and Dance Central and the world’s leading music and motion gaming studio, players become the sorcerer’s newest apprentice, exploring remarkable worlds and unlocking the magic within the music, with Disney Interactive’s “Fantasia: Music Evolved.”

Game Features

Perform your favorite songs from Bruno Mars, Queen, Fun., Kimbra, AVICII, as well as other world renowned artists and classical masters – using natural, gesture-based movements that put you in complete control of your own musical journey. Experience a full range of genres and style unique to each performance.
Transform and remix music via magical manipulators in real-time like never before, changing music in intuitive and surprising new ways.
Explore breathtaking environments with your motion controlled “muse” including the mysterious subaquatic world of “The Shoal,” an enchanted printing press, and more;
Discover worlds filled with hidden musical interactions designed to engage players, encouraging them to unleash their creativity.

Disney Planes The Video Game Trailer!

21 June 2013 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

“Disney’s Planes” is a flying adventure video game inspired by the upcoming Disney animated comedy adventure film. Available exclusively for Nintendo platforms including the Wii™ and Wii U™ systems as well as the Nintendo 3DS™ and Nintendo DS™ handheld devices on August 6th, just a few days prior to the film’s August 9th opening in theaters nationwide, the game will expand beyond the storyline of “Disney’s Planes,” offering players the opportunity to enjoy the thrill of flight as one of the popular characters from the film.

From above the world of “Cars,” the “Disney’s Planes” video game takes players on a high-flying, action-packed, fun-filled adventure with Dusty, a big-hearted, speed-loving crop duster who is voiced by actor and comedian Dane Cook. Players will take to the skies with Dusty and other characters, including Ishani, voiced by actress Priyanka Chopra; Echo, voiced by actor Anthony Edwards; and Bravo, voiced by actor Val Kilmer, as they embark on global missions, air races and grand adventures around the world.

GIVEAWAY: Epic Mickey 2-The Power of Two Game Plus Oswald Ears

3 December 2012 by Suzannah Otis 71 Comments

Disney’s Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two is shaping up to be THE gift for the holiday season, and now you have a chance to get one of five copies I’m giving away here at Zannaland, thanks to the wonderful folks at Disney Interactive. As if that wasn’t exciting enough, you’ll also get a set of Oswald ears, so you can play your game in style.

I’m going to make entering extra simple, with the use of Rafflecopter below. Just log in using facebook or your email and check off the options for extra entries without leaving this page. The one mandatory entry is leaving a comment on this page. If you need a little inspiration or just want to learn more about the Epic Mickey 2 gameplay, head over to my Epic Mickey 2 review for the game trailer and some gorgeous hi-res photos of the gameplay.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Best of luck in the giveaway and in saving Wasteland!

Brave Video Games Get Set To Hit The Target On Consoles and Phones

18 June 2012 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

After seeing Disney Pixar’s Brave last week, I can’t wait to get more Brave action in the form of some amazing video games that Disney Interactive Studios has lined up for us. Merida’s archery skills and her action-packed encounters within the film set the perfect backdrop for video games the whole family can enjoy.

A third person action-adventure, “Brave: The Video Game” expands the tale beyond the movie’s storyline. Gamers can play as Merida, an expert archer and heroine, and in the console versions, players can also play as other entertaining characters from the film. In addition, they will be able to go on quests through a magical world and solve puzzles to uncover secrets. Available for Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii, Playstation 3, PC/Mac, and also Nintendo DS consoles.

Check out the Brave video game trailer below:

In addition, Disney Interactive Studios has created a Brave version of the insanely popular Temple Run app for both Android and iPhones. From Imangi, the makers of Temple Run, and Disney comes a new take on the most exhilarating Android app. Join Merida from Disney/Pixar Brave as you run, slide, jump, turn and shoot your way across the wilds of Scotland on an endless running adventure!

New features just for Temple Run: Brave —
• Introducing ARCHERY — tap targets to shoot a bullseye and earn extra coins
• New, amazing visuals. It looks better than ever!
• All new environments inspired by Disney/Pixar Brave and the wilds of Scotland
• Play as Merida from Disney/Pixar Brave
• Outrun Mordu, the demon bear, to earn running glory

Here’s the Brave Temple Run trailer below:

Brave Temple Run is available for download now and Disney Pixar’s Brave the Video Game for consoles is out tomorrow, June 19!

New Epic Mickey 2 Release Date, E3 Trailer and Warren Spector Interview

6 June 2012 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

Disney is showing a huge presence at the E3 (Electronic Entertainment Expo) conference going on in Los Angeles this week. We’ve seen an amazing Epic Mickey 2 booth, including Oswald ear hats and game demos, along with some fantastic pieces from the Disney Archives and other new merchandise.

Also released at E3 was a new Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two trailer, with an emphasis on Oswald the Lucky Rabbit. This makes me even MORE excited to play this game!

Also check out this great interview with Warren Spector Creative Director and Vice President, Junction Point and Disney Archives Director Becky Cline discussing the amazing history of Oswald:

Epic Mickey: The Power of Two will hit shelves November 18, 2012 – see you there! You can check out screenshots and more info at my other Epic Mickey 2 post.

Free Downloadable Demo of Disney Universe Online

10 November 2011 by Suzannah Otis 4 Comments

A downloadable demo of Disney Universe is now available free of charge on Xbox Live and PlayStation Network! Players can jump in and swashbuckle their way through the game’s first world, based on the Pirates of the Caribbean movies, and choose from four of the game’s 45 iconic character costumes, from Stitch, Mike Wazowski, Jack Sparrow, and even the classic Disney hero, Mickey Mouse

In addition to the downloadable demo of the game, consumers who are interested in getting a first-hand look at Disney Universe can also visit a participating Best Buy store beginning December 12. Select store locations will have an Xbox 360^®video game and entertainment system available for consumers to play the demo of the game.

Disney Universe offers a four-person multiplayer action experience, with frenzied gameplay that appeals to players of all ages. The game features 45 classic and contemporary iconic character costumes inspired by well-known and legendary properties, such as the Disney•Pixar hits WALL•Eand Monsters, Inc., Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland, Pirates of the Caribbean, and the Academy Award® winning classics, The Lion King and Aladdin. You can check out a review at my friend and fellow Disney blogger’s site DisneyEveryDay.com, with review from another friend, John Saccheri, who you may remember from his touching Give Kids the World post here last year. Check out the trailer below:

The downloadable demo available now features swashbuckling adventures with the first level of the game’s Pirates of the Caribbean world and includes costumes inspired by Stitch from Lilo & Stitch, Mike Wazowski from Monsters, Inc., Jack Sparrow from Pirates of the Caribbean and one of Disney’s most beloved characters of all time, Mickey Mouse.

Disney Universe is now available for the Xbox 360^®video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, the Wii™ system from Nintendo and Windows PC.

Published by Disney Interactive Studios, Disney Universe is rated E10+. Please visit www.DisneyUniverse.com for more information.

For more information about Disney Universe, please visit www.DisneyUniverse.com. DisneyUniverse is now available for the Xbox 360, PlayStation, Wii and Windows PC.

Game Review – Disney Sing It: Party Hits for Nintendo Wii

17 October 2010 by Suzannah Otis 3 Comments

I was recently sent a review copy of Disney Sing It: Party Hits, the newest karaoke video game in the Disney Sing It franchise. Now available for the PlayStation 3 and Wii, Disney Sing It: Party Hits features 30 songs and videos from today’s hottest artists including Allstar Weekend, Jordin Sparks, Justin Bieber, Nick Jonas & The Administration, Paramore and Selena Gomez. The game also includes vocal exercises and tips from “Sonny With A Chance” and “Camp Rock” star, Demi Lovato, to assist players in improving their vocal skills.

The game requires a microphone and you can select easy, medium or hard levels to test your singing skills. If you need a little help, the vocal exercises are a great tool for budding stars.

Epic Mickey Brings a Whole New World to Disney Gaming!

7 October 2010 by Suzannah Otis 5 Comments

In our house, we’ve been talking about Disney Epic Mickey for a long, long time. With my husband and son being avid gamers, they were super excited about both the advanced gameplay that would be present in Epic Mickey and the Disney characters brought to life from Oswald the Lucky Rabbit all the way through to present day. In case you haven’t seen what Epic Mickey is all about, here is what Disney has to say:

“Disney Epic Mickey is an action-adventure platforming game for the Wii console that sends Mickey Mouse on an epic journey of creativity and discovery. As Mickey, the player is propelled into Wasteland, an alternate world made up of Disney’s long forgotten characters and attractions, and is given the power to wield paint and paint thinner to dynamically change the world while determining Mickey’s path to becoming an epic hero.

Through the use of this unique paint and paint thinner, the key components of animation and Mickey’s tools for impacting his world, players will have the ability to shape how the story unfolds as they discover the concept of “Playstyle Matters” – an innovative style of gameplay created by Disney Interactive Studios’ Junction Point, led by industry luminary Warren Spector, where players creatively tackle different challenges in the world to explore all the possibilities and storylines – but with consequences for their chosen actions.”

Here is the full trailer showing the story of Epic Mickey —

Phineas and Ferb: Ride Again on Nintendo DS

24 September 2010 by Suzannah Otis 8 Comments

With a household of gamers, I had no trouble getting someone to give me their opinion of the new Phineas and Ferb: Ride Again Nintendo DS game I was given to review from Disney Interactive Studios. Here’s what the family thought of the game:

Disney Interactive has delivered a fun game for fans of the popular Disney Channel show Phineas and Ferb; Phineas and Ferb: Ride Again for the Nintendo DS and DSi. The game follows the adventures of the title characters as you guide them through the environments of Danville looking for parts to build various contraptions. There are many mini games to break up the action and keep the game play fresh. You can also download content to share rides and compete against friends.

A personal favorite is a Pac-man style game in which you try to collect screws for a project while steering clear of Candice. After playing through the first level of the game the only complaints were that Perry was relegated to being a “save point” and is not included in the game play elements, although you can play as Agent P. while he battles Dr. D and his robots. Finally, the open style of game play, having no defined path through which to complete a level, may prove to be a little frustrating for younger players. Overall Phineas and Ferb: Ride Again is a fun and satisfying game for fans of Danville’s most famous residents.

Disney’s Phineas and Ferb: Ride Again is available now on Nintendo DS and Dsi. The single-player game is rated E for Everyone and retails for $29.99. For more information including screenshots and game trailer, head over to Disney Interactive Studios Phineas and Ferb: Ride Again page.

Make Some Magic With the Wizards of Waverly Place:Spellbound Nintendo DS Game

13 August 2010 by Suzannah Otis 2 Comments

Disney Interactive Studios announced today the upcoming release of Wizards of Waverly Place: Spellbound for Nintendo DS™. Inspired by the hit Disney Channel TV series, “Wizards of Waverly Place,” the video game will take players through five exciting episodes in a brand new mystery as they play as some of their favorite characters from the show.

In Wizards of Waverly Place: Spellbound, players will take their Wizard skills to the next level to find out what happened to a dress designed by Alex Russo that goes missing just before her big fashion show. Fans can play as their favorite wizards-in-training – Alex, Justin and Max Russo – while interacting with familiar characters and exploring locations from the show, including the Waverly Sub Station, Tribeca Prep and others.

In this fun-filled adventure game, players will complete various puzzles and overcome obstacles by casting spells on objects and characters. Fans will be able to move and freeze objects, turn themselves into a hamster, travel at turbo speed and more. In addition, players can dress Alex in 25 collectible outfits and compete in bonus wizard challenges.

Wizards of Waverly Place: Spellbound will be available this fall for Nintendo DS.