Ignition and Tecmo Present NOSTALGIA for Nintendo DS

April 28, 2009

Ignition and Tecmo Present
NOSTALGIA for Nintendo DS Prepare to Lift-Off in September 2009

Ignition Entertainment Ltd., a UTV
Enterprise, a worldwide publisher and developer of videogames, and Tecmo, in
conjunction with Matrix Software and Red Entertainment, invite gamers to takeoff
on a nostalgic journey through time and space with Nostalgia for Nintendo DS™ –
launching September 2009. Set in an alternate-reality version of 19th-century
Earth, Nostalgia casts you as Eddie, a headstrong Londoner who amasses a group
of memorable companions to traverse the world in his steampunk-inspired
zeppelin. As you navigate the open skies, you’ll explore mysterious foreign
locales, slay all manner of fantastical enemies, complete a variety of thrilling
quests, and ultimately, save the world from unfathomable evil.

Developed by Matrix Software (Dragon
Quest V PS2, Final Fantasy III-IV DS), in association with Red Entertainment (Gungrave,
Bonk, Thousand Arms), Nostalgia brings together a powerful think-tank of
old-school Japanese RPG development talent to present a stunning new vision in
gaming. Produced by Keisuke Kikuchi (Fatal Frame, Tokobot) and directed by Naoki
Morita (Sakura Taisen), with art direction by Yoshiteru Tsujino (Far East of
Eden), airship design by Takuhito Kusanagi (Grandia, Blue Submarine No.6,
Samurai 7), and enemy design by Keita Amemiya (Iria- Zeiram the Animation, Kamen
Rider), Tecmo has amassed an all-star dream team of industry veterans to forge a
brand new DS adventure that hearkens back to the classic glory days of Japanese
role-playing games.

According to Nostalgia producer,
Keisuke Kikuchi, “I knew this game had such potential when I saw Mr. Morita’s
project book. It is an adventure game set in another Earth, offering an
enjoyable story that involves various different cultures in many diverse
locations. The key element that brings the game together is the airship, the
conveyance which fits its game system and world-view. I wanted to make this idea
into a product for everyone to play.”

“We feel deeply honored for the
opportunity to bring Tecmo’s esteemed Japanese Nintendo DS role-playing game
“Nostalgeo no Kaze” to an entirely new audience as Nostalgia,” said Shane
Bettenhausen, New Business Development Director of Ignition Entertainment. “Amid
a sea of remakes and rehashes, this endearing adventure blazes its own unique
path with deeply engrossing gameplay systems, but it also hearkens back to the
classic RPGs of yesteryear with its unforgettable characters and universal
narrative themes.”

Key Game Features:

  • Ambitious, fully 3D polygonal
    graphical engine offers dramatic, sweeping camera angles and impressive vistas
    rarely seen in a DS title.

  • Cohesive, anime-inspired art
    direction that effectively captures the game’s turn-of-the-century charm.

  • Travel to incredibly unique,
    non-traditional RPG locales via airship including London, New York, Cairo,
    Africa, and Russia.

  • Features two distinct combat
    engines: One is a brisk, turn-based close-quarters melee between your party
    members and monsters; while the other offers thrilling, large-scale airship
    battles. In addition, your battle skills are scored at the conclusion of each
    conflict, inspiring strategic mastery.

  • Handy in-game notebook feature
    keeps track of people, monsters, airships and items you’ve run across.

  • Plenty of user-defined
    customization, allowing the player to trick out his or her airship with
    various weapons, armor types, and special skill attacks. The player can also
    choose character-specific skills from a branching tree for a more personalized
    experience.

  • Explore a variety of diverse,
    engaging dungeons that include brain bending puzzles and tricky Indiana
    Jones-style traps.

  • Optional quest system inspires
    players to approach the adventure from a less linear perspective, extending
    the life of the gameplay experience.