Spectrobes: Origins Hits Stores

Disney Interactive Studios has shipped Spectrobes: Origins to retail while also announcing a September launch for exclusive Spectrobes-themed iPhone and iPod Touch apps that further the game experience via cool multimedia content.

From the screens and trailers I've seen, it sure looks like Genki (one of my favorite Japanese developers from way back, thanks to a bunch of mech and driving games) is still delivering the goods, so this one should be quite a bit of fun. While I go make a cup of tea (ginger/lemon, in case you're curious), here's the game's official press release and a few screens for you to peruse:

Disney Interactive Studios announced today that Spectrobes: Origins, the third installment of Disney’s popular monster battle video game franchise, is now available across North America exclusively for the Wii™ system from Nintendo.

Spectrobes: Origins lets players control interplanetary patrol officers Rallen or Jeena in the first Wii installment for Disney's top-selling Spectrobes franchise. Players will find, train and command more than 100 mysterious Spectrobes, while unlocking their unique powers in order to save the galaxy. Spectrobes: Origins features exciting two-player cooperative play made specifically for Wii that allows players to team up and battle together; an all new 3-D fossil excavation mode; and special collectible code input cards that provide secret codes to unlock hidden items and new creatures.

“Spectrobes: Origins takes this popular franchise to the next level, giving fans a whole new experience on Wii,” said Craig Relyea, senior vice president of global marketing, Disney Interactive Studios. “The opportunity to explore and battle through the Spectrobes universe on Wii makes Spectrobes: Origins a must-have for action/adventure and RPG fans of all ages.”

Spectrobes: Origins was named Runner-Up for Best Wii Role Playing Game in IGN’s Best of E3 2009 Awards.

The Spectrobes franchise, an original property created by Disney Interactive Studios in Japan, comes to Wii for the first time after two successful games on Nintendo DS™. More than 1.6 million units of the two Spectrobes Nintendo DS games have shipped worldwide.

Spectrobes items are coming to iPhone and iPod Touch through an app that introduces fans to the franchise through premium video content and exclusive video footage from Spectrobes: Origins. The Spectrobes app, due in September, features 14 video episodes, game trailers, wallpapers and links to other Disney products. The app is available for free on the App Store to all iPhone and iPod Touch users

Published by Disney Interactive Studios and developed in Tokyo by Genki Co., Ltd., Spectrobes: Origins is rated E10+ for Everyone 10 and Older by the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) and has a suggested retail price of $49.99.