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Spore Hero Arena Coming to DS

Maxis today announced that it will be bringing the popular Spore PC game to the Nintendo Wii and DS systems later in 2009. Spore, which is known for its absurdly long development time, was a fairly big hit last year on the PC. The game puts players in the role of an invisible overseer who designs, follows and commands his or her own race of space-faring creatures from the microbe stage to full-fledged civilization. Immense in scope, the game was criticised for providing too much content but not enough depth along each of the stages of the civilization's development. By far the best part of the game is the later half, where players take their race out into the galaxy and explore other user-generated planetary systems.

Spore Hero for the Wii takes the premise of the main game and focuses it down onto one individual member of an alien race. Set in a rich and vibrant 3D world, Spore Hero empowers players to create their own Hero as they embark on an epic quest to save their new home world from destruction as a dark force threatens the planet. Taking full advantage of the Wii controls, Spore Hero engages players in heated battles, humorous missions, curious puzzles and more. Throughout the game, players will collect more than 250 parts with unique abilities and experience the unparalleled customisation of the revolutionary Spore Creature Creator enhanced for the Wii

Another spinoff title will make its way to the Nintendo DS, called Spore Hero Arena. According to the publisher, this title will focus on fun, intense arena-based combat. Players create a unique gladiator Hero creature and guide it from planet to planet as they fight dangerous enemy creatures and complete special missions, collecting new parts and abilities, gaining upgrades along the way. In the quest for combat, they'll seek out to defeat each local champion and unlock special abilities that will benefit their Hero. By combining special abilities, parts, and upgrades, players create a fighting style of their own in hopes to stop an evil force and save the galaxy. Spore Hero Arena will also feature multiplayer capabilities as players can battle with up to three friends locally or play with a friend over Wi-Fi.

The choice of Nintendo consoles for these games is somewhat puzzling, given the high resource demands of the PC version. Howver, Nintendo's indisputable popularity with families probably made it an obvious decision:

"When Maxis first considered bringing Spore to console players, the Nintendo platforms jumped out as a perfect fit. Whether it is the stylus-driven action of the Nintendo DS or playful controllers of the Wii, the massive Nintendo audience is the ideal home for Spore Hero and Spore Hero Arena," said Lucy Bradshaw, General Manager at Maxis. "Nintendo fans will love the humor, ability to create their own Hero, fun gameplay and immersive storylines we're creating for these two games."

Spore Hero and Spore Hero Arena will be available in the fall of 2009.

[Source: Spore Hero Coming to Nintendo Wii]