E3 2006: Midway's E3 Lineup @ Gaming Target

Written by John Scalzo on May 03, 2006

News: The house that Mortal Kombat built is back with more Mortal Kombat... and more.

While you may not think it, Midway is always good for some surprises when it comes to their release schedule. And this year's E3 lineup is no different.

Sure there's stalwarts like Mortal Kombat: Armageddon, Rush and Spy Hunter but there's also three Wii titles including a version of Blitz: The League (which is, interestingly enough, scheduled for an October release... hmm). Toss in Midway's first original next-gen game, Stranglehold, and the continuation of their Cartoon Network license, and you've really got something.

However, the anticipated debuts of TNA Impact! and the first game from the Adult Swim deal are MIA.

But here's what Midway will definitely have on hand at E3 2006:

John Woo Presents Stranglehold (PS3, Xbox 360, PC; Winter 2006) Ц Experience exhilarating, nextЦgen action for the PS3, Xbox 360 videogame and entertainment system from Microsoft and PC, as you continue the story of Inspector Tequila from John Woo's influential action film, "Hard Boiled" starring Chow YunЦFat. Run into danger with both fists full of lead and take down the organized crime bosses who stepped over the line when they took your family. Stop at nothing as you destroy the entire world around you to get them back. You are a desperate man following your own rules; honor thy family; do what's right; fear no man.
This title has not yet been concept approved by Sony Computer Entertainment America.

Unreal Tournament 2007 (PC, PS3) Ц The latest entry into the Unreal franchise, Unreal Tournament 2007, is currently in development by Epic Games Inc. Fans will be blown away by the nextЦgeneration game play, modifiability and visuals that Epic's Unreal Engine 3 technology will bring to the franchise.
This title has not yet been concept approved by Sony Computer Entertainment America.

Blitz: The League (Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii, PSP; October 2006) Ц The celebrated arcadeЦstyle football franchise is back and better than ever with a new treatment of America's most popular sport. Blitz: The League exposes the harsh and troubling, behindЦthe-scenes stories of a fictional professional football league.

Mortal Kombat: Armageddon (PlayStation 2, Xbox; October 2006) Ц Introducing Mortal Kombat: Armageddon Ц the latest chapter in Midway's bestЦselling, awardЦwinning, videogame fighting franchise. With the most complete Mortal Kombat roster ever, including every character from the Mortal Kombat fighting universe, revolutionary CreateЦAЦFighter and CreateЦAЦFatality modes, Mortal Kombat: Armageddon promises to be the most complete, intensely lethal, fighting experience ever!

Spy Hunter: Nowhere to Run (PlayStation 2, Xbox; September 2006) Ц Spy Hunter: Nowhere to Run takes the Spy Hunter franchise where it's never gone before Ц on foot. Featuring action superstar Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson as government superЦspy extraordinaire Alex Decker, players for the first time ever can step out of the Interceptor and straight into third-person action, utilizing The Rock's physical prowess by taking down enemies with intense melee combat moves.

The Lord of the Rings Online: Shadows of Angmar (PC) Ц The Lord of the Rings Online is the world's first and only massively multiplayer online (MMO) role playing game based upon the literary works of J.R.R. Tolkien. Gamers of all levels will establish their unique reputations, explore incredibly detailed realms and join familiar Tolkien characters, while adventuring solo or in fellowships within an evolving and persistent reЦcreation of MiddleЦearth. The Lord of the Rings Online: Shadows of Angmar is developed by Turbine, Inc. Midway will coЦpublish (along with Turbine) and distribute The Lord of the Rings Online: Shadows of Angmar in North America.

Rise & Fall: Civilizations at War (PC; June 2006) Ц Rise & Fall: Civilizations at War is the first realЦtime strategy game to place players directly in the heart of combat as a heroic general fighting sideЦbyЦside with their troops. Players can completely command one of the four mightiest empires of the ancient world as in a traditional RTS, but can also use Rise & Fall's innovative Hero Mode to enter the battlefield as one of history's eight greatest heroes.
Rise & Fall will be exclusively shown on Alienware systems at E3.

Happy Feet (PlayStation 2, Nintendo GameCube, Nintendo Wii, Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS, PC; November 2006) Ц Based on Warner Bros. Pictures' upcoming comedy adventure Happy Feet, Midway's immersive video game puts the player in the "tap shoes" of Mumble, a young penguin born into a nation of singing Emperor Penguins where each needs a Heartsong to attract a soul mate. Unfortunately, Mumble is the worst singer in the world... however, as it happens, he is a brilliant tap dancer! Based on the general storyline of the film, the player will be able to experience life from the point of view of Mumble in music, dance and interaction with the friends and enemies of the penguin's world.

The Ant Bully (PlayStation 2, Nintendo GameCube, Game Boy Advance, PC; July 2006 Ц Nintendo Wii; November 2006) Ц Go pick on someone your own size! After bullying an innocent ant colony, a young boy named Lucas is magically shrunk down to ant size and embarks on a remarkable adventure. Play as Lucas, experiencing the dangerous and thrilling life of an ant as you battle, explore and forge new friendships with natives and other species in his new ant world. Based on exciting moments from Warner Bros. Pictures upcoming digitally animated family adventure The Ant Bully, and featuring all Цnew challenges created especially for the game, help Lucas evolve from recluse to hero in his quest to save the colony from extermination

The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy (PlayStation 2, Nintendo GameCube, Game Boy Advance; November 2006) Ц The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy video game pits the characters from the popular Cartoon Network television show against each other in a fightingЦadventure game, filled with mayhem, chaos and overЦtheЦtop graphics. In battle mode, up to four players can use a multitude of weapons in destructible arenas like the "Desert of Doom " and the "Underworld " to battle it out and be the last one standing. Players also have the option to play on their own or with a friend in mission mode. There are a series of 45 storyЦbased missions which will encourage players to unlock new weapons and characters like the Boogey Man and Jack O'Lantern.

MLB SlugFest 2006 (PlayStation 2, Xbox; May 2006) Ц Midway's newest offering of its overЦtheЦtop baseball series, MLB SlugFest 2006 features a new createЦaЦplayer mode, updated 2006 team rosters and stadiums, along with a new library of signature animations and extreme collisions that have distinguished the franchise since its debut in 2002.

RUSH (PSP; September 2006) Ц For the first time ever on the PSP system, attempt mad jumps, highЦflying stunts and arcade-style racing from the original RUSH franchise. Go head to head with a friend in a street race or cruise mission using wireless functionality, or experience Story Mode which allows you to race through 5 Los Angeles city reЦcreations while finding treacherous shortcuts and surviving deathЦdefying jumps!

Mortal Kombat: Unchained (PSP; September 2006) Ц Mortal Kombat: Unchained takes the Mortal Kombat franchise to new heights with an innovative fighting system tailored for wireless functionality, unparalleled depth and brutally intense action that will appeal to longЦtime Mortal Kombat fans, as well as new gamers.

NBA Ballers: Rebound (PSP; May 2006) Ц NBA Ballers: Rebound is the only oneЦonЦone basketball videogame available for the PSP highlighting the ragsЦtoЦriches path from an unknown Baller to today's biggest NBA superstar.