'Ni Hao, Kai-lan' Handheld Game Debuts Holiday 2009

Nickelodeon's newest multi-cultural adventuress, preschooler Kai-lan Chow of Ni Hao, Kai-lan, will make her videogame debut in the coming months. Sure to incorporate several of the educational elements of the animated television series into scheduled, interactive gameplay for youngsters to absorb, the up and coming Ni Hao, Kai-lan game will accompany a new slate of Nickelodeon-branded console and handheld videogames set for release later this year.

Partnering again with Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. -- game publisher and distributor -- Nickelodeon is putting the final touches on a Ni Hao, Kai-lan game that will place kids in the shoes of the Chinese-American girl, teaming with her many animal friends to solve puzzles and learn about the girl's rich heritage. Developed under Take-Two's children's entertainment label 2K Play, which houses titles based on other children's television or theatrical productions, the new Ni Hao, Kai-lan games are scheduled for release in time for the Holiday 2009 season.

"Kai-lan, Dora and the Backyardigans encourage preschoolers to explore and learn through teamwork," Shaan Kandawalla, Vice President, Nickelodeon Kids & Family Games Group, commented in an official press note. "This partnership with 2K Play allows us to take these lessons to a new level through gaming, while strengthening the diversity of Nickelodeon's gaming portfolio."

The new Ni Hao, Kai-lan game will be available for the Nintendo Wii system, the Nintendo DS handheld unit, and the Sony PlayStation_2 home entertainment system. The game will include the series' ever-present Mandarin lessons as a key component in instructing children-gamers. According to Take-Two Interactive, the as of yet untitled game will center around the Chinese New Year and will include various exercises and adventures related to marching in a parade, decorating fancy lanterns, and learning more about ethnic foods.

Ensuring authenticity and a sense of consistency between the television animation and the new videogame, Take-Two often uses the same voice-over artists for its games as are used in the TV program. Additionally, the publisher frequently submits its 2K Play titles to panels of kids and parents, for age-appropriateness.

In related news, Dora and the Backyardigans will make their way to store shelves this coming holiday season in new games as well: through the Nintendo DS (Dora Puppy, The Backyardigans Untitled) and Nintendo Wii (Dora Saves the Crystal Kingdom). Take-Two already distributes a handful of Dora titles for the Gameboy Advance and PlayStation gaming systems.

on Take-Two Interactive: Headquartered in New York City, Take-Two Interactive Software (www.Take2Games.com) is a global developer, marketer, distributor and publisher of interactive entertainment software games for the PC, PlayStation_3 and PlayStation_2 computer entertainment systems, PSP (PlayStation®Portable) system, Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, Wii™ and Nintendo DS™. The Company publishes and develops products through its wholly owned labels Rockstar Games, 2K Games, 2K Sports and 2K Play.

Recent Ni Hao, Kai-lan Animation News:
"Nick Jr. Animation "Kai-lan" Season Two News" at AnimationInsider.net (05/2009)
"NIckelodeon Consumer Products at Toy Fair 2009" at AnimationInsider.net (03/2009)
For more Ni Hao, Kai-lan news, search "NiHao" only at Animation Insider.