Wii to celebrate Tomb Raider: Anniversary

by Ludwig Kietzmann { May 14th 2007 at 7:25PM }

In news that is sure to set tongues wagging and arms waggling, IGN reports that Lara Croft will soon raid a more modern tomb -- your Wii's game shelf. In a press release issued by an international Eidos branch, Tomb Raider: Anniversary is stated as being in development for Nintendo's popular console. Previously, the remake was only slated for release on the PC (including GameTap), PlayStation 2 and PSP.

With Eidos holding out on costly PS3 releases until 2008 and with no Xbox 360 version of Anniversary in sight, it seems the Wii is benefiting for once by being lumped in a similar technological bracket as the PS2. It makes for a quick and financially sensible port, it's only challenge being the ~~tacking on~~ implementation of unique motion controls. We're hoping for an ice-cold virtual hand to poke Lara into position for those tricky jumps.

No Anniversa-Wii date has been set, but other platforms begin festivities on June 5th.

Tags: Eidos, Lara Croft, LaraCroft, remake, Tomb Raider, Tomb Raider Anniversary, TombRaider, TombRaiderAnniversary

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

2kings @ May 14th 2007 7:31PM

*yawn*

jaysins @ May 14th 2007 7:33PM

I cannot imagine how motion controls would enhance this type of game unless it is used solely for the gun, though I can see the controls hurting this game. Not to say it can't be done, but a game like this where you are in a pulled back third person view and are constantly running right to the edge to make it to the opposing ledge, if the controls aren't dead on, or very close to perfect, they are going to ruin the game imo. I would think the controller would be more sensible. Anyone come up with a good control scheme using motion controls? Only thing I can come up with is the wii pointer is to turn left right, look up and down, auto aim essential, and it might work. Then just be really careful running up to ledges.

Hornio @ May 14th 2007 7:36PM

Why did you scratch off "tacking on"? Come on ludwig we all know that the wii is a gimmicky 2 gamecubes duct taped together, with games that are tacked on ports!

Mr Khan @ May 14th 2007 7:38PM

@ jaysins

I think the best implementation would be the Zelda TP variant; pointer based item usage, swipe attacks, and pure analog stick controls

@ Ludwig

please don't use the word aniversa-wii again

Ever

thank you

JodyAnthony @ May 14th 2007 7:43PM

That first sentence is the funnest thing I've read all day

required @ May 14th 2007 7:44PM

wowii how revolutionary!

Fatass of Kickassness @ May 14th 2007 7:45PM

@3 (Hornio)

LMAO. In a sad sort of way. Even morons need to be laughed at sometimes.

Developers need to start realizing that the Wii is it's own console and not just a place to dump ports for extra revenue.

Rubang B @ May 14th 2007 7:45PM

Ugh, they just duct taped another fad port to my tacked on GameCube gimmick.

Kye @ May 14th 2007 7:45PM

Never been interested in Tomb Raider. I doubt even a Wii version could make me raise an eyebrow.

And similar technology bracket as a PS2? Come off it, the GC was more powerful than a PS2... hell, a Dreamcast was more powerful than a PS2 (yeah, I went there)

As a matter of fact...

NINTENDO DEFENCE TEAM ASSEMBLE!!!

*flashy light sequence and drum n bass music ensue*

THUNDER, THUNDER, ummm... NINTENDOCATS HO...!

required @ May 14th 2007 7:48PM

hopefully this is not using the same code base as Tomb Raider: Legend (PSP) because it had a horrid frame rate making it practically unplayable.

Rubang B @ May 14th 2007 7:50PM

I'm totally the head this time, guys.

Rubang forms robotic head, with glowing blue slot for lazer shootin eyes!

Darkness @ May 14th 2007 7:51PM

If Eidos does a good job of getting the controls right, then I'll pick this up. I owned the original for the Saturn back in the day and would love to play through the update. The Wii has enough buttons to do most of the gameplay without having to overuse motion controls. I can see diving/jumping around enemies and such maybe being a motion since that would be a natural reaction, maybe add in free aiming as well. Shooting, jumping, climbing and all that should be button presses.

There is room for them to get it wrong, but with an important title like this, I would figure they'll do what they can to get it right.

Kye @ May 14th 2007 7:59PM

Ok Rubang, Voltron it is, you can be head a well...

Im the left leg! fire-breath and missiles are so mine!

Rubang B @ May 14th 2007 8:02PM

Yeah and you can use a sensor bar as a flaming grappling hook that explodes.

sheppy @ May 14th 2007 8:02PM

You see, you guys saw "Wii version" and that's cool. But as a guy who bought Legend on 360 and remembered how gorgeous it was (they actually made brown colorful), I saw the possibility of a PS3 release. Although it's doubtful. I will wait until the PC version gets the 360 and PS3 port treatment.

Also, Ludwig... if Kane & Lynch is now coming to PS3, how is the "we want more users" excuse valid anymore? I think Eidos was just being dicks with that comment.

Rubang B @ May 14th 2007 8:07PM

And sheppy gets to be our talking dog made out of a Virtual Boy.

"What's that Sheppy? Nintendo's in trouble? Quick, let's hop into my DS Phatmobile and get to the commissioner's office!"

mo @ May 14th 2007 8:11PM

@3

wow thats so clever ive never heard that before

lololol best post yet.....

talk all the trash you want fanboys the wii is out selling everyone

Kye @ May 14th 2007 8:14PM

*he looks at Rubang all wide-eyed and genuinely amazed*

Dude, your like a f*cking genius!
Flaming grappling hook sensor bar and DS Phatmobile? Pure genius.

Jody Anthony can use a pair of wii nunchuks as...well... like nunchuks!

Oh look, time for bed :-(

jay @ May 14th 2007 8:23PM

This I'd buy. I was going to get the PC version (since neither a PS2 or PSP owner I be) since I friggin love this game. Not 2 or anything later. Just 1.

I'd love a straight PS1 port to the DS too. Or just tone down the graphics on the update version.

Ludwig Kietzmann @ May 14th 2007 8:39PM

Well, Sheppy, considering that Kane & Lynch is scheduled for release during Christmas 2007 (at earliest), Eidos isn't too far off from their goal to wait until 2008 to release a PS3 title.

Rubang B @ May 14th 2007 8:50PM

Sorry Ludwig, but Sony just announced that Christmas 2007 has been delayed until February 2008.

sheppy @ May 14th 2007 8:51PM

Oh damn, foiled by Ludwig! Now what am I supposed to do with this huge frappin barrel of Joker Fish I was planning to dump in the resevoir?

Yeah, I could see Eidos pulling a move like that, actually. Personally, I think, with the current PS3 market so starved for games right now, even Spiderman 3 starts to look good (thankfully, I have all three so no worries). And a cheap and easy PC port of Tomb Raider Anniversary is the kind of thing that could rope decent sales right now in PS3 land. Personally, I feel it's foolish for a developer to stay away with the current userbase just because it's not big enough. But then again, I'm also one of those "small userbase" people who chunked out $60 on the 360 version of Legend. So frankly I'm more annoyed at the hypocritical stance their taking rather then them setting a finite timeline.

Ludwig Kietzmann @ May 14th 2007 9:03PM

Yeah, I have to agree there. It's kind of a pain having to go back to a PS2 version, knowing how well the 360 version of Legend was handled. A similar approach could have yielded a solid PS3 and 360 showing for Anniversary, but I suppose Eidos want to keep this a simple and comparatively inexpensive project while they work on a sequel to Legend.

Still, it seems sort of anti-climactic to go to all the trouble of remaking a true classic, but then only leaping forward a single generation.

Ryoga Vee @ May 14th 2007 9:13PM

"being lumped in a similar technological bracket as the PS2"

You do know the Game Cube was twice the power of the PS2. Comparing the Wii and PS2 is not even a contest. Just means we will get a dumbed down port and.

http://scholarship.aionline.edu/entry.aspx?id=815

sheppy @ May 14th 2007 9:12PM

Well, can't speak too much on that. Never really played the first one. I know, I'm missing out. But when it first came out I was too much of a Nintendo fanboy to get a Playstation (Quest 64 was my breaking point) at the time and while the series went steadily downhill, I kept avoiding it. It wasn't until the demo hit live that I took a chance.

So I was really eager for the anniversary cut. I mean, seriously, next gen consoles are currently barren for those type of games. I could do with another 6-8 hour adventure.