Bleach: Dark Souls

UPC: 010086670226

Platform: Nintendo DS

Publisher: Sega of America, Inc.

Developer: Treasure

Category: Fighting

Style(s): 2D Fighting

Synopsis: The Cartoon Network's popular anim? show returns to the DS for more 2D fighting action and an expanded cast of characters in Bleach: Dark Souls. The game follows an entirely new storyline, set between season one and two of the cartoon, in which main character Ichigo Kurosaki continues his quest to save the life of Rukia Kuchiki, the Soul Reaper from whom he gleaned his power. There are 44 playable characters from which to choose, each voiced by real actors from the show, and all the battles take place in 2D, Fatal Fury-style multi-plane arenas. There are 30 new power-up cards and crystals for players to collect, and gamers can use the stylus to access health, attack, and defense "Spirit Cards" in the lower screen. There are seven different game modes, including "Story," "Arcade," and "Versus" mode, and multiplayer options let up to four DS duelers battle via Nintendo's Wi-Fi connection, or two players battle head-to-head using only one game cartridge. ~ Christopher Brown, All Game Guide