Rugby Challenge - You will say WOW

[bdoughty]

http://www.godisageek.com/2011/08/jo...u-s-september/

Jonah Lomu Rugby Challenge Out In U.S. This September (XBOX 360 ONLY)


One for our Stateside readers, this. Fans of Rugby Union in the States longing for some rugger action on Xbox 360 need wait no more, as with the Rugby World Cup mere weeks away, Mad Catz have announced that they are publishing the bumper, official-licence-stacked Jonah Lomu Rugby Challenge for American Xbox 360 owners.

With a stack of officially licensed teams and players, and of course the endorsement of the man-mountain who so famously ran through the English defense like a stampeding rhinoceros in 1995, Jonah Lomu’s Rugby Challenge looks like it could be the dropkick to the arse US sports fans need to get them into some proper egg-chasing. Mad Catz certainly seem excited about it, as their press release suggests.

“We are very excited to bring this popular rugby franchise to North America.” said Darren Richardson, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Mad Catz Interactive, Inc. “We are committed to building our software publishing and distribution business and strongly believe that this world class sporting title will be met with a warm reception by passionate gamers across the country.”





I am sure they only did the 360 because you can't play PAL games without modding your system. PS3 will have to import.

[bdoughty]

Jonah Lomu Rugby Challenge will be available for purchase at leading video game retailers and via the Mad Catz online store: www.gamesharkstore.com. This game is rated “E” for everyone by the ESRB.


Oh and for those wondering, this is the first game I listed in this thread, the one that looks really really good.

[bdoughty]

http://www.gamespot.com/news/6328074...nds-on-preview

[SmoothPancakes]

Excellent.

[JeffHCross]

Oh and for those wondering, this is the first game I listed in this thread, the one that looks really really good.

So, Rugby Challenge is now "Jonah Lomu Rugby Challenge" and is being published by Mad Catz? Is that the gist?

[bdoughty]

Sort of, it has always had three different names. Since we fall into the "rest of the world category" we get Jonah Lomu version. The games are all the same. It would be like Madden having Regional Covers for the different teams.

Wallabies Rugby Challenge in Australia



All Blacks Rugby Challenge in New Zealand




Jonah Lomu Rugby Challenge in the rest of the world




And last, but certainly not least, the beautiful US version

[JeffHCross]

Sort of, it has always had three different names. Since we fall into the "rest of the world category" we get Jonah Lomu version.

I knew there were three titles ... for some reason I didn't know that Europe's was called Jonah Lomu. Thanks for clearing it up.

[bdoughty]

It is kinda confusing since he played his whole career on the All Blacks and is from New Zealand.

[JeffHCross]

Yep. Since I'm an All Blacks fan, I'd rather get the All Blacks cover. But, since I can't get a physical copy of the game no matter what ... ... I guess it doesn't matter.

[bdoughty]

Good thing I held off on pre-ordering Rugby World Cup. The early reviews have not fared well. Looks like it will be Rugby Challenge for me.

Reviews

http://www.hookedgamers.com/ps3/rugb...ticle-770.html

http://www.thunderboltgames.com/revi...-xbox-360.html

http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/118/1189590p1.html

[JeffHCross]

Rugby Challenge Q&A with reader-submitted questions
http://ps3.ign.com/articles/119/1191239p1.html

What steps have been taken to truly connect the gamer with his/her passion of rugby? – submitted by JackLar79
CK: Rugby Challenge includes national anthems, the Haka ...

Win.

Good thing I held off on pre-ordering Rugby World Cup. The early reviews have not fared well.

Wow. On the one hand, I enjoyed Rugby 08 a decent amount (though that was partly because of all the different teams and tournaments, which aren't in RWC), so I don't mind what's essentially an HD remake of Rugby 08. But that's horribly disappointing, especially for a full price release. No chance I pick it up now, or anytime soon.

[bdoughty]

Good news for the PC guys. Rugby Challenge will be available on steam.

http://store.steampowered.com/app/20840

[BCEagles]

Sweet I didn't here of this game until now but I am the captain of my rugby team and I've been waiting for a good rugby game for so long.

[BCEagles]

Good news for the PC guys. Rugby Challenge will be available on steam.

http://store.steampowered.com/app/20840

Do you know if this game will be available for mac, I will probably end up getting it for PS3 but I'm just curious

[BCEagles]

O yeah I forgot to mention everybody here should watch the rugby world cup starting september 9th. Trust me once you watch
rugby and get to understand it you will love it. Also try joining an actual league a friend reccomended that I join his 2 years ago and I fell in love with it, now I'm the captain.

[morsdraconis]

Wow, Rugby for the PC. Interesting. I might actually give it a whirl now.

[bdoughty]

Do you know if this game will be available for mac, I will probably end up getting it for PS3 but I'm just curious

Unfortunately it will not according to the devs.

Rugby Challenge will release for PS3, 360, PC, and Sony Vita in Q3 2011.

[JeffHCross]

Do you know if this game will be available for mac, I will probably end up getting it for PS3 but I'm just curious

Since the Steam page doesn't mention Mac, I'd say it's unlikely. (And confirmed above, lol)

[bdoughty]

Rugby Challenge Reviews

One so far, posted on two sites

http://nzgamer.com/x360/reviews/1419...challenge.html
http://www.3news.co.nz/Rugby-Challen...4/Default.aspx

8.2/10

Rugby Challenge is not without its problems. But there is depth behind its flashy veneer. Perhaps most importantly, there doesn’t seem to be anything that ruins the game by overbalancing it. It embraces different playing styles, and rewards learning the skills associated with each. As I hope the All Blacks will in the coming weeks, Rugby Challenge plays with passion and does its best to impress with slick moves — but it also isn’t afraid to ‘win ugly’.

[bdoughty]

Found another

http://www.rugbyspectator.com/2011/0...ox-360-review/

Rugby Spectator’s verdict

If you love rugby and you love gaming, you would be a fool not to buy Jonah Lomu’s Rugby Challenge!

With all the customisation features, there is plenty to keep you occupied before, during and after the Rugby World Cup. The gameplay is not quite what we had hoped, it’s still very good though, but perhaps the hype gave us unrealistic expectations. However, given that you can change your team’s tactics, perhaps the gameplay will be more impressive with practice and a few tweaks.

Overall, Jonah Lomu Rugby Challenge is a must buy for all avid rugby and/or gaming fans.

Rugby Spectator’s rating

The Rugby Spectator team are giving this game an 8.5/10.

This rating is a little higher than Rugby World Cup 2011, but the few annoying gameplay issues stop it rating any higher. We will definitely be buying this game and can see many a beer being sunk while playing it down the Rugby Club or online.