Alice in Wonderland, directed by Tim Burton, is a film set to release in early March and designed as a sequel of sorts to Lewis Carroll’s classic novels, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass. Disney Interactive Studios has now revealed that video games based on the film are in development by French studio Etranges Libellules for the Nintendo DS and Wii.

Like the film, the games are set a few years after the events of the literary works, and see Alice again entering the fantasy world by accident, this time entrusted as the only one who can defeat the Jabberwocky defending the evil Red Queen’s ’kingdom’. She isn’t exactly alone in her quest, however, as her old friends are back to lend a hand.

With the aid of the Mad Hatter, for instance, Alice’s perception of Underland can be altered to produce optical illusions, leading her to new or unnoticed areas. The Cheshire Cat is also back, this time using his power over visibility to make, not just himself, but also objects along the way, disappear.

"These games fully capture the magnificent and whimsical world of Underland while experiencing key moments from the film,” says Craig Relyea, the senior vice president of global marketing at Disney Interactive Studios. “More than just a retelling of the movie, Alice in Wonderland introduces fans to an entirely new style of innovative gameplay designed to challenge the puzzle solving skills of older players while making the adventures accessible and enjoyable for the younger crowd. Innovative gameplay and distinct artistic styles on each platform gives players a range of unique and engaging experiences."

Each version is different; while the Wii release is meant to follow the film’s story line closely, the DS version appears to be just about the battling. The home console version receives an upgradeable combat system, while the handheld release has "an innovative art style unique to the platform" and an exclusive playable character. DSi owners can also use its in-built cameras to "detect colors mapped to unlockable content when tasks are completed," whatever that means.

ILLUSION, MAGIC AND IMPOSSIBLE IDEAS COME TO LIFE IN UPCOMING ALICE IN WONDERLAND VIDEO GAMES FROM DISNEY INTERACTIVE STUDIOS

Games inspired by the upcoming Walt Disney Pictures film to give players their own unique journey through Tim Burton’s Underland

MELBOURNE, Australia – (18 January, 2010) – As Tim Burton and Lewis Carroll fans become curiouser and curiouser (Carroll, 1865) about Walt Disney Pictures’ upcoming “Alice in Wonderland” film, Disney Interactive Studios today announced development of video game adaptations of the beloved story. The video games, inspired by Tim Burton’s highly anticipated film starring Johnny Depp, Anne Hathaway, Helena Bonham Carter and Mia Wasikowska as Alice, find Alice several years after the original “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” and “Through the Looking Glass” stories. Alice in Wonderland for Wii™, Nintendo DS™ takes players on a topsy-turvy and immersive journey in Underland as Alice finds herself in a world of illusion and magic where nothing is quite like it seems. Alongside her endearing friends –Mad Hatter, March Hare, Cheshire Cat and White Rabbit – players aid Alice to defeat the Red Queen and Jabberwocky.

"These games fully capture the magnificent and whimsical world of Underland while experiencing key moments from the film,” said Craig Relyea, senior vice president of global marketing, Disney Interactive Studios. “More than just a retelling of the movie, Alice in Wonderland introduces fans to an entirely new style of innovative gameplay designed to challenge the puzzle solving skills of older players while making the adventures accessible and enjoyable for the younger crowd. Innovative gameplay and distinct artistic styles on each platform gives players a range of unique and engaging experiences."

Alice in Wonderland allows players to guide, protect and aid Alice as she journeys through the world of Underland while unraveling the game’s many twisted mysteries. Along the way, players call on a diverse and unique cast of characters such as the Mad Hatter and Cheshire Cat who each have unique abilities to help evade traps and solve challenging puzzles. The Mad Hatter can help Alice alter her perception of Underland and take advantage of optical illusions to open up places in the world the player alone would not have noticed. Meanwhile, the Cheshire Cat can use his ability to make himself and objects appear and disappear helping Alice through this strange world. Players must choose wisely when using each of the characters’ powers and combine the abilities to solve more complex puzzles.

The Wii version follow the film’s epic storyline and introduce new fiction and locations. With an upgradeable combat system, players collect “impossible ideas” to replay levels and unlock Underland’s secrets. Players must carefully select the supporting characters and their abilities to defeat the numerous enemies set forth by the Red Queen and her army of cards, destroy the Jabberwocky and restore Underland back into Wonderland.

The Nintendo DS version will introduce a new twist as players guide Alice alongside her diverse and enduring friends to combat the legions of the Red Queen’s Army. Creating their own path through Underland using an oracle, players lead, protect and help Alice on her quest. The DS version features an innovative art style unique to the platform, a playable character not seen on the home console version, and unique character abilities similar to those of the Wii version. DSi players will use the system’s camera to detect colors mapped to unlockable content when tasks are completed.

Developed by Etranges Libellules in France, Alice in Wonderland will be available for Wii and Nintendo DS with the same week as the film release in March 2010.