Rugby Challenge coming to Vita in June

Sidhe’s rugby contender tackles Sony’s handheld next month.

Jeremy ProomeMay 23, 2012

New Zealand developer, Sidhe’s Rugby Challenge came out for consoles last year to the joy of neglected rugby fans.

While the game had a few niggles, the game ended up being a success and delivered an authentic rugby experience that gamers had been itching for since EA bailed out of the genre after Rugby 08.

News that their sports game was heading to Vita has been around for quite some time now, but it’s finally official that Rugby Challenge is arriving on Sony’s handheld very soon.

27 June to be precise, as the game will launch in South Africa, Europe, UK, Australia and New Zealand, bringing the familiar gameplay and presentation quality of the console version into the palms of your hands.

“We are excited to be able to bring the successful Rugby Challenge franchise to PlayStation Vita. It represents a quantum leap forward for hand-held gaming, delivering a console quality HD gaming experience in the palm of your hands,” said Tru Blu Managing Director, Sebastian Giompaolo. “We are especially looking forward to delivering a game into the hands of eager fans which utilises the touch screen capabilities of the world’s latest handheld system.”

Everything from its big-brother console version will appear within the game, obviously along with some new tweaks and touch features to utilise to Vita’s capabilities.

The Vita edition includes:

Multiple game modes including Single Match, Competition and Multi Year Career Modes as well as extensive Help and Tutorial Mode options for players new to the game;
96 teams and 31 stadia, incorporating official team and competition licences for the All Blacks, the Qantas Wallabies, the USA Eagles, Bledisloe Cup, AU/NZ Super Rugby, Aviva Premiership Rugby, TOP 14 Orange, RaboDirect PRO12, ITM Cup, and Ranfurly Shield;
Utilisation of key PlayStation Vita capabilities including touch screen controls for gameplay (conversion kicks and lineouts), the rear touch panel for sprint and a full touch screen user interface;
Online multiplayer capabilities allowing gamers to compete in 1 vs 1 head to head play and leaderboard competitions;
Extensive customisation tools allowing users to shape the game to their own preferences by creating and customising new players, teams and competitions; and
Real-time commentary from seasoned rugby commentators Grant Nisbett and former All Blacks’ halfback Justin Marshall.

So who’s ready to throw down some sidesteps and massive tackles while laying in bed? I sure am.