Cartoon Network's shows become games

Cartoon Network unveiled an upcoming slate of video games based on its original programming, in cooperation with Midway Games, the Game Factory, Crave Entertainment, and D3 Publisher of America.

Fans can expect to see titles based on such hits as Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends, Camp Lazlo, The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy, Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi, and Aqua Teen Hunger Force, said Christina Miller, vice president of US consumer products at Cartoon Network Enterprises.

"Gaming is a natural extension of what kids are seeing on air and gives them the ability to interact directly with their Cartoon Network characters," she said.

Miller added that working with several game companies ensured that Cartoon Network had its characters on every platform that had strong market penetration.

Midway is set to release a Grim Adventures game for consoles and handhelds this year that can be played either solo or with friends. The show is in its fifth season, and a 90-minute movie is planned for next year.

Midway also is working on a game for next year based on Aqua Teen Hunger Force, part of Cartoon Network's Adult Swim programming block.

The Game Factory is working with an unusual combination of characters in Cartoon Network Racing, in which players race karts as their choice of Johnny Bravo, Dexter, the Powerpuff Girls, Courage the Cowardly Dog, Cow and Chicken, or I.M.Weasel.

Crave Entertainment is creating Nintendo Game Boy Advance games based on Craig McCracken's Foster's Home and Camp Lazlo. Both focus on overcoming challenges and solving puzzles as favorite characters from the popular shows.

D3PA is using the touch-screen capabilities of the Nintendo DS for Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi: Genie and the Amp, a game scheduled for release in June in which the two pop stars battle foes armed only with their musical instruments.