Atari has announced the Christmas 2003 release in Europe of Asterix& Obelix XXL for Playstation 2 and GameCube. It is the latest videogame version of the Gallic heroes' adventures. Asterix & Obelix XXL marks the continuation of Atari's long collaboration with book publisher Editions Albert René.

Asterix & Obelix are returning in style on next-generation consoles, with an XXL game in which they battle up to 70 Romans at a time. Asterix & Obelix XXL makes full use of the technical features of new consoles to produce an extraordinary image of the universe of Asterix and Obelix, through 6 gigantic levels and 49 challenges, each more astounding than the next.

The two heroes have been given a new look and now appear in high-definition 3D. Their characters are more clearly defined and the technology reflects Atari's approach to the universe of our irrepressible Roman bashers. Also, players no longer have to choose between the characters: they can control both Asterix and Obelix at the same time! This "PAIRING" is a videogame first!

"Atari innovates again with its adaptation of the Gallic heroes' universe, in which gamers will feel like they have drunk an interactive magic potion," explained Atari Group chairman Bruno Bonnell. "Asterix & Obelix XXL is bound to be a Christmas best seller for new-generation consoles."

Atari (formerly Infogrames) brought out its first Asterix videogame in 1993. The franchise has sold more than 5 million units to date, primarily in Europe.