Jonah Lomu Rugby Challenge (as it’s titled in South Africa) finally has a release date, and thankfully it’s earlier than many anticipated after the game’s publisher Tru Blu Entertainment assured fans that it wouldn’t release later than September 30th, as it has today been announced that the console versions of Rugby Challenge will launch in early September in the Southern Hemisphere.

Slated for release on September 2nd in New Zealand, and September 8th in South Africa and Australia, Rugby Challenge will become available just prior to start of the real-world Rugby World Cup kicks off on September 9th - favourable timing indeed.

Rugby Challenge will be released in other parts of the world shortly thereafter, and the PC version will also be available at retailers and on Steam during September. Additionally, a PS Vita version of the game will be released next year.

If you’re unclear about what Rugby Challenge offers from a features perspective, here’s the official breakdown:

• Play in Single Match Mode, Competition Mode, and multi year Career Mode as well as extensive help and Tutorial Mode options available for players new to the sport 96 teams and 31 stadia featured including official team and competition licenses 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
• Enjoy the game with groups of friends locally, or compete in online multiplayer with support up to 4v4 via PlayStation Network, Xbox LIVE, or Steam
• Create or customise players, teams, and competitions using the extensive customisation tools to shape the game to your own preferences and keep the game fresh season after season
• Dynamic presentation delivers a true on-field rugby experience with enhanced replay angles, lifelike cut-scenes, rich sound, and real-time commentary from seasoned rugby commentator Grant Nisbett and former All Blacks halfback Justin Marshall

Can Rugby Challenge deliver on its publisher’s promise of being the best rugby game ever made? Will I be able to use someone else’s PS3 savegame which includes the entire World Cup Springbok team (thanks to the player creator) in all their true-to-life glory? These questions along with many others will be answered come September 8th (for us South Africans at least).

Feel free to read over our previous coverage of this highly anticipated rugby title here, and take a gander at the clip below to see Jonah Lomu’s contribution to enhancing the game’s realism.

Source: Rugby Challenge Official Website