D3PUBLISHER OF AMERICA AND TOMY CORPORATION ANNOUNCE NARUTO 2 - BELIEVE IT!
Ninjas Ready Their Jutsu In Anticipation For Naruto™: Clash of Ninja™ 2 Exclusively for Nintendo GameCube™ And Naruto™: Ninja Council™ 2 For Game Boy® Advance This Fall 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
LOS ANGELES, CA - May 1, 2006 - North
America has gone wild over NARUTO - Believe it! Following the
successful launch of NARUTO: Clash of Ninja and NARUTO: Ninja
Council in March 2006, D3Publisher of America, Inc. (D3PA)
and TOMY Corporation will present NARUTO: Clash of Ninja 2
for Nintendo GameCube and NARUTO: Ninja Council 2 for
Nintendo Game Boy® Advance at this year's Electronic
Entertainment Expo (E3), taking place at the Los Angeles
Convention Center from May 10-12, 2006. The latest video
games follow the storyline of VIZ Media's hit anime series
SHONEN JUMP's NARUTO, and will feature more playable
characters, new locations and added gameplay features
including multiplayer modes for up to four players .
"The critical and retail success of the NARUTO video games in
North America are a testament to the global appeal of the
franchise , said Alison Quirion, vice president of marketing,
D3PA. "NARUTO: Clash of Ninja 2 on GameCube and NARUTO: Ninja
Council 2 on Game Boy Advance will build upon the success of
the first titles by offering a host of new playable
characters, non-stop ninja annihilation with heated
multi-player battles and challenging gameplay modes that are
sure to please gamers of all ages."
"We are very pleased with the response for NARUTO thus far
and are excited to be working with D3PA to bring these Naruto
games to the USA," said Laura Yoshioka, senior marketing
manager, TOMY Corporation. "The Naruto franchise continues to
be enormously popular and we look forward to bringing more
quality titles featuring the rich storylines and fascinating
characters from the hit TV series to American gamers.
NARUTO: Clash of Ninja 2, developed exclusively for Nintendo
GameCube, will offer non-stop ninja style combat action for
1-4 players where gamers choose to play as one of 23 total
available characters. All-new multi-player modes will engage
players in frantic simultaneous four player battles and
single-player modes will offer more gameplay choices than
before with survival and timed attack modes that allow
players to showcase their taijutsu and special jutsu
abilities. Developed by 8ing, NARUTO: Clash of Ninja 2 is
anticipated for release in September 2006.
The second Game Boy Advance title in the series, NARUTO:
Ninja Council 2 builds on the storyline of the first game and
will allow players to switch between 3 unique characters on
the fly to strategically conquer each challenging level.
All-new multiplayer modes offer head-to-head action or
cooperative play for up to four players. Developed by Aspect,
Ninja Council 2 is anticipated to be released in Fall
2006.
NARUTO takes place in a world where ninja hold the ultimate
power. Infused with the spirit of a once fearsome Nine-Tailed
Fox, Naruto Uzumaki is a ninja-in-training who is learning
the art of Ninjutsu with his classmates Sakura and Sasuke.
The trio studies under the instruction of their teacher,
Kakashi, who helps the group face dangerous and daunting
tests and challenges. Through their adventures, the young
ninja learn the importance of friendship, teamwork, loyalty,
hard work, creativity, ingenuity, and right versus
wrong.
About D3Publisher of America, Inc
D3Publisher of America, Inc. is a subsidiary of D3Publisher,
with headquarters in Tokyo. D3Publisher of America's
strategic focus is on licensed and original titles from
leading third-party developers that appeal to mass-market
consumers or gaming enthusiasts. Based in Los Angeles,
D3Publisher of America distributes and publishes software for
personal computers and the major console platforms including
Game Boy® Advance, Nintendo GameCube, Nintendo DSÔ,
PlayStation® game console, PlayStation®2 computer
entertainment system, PSP portable entertainment
system and the Xbox® video game system from Microsoft. For
additional information on D3Publisher of America and its
products, visit the website at http://www.d3p.us
About TOMY Corporation
TOMY Corporation is a subsidiary of TOMY Company, Ltd, with
headquarters in Tokyo. The newly created Consumer Software
Division's mission is to develop and publish game titles for
the North American marketplace, based on both licensed and
original intellectual properties. TOMY currently publishes
for the Nintendo GameCube, Game Boy® Advance, and
Nintendo DS. TOMY also develops and manufactures a
portfolio of toys and games including: Thomas and
Friends, Constructables and Gearation brand toys and
games. Information on TOMY and TOMY products can be found at
http://www.tomy.com/tc/.
About VIZ Media, LLC
Headquartered in San Francisco, CA, VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ
Media), is one of the most comprehensive and innovative
companies in the field of manga publishing, animation and
entertainment licensing of Japanese content. Owned by three
of Japan's largest creators and licensors of manga and
animation, Shueisha Inc., Shogakukan Inc., and Shogakukan
Production Co., Ltd. (ShoPro Japan), VIZ Media is a leader in
the publishing and distribution of Japanese manga for English
speaking audiences in North America and a global licensor of
Japanese manga and animation. The company offers an
integrated product line including, magazines such as SHONEN
JUMP and SHOJO BEAT, graphic novels, videos, DVDs, audio
soundtracks and develops and markets animated entertainment
from initial production, television placement and
distribution, to merchandise licensing and promotions for
audiences and consumers of all ages.
Contact VIZ Media at 295 Bay Street, San Francisco, CA 94133;
Phone (415) 546-7073; Fax (415) 546-7086; and at www.VIZ.com.
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For Information, Contact:
Kirk Green
Gonzo Communications
(949) 459-2165
kirk@gonzocom.com
Tamara M. Sanderson
Publicity Manager
D3Publisher of America, Inc.
(310) 268-0820 ext. 129
t.sanderson@d3p.us