Namco Bandai Games America Inc. Announces "NARUTO(TM): Uzumaki Chronicles(TM)" For PlayStation(R)2 System
New Action Adventure Title Based on the Hit Anime Series Scheduled to Appear in Stores Winter 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SANTA CLARA, Calif., (August 2, 2006) - Leading video games publisher and developer NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc. announced today that "NARUTO TM : UZUMAKI CHRONICLES TM "will be available this Winter, exclusively for the PlayStation ® 2 computer entertainment system. Based on the hit animated TV series SHONEN JUMP's NARUTO from VIZ Media airing on Cartoon Network, this action adventure title offers players a chance to become Naruto, the aspiring ninja with the power of the Nine-Tailed Fox Spirit sleeping deep within. Set in a vividly rendered 3D environment, gamers can play through the story-driven missions to save the Hidden Leaf Village from the threat of evil and fulfill Naruto's dream of becoming the Hokage (leader).
"On the heels of the resounding success of 'NARUTO TM : Ultimate Ninja TM ,' fans of the series have been clamoring for new NARUTO adventures on the PlayStation 2," said Naruo Uchida, NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc.'s Senior Vice President. "With 'NARUTO: Uzumaki Chronicles,' we will deliver another layer of gameplay depth to the franchise by introducing an original storyline and providing an opportunity for fans to engage in large-scale ninja combat, all the while exploring familiar locations of the Naruto universe in an adventure setting."
"NARUTO: Uzumaki Chronicles" introduces a lush, never-before-seen 3D world that will test the players' Ninjutsu skills as Naruto, the feisty orphan who wants to become the most respected and admired ninja of all time. A brand new story drives the missions as players experience the trials and tribulations of a ninja-in-training - fierce competition from fellow students and constant challenges from their teachers. Players can collect status-boosting chips and plates to customize all aspects of Naruto's abilities and face-off against multiple enemies using either close combat moves or long-range weapons like shurikens and explosive cards. With familiar characters like Kakashi, Sasuke and Neji that can swoop in for assistance, "NARUTO: Uzumaki Chronicles" offers mini-games and lethal attacks straight from the popular anime series to satiate any aspiring ninja.
First introduced into the Weekly Shonen Jump Magazine in Japan in 1999, NARUTO -- by revered creator Masashi Kishimoto -- quickly became Japan's most popular ninja manga. In 2000, NARUTO was expanded into a series of graphic novels with more than 65 million copies sold in Japan. NARUTO consistently ranks as one of the most popular titles serialized in VIZ Media's SHONEN JUMP monthly manga anthology and one of the top graphic novel titles (also published by VIZ Media) in the United States. VIZ Media was named the Master Licensor in February 2005, obtaining the television, home video and merchandising rights to NARUTO for North America and Latin America.
For more information about "NARUTO: Uzumaki Chronicles," please visit http://wwww.namcobandaigames.com.
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 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 web site at www.VIZ.com.
About NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc.
NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc. is an interactive entertainment software publisher and developer based in Santa Clara, CA. The company is a subsidiary of the newly formed NAMCO BANDAI Holdings (USA) Inc. based in Cypress, CA.
On September 29, 2005, Bandai Co., Ltd. and NAMCO LIMITED implemented a management integration to form NAMCO BANDAI Holdings Inc. This step was taken to compete more effectively on the global stage in the fast-changing entertainment industry and to deliver further growth.
The resulting BANDAI NAMCO Group is a global entertainment group involved in business fields ranging from toys, amusement facilities, video game software and visual software, to apparel, sundries and network content.
As previous separate entities (Namco Hometek Inc. and Bandai Games Inc.) the companies were each known for creating some of the industry's top video game franchises including: Tamagotchi ® , Tekken ® , SOULCALIBUR ® , Dead to Rights ® ,
Pac-Man ® World TM , Digimon ® , Ridge Racer ® , Time Crisis ® and ACECOMBAT ® . For more information about NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc.
and its products log onto www.namcobandaigames.com.
Press Release ® 2006 NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc.
Naruto ® 2002 MASASHI KISHIMOTO Program ® 2006 NAMCO BANDAI Games.
Uzumaki Chronicles is a trademark of NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc. NAMCO BANDAI Games Logo is a trademark of NAMCO BANDAI. Published and Distributed by NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc under license from VIZ Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
"PlayStation" and the "PS" Family logo are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.