Namco Celebrates Pac-Man's 25th Anniversary With Pac-Man World™ 3
Newest Addition To The Family Of Games Featuring The Adored Character Slated To Hit Store Shelves This Fall
SANTA CLARA, Calif., (March 21, 2005) - Leading video games developer and publisher Namco Hometek Inc. announced today that it is celebrating Pac-Man's 25th birthday with the release of Pac-Man World 3 this fall. The latest iteration of the classic series will be available for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, Microsoft Xbox®, Nintendo GameCubeTM, PSPTM handheld entertainment system, and PC.
The world was first introduced to Toru Iwatani's yellow dot muncher in 1980. Shaped like a pizza missing a slice and making a wocka wocka wocka sound, Pac-Man exploded onto the video game scene and never looked back. 25 years later, Pac-Man has starred in dozens of games and has been the inspiration for more than 400 different products from cereal to watches to air fresheners and even a cartoon.
"Pac-Man helped launch video games into the mainstream, and as he turns 25 this year, we are happy to see that he continues to have an enduring appeal," said Garry Cole, Executive Vice President of Namco Hometek Inc. "We're delighted that today's generation is still able to experience the magic of Pac-Man with Pac-Man World 3."
"Like all of us, Pac-Man has evolved over the years, changing with the times," said Toru Iwatani, creator of Pac-Man. "People love Pac-Man because he's simple and cute and most important FUN."
In a mad search for power, evil genius Erwin creates a machine that can penetrate into the world of the Ghosts...the Spectral Realm! But now the Spectral Realm is collapsing into the real world, and this will bring about a massive catastrophe that will plunge the world into a state of devistation for years to come!
After mysteriously having been transported out of Pac-Village and into this strange and different land, it is up to Pac-Man to uncover Erwin's plot and save the world. Along the way, Pac-Man will meet a host of unexpected "old friends," and in order to defeat the ultimate enemy, he might just have to turn his old foes into allies!
While combining contemporary platform game mechanics with traditional Pac-Man play principles, Pac-Man World 3 features Pac-Man staples including Power Pellets, Pac-Dots, Pac-Chains and fruit while adding new elements such as a Pactrometer, power-up smoothies and several new special moves. Players will even get to play as Pinky and Clyde, who each have distinctive special abilities.
About Namco Hometek Inc.
Namco Hometek Inc. is the U.S. consumer division of Namco Limited, a Tokyo-based world leader in the high-tech entertainment industry. Based in Santa Clara, CA, Namco Hometek Inc. is an award-winning video games publisher for next generation game consoles. Namco has created some of the industry's greatest video game franchises: Tekken®, SOULCALIBUR®, Dead to Rights®, Pac-Man WorldTM, Ridge Racer®, Time Crisis® and ACECOMBATTM. For more information about Namco and its products log onto www.namco.com.
About Xbox
Xbox (http://www.xbox.com/) is the video game system from Microsoft that brings people together for the most exhilarating game and entertainment experiences. Xbox delivers an expansive collection of breakthrough games, powerful hardware and the unified Xbox Live online service. The new tagline, "it's good to play together," captures the spirit of Xbox as the social hub of the new digital entertainment lifestyle. Xbox is now available in North America, Asia, Europe and Australia.
PAC-MAN WORLDTM 3 & ® 1980 1999 2002 2005 NAMCO LTD., ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. PAC-MAN® ® 1980 2002 2005 NAMCO LTD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Manufactured pursuant to license with Namco Holding Corp.
TEKKEN®, SOULCALIBUR®, PAC-MAN WORLDTM, PAC-MAN®, Ridge Racer®, Time Crisis® and ACECOMBATTM are trademarks or registered trademarks of Namco Limited in the United States and/or other countries. Dead to RightsTM is a trademark or registered trademark of Namco Hometek Inc. in the United States and/or other countries.
PSP is a trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Memory Stick Duo TM may be required (sold separately).
TM, ®, and the Nintendo GameCube logo are trademarks of Nintendo. ® 2001 Nintendo. All rights reserved.
"PlayStation" and the "PS" Family logo are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
Xbox is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.
Contacts for Namco Hometek Inc.:
Kit Ellis or Robin Rosales
415-777-4000
-OR-
Mika Kelly
408-235-2133