SEGA Partners With Empire Interactive To Publish Classic Collection Of Taito Arcade Games
Value-Priced Classic Collection Features Space Invaders; 29 Arcade Favorites
SAN FRANCISCO (September 6, 2005) - SEGA of America, Inc. today announced that it has signed an exclusive North and South American distribution agreement with Empire Interactive to publish Taito LegendsTM for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, the Xbox video game system from Microsoft®, and the PC. This exciting compilation features 29 arcade classics and spans nearly 30 years of gaming history.
Long-time video game fans can re-live fond memories of their first arcade experiences with Space Invaders (1978), Jungle Hunt (1982), Zoo Keeper (1982), and Elevator Action (1983). Players weaned on prior console ports of Bubble Bobble (1986), Operation Wolf (1987) and Rastan (1987) can finally play these games at home exactly as they appeared in arcades. And everybody will enjoy discovering forgotten classics like the addictive puzzler Tube-It (1993) and the hectic shooter Exzisus (1987).
"We are proud to partner with Empire Interactive to deliver the most extensive collection of arcade classics ever to be offered on a single disc," said Scott A. Steinberg, Vice President of Entertainment Marketing, SEGA of America, Inc. "Taito's library of games are as fun to play today as they were when they dominated arcades in the 80's and 90's."
"The retro game compilation market in the US is strong and Taito Legends is the most complete and historically significant arcade compilation ever assembled," said Ian Higgins, CEO Empire Interactive. "We are delighted to be working with SEGA with whom we have enjoyed a successful relationship over many years."
Taito Legends represents the first time most of these games have been made available on console and PC. The collection also offers a wealth of bonus material, including a comprehensive history of Taito and interviews with the designers of Space Invaders, Space Invaders part 2, Bubble Bobbble, Rainbow Islands and Volfied.
Complete Taito Legends Title List:
Space Invaders (1978), Phoenix(1980), Space Invaders Part 2 (1980), Colony 7 (1981), Electric Yoyo (1982), Jungle Hunt (1982), Zoo Keeper (1982), Elevator Action (1983), Great Swordsman (1984), Return of the Invaders (1985), Bubble Bobble (1986), Gladiator (1986), Tokio (1986), Exzisus (1987), Plump Pop (1987), Operation Wolf (1987), Rainbow Islands (1987), Rastan (1987), Super Qix (1987), The New Zealand Story (1988), Operation Thunderbolt (1988), Battle Shark (1989), Continental Circus (1989), Plotting (1989), Volfied (1989), Ninja Kids (1990), Space Gun (1990), Thunderfox (1990) Tube It (1993)
Taito Legends for PlayStation 2, Xbox and PC will be available at major retailers on October 25, 2005.
About SEGA
SEGA® of America, Inc. is the American arm of Tokyo, Japan-based SEGA Corporation, recognized as a worldwide leader in interactive entertainment both inside and outside the home. The company develops, publishes and distributes interactive entertainment software products for a variety of hardware platforms including PC, wireless devices, and those manufactured by Nintendo, Microsoft and Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. SEGA of America's Web site is located at www.sega.com.
About Empire
Empire is a leading publisher of interactive entertainment software that has been established for 14 years. The company floated on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) of the London Stock Exchange in July 2000. Headquartered in the UK, Empire also has offices in the US, Germany, France, Italy and Spain. The company develops and publishes a varied range of titles for current and next-generation platforms in the US, Europe and Asia. Further information about Empire and its products can be found at: http://www.empireinteractive.com
About Taito
Since its inception in 1953, TAITO has led the way for interactive entertainment. With the release of "Space Invaders" in 1978, a new form of entertainment was born - computer games. Leading the way for what is now a multi-billion dollar industry that has on occasion surpassed the film industry in popularity, TAITO continues to further expand its array of product and create and distribute games that will open the eyes, excite the mind (and fingers), and of course live up to the company motto, "Catch the Heart". Further information about the TAITO Corporation and its products can be found at: www.taito.co.jp/eng/.