Ultimate Ninja 4: Naruto Shippuden

Santa Clara, Calif., (January 15, 2009) – Leading video games publisher and developer NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc., today announced Ultimate Ninja®4: NARUTO Shippuden, the first video game in North America based on the NARUTO Shippuden animated series from VIZ Media. Featuring the series’ trademark one-on-one ninja battles, the game debuts a number of new and exciting characters as well as several new modes of play for the most comprehensive NARUTO video game experience ever.

Set two and a half years after Naruto left the Hidden Leaf Village to undergo a strict training regiment with his mentor Jiraiya, Ultimate Ninja 4: NARUTO Shippuden lets players experience this new storyline for the first time. Returning to help recover his rival Sasuke from the evil Orochimaru, Naruto is reunited with all his old friends, only to find that a mysterious organization known as Akatsuki now poses an even more ominous threat to the Village.

Ultimate Ninja 4: NARUTO Shippuden features several unique game modes that offer different experiences as players immerse themselves in the world of ninja. The new Master Mode combines role-playing and action-platforming elements, telling the story of how Naruto came to return to the Hidden Leaf Village after his training with Jiraiya; an original narrative arc that fans won’t find anywhere else. Players can collect items in this mode to unlock characters in Free Battle Mode, featuring the series’ trademark one-on-one ninja battles for one or two players. Packed with new NARUTO Shippuden characters such as Deidara, Sasori and Chiyo as well as updated versions of fan favorites such as Gaara, Kakashi and Sakura, the game features 52 total playable characters to take into battle.

“Ultimate Ninja 4: NARUTO Shippuden will be the first video game based on the NARUTO Shippuden animated series in North America, giving players their first look at how Naruto’s world has changed in the two and a half years since he left his friends to refine his ninja training,” said Todd Thorson, director of marketing and public relations with NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc. “Featuring the biggest roster of playable characters ever in the Ultimate Ninja franchise and a variety of new and engaging game modes, it’s everything Naruto fans need to immerse themselves in the characters and storyline of NARUTO Shippuden.”

Developed by CyberConnect2, Ultimate Ninja 4: NARUTO Shippuden is slated for release on the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system this March. For more information on the game, please visit www.namcobandaigames.com and www.hokagesroom.com. For more information on NARUTO and to view episodes of NARUTO Shippuden for free, please visit www.naruto.com.

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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 (graphic novel) 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-Shueisha Productions, Co., Ltd., VIZ Media is a leader in the publishing and distribution of Japanese manga for English speaking audiences in North America, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and South Africa and is a global ex-Asia licensor of Japanese manga and animation. The company offers an integrated product line including magazines such as SHONEN JUMP and SHOJO BEAT, graphic novels, and DVDs, and develops, markets, licenses, and distributes animated entertainment 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 a leading interactive entertainment software publisher and developer based in Santa Clara, CA. The company is a part of the NAMCO BANDAI group of companies known for creating and publishing many of the industry's top video game franchises including the PAC-MAN®, SOULCALIBUR®, NARUTO™ and Tekken® brands. For more information about NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc., and our products log onto http://www.namcobandaigames.com/.

Ultimate Ninja® 4: Naruto™ Shippuden software © 2004-2009 NAMCO BANDAI Games Inc. All Rights Reserved. NAMCO BANDAI Games logo is a trademark of NAMCO BANDAI. NARUTO artwork and elements © 2002 MASASHI KISHIMOTO / SHIPPUDEN. All Rights Reserved. SHONEN JUMP and NARUTO are trademarks of Shueisha, Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries. This product is manufactured, distributed and sold in North, South and Central American territories under license from VIZ Media, LLC

"PlayStation" and the "PS" Family logo are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

Press Release © 2009 NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc.

Contacts:

Kit Ellis

Namco Bandai Games America

(408) 235-2131

kellis@namcobandaigames.com

Julia Layman

Weber Shandwick

(310) 854-8259

jlayman@webershandwick.com