Intense ninja combat based on hit anime series comes at a value price
SANTA CLARA, Calif., (February 22, 2007) – Leading video games
publisher and developer NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc. announced
today that its popular ninja fighting game, "NARUTO™: Ultimate
Ninja™," has been inducted into Sony Computer Entertainment America’s
Greatest Hits program for the PlayStation® 2 computer entertainment
system. Based on the hit anime series SHONEN JUMP NARUTO™, from VIZ
Media, "NARUTO: Ultimate Ninja" provides an intense fighting
experience that will test any gamer’s chakra and has aspiring ninja
compete to become Hokage, the greatest warrior of all. "NARUTO:
Ultimate Ninja" joins the rankings of other highly esteemed titles to
deliver an exceptional game at a great value. Rated "T" for Teen by
the ESRB, the game will be relaunched in March 2007 with new packaging
and a suggested retail price of $19.99.
"We are very pleased with the overwhelming success 'NARUTO: Ultimate
Ninja' has received and thrilled it has qualified for PlayStation 2
system’s Greatest Hits program as it is a testament to the anime’s
dedicated fan base and the game’s broad consumer appeal," said Makoto
Iwai, Executive Vice President and COO, NAMCO BANDAI Games America
Inc. "The new price point will introduce a whole new audience to the
undeniably exciting ninjutsu action at a great value."
Developed by CyberConnect 2, "NARUTO: Ultimate Ninja" for the
PlayStation 2 system has grown to be a major hit throughout North
America. Featuring blazing single and multiplayer ninja battles that
bring the colorful series to life, "NARUTO: Ultimate Ninja" fans can
play as their favorite character with a variety of powerful secret
techniques, special ranged-weapon attacks and close-combat moves.
Gamers can explore 12 multi-tiered stages taken from the anime and
switch stage mid-combat to gain tactical advantage. Allowing players
to follow their favorite character’s storyline, they can accomplish
specific missions or battle it out against a friend to become the
ultimate Hokage -- the greatest ninja of all.
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 70 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: Ultimate Ninja," please visit
http://Naruto.namcobandaigames.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 www.namcobandaigames.com.
About VIZ Media, LLCHeadquartered 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.
Naruto © 2002 MASASHI KISHIMOTO Program © 2006 NAMCO BANDAI Games Inc.
Ultimate Ninja is a trademark of NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc.
"PlayStation" and "PS" Family logo are registered trademarks of Sony
Computer Entertainment Inc.
Press Release © 2007 NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc.