NARUTO MANIA IS ABOUT TO DOUBLE! TOMY AND D3PUBLISHER OF AMERICA
ANNOUNCE THE RELEASE OF NARUTO™: CLASH OF NINJA™ 2 - BELIEVE IT!
Next up - NARUTO™: Ninja Council™ 2 For Game Boy® Advance October 10th!
LOS ANGELES – September 26, 2006 – Twice the size of the first game with double the number of characters, NARUTO mania is expected to increase exponentially as TOMY Corporation and D3Publisher of America, Inc. (D3PA) today announced the release of NARUTO: Clash of Ninja 2 for Nintendo GameCube™ – Believe it! The sequel to the smash hit NARUTO: Clash of Ninja follows the storyline of VIZ Media’s hit anime series SHONEN JUMP NARUTO and will feature more playable characters, new locations and added gameplay features including multiplayer modes for up to four players. Also scheduled for release on October 10th is NARUTO: Ninja Council 2 for Game Boy® Advance from TOMY Corporation and D3PA.
"We are at the point where you can legitimately consider NARUTO a bona fide phenomenon," said Masaru Tomiyama, president, TOMY Corporation. The show has been tremendously successful on Cartoon Network and with numerous consumer products now available, NARUTO mania is sweeping North America. "In 2007, as new platforms emerge, we look forward to releasing more NARUTO video games for Nintendo systems as we continue our partnership with D3PA."
"In only our second full year as a publisher in North America, D3PA has experienced incredible growth and one of the contributors to our success has been the overwhelming response to NARUTO games for the Nintendo systems," said Yoji Takenaka, executive vice president and chief operating officer, D3PA. "NARUTO: Clash of Ninja has consistently ranked in the top 5 games for the Nintendo GameCube at retail in North America, according to the NPD Group, since it shipped in March of 2006 and we look to continue this successful partnership with TOMY with new releases in 2007."
Developed exclusively for the Nintendo GameCube by 8ing, NARUTO: Clash of Ninja 2 will offer gamers non-stop ninja style combat action for 1-4 players in which gamers may choose to play as one of 23 total available characters. All-new multi-player modes will engage players in frantic simultaneous four player battles and single-player modes will offer more gameplay choices than before with survival and timed attack modes that allow players to showcase their taijutsu and special jutsu abilities.
NARUTO takes place in a world where ninja hold the ultimate power. Infused with the spirit of a once fearsome Nine-Tailed Fox, Naruto Uzumaki is a ninja-in-training who is learning the art of Ninjutsu with his classmates Sakura and Sasuke. The trio studies under the instruction of their teacher Kakashi, who helps the group face dangerous and daunting tests and challenges. Through their adventures, the young ninja learn the importance of friendship, teamwork, loyalty, hard work, creativity, ingenuity, and right versus wrong.
About TOMY Corporation
With U.S. headquarters in Santa Ana, California, TOMY Corporation is one of the worlds’ oldest and most endearing toy companies. For more than eight decades, TOMY has developed and manufactured a broad portfolio of exciting and educational toys, games and video games for children of all ages. Known for its innovation, quality and safety, TOMY’s mission is to produce toys, videogames and merchandise for North America that entertain and inspire children and adults. The Consumer Software Division currently publishes for the Nintendo GameCube™, Game Boy® Advance, Nintendo DS™ and Nintendo Wii™. TOMY Corporation is a subsidiary of Japan-based TOMY Company, Ltd. (aka TAKARATOMY in Japan). More information is available at www.TOMY.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 manga and 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 at www.VIZ.com.
About D3Publisher of America, Inc
D3Publisher of America, Inc. is a subsidiary of D3, Inc. with headquarters in Tokyo, Japan. D3Publisher of America’s strategic focus is on licensed and original titles from leading third-party developers that appeal to mass-market consumers or gaming enthusiasts. Based in Los Angeles, D3Publisher of America distributes and publishes software for personal computers, major console platforms and handheld systems including Wii™, Nintendo GameCube™, Nintendo DS™ Game Boy® Advance, PlayStation® game console, PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system, PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system, the Xbox® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and the Xbox 360™ video game and entertainment system from Microsoft. For additional information on D3Publisher of America and its products, visit the website at http://www.d3publisher.us.
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