KONAMI SHIPS ZONE OF THE ENDERS: THE 2ND RUNNER FOR PLAYSTATION® 2

REDWOOD CITY, CALIF. - March 11, 2003 - Konami of America, Inc. announced today that the critically acclaimed Zone of the Enders: The 2^nd Runner (ZOE2) for PlayStation® 2 has shipped to retail outlets nationwide. Developed by Hideo Kojima (the creator of the Metal Gear Solid® series) and his award-winning design team, ZOE2 is the follow-up title to the 2001 hit Zone of the Enders. The most intense mech combat game ever, ZOE2 is packed with non-stop action, hundreds of on-screen enemies, exciting new moves, vast environments and a wealth of new weapons.

"ZOE2 sets a new standard for graphics and gameplay within the action genre," says Wilson Cheng, Product Manager at Konami of America, Inc.  "This game is everything that we had hoped it would be and more."

Set two years after the conclusion of the original game, ZOE2 once again casts players into a deep story based on the constant struggle for power, the intrinsic need for human freedom and the bravery of those who defend it. Playing as the game's new hero, Dingo Egret, players must pilot a mechanized robot into combat against swarms of enemies.

Hideo Kojima and his development team have once again masterfully created massive, detailed environments including cityscapes, daunting enemy fortresses and VR arenas - all of which are fully interactive. Gamers will use an array of sub-weapons to target and destroy hundreds of on-screen enemies at the same time. Players can also perform astonishing maneuvers, such as tear off siding from nearby buildings to use as a shield, wield a pole as a dangerous striking weapon or teleport out of danger.

Further setting this title apart from all others is its highly stylized and beautifully animated universe. Based on the drawings of renowned mechanical designer, Yoji Shinkawa, the game boasts a unique anime style that is brought to life through the use of "toon-shading". As the camera swings around seamlessly to catch the fighting action, explosions produce realistic smoke and brilliant lighting effects. ZOE2 delivers an impressive visual experience, down to the smallest details. 

Zone of the Enders: The 2^nd Runner is rated "M" for Mature and is available at an SRP of $49.99. Read more about the game at: http://www.konami.com/2ndrunner/ or http://www.konamijpn.com/products/zoe2/english/index.html

About KONAMI CORPORATION

KONAMI CORPORATION is a leading developer, publisher and manufacturer of electronic entertainment properties, specializing in the home video game market. KONAMI CORPORATION's action and adventure titles include the popular franchises Metal Gear Solid, Silent Hill, Dance Dance Revolution, Castlevania, and Yu-Gi-Oh! among other top sellers. The latest information about Konami can be found on the Web at www.konami.com. KONAMI CORPORATION is a publicly traded company based in Tokyo, Japan with subsidiary offices, Konami of America, Inc. in the US and Konami of Europe in Frankfurt, Germany.

ZONE OF THE ENDERS is a trademark of KONAMI COMPUTER ENTERTAINMENT JAPAN, INC. © 2001 2003 KONAMI COMPUTER ENTERTAINMENT JAPAN. METAL GEAR®, METAL GEAR SOLID®, SONS OF LIBERTY(tm) and SUBSTANCE(tm) are either registered trademarks or trademarks of KONAMI COMPUTER ENTERTAINMENT JAPAN, INC.  © 1987 2003 KONAMI COMPUTER ENTERTAINMENT JAPAN.  KONAMI® is a registered trademark of KONAMI CORPORATION.  "PlayStation" and the "PS" Family Logo are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.