Electronics Boutique to Retail Nokia N-Gage™ Game Deck in Canada
September 3, 2003

Popular gaming vendor set to carry N-Gage across Canada for October 7 launch date.

September 3, 2003 (Toronto, ON) - Nokia today announced Electronics Boutique as a Canadian vendor for the Nokia N-Gage gaming platform scheduled to launch October 7. The Nokia N-Gage game deck is expected to be sold for $449, and accompanying game cards will be sold separately ranging from $45 to $55.

"With the Nokia N-Gage device, Electronics Boutique will bring an entirely new gaming experience to its clientele," said Nada Usina, Director, Entertainment and Media Business Unit for Nokia Americas. "The N-Gage game deck allows users to play the latest high quality titles in a new way. From multiplayer games played wirelessly using Bluetooth technology to playing over mobile networks, gamers will have access to a variety of options all in the palm of their hand."

Nokia N-Gage, announced earlier this year, is an innovative mobile game deck that creates an entirely new market for games. Built for hard-core and active gamers, the Nokia N-Gage device allows for online, mobile, multiplayer game play with some of the hottest titles. It features high-quality, 3D colour graphics with backlight, and eight-way directional controller (aka the "Rocker") and an ergonomic design optimized for mobile game play. In addition to its cutting edge game-playing capabilities, the Nokia N-Gage mobile game deck also features a digital music player (MP3/AAC), stereo FM radio, as well as a tri-band mobile phone.

Nokia is working with renowned game publishers like Electronic Arts, Activision, Eidos, Sega, Taito and THQ to provide an attractive and balanced catalogue of high quality games in the marketplace. Games will include the latest blockbuster titles and a variety of original games across various genres.

The high performance games for the Nokia N-Gage game deck are sold separately on game cards (using the MultiMediaCard standard). Game card distribution enables a new kind of mobile gameplay experience with richer graphics, enhanced sound and more extensive game worlds in which to play. Nokia will also act as a game publisher of branded N-Gage game titles and develop an evolving games portfolio.

"We are pleased to be a national vendor of the N-Gage game deck," said James Tyo, Vice President of Operations for Electronics Boutique. "We have always prided ourselves upon providing customers with the latest in gaming technologies. With the Nokia N-Gage device, we will continue to build upon that and deliver a high quality gaming experience."

Nokia N-Gage mobile game deck devices, game titles and N-Gage compatible accessories will be available at Electronics Boutique locations throughout Canada at launch. Electronics Boutique will be accepting advance orders of the Nokia N-Gage gaming platform in-store commencing September 3.

For more information about the Nokia N-Gage game deck, please go to www.n-gage.com. For information about purchasing a Nokia N-Gage game deck, visit an Electronics Boutique location.

About Nokia

Nokia is the world leader in mobile communications. Backed by its experience, innovation, user-friendliness and secure solutions, the company has become the leading supplier of mobile phones and a leading supplier of mobile, fixed broadband and IP networks. By adding mobility to the Internet Nokia creates new opportunities for companies and further enriches the daily lives of people. Nokia is a broadly held company with listings on six major exchanges.

About Electronics Boutique

Electronics Boutique is one of the world's leading specialty retailers of video game hardware and software, PC entertainment software and accessories. With more than 25 years of retail gaming experience, as well as one of the most widely recognized brands in the business - EB Games - we are the retail destination of choice for discerning gamers around the globe.

The driving force behind our success is summed up in our corporate tagline - We Take Games Seriously™. In fact, our exclusive commitment to games is so remarkable that it truly sets us apart in the industry. We operate more than 1,200 "gaming destination" stores in 10 countries around the globe - each of which offers immediate access to the hottest new game merchandise in a dynamic atmosphere that's all about gaming. Everything we provide in these stores - from our expansive selection of products and our "live" interactive hardware consoles, to our exceptionally knowledgeable sales associates and our value-added pre-sell and pre-owned programs - is geared to ensure that we deliver complete customer satisfaction. We complement our store network with EBgames.com, one of the most extensive, informative and timely e-commerce sites in the business. Simply put, Electronics Boutique is a leading-edge retailer that loves games enough to take them as seriously as our customers do. Come in and see for yourself how we've turned our passion into a serious business.
 

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