May 2, 2006
NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc. Announces Game
Line-up for E3 2006
Popular Franchise Sequels, Landmark PC Titles
and Exciting Licenses Step Into E3 Spotlight
Leading video games publisher NAMCO BANDAI Games
America Inc. announced today plans to showcase 19 of its highly anticipated
console, PC and handheld releases at the 2006 Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3)
in Los Angeles, May 10-12, 2006 (booth #824 in the South Hall at the Los Angeles
Convention Center).
“This year’s E3 marks the debut of our integrated
title line-up and exemplifies the industry strength behind the NAMCO BANDAI
merger,” said Genichi Ito, president and CEO of NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc.
“Our strong commitment to extending popular franchises, creating original
content and developing strategic partnerships with key licensors allows us to
deliver quality games for all ages, interests and platforms.”
New installments of notable franchises to be
unveiled at this year’s E3 include Xenosaga® EPISODE III: Also sprach
Zarathustra, Tales of the Abyss™, Pac-Man World Rally™, Ace Combat® X: Skies of
Deception, Tekken®: Dark Resurrection, The Legend of Heroes™ II: Prophecy of the
Moonlight Witch™ and Mobile Ops™: The One Year War.
NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc. will also be
showcasing its highly-anticipated PC titles such as Mage Knight Apocalypse™,
Warhammer®: Mark of Chaos™ and Flagship Studios’ HELLGATE™: LONDON.
Popular licensed properties making their debut at
the show include The Fast and The Furious, Snoopy™ vs. The Red Baron and Charlie
Brown’s™ All-Stars.
Renown anime based franchises on display for play
include Naruto™: Ultimate Ninja™, Zatchbell!™: Mamodo Fury™, .hack//G.U. Vol.1:
Rebirth™, IGPX™, One Piece™: Grand Adventure™, and Eureka Seven™ Vol. 1: The New
Wave™.
Popular Franchise Sequels:
Xenosaga EPISODE III: Also sprach Zarathustra
(PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system)
A year has passed since Xenosaga® EPISODE II.
Shion has resigned her post at Vector Industries after realizing that the
company is deeply connected to the cause of the Gnosis phenomenon. She has thus
joined forces with Scientia, an underground organization, in order to unveil
Vector’s true objectives. Featuring more than eight hours of movies including
voiced cut-scenes, Xenosaga EPISODE III: Also sprach Zarathustra is the exciting
conclusion to the epic trilogy loved by RPG fans worldwide. Players will
experience an updated battle system combining the best aspects of the first two
games, while introducing the new Break system. Xenosaga EPISODE III: Also sprach
Zarathustra will also feature an extensive mini-game complete with a mini-game
map editor. Uncover the future of humanity this Fall 2006.
Tales of the Abyss (PlayStation 2)
Tales of the Abyss puts players in the role of
Luke fon Fabre, sole heir to a family of aristocrats. He was kidnapped several
years ago, and the shock left him with no memories of his life before. Luke is
suddenly thrown into the outside world where he knows nothing of those who might
be his friends, or those who already are his enemies. This epic story is told
with some of the most realistic character models ever used in the Tales series
and beautiful anime cut-scenes by Production I.G. Tales of the Abyss also
features the Flexible Motion Battle System where the player controls characters
in a free-roaming battlefield. Players can start their epic quest in Fall 2006.
Pac-Man World Rally (PlayStation 2, PSP™(PlayStation®Portable)
system, Nintendo GameCube™, PC)
Pac-Man World Rally lets players race through a
variety of environments from Pac-Man World as Pac-Man® , Pac Jr. and other
beloved characters from past Namco classics. In one of the fastest and most
exciting kart racing games ever, players will race for the win or fight it out
in colorful Battle Arenas with special weapons, power-ups and a variety of
Pac-Man powers. The race begins in Summer 2006.
Ace Combat X: Skies of Deception (PSP system)
Featuring an entirely new world and story, this
first PSP system installment of the popular Ace Combat franchise features a
suite of highly detailed and realistically modeled licensed aircraft. New
additions include original aircraft and wireless multiplayer, ensuring Ace
Combat for the PSP system will be a memorable experience. Ace Combat X: Skies of
Deception also features a Strategic AI System where mission objectives reflect a
player’s decision. The PSP system takes flight with Ace Combat X: Skies of
Deception in Fall 2006.
Tekken: Dark Resurrection (PSP system)
Tekken: Dark Resurrection is one of the most
explosive fighting games to arrive on the PSP system. Featuring some of the most
realistic graphics on a handheld platform, Tekken Dark: Resurrection will have
19 stages with destructible objects. Players will have the choice of two new
characters – Lili and Dragunov – allowing for more than 30 characters to choose
from. This extensive list of characters is possible through character
customization with more than double the items seen in TEKKEN®5. Using the
wireless connectivity of the PSP system, players can battle friends using their
customized characters. The fighting genre will resurrect on the PSP system in
Summer 2006.
The Legend of Heroes II: Prophecy of the
Moonlight Witch (PSP system)
The popular RPG series makes another appearance
on the PSP system with The Legend of Heroes II: Prophecy of the Moonlight Witch.
In this game, players embark on a pilgrimage to find 5 shrines in Tirasweel, and
discover a mystery left behind by a mysterious witch. Taking place in a
beautiful world inhabited with rich details, players are quickly drawn into the
storyline. Enemies appear on the world map, eliminating random battles. They can
gauge the player’s strength and will “turn tail and run” if they sense the
player is stronger than they are. The prophecy is set to take place in June
2006.
Mobile Ops™: The One Year War (Xbox 360)
Mobile Ops: The One Year War opens when rebel
space colonies launch a brutal bid for independence from the Earth Federation.
Advanced ECM (Electronic Countermeasures) has rendered range sensors and
communications useless, resulting in the rise of new war machines called Mobile
Suits. These ultimate instruments of destruction, capable of metal-clashing
hand-to-hand combat, completely redefine modern warfare. Fight on foot, in
vehicles and in Mobile Suits in a robust single and multiplayer experience
through multiple scenarios and battlefields. Pick your side, choose your weapon
and prove your supremacy.
PC Titles:
Mage Knight Apocalypse (PC)
A select group of heroes must defeat the
Apocalypse Dragon, a seemingly unstoppable five-headed monstrosity that has been
summoned by the forces of Chaos in Mage Knight Apocalypse. Five unique character
classes can be selected – all with hundreds of weapons, armor and abilities to
customize. These heroes will battle hundreds of unique enemies with brilliant
special effects in a beautiful 3D world. Players will adventure as they’ve only
before imagined as they explore with a free camera, engage in multiplayer
missions. Dynamic enemy scaling and multiple alternate scenarios means near
infinite replay-ability. For the PC in Summer 2006.
Warhammer: Mark of Chaos (PC)
Faithful to the Warhammer® world, Warhammer: Mark
of Chaos puts the focus squarely on the battlefield with a real-time combat
system that gives the player unprecedented customization and control of his
army. This RTS focuses on armies and battling while de-emphasizing the tedious
aspects of base and resource management. Players will also have the opportunity
to use environments to their advantage, as well as customize Heroes and
Champions with inventories and skill trees and challenge opponents in dueling.
Choose from a variety of modes for both casual and competitive play coming to a
battlefield on a PC near you in Fall 2006.
HELLGATE: LONDON (PC)
HELLGATE: LONDON combines the depth of
role-playing games and action of first-person titles, while offering infinite
playability with randomly created levels, items and events. The player creates a
heroic character and then, completes quests and battles through innumerable
hordes of demons to advance through experience levels and branching skill paths.
A robust, flexible skill and spell system, highly customizable appearances and a
massive variety of randomly generated equipment allow players to create their
own unique hero.
Licensed Properties:
The Fast and The Furious (PlayStation 2, PSP
system)
Inspired by Universal Pictures’ upcoming film,
The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift, this game will immerse players in the
underground world of drift racing – a form of racing that replaces simple drag
racing with a rubber-burning, automotive art form that consists of an
exhilarating balance of speeding and gliding through a heart-stopping course of
hairpin turns and switchbacks. Set in a world related to, yet separate from, the
movie, the game features a ground-breaking drift mechanic that makes drifting
accessible to both beginning and veteran racing game drivers. The gameplay
features evolutionary new systems like the Drift Indicator that make The Fast
and the Furious the most accessible yet realistic drift game. Created through a
licensing agreement with Universal Studios Consumer Products Group, this
must-have racing title drifts to retailers in Summer 2006.
Snoopy vs. The Red Baron (PlayStation 2, PSP
system, PC)
While snoozing atop his doghouse one day, Snoopy
has a magical dream. Just like in the celebrated Peanuts® comic strip, he
becomes a virtuoso flying ace, piloting his World War I bi-plane in a heroic
attempt to foil the plans of his archenemy, the Red Baron. Join Snoopy and the
rest of the Peanuts gang as you soar above six vividly rendered worlds. Pilot
Snoopy’s famous Sopwith Camel and other unique aircraft in perilous sky-high
dogfights, air races and heart-pounding missions with dozens of comical weapons
and gadgets at your disposal. Snoopy vs. The Red Baron takes to the skies in
Fall 2006.
Charlie Brown’s All-Stars (PlayStation 2, PSP
system)
The cast of Peanuts has come together in an
entertaining and fun pick-up-and-play baseball game, Charlie Brown’s All-Stars.
Players can help Charlie Brown end his 900 game losing streak as they play
baseball with an incredible cast of more than 30 Peanuts characters. Players can
also take part in any of four Party Games, including batting, fielding and
pitching contests, as well as a good ol’ fashioned game of “Lucy Says.” As
players progress through the game they will have the chance to enjoy classic
Peanuts storylines, artwork and unlock tons of bonus content including every
baseball-related Peanuts comic strip. Charlie Brown’s All-Stars steps up to the
plate in Spring 2007. This title has not yet been concept approved by Sony
Computer Entertainment America.
Anime Based Franchises:
Naruto: Ultimate Ninja (PlayStation 2)
Experience the hit manga and TV series NARUTO
like never before. Join Naruto and his friends in their Ninja Academy quests as
they battle the best in the land. Fight as one of more than 12 playable
characters in interactive stages while performing powerful ninjutsu moves.
Players can battle in close combat, use weapons and call on support characters
to assist with super attacks or drop off power-ups. Tons of replay value is
added with unlockable features and more! Players can enroll in the Ninja Academy
in June 2006.
Zatchbell!: Mamodo Fury (PlayStation 2, Nintendo
GameCube)
Players join Zatch, Kiyo and other characters
from the hit manga and TV series ZATCHBELL! as they battle to become the mighty
mamodo king! This time, up to four players can choose from more than 20
different playable teams. With three gameplay modes including Story Mode, VS
mode and Arcade Mode, players can experience all the action in environments
faithful to the TV series. All voice acting is even done by the U.S. TV show
cast. Zatchbell!: Mamodo Fury hits consoles Fall 2006.
.hack//G.U. Vol.1: Rebirth (PlayStation 2)
The hit video game and TV series returns to the
epic fantasy online RPG stage on the PlayStation 2. Years after the events of
the first .hack installment, the most popular MMORPG in the world has returned
from the ashes as “The World: R2”. As Haseo the Terror of Death, players are
thrown into his quest for revenge in his search for the mysterious PK (Player
Killer) Tri-Edge. This time, players will interact in the real and virtual
worlds with fellow “The World” players through various chats, mails, and fully
voiced video news clips. Together with Haseo’s virtual partners, login to
challenge and solve the mysteries of “The World”. hack//G.U. Vol.1: Rebirth
arrives in stores in Fall 2006.
One Piece Grand Adventure (PlayStation 2,
Nintendo GameCube)
Based on the popular comic and anime series, One
Piece: Grand Adventure delivers battles that take place with a new free-moving
Vs. Battle action system that will offer hours of entertainment. The game has
also been completely revamped with the inclusion of an engrossing Adventure
Mode, sending players on various mini-game filled quests as well as allowing
players to create their very own band of roving pirates. One Piece: Grand
Adventure hits stores in Fall 2006. This title has not yet been concept approved
by Sony Computer Entertainment America.
IGPX (PlayStation 2)
The thrill of the popular Cartoon Network series
IGPX, comes to the PlayStation 2 in an exhilarating fashion. Delivering the
intense chase as you battle against your opponents, IGPX provides a type of
thrill never before experienced. By creating a strategic scenario with a variety
of formations, players are able to participate in combinations with partners
that will deliver high-impact attacks. IGPX takes the flag on the PlayStation 2
in Fall 2006.
Eureka Seven Vol 1: The New Wave (PlayStation 2)
The original TV series comes to life on the
PlayStation 2 with Eureka Seven Vol 1: The New Wave. Players assume the role of
Sumner Sturgeon, a government agent looking to unravel a deep conspiracy, in
this prequel to the animation that unfolds the events leading up to the Eureka
Seven anime series. Featuring intense mecha combat and mind-boggling board
riding action, Eureka Seven Vol 1: The New Wave is riding into stores in Summer
2006.
