NARUTO: Ultimate Ninja now Available

Highly-Anticipated PS2 Fighting Game Based
on the Hit Anime Series Now Available in North America

NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc. announced
today that “NARUTO(TM): Ultimate Ninja” is now available in retail stores for
the PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system. This intense fighting game is
based on the hit anime series, SHONEN JUMP’s NARUTO, from VIZ Media airing on
the Cartoon Network. Aspiring ninjas can now compete in fierce hand-to-hand
combat or use deadly ranged weapons in order to become the greatest ninja of
all. With multiple game modes, unique 2-D interactive stages and incredible
multi-level super attacks, “NARUTO: Ultimate Ninja” provides an intense fighting
experience that will test any gamer’s chakra.

“In the wake of the tremendous success of
NARUTO manga, anime and merchandise in the U.S., ‘NARUTO: Ultimate Ninja’ is set
to thrill fans and gamers alike for the first time on the PlayStation 2,” said
Naruo Uchida, NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc.’s Product Group Director said.
“‘NARUTO: Ultimate Ninja’ truly brings the exciting series to life with
meticulously re-created characters engaged in fierce ninjutsu combat.”

“NARUTO: Ultimate Ninja” features blazing
single and multiplayer ninja battles that bring the colorful series to life.
Fans can play as their favorite characters including Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura,
Rock Lee, Shikamaru, Kakashi and more, and can summon support characters for
super attacks and special items. With fighting moves based on the animation
series, a variety of ninja fighting techniques are at player’s disposal,
including ranged weapon attacks and close combat moves. When the timing is
right, players also have the ability to switch stages mid-combat, with 12
interactive stages based on the hit series available to choose from. “NARUTO:
Ultimate Ninja’s” array of game modes allows players to follow their favorite
character’s storyline, accomplish specific missions or battle it out against a
friend. Secret characters, movies and other unlockable features further immerse
fans in the ultimate NARUTO experience!

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 65 million copies sold in total
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.

Developed by CyberConnect 2, known for the
.hack series, “NARUTO: Ultimate Ninja” is rated “T” for Teen by the ESRB.