NEWS
NAMCO BANDAI GAMES ANNOUNCES NARUTO™ SHIPPUDEN: LEGENDS: AKATSUKI RISING FOR THE PSP® SYSTEM
Naruto’s Largest Adventure in the Palm of Your Hands
SANTA CLARA, Calif., (April 29, 2009) – Leading video games publisher and developer NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc. announced today that NARUTO™ Shippuden: Legends: Akatsuki Rising will be coming to the PSP® (PlayStation® Portable) system this Fall. Based on the popular NARUTO Shippuden animated series from VIZ Media, players will assume control of over 10 of their favorite ninja, including the dreaded Akatsuki. NARUTO Shippuden: Legends: Akatsuki Rising promises to deliver fierce ninja action as players re-live the NARUTO Shippuden storyline and experience a brand new adventure this fall.
“NARUTO Shippuden: Legends: Akatsuki Rising brings Naruto’s most exciting adventure yet to the palm of your hands,” said Todd Thorson, director of marketing and public relations for NAMCO BANDAI Games America. “The game’s epic story, multiple modes and streamlined controls make for an excellent introduction into the world of NARUTO Shippuden.”
Naruto and his friends are in for the fight of their lives as they search for Gaara, the fifth Kazekage, who has been kidnapped by the dreaded Akatsuki organization. It’s a race against time as the Akatsuki attempts to release Shukaku, the demon sealed inside Gaara.
NARUTO Shippuden: Legends: Akatsuki Rising boasts streamlined controls for the PSP, ensuring exciting, fast-paced tactical battles making best use of each character’s Jutsus. Aim and time the powerful Jutsu attacks with a simple button commands and devastate the enemies by entering Hypermode. As characters defeat the enemies or take damage, the Hyper Gauge will start to fill which enhance the Jutu or unlocks new Jutus. Players will be able to gain advantage in the heat of a battle by selecting two support characters to form a three-man team for each mission. Utilize the different skills each character brings and combine their attacks with yours to discover ultimate combos in defeating enemies.
NARUTO Shippuden: Legends: Akatsuki Rising will incorporate multiple modes of play including two-player cooperative or versus play via ad-hoc local wireless network. Original Mode lets players experience the Gaara Retrieval Arc as they battle enemies through lush, 3D anime inspired environments. Scenario Mode introduces all-new side-missions to pick up Skill Scrolls which increase your character’s abilities including attack, defense, health and other numerous indicators reflected through all modes. Akatsuki Mode will let players gain control of members of the Akatsuki organization for the first time in a brand-new storyline, diiscovering the Akatsuki;s true intentions while Naruto was searching for Gaara. Finally, find out who the best ninja is with Versus Mode by battling against a friend or the computer in one-on-one fights.
For more information on the game, please visit www.namcobandaigames.com and www.hokagesroom.com. For more information on NARUTO and to view free episodes of NARUTO Shippuden, please visit www.naruto.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 (graphic novel) 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-Shueisha Productions, Co., Ltd., VIZ Media is a leader in the publishing and distribution of Japanese manga for English speaking audiences in North America, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and South Africa and is a global ex-Asia licensor of Japanese manga and animation. The company offers an integrated product line including magazines such as SHONEN JUMP and SHOJO BEAT, graphic novels, and DVDs, and develops, markets, licenses, and distributes animated entertainment 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 web site at www.VIZ.com.
About NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc.
NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc. is a leading interactive entertainment software publisher and developer based in Santa Clara, CA. The company is a part of the NAMCO BANDAI group of companies known for creating and publishing many of the industry's top video game franchises including the PAC-MAN®, SOULCALIBUR®, NARUTO™ and Tekken® brands. For more information about NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc., and our products log onto http://www.namcobandaigames.com/.
NARUTO™ Shippuden: Legends: Akatsuki Rising software © 2004-2009 NAMCO BANDAI Games Inc. All Rights Reserved. NAMCO BANDAI Games logo is a trademark of NAMCO BANDAI. NARUTO artwork and elements © 2002 MASASHI KISHIMOTO / 2007 SHIPPUDEN All Rights Reserved. SHONEN JUMP and NARUTO are trademarks of Shueisha, Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries. This product is manufactured, distributed and sold in North, South and Central American territories under license from VIZ Media, LLC.
PlayStation, PS Family logo and PSP are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Memory Stick Duo™ may be required (sold separately).
Press Release © 2009 NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc.
Contacts:
Nick O’Leary Namco Bandai Games America (408) 235-2134 noleary@namcobandaigames.com
Julia Layman Weber Shandwick (310) 854-8259
