SANTA CLARA, Calif., (April 16, 2008) – NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc. today announced that an original recording by chart-topping Japanese pop star BONNIE PINK will be the theme song in the North American and Japanese versions of the upcoming Tales of Vesperia™ for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft. For the first time in the role-playing series’ 10 year history, the same artist will be providing a theme song performed in both in English and Japanese. The song, “Ring A Bell,” is now available as a single worldwide on the iTunes® Store (www.itunes.com).
The bilingual BONNIE PINK has been a mainstay on the Japanese pop charts since her debut in 1995. In 2006, she released “Every Single Day – Complete BONNIE PINK 1995-2006,” one of the year’s most successful albums which debuted at #2 on the Japanese sales charts and has sold more than 700,000 units to date. Her latest album, “Thinking Out Loud,” debuted at #4 and has since been certified Gold. One of the most recognizable entertainers in Japan, BONNIE PINK is also an accomplished actress.
Highlighting the 10th anniversary of the Tales series in North America, Tales of Vesperia will be the first game in the series to be released simultaneously in North America and Japan. Launching the role-playing genre to new heights of interactive storytelling and captivating gameplay, the game features a strategic and fast paced real-time battle system, incredible “living anime” graphics and original character designs by artistic visionary Kosuke Fujishima (Ah! My Goddess, Sakura Taisen),
Tales of Vesperia for the Xbox 360 will be available in stores later this year. Continuing the celebration of the series’ 10th anniversary, Tales of Symphonia®: Dawn of the New World™ will also be available in stores later this year for Wii™. For more information on the Tales series, please visit www.namcobandaigames.com.
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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 www.namcobandaigames.com.
About BONNIE PINK
BONNIE PINK was born in Kyoto, Japan. She made her debut in 1995 with her first album “Blue Jam.” She then released “Heaven’s Kitchen” in 1997 and “evil and flowers” in 1998, which was produced by Swedish pop producer Tore Johansson. In 1998 Bonnie relocated to New York City where her music added more spiritual depth. The following year, she met Mitchell Froom and co-produced “Let Go” with him. 2006 showed a different side of BONNIE as she starred in her first acting role in the movie “Kiraware Matsuko no Isshou,” by director Tetsuya Nakajima. BONNIE wrote the theme song for the movie “LOVE IS BUBBLE,” which was subsequently released as a single. Her first “Best Of” album was released on July 26th, 2006. The album “Every Single Day – Complete BONNIE PINK 1995-2006” featured 28 songs from throughout her career and debuted at #2, selling over 700,000 copies in Japan. BONNIE PINK recently released her 9th studio album, “Thinking Out Loud” on July 25, 2007.
Tales of Vesperia™&© 2008 NAMCO BANDAI Games Inc.
Tales of Symphonia® Dawn of the New World™ &© 2003-2008 NAMCO BANDAI Games Inc.
© Kosuke Fujishima
Xbox, Xbox 360, and Xbox LIVE are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.
Wii and the Wii logo are trademarks of Nintendo. © 2008 Nintendo.
Apple, the Apple logo, Mac, Mac OS, Macintosh, iTunes, iPhone, Apple TV and iPod are trademarks of Apple. Other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners.
Press Release © 2008 NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc.
CONTACT:
Kit Ellis
NAMCO BANDAI Games America
408-235-2131
kellis@namcobandaigames.com
Loretta Stevens
Weber Shandwick
(415) 248-3434
lstevens@webershandwick.com
