BANDAI GAMES ANNOUNCES 2005 E3 LINE-UP

Five Popular TV Series Get Animated on Consoles

News by GamesIndustry International Contributor

Published on May 20, 2005

CYPRESS, CA - April 12, 2004 - Bandai Games Inc. today announced their 2005 line-up for Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) to be held in Los Angeles, May 18 - 20. Based on some of the hottest animated TV shows Bandai's roster of games include "One Piece^TM: Grand Battle^TM," "Inuyasha^TM: Feudal Combat," "DICE^TM,"

"Zatch Bell!^TM," and "Mobile Suit Gundam^TM: Gundam^TM vs. Zeta Gundam^TM" for the PlayStation^®2 computer entertainment system, Nintendo GameCube^TM and Game Boy^® Advance.

"With some exceptional TV-licensed games slated for release, we are looking forward to showing off a slew of great titles this May in Los Angeles," said Naruo Uchida, Vice President of Bandai Games Inc. "This is one of the most competitive E3s ever, and we plan to have a surprising new announcement or two to unveil at the show."

About "One Piece: Grand Battle" for Nintendo GameCube and

PlayStation 2

Coming this September on PlayStation 2 and Nintendo GameCube, "One Piece: Grand Battle" is a hi-jinx laden fighting game that features the off-beat characters of "One Piece," the popular animated TV series running on Cartoon Network and 4Kids TV. With 16 wacky playable pirates like the rubber-limbed Monkey D. Luffy and debonair but deadly cook Sanji, this colorful madcap title offers deeply interactive 3D environments like charging cows and buzzing hornet's nests, as well as 32 support characters that can lend a fighting hand. With special attacks and collectible items that increase character skills, "One Piece: Grand Battle" will satisfy both fans of the show and fighting game enthusiasts.

About "One Piece" for Game Boy Advance

Also available in September, gamers can live the series with "One Piece" for the Game Boy Advance. A side-scrolling adventure featuring all the characters from the show, "One Piece" follows Monkey D. Luffy and the Straw Hat pirate crew as they explore the East Blue Sea to find the famed pirate booty.

About "Zatch Bell!" for Nintendo GameCube and PlayStation 2

Based on the hit show by the same name, "Zatch Bell!" sees one hundred mamodo come to earth for a match to determine the mighty ruler of their world. To battle, the mamodo must find their human soul mates that can read from spell books and release their supernatural powers. With a quick pick-up-and-play battle system that allows gamers to fully master the controls, "Zatch Bell!" for the PlayStation 2, Nintendo GameCube and Game Boy Advance introduces a cast of exciting characters never seen this fall.

About "Inuyasha: Feudal Combat" for PlayStation 2

From the long-running and top-rated TV series from the Cartoon Network's Adult Swim block, "Inuyasha: Feudal Combat" brings fighting action to the PlayStation 2. Scheduled to ship this August, this title allows fans of the series and fighting games alike to partner two characters from the series to duke it out in ancient Japan. Featuring 12 playable fighters from the dog demon Inuyasha to the evil shape-shifter Naraku, "Inuyasha: Feudal Combat" promises an original battle system in a sweeping fairy tale setting where demons and magic roam freely in feudal Japan.

About "DICE" for PlayStation 2

When a problem arises in the Sarbylion Galaxy, it's the DICE team to the rescue. Featuring 11 different transformable Dinobreakers, "DICE" is an action sci-fi title based on the popular animated series on Cartoon Network. It is now being transformed into an exciting action video game title exclusively for the PlayStation 2. Players can experience futuristic adventure in three diverse modes: Dino mode to attack enemies, Vehicle mode for speed, and on foot for added mobility. With unique gameplay and cool dino-vehicles, "DICE" is the game to look out for this August.

About "Mobile Suit Gundam: Gundam vs. Zeta Gundam" for PlayStation 2

Based on one of the longest running space dramas on television, "Mobile Suit Gundam: Gundam vs. Zeta Gundam" for the PlayStation 2 is a fighting game featuring more than 55 mobile suits and over 200 missions. Players can now follow the extensive timeline from the series, chronicling the demise of the Earth Federation as rival factions clash for control of Earth and its space colonies. With five gameplay modes including Co-op and Versus, "Mobile Suit Gundam: Gundam vs. Zeta Gundam" offers the first transformable Zeta Gundam mobile suits as players challenge enemies in zero gravity space and on surface of the earth.

Bandai is located on the E3 show floor at West Hall, booth #2216. For appointments, please contact Rannie Yoo at rannie@kohnkecomm.com. For additional information and asset downloads visit www.BandaiGames.com!

About Bandai Games Inc.

Bandai Games Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bandai America Incorporated and a leading publisher of interactive entertainment software for popular videogame systems such as the PSP^TM portable entertainment system, PlayStation^®2 computer entertainment system, the Xbox^® video game system from Microsoft, the Nintendo DS^TM, Nintendo GameCube^TM, and the Game Boy^® Advance. Unique characters and stimulating game experiences highlight Bandai Games Inc.'s distinctive product lineup which include hit titles such as Inuyasha and Digimon. Bandai Games Inc. is headquartered in Cypress, California. For more information and press downloads please visit: www.BandaiGames.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 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 Production Co., Ltd. (ShoPro Japan), VIZ Media is a leader in the publishing and distribution of Japanese manga for English speaking audiences in North America and a global licensor of Japanese animation. The company offers an integrated product line including, magazines such as SHONEN JUMP and SHOJO BEAT, graphic novels, videos, DVDs, audio soundtracks and develops and markets animated entertainment from initial production, television placement and distribution, to merchandise licensing and promotions 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.

Mobile Suit Gundam^TM: Gundam vs. Zeta Gundam^TM:

® 1979-2005 SOTSU AGENCY, SUNRISE. TM SOTSU. ® 2004-2005 Bandai ® 2004-2005 CAPCOM CO., LTD. GUNDAM, ZETA GUNDAM, MOBILE SUIT and all related characters, names, logos, distinctive likenesses, drawings and other images contained in this product are the exclusive property of Sotsu Agency and Sunrise Inc. Published and distributed by Bandai Games Inc. Used under license by Bandai Games Inc. BANDAI logo is a registered trademark of Bandai. All Rights Reserved.

DICE - DNA Integrated Cybernetic Enterprises^TM:

DICE, DNA INTEGRATED CYBERNETIC ENTERPRISES, and all related characters, names, logos, distinctive likenesses, drawings and other images contained in this product are the exclusive property of Bandai Entertainment Inc. and Xebec. TM and ® 2004-2005 Bandai Entertainment Inc. Xebec. ® 2005 Bandai. Distributed under license. BANDAI logo is a registered trademark of Bandai. All Rights Reserved.

One Piece^TM:

One Piece^TM: Grand Battle^TM

Inuyasha^TM: Feudal Combat^TM

Zatch Bell!^TM: