Marvel® Trading Card Game shows its hand

Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH has announced further details of its forthcoming Marvel Trading Card Game for PSP® and PC, and has confirmed a 31st May release for the title. A specially tailored version for the Nintendo DS will follow in July.

Based on the popular trading card game from Upper Deck Entertainment, the Marvel Trading Card Game allows players to collect over 800 cards based on their favorite Marvel characters and compete in cross-platform online play in a variety of different modes.

The Marvel Trading Card Game lets players assemble their own deck and take on different challenges to gain more cards based on legendary Marvel characters such as Spider-Man, The Incredible Hulk, the X-Men, the Avengers, the Fantastic Four, Ghost Rider and more. In the game's single player story mode, players choose to play as hero or villain, and select a series of enemies to battle. In between each clash, the game's scenario unfolds via detailed comic book scenes as player moves on to the next adversary.

The game uses Upper Deck Entertainment's hugely popular Vs. System - a complex game engine much-loved by Trading Card fans, and offering a massive challenge to newcomers to the genre. The Vs. System showcases massive Super Hero battles within the established trading card game format. Each player begins the game with their own team of Marvel characters, and tries to defeat the cards of their opponent. The Vs. System is specifically designed to be played at all levels of competition and can be played in a variety of formats.

Utilising a sophisticated online network, the Marvel Trading Card Game lets players interact with an online community to compete across a variety of game modes and tournaments, trade cards with other players and even purchase new cards from the game's online store. A special community website has already been established at www.marveltcgonline.com, and offers links to tournaments and tips. Dedicated and localised European sites will also go live at launch, while the European games will also include a redemption code allowing players to add new cards to their game on visiting the sites.

The Marvel Trading Card Game also offers several different modes that use each player's personal decks for an authentic tournament experience for four or more players. Local multiplayer is supported in the Nintendo DS and PSP versions of the game through each system's wireless link capabilities, while PC users are using a LAN-based mode for multiplayer battles.

Online play will also allow users of the PSP and the PC versions to play the Marvel Trading Card Game via the Internet, while Nintendo DS players can use Nintendo's Wi-Fi Connection to play online. Players on all platforms will be able to participate in regular sanctioned tournaments for valuable prizes, while every copy of the game will also come with a special Trading Card.

MARVEL, The Incredible Hulk, Spider-Man, the X-Men, the Avengers, the Fantastic Four and all related Marvel characters are ® and trademarks of Marvel Characters, Inc., and are used with permission. Super Hero(es) and Super Villain(s) are co-owned registered trademarks. Copyright ® 2007 Marvel Characters, Inc. All rights reserved. www.marvel.com. Licensed by Marvel Characters, Inc.

Upper Deck Entertainment, Vs. System, and the card hologram are trademarks or registered trademarks of The Upper Deck Company, LLC. ® 2007 The Upper Deck Company

About KONAMI CORPORATION

KONAMI CORPORATION was established in 1973, and became a holding company on March 31, 2006. KONAMI CORPORATION covers the fields of "Digital Entertainment Business", "Health & Fitness Business" and "Gaming & System Business". KONAMI CORPORATION went public on Tokyo Stock Exchange in 1988, the Singapore Stock Exchange in 1997, the London Stock Exchange in 1999, and the New York Stock Exchange in 2002. Home Page URL: www.konami.co.jp. Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH is a wholly-owned subsidiary, responsible for popular franchises like Metal Gear Solid®, Silent Hill® and Pro Evolution Soccer amongst other top sellers. For more information concerning Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH and its products, please visit www.konami-europe.com/games.

About Marvel Entertainment, Inc.

With a library of over 5,000 characters, Marvel Entertainment, Inc. is one of the world's most prominent character-based entertainment companies. Marvel's operations are focused on utilizing its character franchises in licensing, entertainment, publishing and toys. Areas of emphasis include feature films, DVD/home video, consumer products, video games, action figures and role-playing toys, television and promotions. Rooted in the creative success of over sixty years of comic book publishing, Marvel's strategy is to leverage its character franchises in a growing array of opportunities around the world. More information about Marvel can be found at www.marvel.com.

The Marvel Trading Card Game will be released for PC and PSP® on 31st May, and for Nintendo DS in summer. For more information, please contact Steve Merrett at Voltage PR on 020 7903 5122 or email steve@voltagepr.com.