Namco Bandai's gamescom line-up

Enslaved, Naruto, Dragon Ball, Majin, Despicable Me, Pac-Man Party...

News by GamesIndustry International Contributor

Published on Aug. 12, 2010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CERGY-PONTOISE, FRANCE – 11 August 2009 – NAMCO BANDAI Games gets ready to put its lovingly crafted games into the hands of the public with today's unveiling of its games line up for GamesCom 2010 in Cologne, Germany from August 19th to 22nd. The NAMCO BANDAI Games stand located in Hall 8, Stand B 030 features a blistering selection of hotly anticipated titles which it can't wait to let the biggest audience of gamers in the world loose on.

Titles available for hands-on play include breath-taking cinematic adventure ENSLAVED ^TM: Odyssey to the West; ninja anime sensation NARUTO ^TM SHIPPUDEN: Ultimate Ninja STORM 2; the unstoppable Dragon Ball ^®: Raging Blast ^TM 2; original fantasy action adventure Majin and the Forsaken Kingdom ^TM; D3Publisher's Despicable Me: The Game based on the animated feature film; and PAC-MAN Party ^TM which marks the triumphant return of the yellow gaming hero.

Full details of the games playable on the NAMCO BANDAI Games stand are as follows:

ENSLAVED: Odyssey to the West (Xbox 360 ^®, PlayStation ^®3)

Release date: 8th October 2010

Developed by Ninja Theory Ltd., players head out on a gripping, surprise-filled journey as two characters, Monkey and Trip, form an uneasy alliance to survive their journey through a perilous, post-apocalyptic America. A compelling tactical action-adventure and cinematic gaming masterpiece.

NARUTO SHIPPUDEN: Ultimate Ninja STORM 2 (Xbox 360 ^®, PlayStation ^®3)

Release date: Autumn 2010

The incredible rise of the Naruto series continues, with amazing visuals, ferocious online play, faithful story, new battle systems, original Japanese voice-over, a wealth of brand new environments, and even a playable appearance from Lars Alexandersson of TEKKEN ^TM 6 fame.

Dragon Ball: Raging Blast 2 (Xbox 360 ^®, PlayStation ^®3)

Release date: Autumn 2010

More and better of everything the fans want, including reworked controls and camera, seven game modes, original Japanese voices, countless unlockables, ultra-realistic HD visuals, a new combo system, and an exclusive 30-minute Dragon Ball ^® anime episode.

Majin and the Forsaken Kingdom ^TM (Xbox 360 ^®, PlayStation ^®3)

Release date: 26 November 2010

Creates a new fusion of cooperative stealth and action as the player takes the role of the game's hero to fight alongside the AI-controlled monster Majin. The vast and colourful open world, rich character interactions, constantly evolving gameplay and absorbing storyline will keep players gripped.

Despicable Me: The Game (Wii ^TM, Nintendo DS ^TM, PlayStation ^®2, PSP ^®)

Release date: October 2010

Players become the mastermind Gru, plotting to build a rocket ship and steal the moon, with command over an army of tireless, little yellow minions to complete puzzles and missions and employ an arsenal of despicable weapons and gadgets to vanquish all who stand in their way.

PAC-MAN Party (Wii ^TM)

Release date: Autumn 2010

Capturing the spirit of the beloved franchise, PAC-MAN Party delivers an explosive party game filled with wild mini-games, challenges and multiplayer gameplay. The easy controls will have players testing their skills and reflexes against one another across unique virtual game boards.

About NAMCO BANDAI Games Europe

NAMCO BANDAI Games Europe S.A.S. is a leading software publisher producing a broad catalogue of high quality interactive entertainment for console and PC gaming platforms and online which is marketed and sold in 50 countries across Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Australasia. 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 Tekken ^TM , Dragon Ball ^®, Naruto ^TM, SOULCALIBUR ^TM, One Piece ^TM, RidgeRacer ^TM, Ace Combat ^TM and Tamagotchi ^TM.

About D3Publisher

D3Publisher is a video game publisher for Wii ^TM, Nintendo DS ^TM, the PSP ^® (PlayStation ^®Portable) system, PlayStation ^®2 computer entertainment system, PlayStation ^®3 computer entertainment system, and the Xbox 360 ^TM video game and entertainment system from Microsoft. D3Publisher has operations in the U.S., and Japan. The company also owns development studio Vicious Cycle Software, Inc., and its technology platform, Vicious Engine ^®. For more information about D3Publisher, please visit: www.d3publisher.us.

About Despicable Me (The Movie)

In a happy suburban neighborhood surrounded by white picket fences with flowering rose bushes, sits a black house with a dead lawn. Unbeknownst to the neighbors, hidden deep beneath this home is a vast secret hideout. Surrounded by an army of tireless, little yellow minions, we discover Gru (Steve Carell), planning the biggest heist in the history of the world. He is going to steal the moon (Yes, the moon!) in Universal’s new 3-D CGI feature, Despicable Me.

Gru delights in all things wicked. Armed with his arsenal of shrink rays, freeze rays and battle-ready vehicles for land and air, he vanquishes all who stand in his way. Until the day he encounters the immense will of three little orphaned girls who look at him and see something that no one else has ever seen: a potential Dad.

One of the world’s greatest super-villains has just met his greatest challenge: three little girls named Margo, Edith and Agnes. www.despicable.me

About Universal Partnerships & Licensing

UP&L oversees Universal’s consumer product licensing, film and home entertainment promotions, and all corporate alliances for Universal’s theatrical, home entertainment, theme parks, and stage productions. This dedicated division is also responsible for monetizing the studio’s vast library of films and characters through licensing, branding, and marketing opportunities. UP&L is part of NBC Universal, one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. Formed in May 2004 through the combining of NBC and Vivendi Universal Entertainment, NBC Universal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, and world-renowned theme parks. NBC Universal is 80%-owned by General Electric, with 20% owned by Vivendi.

About Ninja Theory Ltd

Ninja Theory was formed in Cambridge England, in November of 2004, by Nina Kristensen (Chief Development Ninja), Mike Ball (Chief Technology Ninja), Tameem Antoniades (Chief Creative Ninja) and Non-Executive Ninja, Jez San OBE. Ninja Theory believes that games can be a true artistic and dramatic medium to rival film, theatre and literature. Ninja Theory was one of the first studios in the world to focus exclusively on next generation gaming, creating the flagship title Heavenly Sword for Playstation3, published by Sony Computer Entertainment Europe in 2007. Ninja Theory was formerly known as Just Add Monsters Ltd and was the team behind Kung Fu Chaos. www.ninjatheory.com