Handheld Ninja Adventure Debuts In-Depth Interactive Storyline with Acclaimed One-on-One Combat and Frenzied Multiplayer Brawls

Santa Clara, Calif., (June 24, 2008) – Leading video games publisher and developer, NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc., announced today that NARUTO™: Ultimate Ninja Heroes® 2: The Phantom Fortress™ for the PSP® (PlayStation® Portable) system has shipped to retail stores throughout North America. Developed by CyberConnect2 and based on the popular NARUTO™ animated series from VIZ Media, the game offers a superior handheld fighting experience as players take part in intense head-to-head clashes with a roster of more than 20 characters and participate in a massive interactive storyline.

In NARUTO: Ultimate Ninja Heroes 2, a mysterious ghostly castle appears in the sky, casting an ominous shadow over the peaceful Hidden Leaf Village. As Naruto approaches the castle to try and discover the source of this disturbance, he is confronted by a strange masked woman who confronts him with disturbing visions of his past and threatening illusions. Together with Shikamaru, Sakura and the rest of his friends, Naruto must use all of his ninja skills to overcome this powerful new threat and save the village.

Combining one-on-one fighting with an epic interactive story, NARUTO: Ultimate Ninja Heroes 2 lets players create a custom party of characters and take them through the 100 unique floors of the castle. Fierce battles, fast-paced mini-games and tests of the mind await as players make their way to the top of the fortress. Refining the series’ trademark fighting engine, the game debuts new characters for a player roster of more than 20 memorable combatants equipped with new jutsu for more acrobatic ninja fighting than ever before. Providing the most authentic NARUTO experience possible, fans can choose to play through the full game with either English or the original Japanese voices

Packed with ultiplayer features, NARUTO: Ultimate Ninja Heroes 2 lets gamers test their fighting spirit with a friend in local wireless battles. Each multiplayer battle can be fully customized, letting players create and take their own ultimate ninja team of up to three characters into battle with just one copy of the gam

NARUTO: Ultimate Ninja Heroes 2: The Phantom Fortress is rated “T” for Teen by the ESRB and carries a suggested retail price of $39.99. For more information, please visit: www.namcobandaigames.com, www.naruto.com or www.hokagesroom.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 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, the UK and Ireland, and South Africa and is a global licensor of Japanese manga and animation. The company offers an integrated product line including, magazines such as SHONEN JUMP and SHOJO BEAT, graphic novels, videos, DVDs and 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.

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: Ultimate Ninja Heroes 2 software © 2006-2008 NAMCO BANDAI Games Inc. All Rights Reserved. NAMCO BANDAI Games logo is a trademark of NAMCO BANDAI. NARUTO artwork and elements © 2002 MASASHI KISHIMOTO. 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 © 2008 NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc.