Digimon World DS Materializes into Retail Stores

Nov 8, 2006

Leading videogames publisher and developer Namco Bandai Games American Inc. announced today Digimon World DS is now available in retail stores for the Nintendo DS. The latest digi-evolution of the successful Digimon game and television series, Digimon World DS promises exciting turn-based battles, Digi-Farms where players can raise, feed, and train digital monsters, and the opportunity to create rare breeds of Digimon with friends via Wi-Fi and local DS wireless connection. Digimon World DS is rated "E10+" for Everybody 10+ and retails for $29.99.

"Since the premier of the first episode in the U.S. in 1999, Digimon has spawned 10 popular games on a variety of console platforms," said Naruo Uchida, Namco Bandai Games America Inc.'s Vice President of Localization. "Since this is the debut of the Digimon on the Nintendo DS, we took special care to maximize the DS' touch screen and Wi-Fi capabilities with Digimon World DS."

With Digimon World DS, tamers are needed for new Digi-Farms to collect and train over 230 distinct Digimon. With eight different species to battle and breed, players will be able to create their own unique hybrid digital monsters. Truly rare Digimon can be formed by "matching" with friends via Nintendo's Wi-fi capability and local DS wireless connection. Engage in three-vs.-three battles, and trade up-to-40 Digimon with your friends wirelessly.

About Toei Animation

Toei Animation Co., Ltd. is the largest animation production company in Japan since 1956, and have produced many celebrated TV series such as Dragon Ball, Sailor Moon, Zatch Bell!, Digimon Adventure, and One Piece. Headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, and its affiliate company registered as Toei Animation Inc. based in Los Angeles, CA.

About Namco Bandai Games America Inc.

Namco Bandai Games America Inc. is an interactive entertainment software publisher and developer based in Santa Clara, CA. The company is a subsidiary of the newly formed Namco Bandai Holdings (USA) Inc. based in Cypress, CA.

On September 29, 2005, Bandai Co., Ltd. and Namco Limited implemented a management integration to form Namco Bandai Holdings Inc. This step was taken to compete more effectively on the global stage in the fast-changing entertainment industry and to deliver further growth.

The resulting Bandai Namco Group is a global entertainment group involved in business fields ranging from toys, amusement facilities, video game software and visual software, to apparel, sundries and network content.

As previous separate entities (Namco Hometek Inc. and Bandai Games Inc.) the companies were each known for creating some of the industry's top video game franchises including: Tamagotchi, Tekken, Soul Calibur, Dead to Rights, Pac-Man World, Digimon, Ridge Racer, Time Crisis and Ace Combat.