Japanese toymakers not looking forward to Christmas
November 8, 2008 by J!-ENT · Leave a Comment
Mainichi Daily News reported:
This year’s winter sales war is likely to be tough for toy manufacturers, with industry leaders Namco Bandai Holdings Inc. and Tomy Co. Ltd. already revising sales estimates downwards for this fiscal year. And with the deteriorating economic situation eating into year-end bonuses and consumers less likely to splurge over the Christmas and New Year period, toy companies are resigning themselves to a tougher festive season than usual.
Industry number one Namco Bandai announced on Wednesday that projected sales figures for the 2008 fiscal year were being revised downwards by 6.4 percent to 440 billion yen, with operating profit taking an even greater 36.8 percent dive to 24 billion yen.
With year-end sales — which make up 40 percent of yearly domestic sales — taking a pounding, the company has also had to scale back marketing campaigns for games and other products.
NAMCO BANDAI GAMES SHIPS NAMCO MUSEUM™: VIRTUAL ARCADE FOR XBOX 360
November 7, 2008 by J!-ENT · Leave a Comment
NAMCO BANDAI GAMES SHIPS NAMCO MUSEUM™: VIRTUAL ARCADE FOR XBOX 360® Timeless Arcade Classics Come Home with Most Comprehensive Collection to Date
SANTA CLARA, Calif., (November 4, 2008) – Leading video games developer and publisher, NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc., announced today that Namco Museum™: Virtual Arcade has shipped to North American retailers for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft. Namco Museum: Virtual Arcade delivers more than 30 unforgettable favorites that spread across a variety of genres including action, racing and vertical shooters. Players can test out new revamped classics such as Galaga Legions, the latest masterpiece from the team behind Pac-Man Championship Edition, Ms. Pac-Man®, and Mr. Driller® Online.
“Namco Museum: Virtual Arcade continues our tradition of bringing high quality entertainment for all players,” said Todd Thorson, director of marketing and public relations. “From cultural hits to cult classics, no stone has been unturned in bringing players the largest and most comprehensive Namco Museum collection yet.”
Namco Museum: Virtual Arcade delivers a quarter century of classic arcade games into homes for the ultimate retro experience. Packed with 25 long-time favorites, NAMCO BANDAI Games has also included 9 additional games from their Xbox LIVE™ Arcade library including racing game New Rally-X, the critically-acclaimed PAC-MAN Championship Edition and the underground drilling classic, DIG DUG®. Each game enabled for Xbox LIVE® online entertainment network comes with its own unique online functionality including online leaderboards to track your progress against gamers around the world.
Also Included in Namco Museum: Virtual Arcade:
· DIG DUG - Released in 1982
Dig out tunnels and dislodge heavy rocks to defeat nefarious enemies. If all else fails, use your pump to inflate and blow up tricky monsters. The round is over when all the enemies have been destroyed.
· Galaga® – Released in 1981
Pilot an advanced space fighter and destroy an alien invasion. Shoot through their formations as they descend upon your ship.
· Galaxian® – Released in 1979
Defeat wave after wave of dragonfly-like enemies through this precursor to Galaga.
· Mappy® – Released in 1983
Help Mappy, the police mouse, through the Meowkys’ mansion to recover stolen goods. Bounce on trampolines to reach higher floors and slam open doors to knock down enemies.
· Metro-Cross™ – Released in 1985
Make your way through 32 levels in this futuristic foot race. Dodge and jump over dangerous obstacles to finish the courses within the time limit.
· Pac-Man® – Released in 1980
Guide PAC-MAN though the original arcade classic. Avoid ghosts as you chomp away at pellets to clear each stage. Find the power pellets to turn the tables on the ensuing ghosts and take a bite out of them.
· Pole Position® – Released in 1982
Take first place in the premiere arcade racing classic.
· Pole Position® II – Released in 1983
This sequel to the ultimate arcade racing game adds three additional tracks for players to burn rubber.
· Rally-X® - Released in 1980
Make your way through the maze-like tracks and pick up the 10 rally flags. Use your smoke screen to confuse the enemy cars before they catch you.
· Sky Kid® - Released in 1985
Players must pilot Red Baron and Blue Max, the Sky Kids, through nine perilous missions as they break through enemy lines to bomb command fortresses and ships.
· Super ”PAC-MAN®” – Released in 1982
The sequel to the original arcade phenomenon! Use keys to unlock doors hiding fruit and power pellets to clear the stage. Eat the Super Pellet to turn into Super Pac-Man, a super-sized Pac-Man, able to chomp through barriers and knock away pesky ghosts.
· Xevious® - Released in 1982
This classic arcade shoot ‘em up enlists players to target air and ground units as they fight their way through enemy territory.
· And many more!
Namco Museum: Virtual Arcade is rated ‘E10+’ for everyone age ten and over with a MSRP of $29.99. For more information about Namco Museum: Virtual Arcade, please visit http://www.namcobandaigames.com.
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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 www.namcobandaigames.com.
All rights reserved. Xbox, Xbox 360, and Xbox Live are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.
Namco Museum™ Virtual Arcade & © 2008 NAMCO BANDAI Games Inc.
Pac-Man® & ©1980 2008 NAMCO BANDAI Games Inc.
Dig Dug® & ©1982 2008 NAMCO BANDAI Games Inc.
Galaga® & ©1981 2008 NAMCO BANDAI Games Inc.
Pac-Man® Championship Edition & ©1980-2008 NAMCO BANDAI Games Inc.
Mr. Driller® Online & ©1999-2008 NAMCO BANDAI Games Inc.
Ms. Pac-Man® & ©1982-2008 NAMCO B ANDAI Games Inc.
Dig Dug® & ©1982-2008 NAMCO BANDAI Games Inc.
Galaga® & ©1981 2008 NAMCO BANDAI Games Inc.
Galaga® ‘88 & ©1987 2008 NAMCO BANDAI Games Inc.
Galaga Legions™&© 1981-2008 NAMCO BANDAI Games Inc.
Galaxian® & ©1979 2008 NAMCO BANDAI Games Inc.
Xevious® & ©1982 2008 NAMCO BANDAI Games Inc.
Spy Kid®&© 1985 2008 NAMCO BANDAI Games Inc.
Metro-Cross™&© 1985 2008 NAMCO BANDAI Games Inc.
Super “PAC-MAN®”&© 1980-2008 NAMCO BANDAI Games Inc.
RALLY-X ®”&© 1980 2008 NAMCO BANDAI Games Inc.
MAPPY ®”&© 1983 2008 NAMCO BANDAI Games Inc.
POLE POSITION ®”&© 1982 2008 NAMCO BANDAI Games Inc.
POLE POSITION®II &© 1982-2008 NAMCO BANDAI Games Inc.
Press Release © 2008 NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc.
NAMCO BANDAI GAMES ANNOUNCES FREE SERVER SUPPORT INTO 2009 FOR HELLGATE™: LONDON
October 27, 2008 by Dennis Amith · Leave a Comment
Santa Clara, Calif., (October 24, 2008) - NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc., today announced that they will continue to support customers of PC game Hellgate™: London with online server support and play through January 31, 2009 despite the closure of Flagship Studios. In a further gesture of support, Namco Bandai Games will provide this server support free of charge to all fans and players of the game up until the shut down date.
NAMCO BANDAI Games appreciates the enthusiasm of all the Hellgate: London players and looks forward to providing them with future entertainment products.
For questions regarding the shut down or additional information about Hellgate: London, please visit the game’s official website at www.hellgatelondon.com.
NAMCO BANDAI GAMES RE-LAUNCHES ACE COMBAT 6 FLIGHTSTICK BUNDLE WITH EXCLUSIVE DVD
October 21, 2008 by Dennis Amith · Leave a Comment
Exclusively at Best Buy Stores, “Speed & Angels” Documentary Included in Bundle with Leading Flight-Combat Video Game and Critically-Acclaimed Flightstick
Santa Clara, Calif., (October 21, 2008) – Leading video games developer and publisher NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc., announced today that the Ace Combat® 6 Flightstick Bundle is once again available, exclusively at Best Buy retail stores nationwide. Including the critically acclaimed Ace Combat® 6: Fires of Liberation for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, HORI’s exclusive ACE-EDGE™ flightstick and a custom Xbox 360 faceplate, the newly released bundle also includes an exclusive DVD of the award-winning flight combat documentary Speed & Angels.
Speed & Angels follows two young aspiring fighter pilots as they follow their dreams of taking to the skies in F-14 Tomcat aircraft. Providing a behind the scenes look at the extraordinary people that pilot the world’s most advanced fighter planes, the film was the recipient of the Audience Award at the 2008 Newport Film Festival and an official selection at the 2008 Sedona International Film Festival.
Thrusting players into massive living battlefields, Ace Combat 6 lets players pilot cutting-edge real world aircraft such as the F-22 Raptor and A-10 Thunderbolt as they take on screaming enemy fighter jets, ground-based anti-air emplacements and hulking naval vessels. Up to 16 players can test their dogfighting skills online in a variety of multiplayer modes, including objective-based air raids and exclusive cooperative missions. Unanimously praised by critics and fans alike, Ace Combat 6 was chosen as one of Time Magazine’s top 10 games of 2007 and lauded as “bigger, better and even more photorealistic than its predecessors” by USA Today.
The Ace Combat 6 Flightstick Bundle with the Speed & Angels DVD is available exclusively at Best Buy locations nationwide and carries a suggested retail price of $149.99. Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation is available at retailers nationwide for a suggested retail price of $59.99 and is rated “T” for Teen by the ESRB. For more information, please visit www.acecombatsix.com and www.speedandangels.com.
NAMCO BANDAI GAMES STRIKES BACK WITH NEW DOWNLOADABLE CONTENT FOR SOULCALIBUR® IV
October 21, 2008 by Dennis Amith · Leave a Comment
Fan Reaction Prompts Acclaimed Fighting Franchise to Deliver New Content Fan Reaction Prompts Acclaimed Fighting Franchise to Deliver New Content From a Galaxy Far Far Away
Santa Clara, Calif., (October 17, 2008) – Due to overwhelming fan response, NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc., today revealed that Sith Lord Darth Vader and Jedi Master Yoda will be downloadable characters for Soulcalibur® IV on Thursday, October 23 from Xbox LIVE® Marketplace for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and the PLAYSTATION®Network for the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system. Once console exclusive characters, players will soon be able to pit these adversaries against each other for the true epic battle between dark and light. Soulcalibur® IV has shipped millions of units worldwide since its July 29 launch and continues to win audiences over with its rich gaming experience and robust feature set.
Set to reveal the origins of this ongoing story, Soulcalibur IV features new and familiar faces from across the galaxy who seeks the rival swords for their own ambitions. The line-up of weapon-wielding fighters grows as new characters add to the mythos including Hilde, a striking armor-clad warrior who wields a short sword and spear. In addition to the iconic Star Wars characters, the Secret Apprentice from LucasArts’ STAR WARS®: The Force Unleashed™ also makes an appearance as a guest character for both Xbox 360 and PLAYSTATION 3 system.
Retooled from the ground up, Soulcalibur IV perfects its highly celebrated weapons-based fighting system with stunning high definition graphics and new gameplay mechanics. Adding to the depth of combat, players can now destroy protective armor; weakening their enemy’s resolve and unleash Critical Finish moves to defeat opponents in one spectacular blow. Also new to the series is the ability to battle online against players from around the world using customized characters or fan favorites to challenges others for global domination.
Soulcalibur IV is rated “T” for Teen by the ESRB and is currently available in stores for a suggested MSRP of $59.99. The downloadable characters will be available for 400 Microsoft Points on Xbox LIVE Marketplace for Xbox 360 and $4.99 on the PLAYSTATION Network. For more information please visit: www.soulcalibur.com or http://www.namcobandaigames.com.
NAMCO BANDAI GAMES RETURNS TO THE SLOPES WITH WE SKI™ & SNOWBOARD FOR NINTENDO WiiTM
October 11, 2008 by Dennis Amith · Leave a Comment
Snowboarding and Next-Gen Gameplay Add New World of Fun to Epic Wintry Wii™ Experience
SANTA CLARA, Calif., (October 8, 2008) – Fresh powder, pristine slopes and winter fun will again drift into homes in March 2009, as NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc. today announced We SkiTM and Snowboard, a sequel to its much lauded snow sports game for Nintendo WiiTM.
Topping the list of enhancements in this latest installment of Wii Balance Board standouts is the addition of high-performance snowboarding, as well as improved skiing functionality, two massive new mountains and 10,000 more vertical meters. Complete with fun boxes, rails and a half-pipe, both skiers and snowboarders alike can boost huge air and over-the-top aerial tricks in this epic wintry experience.
“We made major feature additions and control enhancements to an already impressive design set with We Ski and Snowboard,” said Andrew Lelchuk, EVP of marketing and sales for NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc. “Our goal was to provide gamers with the same great experience of being on the slopes that they enjoyed in We Ski and evolve it by adding snowboards, two world class hills, real-time trick capability and a fully-interactive environment. And We Ski and Snowboard has accomplished just that.”
We Ski & Snowboard is a wintry thrill ride through many different environments on the awesome Mt. Angrio and cool Jamboree Snow Resort. Players enjoy the classic motion-based controls popularized by We Ski using the Wii Remote™ and Nunchuk controllers, or by adding the increased realism of the Wii Balance Board™ for even more ski and snowboard action. Custom characters and player Mii’s™ add even more dimension to snow-capped adventures across even more mountain terrain than ever with vast free-riding areas. Leisurely gondola rides to sloping peaks invite a breathtaking panoramic experience, while heli-drops from extreme dizzying heights offer-up opportunities to shred down vertical cliffs and severe precipices. Players should be sure to watch out for avalanches!
Hot Doggers can quench their thirst for excitement with half-pipe courses, and ski technique challenges, while loungers can look forward to other activities including ski school, board school, moguls and slaloms, as well as animal search and rescue. Players can enjoy the sprawling vistas with day, night and dusk skiing, offering countless nuances to an ever-expanding list of experiences. The whole family can still enjoy fast-paced racing action or free-skiing with four-player fun, while single players can enjoy the ride with up to three AI-controlled skiing buddies.
For more information on We Ski and Snowboard, please visit: http://www.namcobandaigames.com.
NAMCO BANDAI GAMES’ NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC PANDA TO INCLUDE BONUS DVD
October 1, 2008 by Dennis Amith · Leave a Comment
Learn Everything You Wanted to Know and More About Pandas
SANTA CLARA, Calif., (September 30, 2008) – Leading video games publisher and developer, NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc. announced today that a bonus DVD, Secrets of the Wild Panda, will be packed in copies of their upcoming Nintendo DS™ pet-simulation game National Geographic Panda. Secrets of the Wild Panda is an hour long special that follows a group of researchers as they study a mother panda and her newborn baby. National Geographic Panda gives adoptive panda parents a unique opportunity to interact and learn about these majestic animals when it is released this November.
“National Geographic Panda delivers on the promise to provide engaging and informative content for which National Geographic is known for,” said Todd Thorson, director of marketing and public relations for NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc. “Secrets of the Wild Panda and in-game National Geographic articles give National Geographic Panda a substantial added value on top of an already terrific game.”
More about National Geographic Panda:
Step into Panda Park and immerse yourself in raising cuddly panda cubs. Use the touch screen to wake up sleepy pandas in the morning, hand them their favorite food, or help them with tricky somersaults. Players can enter the Panda House to find over 20 authentic National Geographic articles about pandas, with new articles unlocked each day the game is played. Players are also given an allowance every morning to spend or save as they see fit. Buy food, toys, clothes or a good bath for your pandas. Raise your panda well and more will wander into Panda Park wanting to join in on the fun!
More about Secrets of the Wild Panda:
Shot in the remote Qi Ling mountains of China, Secrets of the Wild Panda follows a team of scientists as they observe and track a mother panda and her newborn baby, Xi Wang, for a full year. In a time where wild panda habitats are vanishing at an astonishing rate, the team must learn all they can from this rarely seen occurrence.
National Geographic Panda will be available for Nintendo DS this November with a MSRP of $29.99. For more information about National Geographic Panda, please visit http://www.namcobandaigames.com.
Namco Bandai GAMES REVEALS FULL Song List FOR WE CHEER™
September 24, 2008 by Dennis Amith · Leave a Comment
30 Master Tracks from Chart-Topping Recording Artists Highlight Upcoming Cheerleading Game for Wii™
SANTA CLARA, Calif., (September 22, 2008) – Leading video games publisher and developer NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc., today revealed the full song list for We Cheer™, exclusively for Wii™. Packed with 30 high-energy master tracks spanning four decades of music from chart-topping artists such as Hilary Duff, Natasha Bedingfield, Paramore and Moby, the game’s soundtrack is sure to get players of all ages ready to lead their virtual cheerleading squad to stylish victory as they perform to their favorite songs using Wii Remotes™ as virtual pom-poms.
Below is the full song list for We Cheer:
- “Walking On Sunshine” – Aly & AJ
- “It Takes Two” – Rob Base & DJ EZ Rock
- “If You’re Gonna Jump (Paul Oakenfold Remix)” – Natasha Bedingfield
- “Push It To The Limit” – Corbin Bleu
- “I Want Candy” – Bow Wow Wow
- “On Top Of The World” – Boys Like Girls
- “The Great Escape” – Boys Like Girls
- “Godspeed” – BT
- “Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)” – C+C Music Factory
- “Eye Of The Tiger (Sunset Crew Radio Mix)” – Crew 7
- “Come Clean” – Hilary Duff
- “Unbelievable” – EMF
- “Calabria 2008” – Enur feat. Natasja
- “Star” – Erasure
- “Perfect Day” – Hoku
- “That’s The Way (I Like It)” – KC & The Sunshine Band
- “I Say Hey” – Kinky
- “Footloose” – Kenny Loggins
- “Bodyrock” – Moby
- “Born for This” – Paramore
- “Our Time Now” – Plain White T’s
- “C’mon N’ Ride It (The Train)” – Quad City DJ’s
- “I’d Do Anything” – Simple Plan
- “Jump” – Simple Plan
- “Stamp Your Feet” – Donna Summer
- “Whoomp! (There It Is)” – Tag Team
- “In This Diary” – The Ataris
- “Groovy Train” – The Farm
- “The Power Is On” – The Go! Team
- “Huddle Formation” – The Go! Team
We Cheer delivers the fun, excitement and teamwork of championship cheerleading as players perform using one or two Wii Remotes as virtual pom-poms. Full of authentic cheerleading moves, players must move their Wii Remotes as directed by the on-screen indicators to choreographed routines, utilizing a full range of arm and body movements such as spins and twists. The look of each cheerleader is fully customizable, with a variety of outfits and accessories allowing players to create their own custom squads or match the look of their own school or favorite teams. Letting friends and family get in on the cheerleading fun, up to four players can participate in a variety of cooperative or competitive multiplayer modes.
We Cheer for Wii will ship to stores nationwide on September 30 and is rated “E10+” by the ESRB. For more information, please visit www.wecheergame.com.
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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 www.namcobandaigames.com.
We Cheer™ & © 2008 NAMCO BANDAI Games Inc.
Wii and the Wii logo are trademarks of Nintendo. © 2006 Nintendo.
Press Release © 2008 NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc.


