Naruto Wii debut in US to get exclusive content

LOS ANGELES–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The rumors have been confirmed, but they were only the tip of the iceberg! TOMY Corporation and D3Publisher of America, Inc. (D3PA) today announced the upcoming release of NARUTO™: Clash of Ninja™ MVZ (working title) for Wii™ — a head-to-head fighting game with content created exclusively for the North American market! Anticipated to ship in Fall 2007, NARUTO: Clash of Ninja™ MVZ is based on episodes from VIZ Media’s hit anime series SHONEN JUMP™ NARUTO and will include characters that have never been featured in the hit Clash of Ninja game series. The game will take advantage of the Wii Remote™ in fast-paced ninja action for up to four players in nine different gameplay modes.

“For some time we have wanted to give NARUTO fans in North America something they could not find anywhere else, and in NARUTO: Clash of Ninja MVZ we have a game with original, exclusive content that will amaze them,” said Mark Shinohara, executive vice president, TOMY Corporation. “For TOMY, 2007 and the release of NARUTO: Clash of Ninja MVZ will mark a significant milestone in not only our relationship with D3PA, but in TOMY’s expansion in the video game industry.”

“NARUTO proved to be a significant brand on the Nintendo GameCube™ in 2006 staying near the top of the sales charts from the release of the first Clash of Ninja in March 2006, to the release of the second Clash of Ninja game in September 2006 and through the holiday season,” said Careen Yapp, vice president of licensing and business development, D3PA. “NARUTO: Clash of Ninja MVZ will take advantage of this exciting new entertainment platform and will reach out to a whole new audience for NARUTO.”

The next generation in NARUTO games will include all new character animations, new special attack animations and for the first time new interactive environments. Developed by Eighting, NARUTO: Clash of Ninja MVZ takes advantage of the Wii system by allowing players to launch attacks with the Wii Remote using Ninja-like movements, and features special mini-games created exclusively for use with the Wii Remote.

NARUTO: Clash of Ninja MVZ will include 14 characters — including some that have yet to be featured in the Clash of Ninja game series. The fast-paced ninja action for up to four players will have nine different gameplay modes including Story Mode, Single Player and Multiplayer modes

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