Leading video games publisher and developer NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc. announced today that the highly anticipated Samurai Champloo: Sidetracked for the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system has shipped to retail stores. This unique title based on the hit series airing on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim introduces players to the untrammeled strength of a samurai sword against a backdrop of righteous hip-hop beats. With an original storyline, Samurai Champloo: Sidetracked promises to take players on a new adventure with a completely different approach to samurai swordplay.

"With Samurai Champloo, we have created an inimitable fighting experience that lets players execute their preferred combo moves depending on the background tracks that they choose," said Yoshi Niki, business unit director from NAMCO BANDAI Games of America. "By staying true to creator Shinichiro Watanabe's vision, we have crafted a game that truly integrates the code of the samurai and hip-hop culture."

Gamers can breathe life into a "lost episode" as one of three playable characters - Mugen, a reckless samurai with break-dancing fighting style, calculated Jin who abides by the decorum of Bushido, and a mysterious new character exclusive to the video game. Stranded in the northern land of Ezo (current day Hokkaido) in search of the samurai who smells of sunflowers, the player must face foreign mercenaries, master swordsmen, diabolical assassins, mythical beasts, and gangster monkeys.

The hard-edged, hip-hop, pulse-pounding blend of wry humor, hardcore samurai action and lush animation of Samurai Champloo can also be seen in the multi-episodic series on DVD from Geneon Entertainment.