North America has gone wild over NARUTO – Believe it! Following the successful launch of NARUTO: Clash of Ninja and NARUTO: Ninja Council in March 2006, D3Publisher of America, Inc. (D3PA) and TOMY Corporation will present NARUTO: Clash of Ninja 2 for Nintendo GameCube and NARUTO: Ninja Council 2 for Nintendo Game Boy Advance at this year’s Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3), taking place at the Los Angeles Convention Center from May 10-12, 2006. The latest video games follow the storyline of VIZ Media’s hit anime series SHONEN JUMP’s NARUTO, and will feature more playable characters, new locations and added gameplay features including multiplayer modes for up to four players.

“The critical and retail success of the NARUTO video games in North America are a testament to the global appeal of the franchise, said Alison Quirion, vice president of marketing, D3PA. “NARUTO: Clash of Ninja 2 on GameCube and NARUTO: Ninja Council 2 on Game Boy Advance will build upon the success of the first titles by offering a host of new playable characters, non-stop ninja annihilation with heated multi-player battles and challenging gameplay modes that are sure to please gamers of all ages.”

“We are very pleased with the response for NARUTO thus far and are excited to be working with D3PA to bring these Naruto games to the USA,” said Laura Yoshioka, senior marketing manager, TOMY Corporation. “The Naruto franchise continues to be enormously popular and we look forward to bringing more quality titles featuring the rich storylines and fascinating characters from the hit TV series to American gamers.

NARUTO: Clash of Ninja 2, developed exclusively for Nintendo GameCube, will offer non-stop ninja style combat action for 1-4 players where gamers choose to play as one of 23 total available characters. All-new multi-player modes will engage players in frantic simultaneous four player battles and single-player modes will offer more gameplay choices than before with survival and timed attack modes that allow players to showcase their taijutsu and special jutsu abilities. Developed by 8ing, NARUTO: Clash of Ninja 2 is anticipated for release in September 2006.

The second Game Boy Advance title in the series, NARUTO: Ninja Council 2 builds on the storyline of the first game and will allow players to switch between 3 unique characters on the fly to strategically conquer each challenging level. All-new multiplayer modes offer head-to-head action or cooperative play for up to four players. Developed by Aspect, Ninja Council 2 is anticipated to be released in Fall 2006.

NARUTO takes place in a world where ninja hold the ultimate power. Infused with the spirit of a once fearsome Nine-Tailed Fox, Naruto Uzumaki is a ninja-in-training who is learning the art of Ninjutsu with his classmates Sakura and Sasuke. The trio studies under the instruction of their teacher, Kakashi, who helps the group face dangerous and daunting tests and challenges. Through their adventures, the young ninja learn the importance of friendship, teamwork, loyalty, hard work, creativity, ingenuity, and right versus wrong.