Incomparable 'Game Giants' will drive retail sales; unique connectivity will expand players' dreams
NINTENDO: THE POWER, PROMISE AND PASSION OF E3
LOS ANGELES--May 21, 2002-- Incomparable 'Game Giants' Will Drive Retail Sales; Unique Connectivity Will Expand Players' Dreams
The names are among the most familiar and honored in video game
history: Mario(TM), Zelda(TM), Metroid(R), Fox(R) McCloud.
In 2002 these 'Game Giants' collectively will form the most
impressive company game lineup in the history of the Electronic
Entertainment Expo (E3). Each is destined to generate retail mania --
and million-unit worldwide sales -- upon arriving exclusively for
NINTENDO GAMECUBE(TM) in the coming months.
In addition, a brand new game -- Animal Crossing(TM) --
demonstrates the promise of revolutionary new forms of game play not
previously possible. Animal Crossing exemplifies Nintendo's
groundbreaking proprietary 'connectivity' -- the expansion of game
play not only between the NINTENDO GAMECUBE console and the portable
Game Boy(R) Advance system, but also into the realm of collectable
trading cards.
"Nintendo's belief that constant innovation and the highest
quality games are essential in truly serving our players has fueled
our prosperity in video gaming for two decades," says Peter
MacDougall, executive vice president, sales and marketing, Nintendo of
America Inc. "This year, as we combine new adventures starring our key
franchise characters, and witness the dawning of the connectivity
generation, we're delivering on that philosophy like never before. In
a year driven by software, we'll introduce the 'software of the
year'."
Four of Nintendo's headliners arrive in brand-new adventures on NINTENDO GAMECUBE:
-- In Super Mario Sunshine(TM), the world's most beloved plumber
arrives for a tropical vacation only to discover that his good
name has been soiled by adversaries and it's his job to clean
up the mess. Mario's vacation unfolds in August.
-- In Star Fox(R) Adventures, Rare Ltd. in cooperation with
Nintendo has created one of the most technologically advanced
video games in history, with a compelling and whimsical
storyline that parallels a feature film. This new adventure
launches in September.
-- Fans around the world finally get the chance to find out what
it looks like to meet space pirates face-to-face as the
Metroid franchise gains first-person perspective with Metroid
Prime(R) launching in November.
-- This February, the elfin hero Link sports a brand-new look
that perfectly reflects his emotions throughout The Legend of
Zelda(R), as he embarks on an epic quest across land and sea
to rescue his kidnapped sister.
Younger gamers will cheer the first NINTENDO GAMECUBE incarnation
of the Mario Party(R) series as well as Disney's Magical Mirror
Starring Mickey Mouse. In addition, 1080(Degrees): White Storm(TM)
amps up mountainside mayhem, and Wario World(TM) gives Mario's alter
ego his first lead role on any console.
In total, Nintendo and third-party partners will exhibit titles
that expand Game Boy Advance's game portfolio to more than 300 titles,
and NINTENDO GAMECUBE's library to more than 150 titles by year end.
While affirming its unrivaled appeal to players of all ages, Nintendo
is aggressively moving forward with games designed for older
audiences, including NINTENDO GAMECUBE exclusives Metroid Prime,
Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem(TM), and Resident Evil 0 from
Capcom.
Game Boy Advance, America's best-selling video game system, also
features new games starring Mario, Yoshi(TM), Link, Samus, Donkey
Kong(R), Kirby(TM), and Pokemon(R). Coupled with the new e-Reader
accessory, Game Boy Advance can transport passwords, game play items
and even music from specially embedded trading cards.
Nintendo's innovation extends to other important technology fronts
this year:
-- The WaveBird(TM) wireless controller for NINTENDO GAMECUBE
promises to perform the seemingly impossible -- banish game
cables from the family room floor.
-- Roll-o-Rama(TM) demonstrates built-in motion sensor technology
for Game Boy Advance, not only enabling the Game Boy Advance
unit to act as a controller for the console, but also allowing
shared game play between NINTENDO GAMECUBE and Game Boy
Advance.
-- Phantasy Star Online(TM): Episode I & II from SEGA is the
first game to use NINTENDO GAMECUBE's capabilities for online
play as Nintendo prepares to launch its modem and broadband
adapter this fall.
