Topic: Atari Ships Duel Masters: Kaijudo Showdown for GBA

[LassePalle]

The sequel to Sempai Legends finds its way to store shelves

THE SEARCH FOR THE GREATEST KAIJUDO MASTER IS ON AS ATARI SHIPS TWO EXCITING NEW 'DUEL MASTERS' GAMES

BEVERLY, Nov. 3, 2004. The Kaijudo library is about to expand as Atari, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATAR) and Wizards of the Coast, a subsidiary of Hasbro Inc., today announced that two new Duel Masters(TM) titles have shipped. Fans looking for the ultimate Kaijudo battles will embrace the stunning 3-D graphics offered by the new self-titled game Duel Masters, which marks the first time ever the series has appeared on PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system. Additionally, gamers on the go will enjoy the highly anticipated sequel to Duel Masters: Sempai Legends with Duel Masters: Kaijudo Showdown for Game Boy(R) Advance.  

"As the demand for Duel Masters continues to expand, Atari is proud to bring two new exciting games to market that bring the 2-D world of trading card battles to vivid three-dimensional realism," said Nancy MacIntyre, vice president of Marketing, Atari's Beverly studio. "Revisiting the Game Boy Advance and introducing the brand to the PlayStation(R)2 reflects the broad popularity and huge fan base that is hungry for more Duel Masters content this holiday season."  

"Atari continues to translate the Duel Masters trading card game into extremely enjoyable and entertaining forms of interactive entertainment," said Scott Rouse, Duel Masters brand manager, Wizards of the Coast. "Atari understands all of the components necessary for creating games that appeal to the avid Duel Masters fan base and we are extremely excited about reaching those fans on PlayStation(R)2."  

Introduced earlier this year, Wizard of the Coast's U.S. trading cards launched with the following highlights:  

-- Times Square launch event on March 5, 2004;  

-- 15-city Wizards of the Coast mall tour;  

-- Animated Duel Masters cartoon airing six days a week on Cartoon Network;  

-- Duel Masters organized leagues and tournaments;  

-- Trading card, video game and anime enthusiast convention presence throughout 2004 and beyond.  

The awareness and demand for Duel Masters in North America continues to grow rapidly:  

-- Since Cartoon Network moved the animated show to six days a week, the viewership has tripled;  

-- A special Wizards of the Coast promotion will put Duel Masters' lead character Shobu on 200 million milk cartons that that will appear in 30,000 schools across 15 Major markets.  

About Duel Masters PS2  

Marking the franchise's first-ever appearance on PlayStation(R)2 and developed by industry veterans High Voltage Software, Inc., Duel Masters brings the Duel Masters universe to life with incredible 3D graphics. Players are invited play solo or battle against a friend in this challenging new adventure that also allows them to discover the powers of five never-before-seen creatures. Duel Masters allows gamers to duel in real-time and turn-based modes, collect, trade, and build decks, duel in the new multiplayer mode, and test their skills against the enhanced computer AI.  

About Duel Masters: Kaijudo Showdown  

Developed by Mistic Software, Inc., makers of the franchise's origin, Sempai Legends, Duel Masters: Kaijudo Showdown offers a story-driven experience in which the lead character must solve a sinister mystery to prevent the world from falling into chaos. Featuring interaction with characters from the TV show, the ability to build and fine-tune decks using 300 cards and the chance to enter Shop Tournaments and win special booster packs, Duel Masters: Kaijudo Showdown has everything Duel Masters fans crave.