Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. to publish Disney's The Haunted Mansion

January 7, 2004 (Windsor, England) - Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. today announced that it will be publishing Disney's critically acclaimed The Haunted Mansion across all European territories. Inspired by the eerie Disney theme park attraction, and closely tied with the upcoming Eddie Murphy movie, the game will be spreading its spectral influence in February 2004 via Sony's PlayStation 2, Microsoft's Xbox and Nintendo's GameCube.

Featuring over 40 visually stunning locations, 999 baggable spooks and a unique combat system, The Haunted Mansion thrusts the player into the role of mild mannered ghost hunter Zeke Halloway. It's up to him, and him alone, to uncover the truth behind the murders that have plagued the building since the day it was built. To do this he'll need to rely on his natural talents, an ability to speak to the dead and the six power settings of an ancient magical lamp.

The Haunted Mansion offer gamers the chance to search out secret rooms and unlock virtual tours of the Disney ride, it also gives them an opportunity to play as a ghost, collect the death certificates of the gathered ghouls and then use them to solve the game's central murder mystery. Players will also get a chilled thrill out of battling skeletal sharks, armoured knights, gruesome bridesmaids and, of course, shambling zombies while the dulcet tones of Jenifer Tilly - who also stars in the film - guides them from one objective to the next.

"Not only is this a great looking, clever and innovative title, it also completely captures the essence of what the themepark attraction is all about," so says Gary Lewis, president of Take-Two Europe. And, as far as hackle-raising atmosphere goes, The Haunted Mansion arrives stacked to its rotting rafters. From knockabout slapstick scares to genuine moments of unease, this game perfectly captures the tongue-in-cheek horror of the ride.