Press Release
NAMCO BANDAI'S SAMURAI CHAMPLOO(TM): SIDETRACKED(TM) BEATBOXES INTO RETAIL OUTLETS

Hip Hop Grooves Meet Samurai Blade for the PlayStation(R)2

SANTA CLARA, Calif., (April 12, 2006) - Leading video games publisher and developer NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc. announced today that the highly anticipated Samurai Champloo(TM): Sidetracked(TM) for the PlayStation(R)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.

About NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc.
NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc. is an interactive entertainment software publisher and developer based in Santa Clara, CA. The company is a subsidiary of the newly formed NAMCO BANDAI Holdings (USA) Inc. based in Cypress, CA.

On September 29, 2005, Bandai Co., Ltd. and NAMCO LIMITED implemented a management integration to form NAMCO BANDAI Holdings Inc. This step was taken to compete more effectively on the global stage in the fast-changing entertainment industry and to deliver further growth.

The resulting BANDAI NAMCO Group is a global entertainment group involved in business fields ranging from toys, amusement facilities, video game software and visual software, to apparel, sundries and network content.
As previous separate entities (Namco Hometek Inc. and Bandai Games Inc.) the companies were each known for creating some of the industry's top video game franchises including: Tamagotchi(R), Tekken(R), SOULCALIBUR(R), Dead to Rights(R), Pac-Man(R) World(TM), Digimon(R), Ridge Racer(R), Time Crisis(R) and ACECOMBAT(R). For more information about NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc. and its products log onto www.namcobandaigames.com.

Press Release (c) 2006 NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc. All Rights Reserved.

(c) manglobe/Shimoigusa Champloos (c) 2006 Bandai. SIDETRACKED is a trademark of Bandai. BANDAI logo is a registered trademark of Bandai.

"PlayStation" and the "PS" Family logo are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.