Press Release
"GUMBY(R) VS. THE ASTROBOTS(TM)" BOUNCES INTO RETAIL OUTLETS

Clay Icon Celebrates a Half Century With His First Starring Role In A Video Game
 

SANTA CLARA, Calif., (August 9, 2005) – Leading video games developer and publisher Namco Hometek Inc. announced today that "Gumby(R) vs. the Astrobots(TM)" has shipped to retail outlets throughout North America. A lighthearted platforming adventure, "Gumby vs. the Astrobots" places classic Gumby characters in an original storyline to foil the plans of the pesky Blockheads(TM). Developed exclusively for the Game Boy(R) Advance, the game is rated E for Everyone and carries a suggested retail price of $19.99.

Gumby’s closest friends, Pokey(TM), Prickle(TM) and Goo(TM) are in trouble in "Gumby vs. the Astrobots," and only the good-hearted green hero can rescue them. Kidnapped by the Blockheads and their cohorts, the nefarious Astrobots, Gumby must travel through a variety of Book Worlds, including the Old West, North Pole and Planet Astrobot to release them. Along the way, Gumby will utilize his special clay abilities, such as morphing, stretching and bouncing to save the day and rescue his friends. The game even features original visuals and sound effects from the classic television series for the most authentic Gumby experience outside of the small screen.

“We should all hope to be as active and vibrant at 50 as Gumby is,” said Jeff Lujan, business director at Namco Hometek, Inc. “We’ve packed as much Gumby content into the game as possible, with a classic selection of characters and environments, an original storyline and spectacular clay abilities for Gumby fans of all ages.”

Gumby recently celebrated his 50th birthday in grand fashion, with a celebrity-filled celebration in San Francisco, including a performance from the chart topping band (and Gumby fans), Smash Mouth. The icon is also the focus of an ongoing exhibit at the Museum of the Moving Image in Astoria, New York. Gumby and the Art of Stop-Motion Animation features a daily demonstration on an actual Gumby set of stop-motion techniques pioneered by Gumby creator Art Clokey.

For more information on Gumby or "Gumby vs. the Astrobots," please visit www.gumbyworld.com or www.namco.com.

About Gumby
Premavision Inc. and Prema Toy Inc. owns the popular clay animated stars Gumby, Pokey, Prickle, Goo, and those mischievous Blockheads. With TV episodes from the 50's, 60's, 80's and a movie in the 90's, the Adventures of Gumby has reached five decades of children. Gumby creator Art Clokey developed this series so that there would be something for kids that was born out of a love for children. In coordination with Gumby's 50th anniversary, many exciting plans are being implemented. Please contact: Patrick Lauerman, Heat Licensing, plauerman@heatlicensing.com, (818)398-4487 or go to gumby.com

About Namco Hometek Inc.
Namco Hometek Inc. is the U.S. consumer division of Namco Limited, a Tokyo-based world leader in the high-tech entertainment industry. Based in Santa Clara, CA, Namco Hometek Inc. is an award-winning video games publisher for next generation game consoles. Namco has created some of the industry's greatest video game franchises: "Tekken(R)," "SOULCALIBUR(R)," "Dead to Rights(R)," "Pac-Man World(TM)," "Ridge Racer(R)," "Time Crisis(R)" and "ACECOMBAT(TM)." For more information about Namco and its products log onto www.namco.com.

(TM), (R) and Game Boy Advance are trademarks of Nintendo. (C) 2004 Nintendo.

(C) 2004 Prema Toy Co., Inc. Gumby and Gumby characters are registered trademarks of Prema Toy Co., Inc. All Rights Reserved. Game program (C) 2005 Namco Hometek, Inc.

"TEKKEN(R)," "SOULCALIBUR(R)," "PAC-MAN WORLD(TM)," "PAC-MAN(R)," "Ridge Racer(R)," "Time Crisis(R)" and "ACECOMBAT(TM)" are trademarks or registered trademarks of Namco Limited in the United States and/or other countries. "Dead to Rights(R)" is a trademark or registered trademark of Namco Hometek Inc. in the United States and/or other countries.