Free content for Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm on PS3

Leading video games publisher and developer NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc., today announced plans for free downloadable content for NARUTO™: Ultimate Ninja® STORM (based on the popular NARUTO™ animated series from VIZ Media), exclusively for the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system. From the week of the game’s retail launch on November 4, 2008 through March 2009, new support characters such as the infamous Sound Four and original single player missions will be made available for download on a regular basis, giving players even more ways to fight and explore in the world of ninja.

The following support characters, each accompanied by an additional single player mission, will be available for free download from the PLAYSTATION®Network for the PLAYSTATION 3 system on the dates below:

    * November 6, 2008: Shizune
    * December 4, 2008: Asuma
    * December 18, 2008: Kurenai
    * January 8, 2009: Anko
    * January 22, 2009: Jirobo
    * February 5, 2009: Kidoumaru
    * February 19 2009: Tayuya
    * March 5, 2009: Sakon

“With the huge cast of characters and massively detailed storyline offered by the NARUTO franchise, NARUTO: Ultimate Ninja STORM is perfect for downloadable content, giving us the opportunity to continue to build upon the core of the game long after it is released in stores,” said Todd Thorson, director of marketing and public relations at NAMCO BANDAI Games America, Inc. “Packed with fan-favorite characters and fun new single player missions, this content will always be free and will further add to the depth and scope of this already impressive title.”

Evolving the head-to-head fighting action of the Ultimate Ninja series, NARUTO: Ultimate Ninja STORM introduces full 3D ninja combat across huge environments and all-new free-roaming gameplay in Naruto’s Hidden Leaf Village. Taking advantage of an original next-generation graphics engine, NARUTO: Ultimate Ninja STORM utilizes fluid animation and incredible high-definition visual detail that allow gamers to become a part of the world of NARUTO like never before.