SANTA CLARA, Calif., (September 11, 2009) – Leading video games publisher and developer NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc. announced today that NARUTO™ Shippuden: Legends: Akatsuki Rising has gone gold for the PSP® (PlayStation® Portable) system. Based on the popular NARUTO Shippuden animated series from VIZ Media, players assume control of over 10 of their favorite ninja, including the dreaded Akatsuki in the first NARUTO action-adventure game for the PSP. NARUTO Shippuden: Legends: Akatsuki Rising promises to deliver fierce ninja action as players re-live the NARUTO Shippuden storyline and experience a brand new adventure.
The Akatsuki organization has kidnapped Gaara from the Hidden Sand Village. Their mission is to extract Shukaku, a powerful beast that has been sealed within Gaara since his birth. Naruto and the rest of Team Kakashi are on a race against time to uncover the Akatsuki’s hideout and save Gaara before it is too late. Players will also uncover an all-new Akatsuki-centric storyline. Play as one of four Akatsuki members and view the NARUTO Shippuden storyline from a whole new and nefarious angle.
NARUTO Shippuden: Legends: Akatsuki Rising boasts streamlined controls for the PSP, ensuring exciting, fast-paced tactical battles making best use of each character’s Jutsu. Aim and time the powerful Jutsu attacks with simple button commands and devastate the enemies by entering Hypermode. As characters defeat the enemies or take damage, the Hyper Gauge starts to fill. When in Hypermode, character’s stats are increased and new Jutsu attacks may be unlocked. Players will be able to gain advantage in the heat of a battle by selecting two support characters to form a three-man team for each mission. Players can utilize the different skills each character brings and combine their attacks with yours to discover ultimate combos in defeating enemies.
NARUTO Shippuden: Legends: Akatsuki Rising incorporates multiple modes of play including two-player cooperative or versus play via ad-hoc local wireless network. Original Mode lets players experience the Gaara Retrieval Arc as they battle enemies through lush, 3D anime inspired environments. Scenario Mode introduces all-new side-missions to pick up Skill Scrolls which increase your character’s abilities including attack, defense, health and other numerous indicators reflected through all modes. Akatsuki Mode lets players gain control of members of the Akatsuki organization for the first time in a brand-new storyline, discovering the Akatsuki’s true intentions while Naruto was searching for Gaara. Finally, find out who the best ninja is with Versus Mode by battling against a friend or the computer in one-on-one fights.
NARUTO Shippuden: Legends: Akatsuki Rising will be released on October 6, 2009 with an ESRB rating of T for Teen and will carry an MSRP of $39.99.
For more information on the game, please visit www.namcobandaigames.com and www.hokagesroom.com. For more information on NARUTO and to view free streaming episodes of NARUTO Shippuden, please visit www.naruto.com.
