Demand for Namco games, service, and quality are high. Come check out the Namco games at the Gamezone in Grand Rapids, Michigan starting July 1, 2004, with nearly 100 games, and 8,000 square feet of fun! Don't miss it... it will be one hot ticket!

Opening this weekend in Corinth, Mississippi, come and play in the new Namco game room at the Malco 10 Theatre while enjoying the release of the first summer blockbusters like Van Helsing. Head to the concession stand for a chance to play over 20 of the hottest games around! The fun begins May 7, 2004!

Michigan gamers want more Namco, and who can blame them? Come check out the Pirates Cove location in Traverse City, Michigan beginning Thursday, May 20, 2004. A summer of good times and great family entertainment awaits you.

It's the start of the summer blockbuster season... Van Helsing arrives in theaters tomorrow, pitting Dr. Gabriel Van Helsing (Hugh Jackman, X-Men) against the likes of Frankenstein, Dracula, the Wolf Man, and more. How will it fair in the box office against New York Minute, starring the Olsen twins (Mary-Kate and Ashley)? It's hard to say, but with epics such as Troy (May 14), Shrek 2 (May 19), and The Day After Tomorrow (May 28) on the horizon, it's sure to be a busy month of fun and exciting movies! Remember to show up early so that you have time to play a few arcade games at your local theater before you step into the concession line!

Fuddrucker's demands the best — starting this month, Fuddrucker's, a powerhouse in the restaurant industry, has decided to push their business even further. Many may know Fuddrucker's as a place where you can get some of the best burgers and sandwiches with a variety of other great items. Now, Namco will be bringing the finest cranes and merchandisers to all Fuddrucker's locations nationwide, perfect to play for a prize after you have a great meal! When you strive to be the best, you partner with the best. So head on out today and enjoy the fine food and entertainment available at your local Fuddrucker's!

Namco Reveals Powerhouse New Games Line Up for 2004 E3Expo; Marquis Franchises, New Original Content and a Few Surprises Headline Namco's Stellar Line Up at the 2004 E3Expo

E3Expo 2004

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- (BUSINESS WIRE) -- May 4, 2004 -- Namco Hometek Inc. unveiled today its strongest new games line up to date, to be showcased at the upcoming Electronic Entertainment Expo in Los Angeles, May 12-14, 2004 (booth #1300, L.A. Convention Center).

New installments of Namco's best-selling franchises will make their debut at the show, including ACE COMBAT(R) 5, TEKKEN(R) 5, Xenosaga(R) EPISODE II, Dead to Rights(R) II, TIME CRISIS(R): CRISIS ZONE, Tales of Symphonia(TM) and Smash Court Tennis(TM) Pro Tournament 2.

Namco will also showcase new original content including Street Racing Syndicate(TM), DEATH BY DEGREES(TM) featuring Nina Williams from TEKKEN(R), Ghosthunter(TM), Baten Kaitos(TM), The Adversary, and Taiko Drum Master(TM) (tentative title).

"Namco is showcasing its most impressive line up of new content ever at this year's E3Expo," said Robert Ennis, chief financial and operating officer for Namco Hometek Inc. "We have taken our core franchises to exciting new levels and are introducing some incredible new content with our biggest showing ever at E3. We think convention goers will really take notice of Namco's significant presence this year at the show."

Elevating to new heights in 2004 is ACE COMBAT 5. Introducing Wingman Command, ACE COMBAT 5 is the premier air combat game combining ultra-realistic graphics and dog fighting with the sheer excitement of soaring through the air, destroying enemy planes and ground targets. Players experience the thrill of commanding a squadron, knowing that the squadron's fate is in their hands. The game features over 50 different licensed planes and an intense storyline with over 30 missions, providing hours of non-stop flying action -- making ACE COMBAT 5 bigger and better than ever before! Shipping in Fall 2004, ACE COMBAT 5 will be available for the PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system.

Nights are filled with high-risk, nitrous-injected, illegal racing on real city streets in Namco's Street Racing Syndicate. With money, pink slips and respect always on the line, and cops lurking behind every corner, SRS is taking street racing games to a new level. Players can customize over 40 licensed cars with authentic parts, cool paint, and anything else bought or won from sanctioned or illegal races. Race in both closed track and open city environments, meet at secret locations or pull up on opponents on the open streets. And for the first time ever, throw down with real-life opponents all over the world via online pink slip races. From hot cars with lifelike physics and damage, to beautiful models picked from the pages of today's top import magazines, SRS delivers the most intense, complete street racing experience ever in a video game. Shipping in Autumn 2004, SRS will be available for the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, the Xbox(R) video game system from Microsoft, and the Nintendo GameCube(TM).

Dead to Rights II marks the return of action-hero Jack Slate and his K-9 companion, Shadow. In this super-charged sequel, Jack and Shadow find themselves once again in the mean streets of Grant City, ensnared in a labyrinth of crime, corruption and betrayal. Dead to Rights II is a third-person action shooter featuring gritty, Hong Kong cinema-style action and innovating new gameplay mechanics such as greater interaction with Shadow; brutal, all-new disarm moves; a lightning-fast 360 degree fighting engine; vicious melee weapon battles; and a dramatic new spherical slow-motion diving system. Shipping in Fall 2004, Dead to Rights II will be available for the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system and the Xbox video system from Microsoft.

TEKKEN's ultimate assassin, Nina Williams, stars in DEATH BY DEGREES as the voluptuous undercover operative sent to recover a stolen weapon from a disgruntled terrorist who double-crossed his own underground organization. Using a cutting-edge combat system to fight enemies in all directions, DEATH BY DEGREES combines signature moves from TEKKEN with firearms and melee weapon attacks. Shipping in Fall 2004, the game will be available for the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system.

The epic sequel Xenosaga EPISODE II picks up right where EPISODE I left off. With a new, more realistic looking character art style, players can look forward to improved graphics, an improved battle interface and more outdoor environments (rain, snow, rivers, etc.). Xenosaga EPISODE II will be shipping in early 2005 exclusively for the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system.

Tales of Symphonia(TM) is the latest installment in Namco's enormously popular Tales franchise. Using characters designed by renowned anime artist Kosuke Fujishima, Tales of Symphonia allows players to command real-time battles in a unique 3D battle system that gives them full control over the characters, executing hundreds of special attacks and magic spells. With more than a dozen mini-games and side quests at the player's disposal, Tales of Symphonia offers over 80 game play hours. The game will ship exclusively for the Nintendo GameCube entertainment system in July 2004.

Ghosthunter blends the action and adventure aspects of a third-person shooter with macabre humor. Players battle vengeful sprits and are equipped with a selection of high-tech weaponry and gadgets specially designed for hunting and capturing ghosts. Diverse cinematic locations set the scene and make the game come to life with eerie versions of familiar sights, including an Alcatraz-style prison and a haunted ship. Ghosthunter will be available in the North American market in August 2004 for the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system.

Players can enjoy an unprecedented level of interaction with the environment in TIME CRISIS: CRISIS ZONE, the most ambitious new installment of the TIME CRISIS(R) series to date. Using the GUNCON(R)2, gunfire has a realistic effect on almost everything in the game: players can blow up items on shelves and tables, shatter glass windows and doors, and destroy beams, statues, and even desktop computers. Players who have two GUNCON(R)2 guns can select a single- or double-gun game to take down enemies John Woo style, adding a fun and unique element to the game. Shipping in September 2004, TIME CRISIS: CRISIS ZONE will be available for the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system.

In Namco's Smash Court Tennis Pro Tournament 2, players can train and compete in actual Grand Slam tournaments. Create and customize players in Pro Tour Mode, then take them through the tennis rankings all the way to the top. Players compete in the Australian Open, Roland Garros (French Open), Wimbledon, and the US Open against such pros as Andy Roddick, James Blake, Lleyton Hewitt, Serena Williams, Kim Clijsters, Anna Kournikova, and ten others! Shipping in Summer 2004, the game will be available for the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system.

Enter Baten Kaitos on a journey to unlock the mystery of the lost sea in an enchanting story of friendship, betrayal, and prayer. Over 1000 types of "Magnus" cards deliver an intense battle system combined with breathtaking graphics and a world overflowing with character detail. Baten Kaitos will be available for the Nintendo GameCube.

Namco will be located in the South Hall in booth #1300 of the Los Angeles Convention Center from Wednesday, May 12 - Friday, May 14, 2004. Throughout the convention show hours, Namco will have various events and contests occurring on-stage in its booth, including martial arts demonstrations, prize giveaways, gaming contests and more.

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 San Jose, Calif., 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 Ace Combat(R). For more information about Namco and its products log onto www.namco.com.

All trademarks and copyrights associated with the manufacturers, aircrafts, models, trade names, brands and visual images depicted in these images are the property of their respective owners. Produced under license from Boeing Management Company. All rights reserved. Lockheed Martin Trademarks used under license to Namco Ltd. Produced under a license from Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation.

"PlayStation" and the "PS" Family logo are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Copyright (C) 2002-2003 Sony Computer Entertainment Inc., All Rights Reserved. Xbox is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. TM, (R) and Nintendo GameCube are trademarks of Nintendo.

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

Thanks to everyone who participated in the Atlantic Records sweepstakes promoting The Darkness, sponsored by our partner, Channel M. Prizes are being mailed out this week to all the winners, so check your mailbox every day!

Check out our promotions and ads running at the Forest Fair Mall in Cincinatti, Ohio, featuring our new partner, I Cingular. Check them out now for the hottest cell phone deals around!

The rumors that have been running around the internet are true. As confirmed recently, Tekken 5, the next chapter in the Tekken saga, is on its way soon. This week, at E3 in Los Angeles, Namco Hometek is showing video footage taken from a Tekken 5 development version.

Three new characters are revealed in the video. Asuka Kazama, Raven, and Feng Wei are shown, including some of their moves. We don't have the video available as of yet, but in the interim, check out the images created from hi-res renders in the screenshots here, and as an added bonus, check out some gameplay screenshots!

Don't forget to stop on by our forum and check out the new Tekken 5 Discussion Board, a great place to talk about rumors and news surrounding Tekken 5!

Tekken 5 is set to be released in arcades later this year, and to appear on as yet unnamed consumer platforms in 2005. For further coverage of Tekken 5, keep your eyes here on Namco Arcade, and starting on May 22, 2004, you can stop on by Tekken Official for even more news!

And tomorrow, stop on by for some great Tekken 5 wallpapers!

If the image links at the right of the article do not work, please use these links to view the images instead:  [ Shot 1]  [ Shot 2]  [ Shot 3]

The word is that the U.S. Navy may want to do a cooperative advertising deal with our partner, Channel M, and be featured in Namco locations. There is just no denying success. When you are number one, everyone wants to be on board.

We know you've been waiting for this news... and it's almost here! The word is that one of the hottest games this summer may be available in your nearest Namco arcade by the 4th of July weekend. We have more units ordered than any other company in the U.S., so visit your nearest Namco location, and get in the driver's seat for Version 3!

Celebrating the release of news about Tekken 5, we have five (yes, 5) new wallpapers available in an assortment of sizes. So head on over to our new downloads section, and take a look!

For those of you who have visited our download section before, don't fear... very soon, all of the classic downloads we had available will return. We just need to make a few minor changes to the icons on the older downloads, and then they'll be back.

Enjoy!

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Come visit our partner's location, Northcross Lanes at the Lake, in Huntersville, North Carolina, where we have made a $50,000 upgrade in game quality, featuring a brand new 4-player Derby Owner's Club. If you haven't played DOC yet, it's time! Rare Horses on ebay sell for over $100. Check out the Derby Owner's Club website, and learn the tricks and tips for playing this amazing game!

Dateline Fort Collins, Colorado, May 17, 2004: Namco just provided games for the Alpine Funtier location in Fort Collins, Colorado. Be sure to check out all the cool summer fun at the Alpine Funtier!

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On May 24, 2004, from 5:00 pm to 9:30 pm, come have some fun at a lock-in at our CyberStation in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, and enjoy unlimited video game play and more! Stop on by the location, or call (918) 335-9245 for more details.

Here's a great way to kick off summer! Contact Kevin Woodbowles at our CyberStation in the Newgate Mall in Ogden, Utah at (801) 392-1750 for information on our upcoming Soul Calibur Tournament on May 26th. Cash prizes for the top 3 and a summer full of fun prizes for the top 10! Don't miss out!

Namco was originally known as the Nakamura Corporation, and started out by building two wooden horse rides on top of a department store building in Yokohama, Japan. Namco is planning several publicity events in June 2005, including the unveiling of a new logo with a wooden horse imprinted on it.

Come enjoy movies and games at the Regal Champlaign in Plattsburgh, New York, and see the hit The Day After Tomorrow. While you're there, enjoy some great gaming excitement as well!

The Carmike Theater in Minot, North Dakota, has teamed up with the number one company for games to bring you the best entertainment possible. The theater opens in two days, so be there when it opens for the best of both worlds!