Nintendo: The Power, Promise and Passion of E3

May 2002 -- The names are among the most familiar and honored in video game history: Mario, Zelda, Metroid, Fox McCloud. In 2002 these 'Game Giants' collectively will form the most impressive company game lineup in the history of the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3). Each is destined to generate retail mania-and million-unit worldwide sales-upon arriving exclusively for NINTENDO GAMECUBE in the coming months. In addition, a brand new game-Animal Crossing-demonstrates the promise of revolutionary new forms of game play not previously possible. Animal Crossing exemplifies Nintendo's groundbreaking proprietary 'connectivity'-the expansion of game play not only between the NINTENDO GAMECUBE console and the portable Game Boy Advance system, but also into the realm of collectable trading cards.

"Nintendo's belief that constant innovation and the highest quality games are essential in truly serving our players has fueled our prosperity in video gaming for two decades," says Peter MacDougall, executive vice president, sales and marketing, Nintendo of America Inc. "This year, as we combine new adventures starring our key franchise characters, and witness the dawning of the connectivity generation, we're delivering on that philosophy like never before. In a year driven by software, we'll introduce the 'software of the year'."

Four of Nintendo's headliners arrive in brand-new adventures on NINTENDO GAMECUBE:

• In Super Mario Sunshine, the world's most beloved plumber arrives for a tropical vacation only to discover that his good name has been soiled by adversaries and it's his job to clean up the mess. Mario's vacation unfolds in August.



• In Star Fox Adventures, Rare Ltd. in cooperation with Nintendo has created one of the most technologically advanced video games in history, with a compelling and whimsical storyline that parallels a feature film. This new adventure launches in September.



• Fans around the world finally get the chance to find out what it looks like to meet space pirates face-to-face as the Metroid franchise gains first-person perspective with Metroid Prime launching in November.



• This February, the elfin hero Link sports a brand-new look that perfectly reflects his emotions throughout The Legend of Zelda, as he embarks on an epic quest across land and sea to rescue his kidnapped sister.



• Younger gamers will cheer the first NINTENDO GAMECUBE incarnation of the Mario Party series as well as Disney's Magical Mirror Starring Mickey Mouse. In addition, 1080°: White Storm amps up mountainside mayhem, and Wario World gives Mario's alter ego his first lead role on any console.

In total, Nintendo and third-party partners will exhibit titles that expand Game Boy Advance's game portfolio to more than 300 titles, and NINTENDO GAMECUBE's library to more than 150 titles by year end. While affirming its unrivaled appeal to players of all ages, Nintendo is aggressively moving forward with games designed for older audiences, including NINTENDO GAMECUBE exclusives Metroid Prime, Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem, and Resident Evil 0 from Capcom.

Game Boy Advance, America's best-selling video game system, also features new games starring Mario, Yoshi, Link, Samus, Donkey Kong, Kirby, and Pokémon. Coupled with the new e-Reader accessory, Game Boy Advance can transport passwords, game play items and even music from specially embedded trading cards.

Nintendo's innovation extends to other important technology fronts this year:

• The WaveBird wireless controller for NINTENDO GAMECUBE promises to perform the seemingly impossible-banish game cables from the family room floor.



• Roll-o-Rama demonstrates built-in motion sensor technology for Game Boy Advance, not only enabling the Game Boy Advance unit to act as a controller for the console, but also allowing shared game play between NINTENDO GAMECUBE and Game Boy Advance.



• Phantasy Star Online: Episode I & II from SEGA is the first game to use NINTENDO GAMECUBE's capabilities for online play as Nintendo prepares to launch its modem and broadband adapter this fall.

Visit the company's Web sites, www.nintendo.com or www.nintendogamecube.com.

SOURCE Newstream