UBISOFT USHERS THE TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES INTO THE NEXT GENERATION OF VIDEO GAMES (gamezone)

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Family Bonds, Classic Turtle Humor and Over-the-Top Ninja Action Take Center Stage in New TMNT Video Game

Today Ubisoft, one of the world's largest video game publishers announced that its TMNT(TM) video game, based on the upcoming CGI feature-length film starring the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, is being developed for the Xbox 360(TM) video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, the PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system, Windows® PC, Game Boy® Advance, Nintendo DS(TM), Nintendo GameCube(TM) and Wii(TM). The TMNT video game is being created by Ubisoft developers in its world-class Montreal and Quebec City studios and will be available at retail stores nationwide March 13, 2007, just ahead of the release of the feature-length film March 23.

The new TMNT video game uses the same dark and dangerous environments and adventurous themes featured in the new TMNT CGI film being developed by Imagi Animation Studios and Mirage Licensing. The TMNT movie takes place in a New York City plagued by secretive villains and strange, otherworldly creatures. Faced with these perils, the Turtles will experience their most trying time as heroes and as a family, as Raphael, Donatello and Michelangelo lose their focus and struggle to maintain their unity and ninja discipline. In the movie and in the highly immersive video game adventure, it's up to Leonardo and the faithful father figure Splinter to reunite the band of brothers and save New York City from a monstrous evil that lurks around every corner. Video game players will engage in over-the-top acrobatic navigation, collaborative combat and powerful fighting moves.

"The TMNT movie is all about the emotions associated with family and teenage angst,” said Nick Harper, creative director of the TMNT game at Ubisoft's Montreal development studio. "We've taken that philosophy and turned it into gameplay mechanics that will be fun and challenging. The direction for the all new TMNT movie and game is a darker, more realistic Turtle experience. Gamers will embody all four Turtles from the big screen to engage in over-the-top action sequences and intense ninja combat. We think this game will appeal to kids, teens and adults alike.”

Video Game Features Include: Intense Ninja Fighting: Harness the power of Ninjitsu and become a master of combat. Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello and Michelangelo are playable and each have unique acrobatic moves, weapons and combat skills, such as Michelangelo's fast nunchuck face slap and Raphael's powerful Sai throw.

Unique Acrobatic Navigation: The Turtles jump from rooftop to rooftop, scale tall buildings, dive into sewers and race through every corner of the city to confront their enemies.

Powerful Tag-Team Moves: Together the Turtles can team up to reach locations unattainable alone, or defeat the enemy.

Diverse Enemies and Bosses: Characters from the movie and the original comic book series – including the Purple Dragon Street Gang and the infamous Foot Clan – and a whole new group of enemies creep out of the shadows to face the Turtles.

Ubisoft's TMNT video game is being created under a licensing agreement with Mirage Licensing, Inc. The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are represented for merchandising by 4Kids Entertainment. Please visit www.tmntgame.com to access the official game Web site and www.tmnt.com for the latest news and information on the new CGI movie.