Atari Announces Company's First PSP(TM) System Title: Dragon Ball Z(R): Shin Budokai

Press Release just in:

Atari, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATAR) today announced the upcoming release of Dragon Ball Z®: Shin Budokai for the PSPTM (PlayStation® Portable) system. Dragon Ball Z: Shin Budokai is the first game from the hugely successful global franchise to be released for the PSP system, with wireless multiplayer sending the furious combat rocketing into a new dimension. Dragon Ball Z: Shin Budokai is being developed by Dimps, the creative team behind past Dragon Ball Z® hits including Budokai, Budokai 2, and Budokai 3 for PlayStation® 2 computer entertainment system. Atari will launch Dragon Ball Z: Shin Budokai for the PSP system in March 2006.

In Dragon Ball Z: Shin Budokai, players can take on their friends in intense wireless multiplayer battles employing all the most exhilarating aspects of Dragon Ball Z combat, including counter-attacks, super high-speed bouts, flight and Ki (energy) management, all via an enhanced version of the renowned Saiyan Overdrive Fighting System. In single-player mode, players will be able to challenge some of the most evil characters ever seen in a comic-based video game, or select multiplayer and play as the bad guys themselves, becoming the most feared and powerful warriors in the universe.

"The Dragon Ball Z high-speed, high-energy fighting experience is a perfect fit for the wireless multiplayer capabilities of the PSP," said Matt Collins, Director, Global Brand Management, Atari, Inc. "For the first time ever, players will be able to challenge one another wirelessly and create virtual Budokai tournaments just about anywhere they go."

Alongside the breathtaking high-speed wireless multiplayer combat, other features include a choice of 18 playable characters including prize fighter Pikkon, the ability to perform in-game transformations to more powerful forms, an all-new stage from the Janemba movie, and a total of seven game modes including a compelling story mode.

Dragon Ball Z® continues to be one of the hottest brands in the video game industry with more than nine million units sold since May 2002.

It's nice that they let you play as the badguy in Multiplayer, but why don't they ever let you try to conquer the Earth and the Galaxy as the villain, as well?