Namco Ships the Timeless Classic Story of 'The Berenstain Bears(TM) and the Spooky Old Tree'

Namco Ships the Timeless Classic Story of 'The Berenstain Bears(TM) and the Spooky Old Tree'

Award Winning Children's Book Series Available for the First Time Ever on Game Boy(R) Advance

SANTA CLARA, Calif., Sept. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- After years of captivating children with their book series and TV specials, The Berenstain Bears now have their paws on the video game industry as Namco Hometek Inc. announced today that their ghostly adventure, The Berenstain Bears(TM) and the Spooky Old Tree, has shipped exclusively for the Game Boy(R) Advance. Based on the classic children's book that is full of spiders, surprises and scary moments, the platform adventure game itself will be packaged with a treat -- a bonus book of The Berenstain Bears Trick or Treat.

"It has been an honor to transform this treasured story into a nonstop action experience for the Game Boy Advance," said Jeff Lujan, business director, Namco Hometek Inc. "We look forward to introducing the thrill of the Bears' tale to a whole new generation, through a new medium -- and the enclosed book will ensure that the adventures continue right through until bedtime."

About The Berenstain Bears and the Spooky Old Tree

The Berenstain Bears and the Spooky Old Tree brings to life the classic bestselling tale of three little bears in a peck of peril. Lost and caught in a thunderous storm, Brother Bear, Sister Bear and Cousin Freddy have taken shelter in a looming, crooked old oak tree in the heart of a dark wood. Players must help the Bears work together to confront the many frightful beasts dwelling within The Spooky Old Tree. Cartoon graphics inspired by the books and unique skills for each bear create the most interactive Berenstain Bears experience yet!

The Berenstain Bears series of books and TV specials has delighted youngsters around the world for more than four decades. Now, with the blessing of creators Stan and Jan Berenstain, Brother Bear, Sister Bear and Cousin Freddy have made the leap to the Game Boy Advance platform. Based on the best-selling book that has sold more than 1.2 million copies worldwide since 1978, the game is an exciting nighttime adventure featuring crocodiles and spiders.

FEATURES: * Based on the celebrated, award-winning book, The Berenstain Bears and the Spooky Old Tree; * Play as Brother Bear, Sister Bear or loyal Cousin Freddy. Use each Bear's unique skills to escape the Old Tree and find the way home; * Chilling confrontations lurk in every corner of the game's expansive levels. Challenge terrible crocs and creepy creepycrawlies; * Vivid cartoon graphics modeled on Stan and Jan Berenstain's classic illustrations.

For more information about the Berenstain Bears please visit http://www.berenstainbears.com/. For more information about The Berenstain Bears and the Spooky Old Tree, please visit http://www.namco.com/.

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 Santa Clara, CA, 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 ACECOMBAT(TM).

For more information about Namco and its products log onto www.namco.com.

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

(TM), (R) and Game Boy Advance are trademarks of Nintendo. (C) 2001 Nintendo.

Source: Namco Hometek Inc.

CONTACT: Mika Kelly of Namco Hometek Inc., +1-408-235-2133, mkelly@namco.com, or Chris Kooluris of HighWater Group, +1-212-338-0077 x313, chris@highwatergroup.com

Web site: http://www.namco.com/ http://www.berenstainbears.com/

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