GIMME A BEAT! NAMCO SHIPS TAIKO: DRUM MASTER TO NORTH AMERICAN RETAIL OUTLETS

Unique, Rhythm-Based Drum Game Available Exclusively For The PlayStation®2

San Jose, Ca., (October 26, 2004) – Leading video games developer and publisher Namco Hometek Inc. announced today its new rhythm-based drum game, TAIKO: Drum Master , has shipped to North American retail outlets. Developed by Namco Ltd. in Japan, TAIKO: Drum Master is available exclusively for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system.

“With whimsical graphics, interactive gameplay, recognizable licensed music and all around excitement, TAIKO: Drum Master provides fun for players of all ages,” said Garry Cole, executive vice president at Namco Hometek Inc. “We are delighted to offer TAIKO: Drum Master to consumers this fall.”

TAIKO: Drum Master invites players to learn the art of the Japanese drum – the taiko – through use of a miniature Taiko Controller attachable to a PlayStation 2 console. Players earn points to clear stages by correctly tapping to the rhythm of a selected song on the surface and edge of the Taiko Controller. With entertaining graphics and well-orchestrated music, TAIKO: Drum Master allows players to perfect their drumming skills alone or go head-to-head in two-player mode.

With its diverse offering of music and variety of skill levels, TAIKO: Drum Master delivers a unique experience filled with flexibility and fun for players of all ages. The game offers more than 30 songs in its catalog, including well-known hits from today’s current chart-toppers and yesterday’s favorites. TAIKO: Drum Master also incorporates a wide variety of orchestral classics and original music from the Namco library of video games.

TAIKO: Drum Master will be sold at North American retailer outlets in a premium bundle, including a copy of the game and a Taiko Controller, for $59.99.

For more information on TAIKO: Drum Master, please visit 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 San Jose, 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®, SOULCALIBUR®, Dead to Rights®, Pac-Man World , Ridge Racer®, Time Crisis® and ACECOMBAT . For more information about Namco and its products log onto www.namco.com . “PlayStation” and the “PS” Family logo are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

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

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