ATARI HITS THE TARGET WITH POINT BLANK FOR NINTENDO DS

Classic arcade shooting frenzy brings trigger-happiness to Australia

Wednesday 28th June 2006 – Atari, one of Australia’s leading sources of interactive entertainment, today announces the forthcoming Australian release of Point Blank DS for Nintendo DS from NAMCO BANDAI Games. Finding a fitting new home on Nintendo DS, the old-school Japanese coin-op shooter will continue to tempt the itchy trigger fingers of thousands of gamers across the world with its addictive gameplay and witty visual style. Point Blank DS for Nintendo DS is scheduled for release in Q4 2006.

With its signature cheeky style, Point Blank DS features games taken from all three versions of the series to date, plus some additional brand new sharp-shooting treats. Players will test their hand eye coordination in a furiously frantic collection of mini-games using the stylus and touch-screen in place of the arcade light gun. Four different difficulty levels, 40 different stages, high-score free play, arcade, and classic coin-op challenges give players of all ages and skill levels the chance to test their nerve and become a crack shot on the Point Blank DS digitised shooting gallery.

“Nintendo DS has continually proven to be a perfect home for quick, accessible and lively games that use the brilliant touch screen in an original, fun yet straightforward way,” said Cyril Voiron, European Marketing Director, Atari Europe. “Point Blank DS fits this mould perfectly and after successfully entertaining arcade fans for years the franchise now comes to the steady hands of a whole new group of gamers.”

In addition to the characteristic Point Blank style of arcade gameplay, Point Blank DS gives players an opportunity to take the Brain Massage challenge in which players’ abilities are analysed with a frantic screen tapping shoot out. Should players want to go head-to-head “OK Corral” style, the wireless multiplayer option lets two players link up with only a single cartridge and duel it out across a selection of frenzied mini games.

Point Blank DS on Nintendo DS is scheduled for release across Australia in Q4 2006.