LPWire: Kingdom Hearts Video Game #1 Selling New Release in September Across All Platforms

Square and Disney's KINGDOM HEARTS Video Game Makes The Perfect Holiday Gift for Tweens, Teens and Adults
Critically Acclaimed PlayStation(R)2 Title Is #1 Selling New Release Across All Platforms in September

Kingdom Hearts, the action role- playing video game from Square Electronic Arts L.L.C. (Square Electronic Arts) and Disney Interactive for the PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system, is the perfect holiday gift for tweens, teens and adults. Kingdom Hearts, which shipped to retailers on September 17, 2002, was the #1 selling new release in September across all platforms, out of the 123 titles that shipped that month according to NPD Funworld Video Game Data (www.NPDfunworld.com). Square and Disney have produced a hit title that has been well received by hardcore gamers, consumers and media critics. Kingdom Hearts provides a fresh new look by taking classic Disney characters and worlds into a new story with new characters and environments created in the renowned Square style. Kingdom Hearts is available nationwide for the suggested retail price of $50 and is rated "E" (Everyone).

"When Kingdom Hearts was first introduced, both the media and gamers wondered how the concept would work, what would be the outcome of this unexpected collaboration. We are proud of the response the game has received and confident that it will attract even more sales this holiday season," said Jun Iwasaki, president of Square Electronic Arts.

"Disney Interactive is thrilled to see Kingdom Hearts topping the best- seller's list straight out the gate. The impressive sales and positive response from consumers illustrate what a great product this unique venture has produced. We couldn't be happier with the results," said Sanjeev Lamba, vice president, International, of Disney Interactive.

Kingdom Hearts has received positive reviews from both consumer reporters and the gaming industry. Kingdom Hearts has won several awards on top gaming sites, including Winner for Best Overall Game, Best Role-Playing Game, and Best Presentation on IGN.com's Best of E3 Awards, Winner for Best of E3 PlayStation 2 and Best In-Game Cinematics on Gamespy.com's Best of E3 Awards and Editors' Choice Awards for September 2002 on IGN.com . In addition, Kingdom Hearts has received accolades in major gaming publications including; top scores of 4.5 (out of 5) in Official PlayStation Magazine, Game of the Month (September) in Game Infomer, Editor's Choice award in Electronic Gaming Monthly. Additional comments include:

"It's one of the best games for the PlayStation 2 this year and will no doubt rank high on many gamers' wish lists at the holidays."
Misha Davenport, Chicago Sun Times

" ... Hearts is among the best games released this year ... "
Charles Herold, New York Times

"'Kingdom Hearts' is great because it successfully captures the spirit of both Square and Disney in a single game and produces a title that will mesmerize players of all ages."
Chris Stratch, San Francisco Examiner

"This is the most thoroughly well-produced game I have ever seen. The music is perfect; the animation is perfect. And most astonishingly, the script is nearly perfect, too."
Steven Kent, MSNBC.com

"Kingdom Hearts is a fun and refreshingly accessible RPG that fuses Japanese storytelling and gameplay with an unprecedented repertoire of recognizable Disney icons."
Marc Saltzman, USA Today

"The biggest video game collaboration ever ... Kingdom Hearts has assembled the best voice cast in a video game."
Access Hollywood

In Kingdom Hearts the player experiences the game as Sora, a 14-year-old boy whose world is shattered when a violent storm hits his island-paradise home, and he is separated from his two closest friends, Riku, a 15-year-old boy, and Kairi, a 14-year-old girl. While searching for his friends in a strange and mysterious land, Sora meets Court Wizard Donald and Captain Goofy who are on a mission to find the King of the Disney Castle, who has also mysteriously disappeared. The three learn of ominous creatures known as the Heartless, who collaborate with Disney villains to realize their devious intentions. Sora, Donald and Goofy join forces to recover Sora's friends, return the King to his rightful position and save the universe. As Sora, the player will journey into multiple Disney worlds and meet over 100 of their favorite Disney characters.

Kingdom Hearts features an all-star voice cast that includes Haley Joel Osment ("The Sixth Sense," "A.I. Artificial Intelligence") as Sora, while David Gallagher ("7th Heaven") and Hayden Panettiere ("Ally McBeal," "Remember The Titans") voice Riku and Kairi, respectively. Other voice talents featured in the game include Sean Astin ("The Lord of the Rings," "Rudy"), Lance Bass (member of *NSYNC), David Boreanaz ("Angel," "Valentine"), Mandy Moore ("A Walk to Remember," "The Princess Diaries"), Christy Romano ("Even Stevens," "Kim Possible"), Steve Burton ("The Last Castle") and Billy Zane ("Titanic"). In addition, many of the original star Disney voice actors reprised their roles for this project.

Kingdom Hearts is available on DVD format and compatible with the DUALSHOCK(R)2 analog controller. Additional information on the title can be found at http://www.kingdomhearts.com.

About Square Electronic Arts L.L.C. and Square Co., Ltd.

Square Co., Ltd. is the leading third-party developer and publisher of home video game console software in Japan with annual sales of more than U.S. $275 million consolidated base (based on exchange rate of 133.20 Japanese Yen per U.S. Dollar as of March 31, 2002) and 900 employees worldwide. Square Co., Ltd. became famous for its role-playing games, including its world- renowned FINAL FANTASY series, which has sold more than 40 million units to date, and now publishes other titles under the SQUARESOFT brand spanning all genres. Square Co., Ltd. is based in Tokyo, Japan, and maintains a branch office in Osaka. More information about Square Co., Ltd. can be found on the Internet at http://www.playonline.com .

Square Electronic Arts L.L.C. is the exclusive publisher of all SQUARESOFT products in North America. Square Co., Ltd. publishes its SQUARESOFT titles in North America through Square Electronic Arts L.L.C., located in Los Angeles, Calif. Square Electronic Arts L.L.C. is a Limited Liability Company established on May 1, 1998 by Square Soft, Inc. and Electronic Arts to manage the marketing and distribution of SQUARESOFT products in North America. More information about SQUARESOFT products can be found on the Internet at http://www.playonline.com .

About Disney Interactive

Disney Interactive, Inc., a worldwide leader in the creation of innovative interactive entertainment, develops, markets and globally distributes a wide variety of interactive family-oriented entertainment, educational and sports CD-ROMs and video games. Disney Interactive is the multimedia arm of The Walt Disney Company's Consumer Products business unit. For more information on Disney Interactive's products, visit http://www.disneyinteractive.com .

(C)2002 Disney. Tarzan(TM) owned by Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc. and used by permission. (C)2002 Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc. and Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Developed by SQUARESOFT. (C)1990, 1997, 1999, 2001, 2002 Square Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved. FINAL FANTASY and the SQUARESOFT logo are registered trademarks of Square Co., Ltd. "PlayStation" and the "PS" Family logo are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

--Posted November 4, 2002
Source: Square Electronic Arts L.L.C.

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Posted: 11/7/09