LPWire: Kingdom Hearts Ships 4 Million Units Worldwide
KINGDOM HEARTS Ships 4 Million Units
Worldwide
Critically Acclaimed PlayStation(R)2 Title Continues to Prove Its Broad Popularity
Disney Interactive, a publishing label of Buena Vista Games, Inc., and Square Enix Co., Ltd. ("Square Enix"), announced today that KINGDOM HEARTS, the blockbuster hit video game which was released worldwide in 2002 for the PlayStation ®2 computer entertainment system has shipped more than 4 million units worldwide, underscoring the title's continuing popularity. More than 2 million units have shipped in North America, 1.23 million units in Japan, and Europe rounds out the number with 820,000 units.
"KINGDOM HEARTS continues to capture the imagination of gamers and proves to be a must-have title for PlayStation 2 fans around the world," said Graham Hopper, SVP and General Manager, Buena Vista Games. "We would like to congratulate the entire KINGDOM HEARTS team on yet another impressive milestone."
"The unique blend of Disney characters and worlds in a Square Enix style gameplay seen in KINGDOM HEARTS resulted in one remarkable game. We couldn't be happier with the results," said Jun Iwasaki, president and CEO, Square Enix U.S.A., Inc.
KINGDOM HEARTS combines classic Disney characters and worlds into a new story with new characters and environments created in the renowned Square Enix style. The game shipped to North American retailers nationwide on Sept. 17, 2002, and was received with overwhelmingly positive response from both gamers and critics alike.
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.
The Greatest Hits version is now available at retailers nationwide for SRP $19.99 (USD). KINGDOM HEARTS is rated "E" for Everyone. Additional information on the title can be found at http://www.kingdomhearts.com
About Square Enix Co. Ltd. and Square Enix U.S.A., Inc.
Headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, Square Enix Co., Ltd. (Square Enix) develops, publishes and distributes entertainment contents including interactive entertainment software and publications in Japan, North America, Europe and Asia. Square Enix brings two of Japan's best-selling franchises -- FINAL FANTASY ®, which has sold over 49 million units worldwide and DRAGON QUEST (DRAGON WARRIOR ® in North America), which has sold over 34 million units worldwide -- under one roof. Square Enix is one of the most influential providers of digital entertainment content in the world and continues to push the boundaries of creativity and innovation.
Square Enix U.S.A. Inc., located in Los Angeles, Calif.,
handles operations in North America including localization, marketing and publishing of
Square Enix titles. More information on Square Enix U.S.A. can be found on the Internet at
About Disney Interactive
Disney Interactive is the award-winning publishing label of
Buena Vista Games, Inc. The label produces high quality video games and CD-ROMs based on
Disney properties. Buena Vista Games, Inc. is the interactive entertainment arm of The
Walt Disney Company's Consumer Products business unit. For more information on Disney
Interactive's products, visit
Developed by SQUARE ENIX. (C)1990, 1997, 1999, 2001, 2002 Square Enix Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved. FINAL FANTASY and the SQUARESOFT logo are registered trademarks of Square Enix Co., Ltd. SQUARE ENIX and the Square Enix logo are trademarks of Square Enix Co., Ltd. "PlayStation" and the "PS" Family logo are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
--Posted March 17, 2004
Source: Square Enix Co., Ltd.
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