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Atari today announced that RACE Pro has reached the chequered flag as it races into retail stores.  Developed by renowned award-winning game developer SimBin, a leading creator of PC racing simulators, RACE Pro brings SimBin’s formidable skill and know-how exclusively to the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft for the very first time. 

“Atari is committed to working with the industry’s finest developers, and SimBin is at the top of the game when it comes to racing simulations.  RACE Pro is the first time SimBin has brought its incredible expertise to console and we’re proud to be launching it with them,” said Phil Harrison, President of Infogrames, the parent company of Atari.  “RACE Pro is the most realistic racing game available on console, and is accessible to newcomers while having the depth to satisfy the most demanding petrol-head.”

RACE Pro has already received impressive review score

“When it comes to handling, Race Pro features one of the most rewarding – and possibly the most accurate – car physics model on current console hardware. 8/10″ – Edge magazine, UK

“The illusion of driving a real racing car is almost perfect. 1.41 (93%)” – Computer Bild Spiele magazine, Germany

“There is no other game right now that has the same sense of racing as Race Pro. 9/10” – Superplay magazine, Sweden

“One of the best race games on the 360, period” – Games Guide magazine, Benelux

“Atari and Simbin succeed with Race Pro in delivering a master stroke on console. 17/20” – Joypad magazine, France

RACE Pro recreates a breathtaking reality giving gamers the ultimate racing simulation experience, all powered by Lizard, SimBin’s own physics engine. With precision physics and handling, racers will feel every bend and burst of acceleration along with every emotion from pre-race tension in the pit lanes to the exhilaration of capturing the checker flag.  RACE Pro provides unrivalled realism and deep immersion into the racing world through ultra realistic car models and official FIA championships and tracks. Putting players in the driving seats of their simulated racing careers, racers will have the opportunity to work their way up the leader boards through intense training and winning key races. 

The wealth of cars in RACE Pro ranges from 200 to over 1000 horse power, encompassing a host of championships including WTCC (World Touring Car Championship), Formula 3000 and Formula BMW. GT cars from manufacturers including Aston Martin and Saleen take their place on the grid as well as production cars such as the Audi R8 and Dodge Viper SRT10.  In addition, RACE Pro is exclusively bringing all the WTCC cars from manufacturers BMW, Chevrolet and Seat to Xbox 360 for the very first time.  For a blast of accessible fun, the Mini Cooper Challenge invites players of all abilities to take the wheel. 

Gamers and racing fans alike will experience the thrill of racing these powerful cars on 13 real life tracks covering all continents, of which Macau, Porto and Pau are exclusive to RACE Pro, and US tracks Laguna Seca and Road America are brand new to SimBin fans.

 Online play via Xbox LIVE® online game service and System Link support lets up to 12 players take on equally high-powered opponents and test their skills to the limit to reach the finish line ahead of the pack.  For friends closer to home, the brand new ‘Hot Seat’ feature puts players in the driving seat for a limited amount of time before passing the controller to the next player and so on, demanding exceptionally quick reactions and precision racing from even the most seasoned drivers.RACE Pro provides deep immersion into the racing world through ultra realistic car models and official FIA championships and tracks.  Smell the burning rubber of tyres on a hairpin bend and feel the vibrations of a revved-up engine on the grid … Nothing gets closer than RACE Pro, available in stores now.

NAMCO BANDAI Games Europe today announced NARUTO SHIPPUDEN: Ultimate Ninja 4, the first video game based on the NARUTO SHIPPUDEN anime series. Featuring the series’ trademark one-on-one ninja battles, the game debuts a number of new and exciting characters as well as several new modes of play for the most comprehensive NARUTO video game experience ever.

Set two and a half years after Naruto left the Hidden Leaf Village to undergo a strict training regiment with his mentor Jiraiya, NARUTO SHIPPUDEN : Ultimate Ninja 4 lets players experience this exciting new storyline for the first time. Returning to help save his rival Sasuke from the evil Orochimaru, Naruto is reunited with all his old friends, only to find that a mysterious organization known as Akatsuki now poses an even more ominous threat to the Village.

NARUTO SHIPPUDEN : Ultimate Ninja 4 features several unique game modes that offer different play experiences as players immerse themselves in the world of ninja. The new Master Mode combines role-playing and action platforming elements, telling the story of how Naruto came to return to the Hidden Leaf Village after his training with Jiraiya. Players can collect items in this mode to unlock characters in Free Battle Mode, featuring the series’ trademark one-on-one ninja battles for one or two players. Packed with new NARUTO SHIPPUDEN characters such as Deidara, Sasori and Chiyo as well as updated versions of fan favorites such as Gaara, Kakashi and Sakura, the game features 52 total playable characters to take into battle.

NARUTO SHIPPUDEN : Ultimate Ninja 4 will be the first video game based on NARUTO SHIPPUDEN, giving players their first look at how Naruto’s world has changed in the two and a half years since he left his friends to refine his ninja training. Featuring the biggest roster of playable characters ever in the Ultimate Ninja franchise and a variety of new and engaging game modes, it’s everything Naruto fans need to immerse themselves in the characters and storyline of NARUTO SHIPPUDEN.

Atari bring award winning online gaming to handhelds with the announcement that N+, the successor to the award-winning and beloved flash ninja game N, is heading to European shores following its North American Launch in August 2008.  Created by Metanet and developed by SilverBirch Studios, N+ will leap onto the PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) in March and Nintendo DS™ in April 2009.

Named “Best in Show” for PSP by Gaming Excellence and “Best Handheld” by Blast Magazine at 2008’s E3, N+ offers equal parts platformer and action gameplay with incredibly fluid animation, fast action, amazing acrobatics and instant playability, adding to the successful formula that made N a hit online.  N+ embodies the same brisk pick-up-and-play style that has endeared gamers worldwide and improves on the adored flash game with downloadable content, multiplayer components and a built-in level editor.

“N+ is an example of how great game experiences can work across different platforms, in this case taking a brilliant and hugely successful internet Flash game and not only faithfully recreating but enhancing the experience on PSP and DS,” said Cyril Voiron, VP Brand Management, Worldwide Publishing, Atari.

N+ takes all the great elements of the flash game, from the amazing acrobatics to the simple-but-fast gameplay, and adds an impressive set of new features including full support for wireless multiplayer, cartridge sharing ability, downloadable content and community leader boards.

New features like cooperative and competitive multiplayer modes and level sharing over the ad-hoc PSP system and wireless Nintendo DS connections will expand upon the gameplay possibilities that have made original flash game a sensation.  Complimenting the game’s ‘old-school’ feel, the control layout uses directional buttons and one of the face buttons to jump and move.  With the built-in level editor, players can use the stylus to design maps and share them with friends or the world and downloadable content will continue to add exciting elements long after the game’s initial release.