KONAMI SHIPS METAL GEAR ACID TO RETAIL STORES NATIONWIDE 

Konami's Best-Selling Tactical Espionage Series Comes to the New PSP™ Handheld Entertainment System

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. – March 21, 2005 - Konami Digital Entertainment - America, a division of Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc., today shipped Metal Gear Acid (MGA) to retail stores nationwide, in preparation for the upcoming launch of the PSP™ handheld entertainment system on March 24, 2005.  The newest addition to the heavily-lauded Metal Gear franchise combines the renowned stealth action with new emphasis on tactical turn-based strategy. MGA takes gamers on an exciting new espionage adventure in which they assume the role of Snake, a top secret U.S. agent, who must infiltrate a remote base and uncover the secrets of a mysterious research project in order to save the lives of hundreds of people held hostage.  Created especially for the PSP handheld system, MGA includes all the Metal Gear essentials and more, featuring a dramatic storyline driven by new game mechanics, stylish cut scenes, a second playable character and a wireless mode for multiplayer action.
 

“Creating a Metal Gear game for the PSP handheld system has allowed us to expand the franchise into a new direction,” said Jason Enos, product manager, Konami Digital Entertainment - America. “By making MGA a turn-based game, we were able to concentrate on the series’ crucial elements – stealth and strategy - and make an entirely original experience that is accessible to gamers on the move.”
 

Metal Gear Acid will test players’ abilities to use cards strategically to advance throughout the game.  The game is packed with over 200 cards which are accumulated through gameplay or that can also be purchased at the “Card Shop” in the game. The cards are based on the actions, support moves, items and characters found throughout the entire Metal Gear franchise.  Players will have to consider each card’s special features and how to combine them to carry out and complete elaborate missions.  As in all Metal Gear games, the objective is to incorporate stealth moves and evade enemy encounters. Players can employ a number of techniques, such as crawling or using the “HANG” card to remain hidden and out of enemy sight.  However, if combat is necessary, players can draw from a number of cards to battle their opponents.  By combing weapons and action cards – such as the “SOCOM” and “ADD FALL” cards – players will find that their attack is much more powerful and effective, with the opponent taking direct damage and then being knocked to the ground.
 

Taking full advantage of the PSP handheld system capabilities, Metal Gear Acid includes two exciting features rarely seen throughout the franchise.   Players will now have the ability to control a second playable character, Teliko Friedman. A member of a special forces unit, Teliko’s presence will give players an added advantage over their opponents.  Reaching this point in the game will also unlock the wireless mode where players can go head-to head with their friends.  With each player controlling two characters, the competition heats up as they both strive to be the first team to reach the same goal!

Metal Gear Acid comes complete with a majestic soundtrack, rich graphics and an epic storyline that will keep gamers captivated for hours on end. The game is available exclusively for the PSP handheld system for an SRP of $39.99 and rated "M" for Mature by the ESRB. For more information on the game, please visit: http://www.konami.com/gs/metalgearacid/.
 

About METAL GEAR
The Metal Gear® franchise is in its 17th year, with the first Metal Gear® release debuting in Japan in 1987.  The series centered on the adventures of secret agent Solid Snake and was consistently recognized for its new and original game design combined with a story full of plot twists and intricate human drama.  In 1998, Konami introduced Metal Gear Solid® for the Sony PlayStation® game console, which was instantly noted for its stunning graphics, original narrative style and superlative gameplay.  Metal Gear Solid® earned widespread critical acclaim and defined a benchmark of quality in the action genre.  Building on the precedent set by the top-selling original title, Metal Gear Solid®2: Sons of Liberty™ was released in 2001 for the Sony PlayStation®2 with overwhelming praise from gamers and industry pundits worldwide, selling over 2 million units in the U.S. and over 5 million units worldwide.  In 2002, Konami released, Metal Gear Solid®2: Substance™, the expanded edition of Metal Gear Solid®2: Sons of Liberty™, for the Xbox™ video game system from Microsoft, PlayStation®2 and PC DVD-ROM with much fan fare.  In 2003, the amazing storyline and world of Metal Gear Solid® combined with the graphics and gameplay of Metal Gear Solid®2 to create Metal Gear Solid® The Twin Snakes™ for Nintendo GameCube™.  In 2004, Hideo Kojima took the tactical espionage action genre that the Metal Gear® series defined to a completely new direction in Metal Gear Solid®3: Snake Eater™ for the Sony PlayStation®2.  Now in 2005, the legendary Metal Gear® series comes to the PSP™ handheld entertainment system in Metal Gear Acid™.

About KONAMI CORPORATION
Konami Corporation is a leading developer, publisher and manufacturer of electronic entertainment properties, specializing in the home video game market. Konami Corporation's action and adventure titles include the popular franchises Metal Gear Solid®, Silent Hill® and Castlevania®, among other top sellers. The latest information about Konami can be found on the Web at www.konami.com.  Konami Corporation is a publicly traded company based in Tokyo, Japan with subsidiary offices, Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. in the US and Konami of Europe in Frankfurt, Germany. Konami Corporation, the parent company of Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. is traded in the United States on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol KNM. Details of the products published by Konami Digital Entertainment - America can be found at www.konami.com/gs.

METAL GEAR®, METAL GEAR SOLID®, METAL GEAR ACID™, SONS OF LIBERTY™, SUBSTANCE™, THE TWIN SNAKES™ and SNAKE EATER™ are either registered trademarks or trademarks of KONAMI COMPUTER ENTERTAINMENT JAPAN, INC.  ©1987 2005 KONAMI COMPUTER ENTERTAINMENT JAPAN.  KONAMI® is a registered trademark of KONAMI CORPORATION.  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. “PlayStation” and the “PS” logo are registered trademarks and PSP is a trademark of SCEI.  Nintendo GameCube is a trademark of Nintendo. (C) 2001 Nintendo. Microsoft and Xbox are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries and are used under license from Microsoft. The ratings icon is a registered trademark of the Entertainment Software Association.