October 23^rd, 2003 (12:00am) - Namco announced today its highly anticipated light gun shooter Time Crisis 3 has begun shipping to retail outlets nationwide. The latest installment in the company’s popular light gun shooter franchise, Time Crisis 3, is available exclusively for the PlayStation 2 and is compatible with the Guncon 2 controller, the unique light gun peripheral that allows players to take aim at their TV screen and shoot.

“We’re committed to bringing the best game play experience to our Time Crisis fans, and we’ve improved the game in many areas, making Time Crisis 3 the most exciting installment in the series,” said Yasuhiro Noguchi, Senior Director of Research and Development at Namco Hometek Inc. “Time Crisis3 takes first-person action shooting to the next level.”

Time Crisis 3 delivers intense, fast-paced shooting action through the high stakes adventures of the world-renowned VSSE’s top agents. In this installment of the franchise, players take to the Mediterranean coastal nation of Lukano, where Zagorias Federation troops have invaded the land and taken key members of the Lukano Liberation Force hostage. With local residents and neighboring countries facing the worst from a potential missile strike, the VSSE commits its most highly skilled operatives, Wesley Lambert and Alan Dunaway, to neutralize threatening forces and return power to the leaders and citizens of Lukano.

Featuring an all-new Weapon Select System, Time Crisis 3 enables players to choose from four weapons on the fly to optimize their game play strategy. The Guncon 2 serves as an essential piece of equipment in the player’s arsenal. In addition, Time Crisis 3 includes the original arcade game and console exclusive features, including a more complex storyline, multiple game play modes, sniper combat, and a new playable character.

Time Crisis 3 is rated T for Teen and is available at retail outlets nationwide. The game comes conveniently packaged for consumers either as software only or bundled with the Guncon 2.