December 9^th, 2003 (12:00am) - Namco announced today that its highly anticipated, intricately detailed, action racing experience, R: Racing Evolution, has begun shipping to retail outlets nationwide. Developed for the PlayStation 2, XBOX, and the Nintendo GameCube, R: Racing Evolution is rated T for Teen and carries an MSRP of $49.95.

“This isn’t your typical racing game,” said Yasuhiro Noguchi, Senior Director of Research and Development at Namco Hometek Inc. “Incorporating awesome graphical quality and high performance driving physics with a spectacular storyline, R: Racing Evolution is a fantastic balance of simulation and arcade racing.”

R: Racing Evolution incorporates licensed real-world vehicles that allow for upgrades and modifications, 14 tracks from real-world and fantasy locations, 8 different racing styles, including GT, Rally, and Drag, New “Interactive Driver AI System” enhances realistic racing situations, and In-game radio communications – incoming transmissions from crewmembers and rival drivers! How did they get all that into one awesome, adventure packed title you ask? Evolution baby!

Developed by the makers of the legendary Ridge Racer and MotoGP series of racing games at Namco, R: Racing Evolution offers the unique Racing Life mode, a story-driven racing game that chronicles the intense competition and deep rivalries found within the heart of the professional racing circuit through beautifully rendered CG sequences and adrenaline-pumping in-game race challenges. With five additional game modes at the player’s fingertips, R: Racing Evolution captures the essence of intense competition and immerses players deep within the racing circuit rivalries.

But the fun doesn’t stop there. Starting Dec. 9, included in every Nintendo GameCube version of R: Racing Evolution, lucky patrons will find a copy of the always lovable Pac-Man in the new game Pac-Man Vs. This unique new multiplayer version of the all-time classic arcade video game brings a new style of game play to the consumer by allowing players to compete head-to-head using a Game Boy Advance and a Nintendo GameCube, connected by a Nintendo GameCube Game Boy Advance cable.

For more information on R: Racing Evolution visit http://www.racing-evolution.com/.