March 23^rd, 2004 (12:00am) - SEGA of America today announced the release of Samurai Jack: The Shadow of Aku for the GameCube and PlayStation 2. Developed by Adrenium (an Amaze Entertainment Studio), and licensed by Cartoon Network and Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, The Shadow of Aku delivers a 3D interactive experience that captures the look and feel of Cartoon Network’s popular animated series.

As Samurai Jack, players face-off against characters from the show, including Mad Jack and the Scotsman, while trying to find the time portal home to save the kingdom from the evil Aku. During the course of the adventure, players solve elaborate puzzles, release prisoners trapped under lock and key, and master both melee and projectile combat maneuvers.

Adrenium Studios worked closely with Samurai Jack creator Genndy Tartakovsky to develop a broadly appealing action game that incorporates all the visual, audible, and thematic elements of the animated series, including the use of key voice actors and playful references to specific episodes. The show’s striking imagery was painstakingly reworked into 3D, and the easy-to-learn controls allow players to pull off the same flashy combos and powerful strikes that have made Jack an action icon on television.

"We are happy to align the launch of Samurai Jack: The Shadow of Aku with the Cartoon Network series and the upcoming release of Samurai Jack: Season One on DVD," said Scott A. Steinberg, vice president of entertainment marketing, SEGA of America, Inc. "The Samurai Jack property lends itself to diverse gameplay and high-action interactive fun. Game fans can expect more high quality, mass-market games carrying the SEGA brand as part of a new initiative to blend acquired content with award-winning, internally-developed IP."

"Interactive games are a great way to give gamers the chance to participate in the adventures of favorite characters, like Samurai Jack. Because everyone expects a high level of detail and artistry from Samurai Jack, we knew we had to execute our first console game for this property perfectly," said John Friend, senior vice president, Cartoon Network Enterprises. "We tapped into Samurai Jack’s creative team at every phase of development to make sure that Samurai Jack: The Shadow of Aku is a seamless extension of the Emmy-winning series by Genndy Tartakovsky. We think gamers and Samurai Jack fans will be pleased."

Samurai Jack: The Shadow of Aku is rated "T" for Teen and is available at retailers nationwide for an MSRP of $39.95.