May 7^th, 2004 (12:00am) - Konami Digital Entertainment - America, a division of Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc., today announced they have partnered with Toys "R" Us, Inc., the world’s leading retailer of toys, children’s apparel and baby products, to host a nationwide Yu-Gi-Oh! tournament on May 22, 2004 using the Yu-Gi-Oh! World Championship Tournament 2004 video game. Yu-Gi-Oh! is one of the strongest brands in children’s entertainment and the video games are consistently best-sellers. The Yu-Gi-Oh! franchise includes a successful television show on the WB Network, popular trading cards distributed by Upper Deck and a line of toys made by Mattel.

"With the increasing popularity of Yu-Gi-Oh!, Konami is offering players of the video game series a way to show off their dueling skills through a nationwide competition to find the ultimate Yu-Gi-Oh! player," said Catherine Fowler, Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Konami Digital Entertainment - America. "Partnering with Toys "R" Us gives us an incredible opportunity to reach thousands of fans around the country."

The tournament will simultaneously take place in 671 Toys "R" Us stores nationwide on May 22, 2004. Players age fourteen and younger interested in competing in the tournament must register at local Toys "R" Us locations with their parents prior to the event. To participate, players need to bring the following to their local Toys "R" Us:
-Completed registration forms.
-Their own Nintendo Game Boy Advance system.
-Their own copy of Yu-Gi-Oh! World Championship Tournament 2004 game.

Registration began on May 2, 2004 at Toys "R" Us locations (The Times Square Toys "R" Us location will not be participating). Upon signing up, participants will receive the rules and regulations for the tournament. Registration is necessary since there are only 64 participants at each Toys "R" Us store. All participants will receive an exclusive Yu-Gi-Oh! trading game card.

The top 15 winners of the nationwide tournament will qualify to participate in the U.S. finals. Four lucky winners will then be selected to proceed to the World Championship Tournament, taking place in late summer in Southern California.

"We are thrilled to host the Konami Yu-Gi-Oh! video game tournament, exclusively at Toys "R" Us stores nationwide," said Amy Parker, Senior Vice President Marketing, Toys "R" Us. "It is a great way for new and old fans of the trading card series to compete with other fans all across the country."

To learn more about Yu-Gi-Oh! World Championship 2004, please visit the official website at http://www.konami.com/yugiohtournament2004/