March 7^th, 2006 (3:51pm) - D3Publisher of America (D3PA) and the TOMY Corporation today announced the release of Shonen Jump’s Naruto: Clash of Ninja for the GameCube and Naruto: Ninja Council for Game Boy Advance. These titles represent the first video games based on VIZ Media’s hit anime series Shonen Jump’s Naruto to be released in North America. D3PA and TOMY will release two additional Naruto games, one for GameCube and another for Game Boy Advance in the second half of 2006.

A smash-hit when originally released in Japan, Naruto: Clash of Ninja (Gekito Ninja Taisen) for the GameCube and Naruto: Ninja Council (Saikyo Ninja Daikesshu) for Game Boy Advance follow the storyline of the popular graphic novels. In a world where ninja hold the ultimate power, Naruto Uzumaki is infused with the spirit of a once fearsome Nine-Tailed Fox and is a ninja-in-training who is learning the art of Ninjutsu with his classmates Sakura and Sasuke. The trio studies under the instruction of their teacher, Kakashi, who helps the group face dangerous and daunting tests and challenges. Through their adventures, the young ninjas learn the importance of friendship, teamwork, loyalty, hard work, creativity, ingenuity, and right versus wrong.

Clash of Ninja for the GameCube is a fighting game for 1-2 players where gamers may choose to play as one of eight different Naruto characters. Using special character-specific moves, players take on challengers in one-on-one fights to determine who is the greatest ninja. Developed by 8ing, Clash of Ninja is available with a MSRP of $39.99 and an ESRB rating of "T" for cartoon violence.

Featuring seven levels of side-scrolling action, Naruto: Ninja Council for Game Boy Advance allows gamers to play as either the unpredictable Naruto or the steady Sasuke. All the favorite characters from Naruto are in the game, each with specific ninja moves fans will recognize from the series. Developed by ARC Systems, Naruto: Ninja Council for Game Boy® Advance is available with a MSRP of $29.99 and an ESRB rating of "E10+ " for cartoon violence and mild suggestive themes.

Naruto recently debuted on Cartoon Network in the US and YTV in Canada, achieving phenomenal launch ratings with Kids 6-11 and Tweens 9-14. In Japan, since publication began in 1999 in Weekly Shonen Jump, and based on the manga’s popularity, the anime made its debut on TV TOKYO in 2002. Since then, NARUTO has become one of the most popular animated shows achieving immense success as a TV title as well as a licensed property for toys, trading card games and video games.