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KONAMI SHIPS FIRST YU-GI-OH! GAMES IN THE U.S.

Yu-Gi-Oh! Dark Duel Stories for Game Boy® Color, Yu-Gi-Oh! Forbidden Memories for PlayStation® Now Available

REDWOOD CITY, CA -- March 19, 2002 -- Konami of America, Inc. proudly announced today that Yu-Gi-Oh! Dark Duel Stories for Nintendo Game Boy® Color and Yu-Gi-Oh! Forbidden Memories for Sony PlayStation® have shipped to retail outlets nationwide. The launch of these two titles represents the company¹s introduction of the mega-popular video game series to the North American market. Both games are rated E for Everyone and are available at a SRP of $29.99.

"These games bring the magic and mystery of Yu-Gi-Oh! to life," said Dennis Lee, Product Manager for Konami of America.  "We are delighted to offer Dark Duel Stories and Forbidden Memories to US gamers and finally deliver the interactive experience that Yu-Gi-Oh! fans have been waiting for!"

In Yu-Gi-Oh! Dark Duel Stories (GBC) players partake in the Duel Monsters card game ~ gaining cards and experience to create customized decks out of a possible 10,000 cards.  Unique game features include the ability to trade cards with friends, import new cards from the Official Trading Card Game and the power to construct entirely new cards. Additionally, further enhancing the relationship between the card game and the videogame, Yu-Gi-Oh! Dark Duel Stories (GBC) is bundled with three exclusive, embossed holographic cards from the Yu-Gi-Oh! Official Trading Card Game. The limited edition 3-card set gives players the Blue-Eyes White Dragon, Exodia the Forbidden One and Dark Magician ~ unique versions of the cards not available anywhere else. This set is available only with the first shipment of the Game Boy® Color title and future shipments will include a different set of cards.

The adventure begins in Yu-Gi-Oh! Forbidden Memories (PSX) as players voyage into the depths of ancient Egypt to save the world from destruction. A young pharaoh, Yugi¹s ancestor and the hero of the game, must battle an evil High Priest and unlock the Seven Magical Totems to save his land from annihilation. Players explore beautifully created ancient landscapes, duel with townspeople, decipher clues and solve puzzles to become the greatest Duel Master.

Konami of America, Inc. plans to release additional games based on the Yu-Gi-Oh! franchise on next generation videogame consoles later in 2002.

To learn more about Yu-Gi-Oh! please visit: http://www.yugiohkingofgames.com

About Yu-Gi-Oh!
The Yu-Gi-Oh! universe was born of artist Kazuki Takahashi and first appeared in the Japanese comic book Shonen Jump in 1996. An instant hit, the comic has spawned a cartoon television show, a collectible card game, several Game Boy® Color and Sony PlayStation® games as well as other licensed merchandise. In Japan, Yu-Gi-Oh! has already sold more than 3.5 billion cards, 23 million comic books, 10 million related books, 7.5 million videogames and has generated in excess of $2 billion in merchandise sales. Yu-Gi-Oh! follows the adventures of Yugi, a young boy who possesses the Millennium Puzzle that allows him to transform into his alter-ego, the Game King, whenever he is challenged.

In the U.S., the animated TV show, Yu-Gi-Oh! King of Games is broadcast on KidsWB and leading card manufacturer, Upper Deck is distributing the Official Trading Card Game.

About KONAMI CORPORATION
KONAMI CORPORATION is a leading developer, publisher and manufacturer of electronic entertainment properties, specializing in the home video game market. KONAMI CORPORATION’s action and adventure titles include the popular franchises Metal Gear Solid, Silent Hill and Castlevania, among other top sellers. The latest information about Konami can be found on the Web at www.konami.com. KONAMI CORPORATION is a publicly traded company based in Tokyo, Japan with subsidiary offices, Konami of America, Inc. in the US and Konami of Europe in Frankfurt, Germany.

*Source: NTI, Kid Network season to date (10/01/2001-12/08/2001)

©1996 KAZUKI TAKAHASHI

Konami is a registered trademark of Konami Corporation. ©2002 KONAMI CORPORATION. Kids WB! is a registered trademark of Warner Bros. Nintendo, Game Boy and Game Boy Color are registered trademarks of Nintendo of America Inc. ©1989, 1998, 2001 NINTENDO OF AMERICA INC. PlayStation is a registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment America. Upper Deck is a registered trademark of The Upper Deck Company Inc. ©2001 The Upper Deck Company, LLC. All other trademarks copyright of their respective owners. All rights reserved.