Boktai: The Sun Is In Your Hand in stores
by Jolex Del Pilar

Tuesday, September 16, 2003

Game features interesting "Sun" concept.

Konami of America announced that Boktai: The Sun Is In Your Hand has shipped to retail outlets nationwide. The action/role-playing game for Nintendo Game Boy Advance is the world's first videogame that incorporates natural sunlight into gameplay. Only in Boktai will the player's experience be affected by where, when and how much time they play the game in the sun.

Developed by Hideo Kojima, the creator of the internationally acclaimed Metal Gear Solid series, Boktai uses proprietary technology and a pioneering solar sensor built into the Game Boy Advance cartridge to absorb sunlight and use it during play. The adventure follows Django, the game's vampire-hunting hero, on his quest to destroy Dracula and his army of darkness. Armed with a special solar gun that re-energizes using natural sunlight, Django is stronger by day while his adversaries are stronger by night. The amount of time a player spends with the game in the sun will have a direct impact on the hero's powers, the strengths and weaknesses of his enemies and, consequently, the overall outcome of the game.

"Boktai is a game like no other because it truly delivers innovative gameplay to players of all ages," said Geoff Mulligan, Chief Operating Officer at Konami of America, Inc. "Not only does Boktai deliver revolutionary technology and an unprecedented gameplay experience - requiring natural sunlight - but it also offers players hours of vampire-hunting fun."

Gamers of all ages will enjoy Boktai's engaging storyline and depth of gameplay which is highlighted by the careful use of strategy and stealth tactics. As Django ventures through dark dungeons, players will battle countless ghastly ghouls and face-off against menacing monsters. Players will note that some monsters can be destroyed using the "solar gun" but others can only be defeated by exposing them to natural sunlight.

The game's real-time clock keeps track of day and night so that players' in-game experience reflects real-world conditions. As such, players will notice that real sunlight outside actually illuminates dark corners of castles in the game and they will quickly learn to manipulate the light in order to overcome enemies. Gamers will also have to solve puzzles, use a variety of stealth tactics and engage in careful combat as they explore through Boktai's mysterious world of castles and dungeons.

Boktai: The Sun Is In Your Hand is rated E for Everyone and is available at retail outlets nationwide for an SRP of $34.99. To learn more about the game, please visit: http://www.konami.com/boktai

--- Jolex Del Pilar