Capcom Announces Darkstalkers Chronicle: The Chaos Tower for the PSP

LAS VEGAS - February 2, 2005 — Capcom, a leading worldwide developer and publisher of video games, today announced plans to release DARKSTALKERS CHRONICLE: The Chaos Tower for the PSP handheld entertainment system. This hard hitting fighting game summons the return of Capcom's greatest monster warriors to once again battle for control of the night. This fierce brawler not only encompasses all 18 menacing characters from the five critically acclaimed installments of the franchise, it is also remastered to include additional content with Wi-Fi functionality. DARKSTALKERS CHRONICLE: The Chaos Tower will redefine hand held 2D fighting by delivering the quintessential arcade game to PSP handheld system owners. DARKSTALKERS CHRONICLE: The Chaos Tower is set for release throughout North America with the launch of the PSP handheld.

"DARKSTALKERS CHRONICLE: The Chaos Tower is the first handheld fighting game to actually exceed its arcade and home console predecessors," said Todd Thorson, director of marketing Capcom Entertainment. "With all new game modes to the franchise and wireless battles, DARKSTALKERS CHRONICLE on the PSP is a must have."

DARKSTALKERS CHRONICLE: The Chaos Tower possesses a compelling cast of monster warriors, each possessing their own unique fighting skills and abilities including Demitri Maximoff, the Vampire; Jon Talbain, the English Werewolf; Victor von Gerdenheim, the Frankenstein Monster; Lord Rapter, an Australian undead hard rocker; Anakaris, the Mummy; Rikuo, a Brazilian Merman; Sasquatch, the Canadian Snowman; and Felicia, the Cat Woman.

Featuring cutting-edge technology and superior graphics display performance, the PSP handheld system completely captures the series' trademark visuals and control. With its unparalleled high resolution, 16:9 widescreen display, gamers will have the option of selecting between two different screen settings, wide or normal resolutions. Using normal resolution, it's possible to set the remaining screen space to specific DARKSTALKERS wallpaper that can be switched according to the player's mood. Widescreens zooms-in on the action so that every corner is filled with the very essence of the legacy. Furthermore, two distinct control configurations will be available to best suite anyone's gaming style.

DARKSTALKERS CHRONICLE: The Chaos Tower features five different modes of play. Arcade Mode is a seamless conversion where players must defeat numerous CPU-controlled characters. Training Mode gives gamers the option to choose their favorite character and hone their skills. Network Mode allows friends to engage in three different wireless head-to-head networked battles: versus, limit battle and league. Versus offers true two-player competitive matches. Limit Battle randomly assigns a handicap to both challengers, forcing them to strategize their moves in order to claim victory. League allows four players to battle in round-robin mini tournaments where the order of turn is determined by the number of wins and loses. In the new Tower Mode, select three characters from the extensive roster and ascend to the pinnacle of a mysterious tower where many opponents await players. The course taken and fighting conditions will change dynamically based on performance during the multitude of one-on-one battles. Pitting the right competitor against an opponent will be the key to success. Progression through Tower and Arcade Mode directly affects the new Chronicle Mode which is a gallery that houses a collection of unlockable bonus materials that including original artwork and movies.

DARKSTALKERS CHRONICLE: The Chaos Tower includes the following features:

• Full roster of DARKSTALKERS characters – Reunite with all 18 infamous night warriors including: Demitri Maximoff the Vampire whose sharp skills include the dreaded Chaos Flare; Bishamon, the Samurai ghost warrior from Japan who possesses a cursed suit of armor and uses Storm Wind and other powerful moves to beat his enemies and the Succubus Morrigan Aenslaed, a Scottish renegade who's known to have an array of magical powers, including the Shadow Blade.
• Two selectable screen settings - Change the size ratio of the screen at anytime by choosing either normal or wide resolutions.
• Two distinct control configurations to best suite anyone's gaming style.
• Five modes of gameplay:
• Arcade - Defeat numerous CPU-controlled characters to reach the final boss
• Training – Practice various moves and combos to perfect fighting skills
• Network – Engage in network battle using a wireless LAN and select between three different types of modes
• Versus - Two-player competitive matches where players can adjust the handicap and select different stages
• Limit Battle – Both fighters will be randomly assigned a handicap, forcing them to strategize their moves in order to claim victory
• League – Up to four players can battle in round-robin mini tournaments
• Tower – A survival-style mode that lets gamers pick a team of three who will journey to the top of a mysterious tower and defeat the enemies they encounter through a multi-path tournament. Advancement and winning conditions will change depending on performance during each clash which in turn affects Chronicle mode
• Chronicle – Progressing through Tower and Arcade Mode will reveal a cache of items in Chronicle Mode which house a collection of unlockable bonus features including original artwork and movie galleries

Capcom is a leading worldwide developer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment. Founded in 1983, the company has created world renowned franchises including Resident Evil, Street Fighter, Mega Man, Breath of Fire, Devil May Cry and the Onimusha series. Headquartered in Osaka, Japan, the company maintains operations in the U.S., United Kingdom, Germany, Tokyo and Hong Kong. More information about Capcom and its products can be found on the company's web site at www.capcom.com.