VU Games Ships Crash Bandicoot Purple and Spyro Orange

LOS ANGELES, CA (June 1, 2004) – Crash Bandicoot and Spyro the Dragon have ventured into each other's worlds to save the universe in a groundbreaking pairing in the latest installments from these top-selling videogame franchises. Vivendi Universal Games (VU Games) today ships Crash Bandicoot Purple: Ripto's Rampage and Spyro Orange: The Cortex Conspiracy on the Game Boy Advance video game system. In these action platformers, Crash journeys to the fiery dragon's Dragon Realms to help Spyro destroy his archenemy, Ripto, while Spyro blazes into the irrepressible bandicoot's Jungle World to take on Crash's nemesis, Dr. Neo Cortex. The new games will feature an engaging variety of gameplay, including exclusive mini-games, a robust multiplayer experience, an endless card collecting reward system and special linking features.

"Both the Crash and Spyro franchises have huge fan bases, so we are very excited to bring these top characters together in these compelling new GBA titles," said Philip O'Neil, VU Games' President of North America. "Crash Bandicoot Purple and Spyro Orange are perfect for gamers looking for action-packed handheld adventures."

In Crash Bandicoot Purple: Ripto's Rampage and Spyro Orange: The Cortex Conspiracy, Dr. Cortex (Crash's nemesis) and Ripto (Spyro's nemesis) have accidentally met up through underground portals and are set on taking over the entire universe. In an attempt to share resources and expand their territories, Cortex and Ripto are using the portals to flood their two worlds with their evil minions. Crash and Spyro must switch worlds with each other to discover the identity of the new menace and save the universe from this evil plot!

In both games, which were developed by Vicarious Visions, up to four players can link up for numerous multi-player modes in these side-scrolling adventures, including Party Games, Wager Games and Card Trading. Crash Bandicoot Purple: Ripto's Rampage and Spyro Orange: The Cortex Conspiracy each features over 25 mini-games, found throughout the environments, which reward with currency, and trading cards -- a new feature for both franchises. Connecting both titles gives gamers the option of unlocking special content including additional multiplayer games, more playable characters and the full sets of Crash Bandicoot Purple and Spyro Orange collector cards.

Rated E for Everyone, Crash Bandicoot Purple: Ripto's Rampage and Spyro Orange: The Cortex Conspiracy are currently available on the Game Boy Advance for a suggested retail price of $29.99. For sales and ordering information, customers can visit www.vugames.com.

The Crash Bandicoot franchise made its debut in 1996 and has sold more than 30 million copies worldwide.* The Spyro the Dragon franchise premiered in 1998 and has sold more than 12 million units worldwide.*

About Vicarious Visions

Vicarious Visions is an independent game development studio that has created hit titles with top brands such as Tony Hawk's Pro Skater, Spider-Man, Crash Bandicoot, Star Wars, SpongeBob Square Pants and Finding Nemo. The company's success is based on innovative technology, compelling game designs and a rigorous development process. Vicarious Visions is also the developer of the innovative Intrinsic Alchemy middleware platform for PC, PlayStation2, Microsoft Xbox, and Nintendo Gamecube, which is being used to power hit titles in development at Activision, Konami, Sega and other studios worldwide.

About Vivendi Universal Games

Headquartered in Los Angeles, Vivendi Universal Games (www.vugames.com) is a global leader in multi-platform interactive entertainment. The company develops, publishes and distributes interactive products across all major platforms including PCs, video game consoles and the Internet. Vivendi Universal Games' portfolio of development studios and publishing labels includes Blizzard Entertainment, Coktel, Fox Interactive, Knowledge Adventure, Massive Entertainment and Sierra Entertainment. Additionally, Vivendi Universal Games co-publishes and/or distributes titles for a number of strategic partners, including Interplay, inXile entertainment, Majesco and Mythic Entertainment, among others.

*Based on EDI sell-through, internal company records, and reports from key distribution partners around the world.

Licensed by Nintendo. © 2001 Nintendo. TM, , Game Boy Advance and the Nintendo GameCube are trademarks of Nintendo