NBA '06 Delivers High Octane Hoops Action on PSP™ (PlayStation® Portable) Handheld Entertainment System

Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. announced today the launch of NBA '06, in stores this fall for the PSP™ (PlayStation® Portable) handheld entertainment system. Building upon the success of the first five-on-five basketball simulation ever created for PSP, NBA '06 for PSP expands the franchise by featuring numerous gameplay advancements including enhanced Artificial Intelligence (A.I.), shooting mechanics, player animations, and new mini-games to create the most action-packed, realistic basketball experience to date for a portable device.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050629/SFW024LOGO )

NBA '06 for PSP implements a trading card system where players can take highlight plays captured as virtual cards and keep them as collectibles or share with other gamers. A new ladder challenge is also available, allowing players to compete in a mini-game or exhibition mode series in an attempt to reach the top of the ladder and earn special virtual trading card rewards.

Supporting up to two players, either locally via Ad Hoc Mode or nationally via Infrastructure Mode, NBA '06 for PSP offers the opportunity to play a full season with trades, free agent lists, and injuries. For quick gaming action, NBA '06 for PSP introduces two all-new classic schoolyard mini-games, HORSE and Dodgeball, along with returning favorites Paint Mode, PlayStation Skills Challenge, and 3-Point Contest.

To enhance the overall experience of high-flying NBA action, NBA '06 for PSP will run at 60 frames per second (FPS), making every pass, drive, shot or dunk as smooth as the real deal. Additionally, tandem animation technology, along with motion capture data from more than 10 professional basketball players, combine to produce ultra-realistic player interactions and lifelike movements.

"As the first to market with a successful basketball game on PSP, we were able to take our experience with NBA and apply that knowledge to implement key upgrades to NBA '06," said Scott Rohde, director, sports product development, Sony Computer Entertainment America. "We wanted to bring together a solid five-on-five basketball game with updated features and animations, and tie in smaller bits of hoops action such as new mini-games and a ladder challenge. We're excited to bring back portable NBA action that will satisfy gamers whenever, wherever."

Further enhancing the intense NBA action, NBA '06 for PSP supplies all-new offensive maneuvers, including the ability to add spin moves and pump fakes during shots, and the option to "turbo" move a character around the court with the press of a button. Upgraded A.I. provides gamers with four simplified play-calling commands tied to each directional button position including set pick, send cutter, post-up, and run baseline. In addition, gamers will have two options available for shooting: the default "hold and release" mechanic and the "clutch shooting" option.

Gracing the cover of NBA '06 for PSP is Phoenix Suns All-Star power forward Amare Stoudemire. In just three years in the league, Stoudemire quickly made a name for himself by being named NBA Rookie of the Year after being selected ninth overall by the Phoenix Suns in the 2002 NBA draft. He went on to be selected as a member of the U.S.A. Olympic Basketball Team at the 2004 Games in Athens and was voted in to this year's NBA All-Star game.

Officially licensed by the NBA and NBDL, NBA '06 for PSP is prepared to deliver the ultimate basketball experience anytime, anywhere.

The independent Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) rates NBA '06 for PSP "RP" for "Rating Pending." For more information about ESRB visit www.esrb.org.

About Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.

Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. continues to redefine the entertainment lifestyle with its PlayStation® and PS one™ game console, the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system and the PSP™ (PlayStation® Portable) entertainment system. The PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system is set to revolutionize the home entertainment market, offering the most compelling interactive content and the capability to be used as a network terminal in the coming broadband era. PSP is a new portable entertainment system that allows users to enjoy 3D games, with high-quality full-motion video, and high-fidelity stereo audio.

Recognized as the undisputed industry leader, Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. markets the PlayStation family of products and develops, publishes, markets and distributes software for the PS one game console, the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system and the PSP entertainment system for the North American market. Based in Foster City, Calif. Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. serves as headquarters for all North American operations and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

NOTE: NBA is a trademark of NBA Properties, Inc. The NBA and individual NBA member team identifications reproduced on this product are trademarks and copyrighted designs, and/or other forms of intellectual property, that are the exclusive property of NBA Properties, Inc. and the respective NBA member teams and may not be used, in whole or in part, without the written consent of NBA Properties, Inc.

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050629/SFW024LOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com

SOURCE: Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.

CONTACT: Paul Murphy, +1-858-824-5963, or
paul_murphy@playstation.sony.com, or Alex Armour, +1-858-824-4648, or
alex_armour@playstation.sony.com, both of Sony Computer Entertainment America
Inc.

Web site: http://www.playstation.com/