Ignition Entertainment to Publish Muramasa: The Demon Blade for Wii

April 21, 2009

Ignition Entertainment Acquires
Exclusive Video Game Publishing Rights to Muramasa: The Demon Blade for Nintendo
Wii

Vanillaware’s Long-Awaited
Masterwork Arrives in North America September 2009!

Ignition Entertainment Ltd., a UTV
Enterprise, a worldwide publisher and developer of videogames, in conjunction
with Marvelous Entertainment and Vanillaware, today announced the September 2009
U.S. release of the much-anticipated video game, Muramasa: The Demon Blade,
exclusively for the Nintendo Wii.

Developed by Vanillaware, the
creative team behind the critically acclaimed game Odin Sphere, Muramasa: The
Demon Blade is a unique, highly stylized action adventure that showcases a
striking visual look and a colorful cast of more than 100 characters. Hailed by
Kotaku as “this year’s prettiest, most enticing Wii game,” and by IGN as “the
most visually stunning game I’ve ever seen on the Wii,” Muramasa: The Demon
Blade features eye-popping hand-drawn 2D art that reflects the heritage and tone
of its ancient Japanese storyline. Set in the little-known feudal Genroku era,
players are invited to take on the role of a male ninja or female kunoichi,
utilizing their prowess to traverse the perilous yet picturesque levels.

“Ignition Entertainment is immensely
proud for the opportunity to bring Muramasa: The Demon Blade to the legions of
North American gamers yearning for top-quality, original action games on Wii.”
said Shane Bettenhausen, New Business Development Director of Ignition
Entertainment. “The talented developers at Vanillaware have crafted an
absolutely stunning adventure through feudal Japan that balances subtle,
sophisticated artistry with razor-sharp, addictive gameplay.”

“We continue to maintain our strong
commitment to bring quality games to the marketplace,” said Ajay Chadha,
President of Ignition Entertainment. “We feel deeply honored for the opportunity
to bring Vanillaware’s magnificent masterpiece Muramasa: The Demon Blade to
gamers stateside.”

“We developed Muramasa: The Demon
Blade in the same way as we did Odin Sphere, so there are bound to be a lot of
similarities. I want it to be a very fun game for everyone who picks it up,”
said George Kamitani, game director and Vanillaware President.

Key Game Features:

  • Beautiful 2D graphics

  • Large variety of environments

  • Two playable characters

  • Replayability (multiple playable
    paths throughout the game)

  • Supports Wii Remote and Nunchuk,
    Classic controller, and GameCube controller

  • 16:9 widescreen support

  • Excellent music and sound

  • Timeless side-scrolling game play.

  • Optional challenge stages and
    mini-games throughout

  • Satisfying action elements leading
    to nice depth of combat (Combat is fast yet intuitive)

  • Story elements and cut scenes are
    well integrated and not obtrusive.