April 16, 2008
TALES OF VESPERIA TO FEATURE
THEME SONG BY JAPANESE POP STAR BONNIE PINK
Critically-Acclaimed Role-Playing
Series to Debut on Xbox 360 with Simultaneous Release in North America and Japan
in 2008
NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc.
today announced that an original recording by chart-topping Japanese pop star
BONNIE PINK will be the theme song in the North American and Japanese versions
of the upcoming Tales of Vesperia™ for the Xbox 360® video game and
entertainment system from Microsoft. For the first time in the role-playing
series’ 10 year history, the same artist will be providing a theme song
performed in both in English and Japanese. The song, “Ring A Bell,” is now
available as a single worldwide on the iTunes® Store (www.itunes.com).
The bilingual BONNIE PINK has been a
mainstay on the Japanese pop charts since her debut in 1995. In 2006, she
released “Every Single Day – Complete BONNIE PINK 1995-2006,” one of the year’s
most successful albums which debuted at #2 on the Japanese sales charts and has
sold more than 700,000 units to date. Her latest album, “Thinking Out Loud,”
debuted at #4 and has since been certified Gold. One of the most recognizable
entertainers in Japan, BONNIE PINK is also an accomplished actress.
Highlighting the 10th anniversary of
the Tales series in North America, Tales of Vesperia will be the first game in
the series to be released simultaneously in North America and Japan. Launching
the role-playing genre to new heights of interactive storytelling and
captivating gameplay, the game features a strategic and fast paced real-time
battle system, incredible “living anime” graphics and original character designs
by artistic visionary Kosuke Fujishima (Ah! My Goddess, Sakura Taisen),
Tales of Vesperia for the Xbox 360
will be available in stores later this year. Continuing the celebration of the
series’ 10th anniversary, Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World™ will also
be available in stores later this year for Wii.
