Following are some of the games expected to be featured at the 2004 American International Toy Fair in New York City by Upper Deck Entertainment. The descriptive text is slightly edited from press releases.
"Based on the continued positive consumer feedback and our planned product lineup, 2004 is looking very promising. We have signed new licensed brands for exciting trading card games and we continue our push to lead the industry and create new technologies in our sports category," said Bob Andrew, president and chief operating officer for Upper Deck. "Our long standing mission is to provide our worldwide customers and consumers with the highest quality sports and entertainment products."
UDE kicks off the 2004 season this month, with the newest trading card game of the season -- the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Trading Card Game. The new TCG features everyone's favorite shell crusaders as they battle their arch nemesis, Shredder and the Foot Clan. Also, this month, UDE's newest collectible craze, BreaKey, the strategic battle game where two or more opponents use collectible keys, knowledge and skill to break off, create and resolve conflict, and win online prizes.
In April, UDE will introduce the newest and first-ever trading card game for girls with the "Bratz Fashion Party Fever Game." With the growing success of the Bratz property, UDE is pleased to team up with MGA Entertainment to bring the grooviest and most funkalicious experience to Bratz and TCG fans. Here, Bratz fans have the opportunity to throw the ultimate fashion party featuring stylish trends and their favorite fashionable Bratz characters.
Also in April, UDE will release the new Marvel Trading Card Game. The Marvel TCG allows players to create their ultimate superhero team combinations from the Marvel universe, as they battle against each other; and in May, UDE will introduce the new DC Comics TCG, which allows players to assume the identities of their favorite DC Super Heroes and Villains from the DC character portfolio as they wage head-to-head battles against each other. Additionally, The DC Comics TCG will incorporate high-strategy gameplay, evolving game mechanics, and an extensive national organized play support system.
Both trading card games will feature UDE's new VS. System game engine, which features strategic game play and deck construction fully integrated with tactical combat interaction in the playing arena.
This summer, UDE will release Shonen Jump's Shaman King Trading Card Game, based on the popular cartoon series from Japan. The Shaman King TCG follows the exploits of a young shaman, Yoh Asakura, as he battles with other shaman and their spirits in his quest to become Shaman King. The TCG will allow players to immerse themselves into the roles of Yoh and his friends as they hold the fate of the world in their hand. The Shaman King TCG will incorporate advanced technology to enhance game play and will be supported by organized play tournaments and events.
With the continuing popularity of the Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game, UDE will launch the new Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game Duelist League throughout major retail and hobby stores across North America in February. The new league will include new tournament programs, and the release of new cards for Duelists to use to combat their opponents decks as they earn cool limited edition promotional foil cards. The Duelist League program will be appear in Toys R Us, Wal-Mart, Hastings, Books-A-Million, and Meijer retail and hobby store locations nationwide.
Collectors can look forward to animated favorites throughout the year with "Nickelodeon NickToons Trading Cards," "Disney Treasures Collectible Cards," featuring Winnie the Pooh; and the "'Spider-Man 2' Collectible Movie Cards." In addition, Disney fans can pay the ultimate homage to everyone's favorite mouse as Disney and Upper Deck celebrate 75 years of fun with the "Mickey Mouse 75th Celebration" boxed set.
