DRAGON QUEST SWORDS: The Masked Queen and the Tower of Mirrors Slashes its Way to North American Retailers Today

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Square Enix, Inc., the publisher of Square Enix(TM) interactive entertainment products in North America, announced today that DRAGON QUEST(R) SWORDS: The Masked Queen and the Tower of Mirrors(TM) has shipped to North American retailers.

DRAGON QUEST SWORDS: The Masked Queen and the Tower of Mirrors is the first Square Enix RPG to arrive exclusively on Wii(TM). Slice and slash your way through an epic journey with the Wii Remote(TM), fully utilizing its motion-sensing capabilities to shield against enemies and execute special attacks.

Intuitive, interactive, and easy to play, DRAGON QUEST SWORDS: The Masked Queen and the Tower of Mirrors invites players of all levels and ages to jump right into the colorful world of the franchise that has sold over 43 million units worldwide. Whether you are already familiar with DRAGON QUEST or a newcomer, this revolutionary new installment in the beloved RPG franchise is sure to awaken the hero in you!

Story

Five years have passed since the defeat of the Deathbringer, and the kingdom of Avalonia joyously celebrates what seems to be an everlasting era of peace. However, a closer look reveals that things are amiss. Calamity arises within the kingdom, as unfamiliar and powerful monsters invade the outskirts of town. With the Deathbringer gone, what explanation is there for the onset of these monsters? And what of the queen, who has come to hide her face behind a strange mask? Make your way through the perilous journey, solve the baffling mysteries and return order to Avalonia.

    Features    -- Delve into an unforgettable gaming experience, created by the "big       three" -- a team comprising series creator Yuji Horii, legendary manga       artist Akira Toriyama and renowned composer Koichi Sugiyama.    -- Show off your swordsmanship, block enemy attacks, and use special       skills, all through the simple and intuitive use of the Wii Remote!    -- Combine materials to personalize your sword, allowing you to engage in       battles unique to your customized abilities and powers.    -- Experience an epic adventure in the world of DRAGON QUEST, rendered       through stunning visuals and a powerful soundtrack delivered by famed       game music composers Manami Matsumae and Koichi Sugiyama.    -- Take on the challenges presented by all-new features for the North       American release, including a Payback Mode and four hidden bosses!

DRAGON QUEST SWORDS: The Masked Queen and the Tower of Mirrors is rated T (Teen). Please visit the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) website at www.esrb.com for more information about ratings. DRAGON QUEST SWORDS: The Masked Queen and the Tower of Mirrors will be available at North American retailers for the suggested retail price of $49.99 (USD). The official website can be found at http://na.square-enix.com/dqswords/.

About Square Enix Co., Ltd. and Square Enix, Inc.

Square Enix Co., Ltd. (Square Enix), with headquarters in Tokyo, Japan, develops, publishes and distributes entertainment content including interactive entertainment software and publications in Asia, North America and Europe. Square Enix brings two of Japan's best-selling franchises -- FINAL FANTASY(R), which has sold over 80 million units worldwide, and DRAGON QUEST, which has sold over 43 million units worldwide -- under one roof. Square Enix is one of the most influential providers of digital entertainment content in the world and continues to push the boundaries of creativity and innovation.

Square Enix, Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Square Enix Co., Ltd. with offices in Los Angeles, California. It handles operations in North America, including development, localization, marketing, and publishing of Square Enix titles. More information on Square Enix can be found on the Internet at http://www.square-enix.com.

DRAGON QUEST, DRAGON QUEST SWORDS, FINAL FANTASY, THE MASKED QUEEN AND THE TOWER OF MIRRORS, SQUARE ENIX and the SQUARE ENIX logo are registered trademarks or trademarks of Square Enix Co., Ltd., in the United States and/or other countries. Wii and the Wii logo are trademarks of Nintendo.

    Contact (press only):    Amelia Cantlay/Sonia Im        Ogilvy Public Relations    Square Enix, Inc.              for Square Enix, Inc.    310.846.0400                   Jennifer Poulson/Monica Bouldin    pr@square-enix-usa.com         310.248.6113/310.248.6114                                   jennifer.poulson@ogilvypr.com                                   monica.bouldin@ogilvypr.com