SEGA Rolls out The King of Route 66 for PlayStation 2

Business Wire, March 18, 2003

Entertainment Editors

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 18, 2003

SEGA(R) of America, Inc. today announced the release of "The King of Route 66(TM)" exclusively for the PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system. Challenging gamers to race from Illinois to California in a massive nitro-powered 18 Wheeler, "The King of Route 66" is the ultimate demolition derby-style big rig road trip.

The sequel to "18 Wheeler(TM): American Pro Trucker," "The King of Route 66" casts gamers as one of five colorful road warriors who set out to do battle with the soulless Tornado Corporation, which rules the historic highway with an iron fist. On their way across the country, gamers will encounter more than 40 characters and customize their big rigs with more than 70 upgradeable parts ranging from mufflers to mudflaps.

But the life of a trucker isn't all work and no play - gamers will also meet up with eight sexy truck-stop beauties known as the Queens of Route 66. Players will have to win the hearts of these fine-lookin' ladies before driving on to the next state.

"'The King of Route 66' is about one thing - driving really big trucks, really fast. Well, that and impressing the ladies," said Mike Fischer, vice president of marketing, SEGA of America, Inc. "A pure adrenaline rush of arcade action, America's Heartland may never recover from 'The King of Route 66.'"

"The King of Route 66" is loaded up with five gameplay modes, including the "The King of Route 66" mode, where gamers speed across the U.S. in an all-out arcade rush, "The Queen of Route 66" mode, where players give their all to please the fickle Queens of the road, "Rival Challenge" where gamers square off with Tornado truckers in one-on-one competitions, "Challenge" mode, featuring a series of over-the-top mini-games, and "Vs." mode, where gamers can square off against their friends in two-player split screen action.

"The King of Route 66" is rated "T" for Teen and is available at retailers nationwide for an MSRP of $49.95. For screenshots and artwork visit the SEGA FTP site at:

ftp://segapr.segaamerica.com.

About SEGA

SEGA(R) of America, Inc. is the American arm of Tokyo, Japan-based SEGA Corporation, a worldwide leader in interactive entertainment both inside and outside the home. The company develops, publishes and distributes interactive entertainment software products for a variety of hardware platforms including PC, wireless devices, and those manufactured by Nintendo, Microsoft and Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. SEGA of America's Web site is located at www.SEGA.com.

About Sony Computer Entertainment America

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