Track and Field is the name of a series of Olympic themed video games developed by Konami for several platforms since 1983. The first title called “Track & Field” or “Hyper Olympics” outside the United States was released in 1983 as an arcade game. The simple gameplay which was based on dynamically successive button presses (now known as button bashing) has set the rules for sequels and similar games ever since. Track & Field was later released for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) in 1985 and became one of the most popular NES games of its time.

Konami are proud to celebrate the game’s 25th anniversary with the release of “New International Track and Field” exclusive to Nintendo DS. All the fun and excitement of the original title has been brought bang up to date with a bright, stylish new look, innovative control method and for the first time ever...online play!

Challenge friends around the world, monitor their times and achievements, create your own tournaments and trophies, climb the worldwide rankings, earn exclusive content by setting world records and see your name in lights for all to see! For the first time ever in its illustrious career, Track and Field will finally fulfil its true multiplayer potential!

Challenge the World...become a legend!

With competition at the heart of New International Track and Field, the European developed game offers a stunning online element that throws it open to players all over the globe. Using the Nintendo DS Wi-Fi connection, players can link into a server that constantly updates the World Records as and when they are broken. Global high scores and world rankings are instantly logged and players are kept updated via an innovative News Feed service and regular messaging. Likewise, it is also possible for friends to send predefined messages to each other, ranging from congratulations to taunts when a record is smashed!

The online service is further extended with players unlocking new characters by registering on the official site, while Community Trophies and various rewards are detailed to visitors of the site. Similarly, New International Track and Field also allows up to four players anywhere in the world to get together and compete. Players in Europe, Japan, Korea and the US can find each other in lobby areas, and take each other on in real time – an absolute first for any DS title.

Konami has also announced it is to host a series of official local and worldwide tournaments after the game’s launch. Shortly after release, visitors to the official site will be invited to compete in the Konami Cup with their results used to determine the world’s greatest DS athletes and great prizes up for grabs. Full details of these will be confirmed shortly.

Key Features:

• 24 gruelling athletic events
• Character themed challenge mode
• All new and original Track and Field characters (designed exclusively by Udon Entertainment)
• Playable Konami characters including the legendary ‘Sparkster’ from Rocket Knight Adventures and Pyramid Head from Silent Hill plus other as yet unannounced characters from Konami’s illustrious gaming heritage.
• Innovative use of Nintendo DS dual screens, stylus control and microphone
• Comprehensive single player career
• ‘Classic Track and Field’ game mode!
• Multiplayer! 2-4 players via Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, DS Wireless Play and DS Download Play
• Worldwide event records and player rankings
• Community based web site featuring exclusive downloadable game content – viewable via PC or Nintendo Wii.

Career Mode

The ultimate test for DS athletes! Test your levels of speed and endurance by competing in 24 gruelling events; the classic 100m sprint, long jump, archery, weightlifting, skeet shooting, discus, pole vaulting, javelin, kayaking, swimming and many, many more!

Customise your character, unlock hidden secrets, set personal bests, smash world records and show off your medals and trophies!

Compete and earn ‘stars’ to spend in the Track and Field shop. Buy your athlete new clothes, hairstyles or create your own designs and swap online with friends!

Challenge Mode

Challenge Mode takes the familiar sporting events from Career mode and spins them out of control to entertain the player with crazy tasks in unexpected new contexts. In each Challenge the player goes head-to-head against a Konami character – some well-known and some retro favourites – in custom built scenarios based on the game series they starred in!

Classic Track & Field

Relive the original arcade experience! Compete in all 6 classic events: 100m Dash, Long Jump, Javelin, 110m Hurdles, Hammer, and High Jump! Unlock bonuses and hidden surprises – see if you’re good enough to make it to the top of the worldwide leaderboard!

Multiplayer (2-4 players Nintendo WFC, Hot Seat, DS Wireless Play and DS Download Play)

Think you’ve got what it takes to beat the best? Take your athlete online and compete against a worldwide field via Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection! Compete in custom tournaments, official competitions; earn ‘stars’, medals and unlock hidden surprises!

Leaderboards and Ticker Tape

Track and Field has always been about setting new personal bests, smashing event records, getting the best score on the leaderboard and wiping the floor with the competition! New International Track and Field takes this rivalry to a whole new level by rewarding record holders with bonus content exclusive to true champions!

Regardless of the mode you’re playing, providing you’re connected to the Nintendo Wi-Fi service, New International Track and Field will keep you fully informed of the progress of your friends or rivals via an innovative in-game ‘ticker tape’ system.

All event scores and times are automatically uploaded to the Track and Field leaderboards allowing you and your friends to monitor each others progress – direct from your DS.

New International Track & Field for the NDs is scheduled to be released in June 2008.