REDMOND, Wash., Sept. 27, 2010 – The timeless characters and sword-swiping action of the Samurai Warriors™ video game series just got even better. With today’s launch of Samurai Warriors™ 3 – the first installment created exclusively for the Wii™ system – players can delve deeper than ever before into the realm of warring Japan with new modes and control options not available in any other Samurai Warriors game. For the first time in the series, players with broadband Internet access can use the Nintendo® Wi-Fi Connection service to connect online with a friend and storm into battle together.

Samurai Warriors 3 features fast-paced action as players fight through a chaotic battlefield against hundreds of enemies. More than 35 playable Samurai are included, each with a distinctive set of upgradeable weapons, attacks and abilities. Players can choose from a variety of controller options, including the Wii Remote™ and Nunchuk™ controllers, the Classic Controller Pro™ and the Nintendo GameCube™ controller. Players can also use Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection to join forces with another player and battle cooperatively. In the new Historical Mode, they can access interesting facts and untold tales from Japanese history that provide a revealing glimpse into the lives of the Samurai.

“Samurai Warriors 3 is so much more than a fast-paced action game,” said Marc Franklin, Nintendo of America’s director of Public Relations. “Players can not only team up with a friend for intense battles, but they can also immerse themselves in the rich history and culture of Japan. We’re proud to be giving Wii owners exclusive access to the latest Samurai Warriors adventure, whether they’re newcomers or longtime fans.”

In addition to the new Historical Mode, Samurai Warriors 3 includes the mission-based Mystery of Murasame Castle Mode. This mode is based on The Mysterious Murasame Castle, a cult-classic Japanese adventure game created by Nintendo with input from developer Shigeru Miyamoto for the ’80s-era Famicom system. For tactical action game fans and Asian culture enthusiasts alike, both new modes put a unique twist on Samurai battle action. The game also includes legendary figures from real-life Samurai lore, with returning characters such as Nobunaga Oda and Hattori Hanzo joined by new additions, including Kai and Kiyomasa Kato.

Remember that Wii features parental controls that let adults manage the content their children can access. For more information about this and other features, visit http://wii.com.