The debut assortment will feature 160 cards that players can collect in two separate 50-card starter sets and 9-card booster packs, the first batch of which is entitled "Eternal Courage." Additional assortments will be released nationwide every four months to keep the game fresh and players on their toes.

"The Digimon Collectible Card Game is one of the founding fathers of the anime CCG revolution and we're very excited to re-introduce the property," said Danny Satyapan, marketing manager for Bandai America's Cards and Collectible Games division. "We've been promoting the game during the summer convention season and have received a fantastic response on the new card designs and game mechanics."

Bandai will be showcasing the Digimon CCG at Gen-Con Indianapolis, the largest gaming convention in North America, on August 19th - 22nd. Attendees can enter Digimon CCG tournaments for a chance to win framed, uncut sheets of Digimon first edition cards and boxes of Eternal Courage booster packs. Interested players can register onsite at Bandai's booth (booth # 1921) or sign up in advance by visiting the events section at www.gencon.com (tournament held Saturday and Sunday).

Bandai has also developed an Organized Play program for its games division, committed to working with hobby and gaming stores around the country to promote local tournaments and events. Using these grassroot techniques to grow the community of Digimon players, Bandai hopes to reach new gamers directly where they shop. Retailers who are interested in participating in the program should visit www.digimon.com.

Digimon - short for "Digital Monsters" - has been a huge global success with a hit animated television series, toys and other merchandise. A recent Internet search produced hundreds of thousands of hits for the property, a testament to its sustained popularity. The Digimon animated series currently airs seven days a week on ABC Family and in the Jetix Action Block on ABC Kids.

Additional details and updates on Bandai's Digimon CCG can be found at www.digimon.com.

About Bandai America Incorporated

Bandai America Incorporated is a subsidiary of Bandai Co. Ltd., the third largest toy company in the world, with 38 subsidiaries in 13 countries worldwide. Global interests include toys and children's entertainment, video game software, multimedia, music, full-length feature films, vending machines, trading cards, candies and licensed apparel.

Bandai America Incorporated is the master toy licensee of some of the most popular properties and brands in children's toys and entertainment, including the Power Rangers, Gundam, Teen Titans, Astro Boy, Strawberry Shortcake and Tamagotchi product lines. Bandai America is headquartered in Cypress, California and company information is available at www.Bandai.com.