A smattering of press releases rattled the rusty Kotaku mailbox from the kind folkin at Konami. The developer/publisher has announced several new titles: Pocket Racers for the PSP, Lost in Blue 2 for the DS and the cross platform Winning Eleven: Pro Evolution Soccer 2007. Not that into soccer, but I've actually come to dig Konami's Winning Eleven series. Details after the jump in the form of not one, but three press releases. Wahoo! Brian Ashcraft

KONAMI'S NEW MINI RACING GAME SET TO BURN UP THE PSP SYSTEM THIS FALL

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. - August 23, 2006 - Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc., announced today that Pocket Racers, the dark yet zany new racing game for the PSP (PlayStation Portable) system, will be available this fall. A unique twist on handheld racing games, Pocket Racers redefines the term "road rage" by offering players the chance to drive for their soul against an evil Nemesis in detailed racing environments, either solo or with friends.

In Konami's Pocket Racers, an evil Nemesis has crashed a party by summoning dark sorcery and turning all the guests into tiny cars - and placing them in an ongoing race for their souls. In every corner and cranny of a giant house, players will find more than a dozen different race tracks with breathtaking jumps, drops, obstacles, twists and turns as they race to victory or meet certain doom. Race around hallways, navigate kitchen counters, weave between chair legs and dodge party debris in 15 unique indoor environments. Pocket Racers provides an extensive array of 16 colorful vehicles - from flashy rear-wheel drive sports cars to rough and tough four-wheel drive off-roaders. In addition, players will find a variety of sinister Power Ups from nitro boosts to homing missiles to give them an edge against opponents.

With an extensive solo play option, Pocket Racers boasts never ending fun with intense time trials, a skill-honing practice mode, death defying soul races and even a head-to-head race against the Nemesis himself. With the PSP system's wireless option, up to four players can enter into the multiplayer mode and compete in the white knuckling versus mode, ball-bouncing soccer matches or object-tagging domination rounds.

For more information on Pocket Racers, please visit: http://www.konami.com/gs.

KONAMI RETURNS TO ITS DESERT ISLAND OASIS WITH LOST IN BLUE 2 FOR NINTENDO DS

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. - August 23, 2006 - Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc., today announced it will publish a sequel to last year's popular survival adventure game Lost in Blue. Entitled Lost in Blue 2, the game will be released for the Nintendo DS ? handheld system in early 2007.

The original Lost in Blue won a legion of fans with its clever setting and compelling use of the Nintendo DS' capabilities. For Lost in Blue 2, the game will continue to take advantage of the handheld system's unique features and provide an even more extreme adventure. The player is cast as a young man who, along with a female friend, are washed up on the beach of an apparently deserted island. Working together, the pair must search for a way off the island as well as survive the many dangers that lay ahead.

In Lost in Blue 2, players must think about how they will survive in their environment. Initially, this involves finding food and weapons, before exploring the island. But, as in real life, exploration is tiring, so the pair must rest, drink water to avoid dehydration, and find further means of sustenance - especially as the mountainous nature of the island also necessitates the heroes climbing steep rock faces and hills.

In addition to the physical elements the pair faces, Lost in Blue 2 also makes more extensive use of the touch screen capabilities of the Nintendo DS. Items are easily collected and examined by the player, while the stylus is used for carpentry, food preparation and exploration. The two characters also have specific individual skills that they use to their advantage to get through the game.

Other new elements include the ability to fight wild animals, using whatever weapons the pair have made or found. Similarly, the island's tropical location leaves the heroes exposed to hurricanes and earthquakes, adding yet another unpredictable element to a game that constantly surprises and challenges the player.

For more information on the Lost in Blue 2, please visit: www.konami.com/gs .

KONAMI REVEALS NEW GAMEPLAY DETAILS FOR WINNING ELEVEN: PRO EVOLUTION SOCCER 2007

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. - August 23, 2006 - Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. today announced new details for Winning Eleven: Pro Evolution Soccer 2007, the latest installment in the global smash-hit soccer series. Making its debut on the Xbox 360 ? video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and Nintendo DS ? in addition to versions on the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, PSP (PlayStation Portable) system and PC, the game will boast the most realistic gameplay ever seen in a soccer video game with stunning artificial intelligence and comprehensive multiplayer support.

Building upon the series' legacy of incredibly realistic gameplay, Winning Eleven: Pro Evolution Soccer 2007 debuts several new additions that make it even more faithful to the "beautiful game." Player AI has been upgraded, with players running intelligently into space when not in possession of the ball. The physical side of play has been refined, with players working to turn defenders as they receive the ball, and defenders learning to back off slightly to prevent such moves. The shooting system has also been refined, as players will be able to attempt more snap shots than in previous versions, while volleys and half-volleys have been reworked. Other new moves include the ability to retain control of the ball when performing a sliding tackle, while all-new feints and backwards dribbling are now available, thanks to the improved movement controls. Online play has been drastically improved on the PlayStation 2 and PC versions of the game, with up to eight players being able to compete simultaneously.

On the Xbox 360, Winning Eleven: Pro Evolution Soccer 2007 will feature incredible high definition graphics and animation as well as all-new gameplay additions made possible by next generation technology. Two players will be able to compete online via the Xbox Live online entertainment network on the Xbox 360 version of the game.

Winning Eleven: Pro Evolution Soccer 2007 will feature several licenses new to the series, including the French League as well as Portugal's Sporting Lisbon and Benfica. The game will also include fully licensed uniforms for the Czech, French, Australian, English, Italian, Argentinian, Spanish and Swedish national teams.

Winning Eleven: Pro Evolution Soccer 2007 will launch for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 2, PSP system, Nintendo DS and PC in January 2007. For more information, please visit www.konami.com/gs .

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