New HyperScan Game System From Mattel Hits Shelves

First shown during our San Deigo Comic Con coverage, Mattel has just released their new HyperScan Game System in stores this month.

Spawning a new powered-up collector card trading trend, HyperScan creates a whole new way to play by bringing the best of collector card games and video games together into one easy-to-use, highly customizable system. This first-of-its-kind hybrid game system, competitively priced at $69.99, arrives on retail shelves nationwide in October, allowing players to scan collectible game cards, enhance and modify their game skills, and make their video game characters more powerful over time. In addition, statistics are saved permanently to the card for future play.

Designed especially for tweenagers eight years and older, HyperScan combines re-writable Intellicard technology – used for the first time in the video game and toy industry – with the fast-paced, button-mashing action of video games for a game experience like no other.

HyperScan, the first video game system or toy to utilize advanced CD-ROM and RFID technology, offers game play and content that bridges the gap in gaming experiences for the tween boy who has graduated from traditional plug-and-play games and is looking for new challenges and an alternative to more mature and expensive high-end game consoles.

Three HyperScan software titles will be available at launch, including Marvel X-Men (which comes packaged with the system), Cartoon Network’s Ben 10 (based on the hit TV show) and Mattel’s Interstellar Wrestling League. Marvel Heroes will be released in December 2006. Sneak peek previews of live game play from the hot new titles are available at www.HyperScanGamer.com, where gamers can sign up to receive alerts when HyperScan is officially in stores.

HOW IT WORKS - SCAN, BATTLE, RE-SCAN

Players scan their cards over the HyperScan console and their favorite characters magically come to life on their television screen. Kids can then scan additional cards that upgrade, enhance and modify their offensive and defensive abilities such as strength, armor and special attack. After video game CD-ROM powered play, players re-scan their cards and their new powers are permanently upgraded directly onto their Intellicard for use in future game play.

The HyperScan collectible cards will be available blind-packed, so gamers will not know what cards they are getting in their game packs. In addition, cards will have different levels of rarity, so some cards will be harder to find than others.

The hyper-cool features of HyperScan include:

* Proprietary RFID technology to scan collectible game cards and bring characters to life – for the highest degree of character customization

* Advanced 32-bit processor with excellent graphics, speed and sound – for sophisticated, quality play

* Each game features approximately 100 corresponding game cards – 10 to 20 character cards and 80+ modification cards – with 20 to 40 hours of play on each character card. Cards will be released using a matrix scheme of various series and a rarity system to drive collectibility

* Lightweight, portable and hooks up to a TV effortlessly

PRICING AND AVAILABILITY

Competitively priced, the HyperScan game system comes complete with the console, one controller (designed for tween-sized hands), one X-Men CD game and six X-Men collectible game cards for an MSRP of $69.99. Game Packs include one CD game and six collectible game cards for an MSRP of $19.99. Booster Packs include six collectible game cards for an MSRP of $9.99.

Additional HyperScan controllers will be available for an MSRP of $19.99 each. HyperScan accessories include an Intellicard card case, available for an MSRP of $7.99, and a console case for holding HyperScan hardware, software and accessories, available for an MSRP of $19.99. HyperScan will be available in October at quality retailers nationwide. For more information, visit www.HyperScanGamer.com.