Bandai America to Donate All Proceeds to the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation; Tamagotchis Autographed by Major Celebrities Including George Lucas, Mark Hamill, Seth Green, Dominic Monaghan, Dave Navarro, Daisy Fuentes & Brooke Burke.

What: As the demand for the new Tamagotchi Connection Version 2 continues to build prior to its retail debut, Bandai American Inc. is hosting an exclusive auction on eBay, The World's Online Marketplace®, benefiting the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation. The Tamagotchis to be auctioned off have been autographed by major celebrities from film, TV, music and sports.

Key auction items include Tamagotchi items signed by the following:

• George Lucas ("Star Wars")
• Mark Hamill ("Star Wars")
• Seth Green ("Austin Powers")
• Dominic Monaghan ("Lost" & "Lord of the Rings")
• Thomas Jane ("The Punisher")
• Alyson Hannigan & Alexis Denisof ("Buffy The Vampire Slayer" & "Angel")
• Michelle Trachtenberg ("Buffy" & "Euro Trip")
• Singer "Weird Al" Yankovic
• Randy Jackson ("American Idol")
• Dave Navarro ("Rock Star: INXS")
• Brooke Burke ("Rock Star: INXS" & E!'s "Wild On")
• Model/actress Daisy Fuentes
• Joe McIntyre (Former member of New Kids on the Block & "Dancing With The Stars")
• Actress Raquel Welch
• Comedians Jimmy Kimmel ("Jimmy Kimmel Live") & Sarah Silverman ("School of Rock")
• Jamie Lynn Spears (Nickelodeon's "Zoey 101")
• Lacey Chabert ("Party of Five" & "Mean Girls")
• And much more...

When: The 10-day auction begins Thursday, June 16th and ends Sunday, June 26th. For more information and to bid on the items, please visit http://www.ebay.com/tamagotchi.

About Tamagotchi Connection Version 2: The new Tamagotchi Connection for 2005 offers even more interactivity and special features! Owners can now earn "Gotchi" points, which allows them to shop for special treats, items and food. Gotchi points are earned by playing games or getting special awards points. You can choose between feeding your Tamagotchi a "Meal," "Snack" or the new "Treat" feature. A "Treat" can be purchased with Gotchi points and can raise or lower the happy meter. In addition, owners can now choose a treat to give to their Tamagotchi friends once they connect via the infrared technology. Tamagotchi Connection Version 2 also includes secret codes! There are five secret codes that can be unlocked by pushing a special sequence of buttons, letting you purchase a unique item not available anywhere else. After collecting all five (the first comes in-pack, others will be available online and in advertising), you will be awarded a special sixth item. The latest Tamagotchi Connection includes new games, characters and colors, including transparent pink with stars, milky white with hearts, milky blue with polka dots, cobalt blue, camouflage, butterflies, blue flower leis and more.