THQ Announces 2005 Nickelodeon Video Game Lineup Based on Top-Rated Kids' TV, Theatrical and Lifestyle Properties

THQ Announces 2005 Nickelodeon Video Game Lineup Based on Top-Rated Kids' TV, Theatrical and Lifestyle Properties

Lineup Features Games Based on Nickelodeon Movies' and Paramount Pictures' Upcoming 'Barnyard' Film

CALABASAS HILLS, Calif., Jan. 31 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- THQ Inc. (NASDAQ:THQI), the #1 kids' video game publisher, and Nickelodeon, the #1 entertainment brand for kids, today announced their 2005 video game lineup. Games based on Nickelodeon's highly rated television series "SpongeBob SquarePants(TM)," "The Fairly OddParents(TM)" and "Danny Phantom(TM)," as well as new installments of Nicktoons and Tak will ship across multiple game systems in 2005. The companies are also scheduled to release games based on the everGirl(TM) brand, a lifestyle brand for "tween" girls, and Paramount Pictures'/Nickelodeon Movies' upcoming theatrical release "Barnyard."

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20041118/LATH093LOGO )

"We are pleased to release the first details of our 2005 Nickelodeon video game lineup, which boasts titles based on properties kids love and parents trust, all with great game play to provide hours of quality interactive entertainment to Nickelodeon fans," said Peter Dille, senior vice president, worldwide marketing, THQ. "We expect that this strong lineup will build upon the success of our 2004 holiday releases, which introduced new brands, built upon the accomplishments of our joint original property Tak, and helped THQ achieve lifetime sales of more than $700 million for Nickelodeon-branded games worldwide."

"We look forward to building on our longstanding, successful alliance with THQ in 2005," said Stephen Youngwood, senior vice president, Nickelodeon Media Products Group. "This year's lineup is stronger than ever, with sequels to several properties already established in the game space, as well as the introduction of new Nickelodeon TV, theatrical and lifestyle brands to our growing base of interactive fans."

The 2005 THQ/Nickelodeon video game lineup includes:

* SpongeBob SquarePants (working title) -- SpongeBob SquarePants, the
character that continues to hold the #1 Q-score rating for kids ages
6-14, goes multiplayer for the first time ever. This year's title is a
collection of 30 party-style games that allows players to compete for a
role in a Bikini Bottom TV show, "The Adventures of Mermaidman &
Barnacleboy." Up to four players will "audition" using both
competitive and co-operative game play elements to earn roles in a
15-minute, full-fledged episode. Available for Xbox(R),
PlayStation(R)2, GameCube(R), Game Boy(R) Advance, DS(TM), PSP and PC
this fall.

* Tak 3 (working title) -- In the third installment of THQ/Nickelodeon's
original, million unit-selling video game property, Tak -- everyone's
favorite shaman -- is back in another platform adventure set in his
mystical tribal world where magic (juju) actually works. An innovative
two player cooperative game play style combines unique puzzles,
time-based strategies, and a robust combat system that requires players
to defeat zany competitors to receive the grandest reward ever given by
the great Jujus. Available for PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube, Game Boy
Advance and DS this fall.

* Nicktoons (working title) -- For the first time ever, a true
collaboration of popular Nickelodeon heroes and villains come together
and cross over into multiple Nickelodeon cartoon environments,
interacting with each other and working together to solve puzzles.
Playable characters from the most popular shows will include SpongeBob
SquarePants, The Fairly OddParents, Jimmy Neutron and Danny Phantom in
a four person multiplayer platform adventure. Available for
PlayStation 2 and Nintendo's GameCube, Game Boy Advance and DS this
fall.

* Barnyard -- Based on Paramount Pictures' and Nickelodeon Movies'
upcoming theatrical release, this adventure game will offer a humorous
look at how farm animals really live when humans are not around.
Players start as the new cow on the block and work their way though
challenges in a fully rendered 3D world to prove they are the biggest
party animal of all. The film is written, produced and directed by
acclaimed comedy writer/producer Steve Oedekerk and stars the voices of
Emmy Award-winning actor Danny Glover, Sam Elliot, Wanda Sykes, Kevin
James and Courteney Cox. Available for PlayStation 2, GameCube, Game
Boy Advance and PC this fiscal year.

* The Fairly OddParents (working title) -- In this adventure based on the
top-rated show for kids, Cosmo, Wanda and Timmy Turner set out on a
zany new adventure as they are pitted against their nemesis,
Mr. Crocker, and evil anti-fairies who have broken into Dimmsdale. On
the unluckiest day of year, Friday the 13th, it's up to Timmy and his
Fairy God Parents to use their quick wit and bountiful wishes to defeat
the anti-fairies and foil Crocker's plan to take over the world.
Available for Game Boy Advance this fall.

* Danny Phantom (working title) -- Danny Phantom, a half-ghost with
paranormal powers, is responsible for capturing ghosts and monsters
roaming the earth. This fast-paced action game recreates Danny's TV
powers, allowing the player to walk through walls, shoot ghostly beams
and howl a ghostly wail as he/she saves the world from Clockwork, a
sinister ghost with the power to control time. Available for Game Boy
Advance this fall.

* everGirl (working title) -- Based on the tween lifestyle brand launched
in 2004, this action/adventure game will contain loads of adventures
tailored specifically to the player's personality type. The everGirl
brand features a clothing and accessories line with a companion Web
site based on a fictional group of friends with different styles. The
game mimics the different lifestyles of the brand, allowing girls to
customize their characters so they can play sports, design fashions,
produce music or become an entrepreneur. Available for PC and GBA this
fall.



For more information about THQ and Nickelodeon products, as well as THQ's other video games, please visit www.thq.com.

About Nickelodeon & Viacom Consumer Products

Nickelodeon & Viacom Consumer Products is a part of Nickelodeon Enterprises, the ancillary business unit of Nickelodeon Networks. It is responsible for licensing Nickelodeon brands and characters as well as the properties of Paramount Pictures, Comedy Central, Spike TV and MTV (International), as well as some non-Viacom properties. Nickelodeon Enterprises is active in all ancillary markets, including merchandise licensing, home video, interactive software, electronic media, online, wireless, book and magazine publishing, music, live tour and stage shows, theme parks and themed hotel venues. Nickelodeon Enterprises manages the largest TV-based licensing business in the world with $4 billion in retail sales. Nickelodeon, Comedy Central and Spike TV are trademarks of Viacom international Inc.

About THQ

THQ Inc. is a leading, worldwide developer and publisher of interactive entertainment software for a variety of hardware platforms including PC CD-ROM, wireless devices, and those manufactured by Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc., Nintendo and Microsoft. The THQ web site is located at www.thq.com. THQ and the THQ logo are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of THQ Inc.

This press release may contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about the business of THQ Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively referred to as "THQ"), including but not limited to expectations and projections related to its agreement with Nickelodeon, and are based upon management's beliefs and certain assumptions made by management. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward looking statements, including, but not limited to economic, competitive and technological factors affecting the operations, markets, products, and pricing of THQ. Unless otherwise required by law, THQ disclaims any obligation to update its view on any such risks or uncertainties or to revise or publicly release the results of any revision to these forward- looking statements. Readers should carefully review the risk factors and the information that could materially affect THQ's financial results, described in other documents that THQ files from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal period ended March 31, 2004, and particularly the discussion of risk factors that may affect results of operations set forth therein. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release.

Jennifer Campana
THQ/Media Relations
818/871-5156

Sara Stern Levin
Nickelodeon
212/846-8670

Julie MacMedan
THQ/Investor Relations
818/871-5125


Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20041118/LATH093LOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: THQ Inc.

CONTACT: Jennifer Campana, THQ/Media Relations, +1-818-871-5156, or
Julie MacMedan, THQ/Investor Relations, +1-818-871-5125; or Sara Stern Levin
of Nickelodeon, +1-212-846-8670

Web site: http://www.thq.com/


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