THQ AND NICKELODEON ANNOUNCE 2002 PRODUCT LINEUP

Popular Characters Jimmy Neutron, The Rugrats, SpongeBob SquarePants, The Wild Thornberrys and Rocket Power to be Featured in Interactive Adventures Scheduled for Release Across Multiple Platforms

THQ is the exclusive videogame publisher for Nickelodeon’s individual television and movie properties targeting kids 2-11. This year’s offerings include games based on Nickelodeon’s highly rated television series “Rugrats,“ “SpongeBob SquarePants” and “Rocket Power;” an interactive adaptation of Nickelodeon’s upcoming theatrical release “The Wild Thornberrys;” and games based on the “Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius” movie and the upcoming “Jimmy Neutron” television series.

“THQ’s Nickelodeon videogame releases have a proven track record including 24 products with total sales in excess of $250 million at retail worldwide since holiday 1998,” said Jeff Lapin, vice chairman and COO, THQ. “That success has allowed us to expand the Nickelodeon videogame portfolio with a 2002 release schedule including nearly 20 new titles based on all of Nickelodeon’s biggest brands.”

“THQ has demonstrated that they are perfectly suited to take Nickelodeon’s kids’ content and turn it into quality interactive entertainment,” said Steve Youngwood, Vice President, Media Products Group, Nickelodeon Consumer Products. “We look forward to debuting our hottest properties on PlayStation 2 and GameCube in 2002, extending our reach to the expanding all-ages gaming audience.”

The 2002 THQ/Nickelodeon videogame lineup includes:

Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius Based on the adventures of Jimmy Neutron, star of Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Movies’ highly successful, digitally animated motion picture. Players will help save the world and rescue the parents of Retroville from the evil Yokians. Available for GameCube and PlayStation 2 this spring.

Rugrats (working title) – Angelica is the self-appointed Queen of the Play Palace 3000 and has dubbed the rest of the Rugrats her loyal subjects. Tommy and friends will need to obey her commands to enter the palace and regain their most treasured items. Available for GameCube and PlayStation 2 this summer.

Rugrats (working title) – This version allows players to indulge in the games they grew up with, such as Simon Says, Memory and Odd Man Out. Available for Game Boy Advance this summer.

Rugrats (working title) – Tommy and friends star in The Whizzer of Odd (working title), a graphical board game based on the classic “The Wizard of Oz.” Available for PC this summer.

Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius (working title) – In this adventure based on the Nickelodeon television series debuting this fall, players are introduced to Jimmy Neutron's evil alter ego. During a trip to the Retroville Museum, Jimmy is trapped in his alter ego’s dimension and must use his wits to escape. Available for PC and Game Boy Advance this summer.

Rocket Power (working title) – The Rocket Power team must use their extreme sports skills to battle robot minions through Ocean Shores, the Lakes, the Robot Factory and Mondo Mountain in order to find out who's stealing the Ocean Shores beach. Available for PlayStation 2, GameCube and Game Boy Advance this summer.

The Wild Thornberrys (working title) – Based on the motion picture debuting holiday 2002, the game stars Eliza Thornberry as she travels the Serengeti Plain with her family, filming wildlife for her father’s nature show and evading villains trying to kidnap her sister. Available for PC and Game Boy Advance this fall.

SpongeBob SquarePants (working title) – This title pits SpongeBob against the Flying Dutchman, whom he accidentally released from a treasure chest prison. SpongeBob and his crew must find lost treasures hidden throughout Bikini Bottom to stop the Dutchman’s wicked plans and save themselves from being turned into ghosts. Available for PlayStation 2, GameCube and Game Boy Advance this fall.

SpongeBob SquarePants (working title) – Players will follow SpongeBob and his regular cast of characters through a puzzling adventure that has them serving up Krabby Pattys, destroying a Weather Controlling Thingamajig, exploring the caves of a powerful "Marlin," hanging at the local diner and more -- just so they can have a fun packed day at Neptune's Pacific Paradise. Available for PC this fall.