"THQ and our partners have worked hard to deliver a compelling and diverse line of high-quality games to satisfy every member of the gaming audience," said Brian Farrell, president and CEO, THQ. "Key holiday titles include 'Tak and the Power of Juju,' the first title under our unique, 'game first' agreement with Nickelodeon; the next installment in our top-selling PlayStation 2 wrestling franchise, 'WWE SmackDown! Here Comes The Pain;' online PlayStation 2 and PC first-person shooter 'Warhammer 40,000: FireWarrior;' several titles based on top-rated kids' TV shows including 'SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom;' original action adventure 'Sphinx and the Cursed Mummy' and many more. With a combined hardware installed base forecasted to grow more than 60% over last holiday in North America and Europe, THQ is on strategy with a portfolio of games in virtually every genre for every viable game system."
THQ's 2003 holiday lineup includes:
"WWE SmackDown! Here Comes The Pain" -- The fifth edition of the hugely popular SmackDown series, created in a joint venture with JAKKS Pacific (Nasdaq:JAKK - News), offers jaw-dropping pro-wrestling action with more than 65 World Wrestling Entertainment superstars, a new season mode depicting the best classic WWE moments and original storylines, and unique match types including Bra & Panty matches, First Blood and the Elimination Chamber. PlayStation Magazine gave it a nine/ten and said, "WWE SmackDown returns with a vengeance, bringing the better graphics, harder-hitting presentation, and deeper gameplay you've been waiting for!" GameSpy.com and GamePro.com both awarded the game a four/five and Gamespot.com gave it a nine/ten. Available for PlayStation 2.
"Tak and the Power of Juju" -- The first title under Nickelodeon and THQ's unique "game first" agreement, "Tak and the Power of Juju" is an action adventure game set in an ancient, tribal world where juju -- magic -- actually works. Players assume the role of Tak, a young shaman's apprentice who must stretch beyond his training and use his wits, environment and the power of Juju to save his village from the evil shaman Tlaloc. Play Magazine called "Tak and the Power of Juju," "one of the most beautiful platformers I've ever seen." Available for PlayStation 2, GameCube(TM) and Game Boy® Advance.
"Sphinx And The Cursed Mummy" -- This original third person action-adventure, inspired by the mythology of ancient Egypt, thrusts the player through magical portals into different parts of the world on a journey that will require wits, agility and special powers. Players can assume the role of the headstrong demi-god Sphinx, or his reluctant hero friend, The Mummy, when stealth is a better option to outwit enemies. Sphinx must find the stolen magical crowns of Egypt and stop the evil god Set to save the world. MTV.com said, "This (game) has it all" and PlayStation Extreme Magazine said, "one of the best games of the year." Available for PlayStation 2, GameCube and Xbox(TM).
Nickelodeon -- Gamers of all ages can dive into "SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle For Bikini Bottom," based on the top-rated show on all of kids' TV and try insane new maneuvers like "tongue boarding" and "underwear bungee jumping." The Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine awarded it four and half/five stars and said, "Try it, you'll love it, we promise it's good." Available for PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube, Game Boy Advance and PC. Other THQ family favorites based on Nickelodeon's chart-topping TV shows include "The Fairly OddParents(TM): Breakin' Da Rules" for PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube, Game Boy Advance and PC, and "Jimmy Neutron(TM) Jet Fusion" for PlayStation 2, GameCube and Game Boy Advance.
"Warhammer 40,000: Fire Warrior" -- This first-person-shooter delivers online action for up to eight players and is set in a foreboding futuristic universe. The deep game spans 21 massive levels and follows one day in the tumultuous life of Kais, a young Tau warrior who must battle alone against a force that shows no mercy: The Imperium of Man. Kais becomes entangled in a frightening story that leads him through an ongoing war. PlayStation Magazine gave it a nine out of ten score (Silver "must buy" Award) and called it, "... not only one of the most responsive and playable FPS titles to come down the PS2 pipeline in 2003, it's also one of the best online titles of the year." Available for PlayStation 2 and PC.
"Splashdown Rides Gone Wild" -- This critically acclaimed watercraft racing game features wild, spectacular races through exciting, imaginative locales inspired by theme park thrill rides. Amazing sights and startling events await the player around every corner of this gorgeous, stylized game. Combining larger-than-life arcade fun with the realistic physics and controls that THQ's Rainbow Studios(TM) is known for, this game achieved a perfect 5 out of 5 score from the Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine. Other accolades include The Detroit Free Press, which said, "If there's such a thing as a game that looks too good, this is it. Once you pull your jaw off the floor and focus on the race, you'll find a challenging game that's hard to put down. 4 out of 4 stars." Available for PlayStation 2.
"Hot Wheels(TM) World Race(TM)" -- In this racing game, players can pull off wild, gravity-defying stunts, speed through huge loops, drive up walls, find hidden shortcuts and race opponents through treacherous environments on the Highway 35(TM) circuit. Players choose from 35 authentic Hot Wheels® cars released over the past 35 years. The game features "Hot," a high-energy theme song written and performed by multi-platinum band Smash Mouth. Available for PlayStation 2, GameCube, Game Boy Advance and PC.
Disney/Pixar's Finding Nemo -- This game, which closely follows the storyline of the film by Walt Disney Pictures and Pixar Animation Studios, has sold approximately one million units since its release. The game follows the adventures of Nemo and his marine-life friends and features music and environments inspired by the motion picture. Players can assume the role of key movie characters Nemo, Marlin and Dory, each with varied abilities. "Finding Nemo" recently became the best selling DVD in history, with more than 15 million units sold in its first two weeks at retail. Available for PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube, Game Boy Advance, and the PC/Mac.
THQ Wireless -- THQ is working with several carriers and handset manufacturers to deliver holiday cheer to wireless gamers across the globe. "MLB Slam!," "Snood®" and "WWE Mobile Madness(TM) Hardcore" edition are just a few of the many titles that will be offered by AT&T, Sprint, Verizon, Cingular and others this holiday season. THQ Wireless' N-Gage lineup includes "MLB Slam!," "MotoGP" and the highly anticipated first person shooter, "Red Faction."
THQ titles are available at major retail outlets across North America.