THQI Thq Inc. (MM)

Banjo-Pilot Now Available for Game Boy Advance Popular Rare Studios Franchise Returns to Handheld Market CALABASAS HILLS, Calif., Jan. 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- THQ Inc. (NASDAQ:THQI) today announced that it has shipped Banjo-Pilot(TM) for the Nintendo(R) Game Boy(R) Advance. Developed by Microsoft Game Studios' renowned Rare Studios, Banjo-Pilot is the latest title in the multi-property publishing agreement between THQ and Microsoft Game Studios. Banjo-Pilot builds upon the popular Banjo-Kazooie franchise providing gamers with a creative, fast-paced air racing handheld experience and is now available at major retail outlets throughout North America. (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20041118/LATH093LOGO ) "THQ has added another valuable title to its Game Boy Advance library as a result of a strong partnership with Microsoft," said Peter Dille, senior vice president of worldwide marketing, THQ. "Rare's ability to produce high- quality titles has helped extend our leading position in the handheld market." "The Banjo-Kazooie franchise has reached a broad audience worldwide with its beloved characters and stunning visual effects," said Ken Lobb, studio manager, Microsoft Game Studios. "Banjo-Pilot offers fast, fluid game-play in addition to Game Link multiplayer capabilities which creates an unmatched racing experience." About Banjo-Pilot Players take control of Banjo, Kazooie and other characters from the Banjo-Kazooie franchise as they pilot aircraft and take advantage of unique customizable upgrades. Banjo-Pilot goes beyond the boundaries of traditional racing, allowing players the freedom to take to the skies. Game-play features include over 30 challenging tracks containing multiple obstacles, power-ups, and opponents. Gamers can also hook up using the GBA Game Link to challenge their friends to four-way racing action. About Rare United Kingdom-based Rare Ltd., (http://www.rareware.com/) one of the world's leading video game developers, was founded in 1985 by Chris and Tim Stamper. Rare has been the mastermind behind some of the most popular video games in history, including such global multimillion sellers as GoldenEye 007, Perfect Dark, Banjo-Kazooie and the Donkey Kong Country series. About Microsoft Game Studios Microsoft Game Studios is a leading worldwide publisher and developer of games for the Xbox(R) video game system, the Windows(R) operating system and online platforms. Comprising a network of top developers, Microsoft Game Studios is committed to creating innovative and diverse games for Windows (http://www.microsoft.com/games), including such franchises as Age of Empires(R), Flight Simulator and Zoo Tycoon(R); Xbox (http://www.xbox.com/), including such games as Fable(TM) and franchises as Halo(R), Project Gotham Racing(R) and MechAssault(R); and MSN(R) Games (http://www.games.msn.com/), the official games channel for the MSN network and home to such hits as "Bejeweled" and "Hexic(TM)." 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 http://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 the promotion of Banjo-Pilot, 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. For further information, please contact: Rob Cassel, Media Relations +1-818-871-8587, , or Julie MacMedan, Investor Relations, +1-818-871-5095, both of THQ; or Genevieve Waldman, Public Relations of Microsoft Game Studios, +1-425-705-6038. http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20041118/LATH093LOGO http://photoarchive.ap.org/ DATASOURCE: THQ Inc. CONTACT: Rob Cassel, Media Relations +1-818-871-8587, , or Julie MacMedan, Investor Relations, +1-818-871-5095, both of THQ; or Genevieve Waldman, Public Relations of Microsoft Game Studios, +1-425-705-6038 Web site: http://www.rareware.com/ Web site: http://www.microsoft.com/games Web site: http://www.xbox.com/ Web site: http://www.games.msn.com/ Web site: http://www.thq.com/

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