THQ SHIPS MX SUPERFLY FEATURING RICKY CARMICHAEL  FOR PLAYSTATION 2 AND GAMECUBE

Next Game in Successful Motocross Series Backed By Multi-Million Dollar Marketing Campaign

CALABASAS HILLS, Calif. - June 18, 2002 - THQ® Inc. (NASDAQ NMS: THQI) today announced the release of MX Superfly featuring Ricky Carmichael.  Backed by a multi-million dollar marketing campaign including national television and print advertising as well as extensive on-site event marketing and product sampling, the game is now available for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system and scheduled to ship on June 24^th for Nintendo GameCube.™ Developed by THQ subsidiary Pacific Coast Power & Light Co.®, the latest installment in the successful franchise features expanded career modes, mini-games, top-notch pros, unbelievable stunts and the first ever freestyle track editor. 

“MX Superfly featuring Ricky Carmichael has a unique blend of racing and freestyle action that appeals to casual gaming fans as well as hardcore motocross enthusiasts everywhere,” stated Peter Dille, vice president, marketing, THQ.  “We were thrilled when Ricky Carmichael won his second consecutive 250cc Supercross Series Championship this year and we look forward to achieving the same level of success with the latest installment in our MX franchise.”

 Marketing highlights for MX Superfly Featuring Ricky Carmichael include:

• ·         Network and cable television campaign on NBC, TNT, TBS, ESPN, ESPN2, MTV, FX, E!, UPN, TNN and Comedy Central targeted toward 12-34 males

•  ·         Five month print campaign in mass market, gaming and motocross publications

•  ·         Extensive event marketing and product sampling at the THQ US Open, Outdoor Nationals, Free Ride Moto X Freestyle events and Loretta Lynn’s

•  ·         Demo disc distribution via extreme sports events, street teams and first party programs

•  ·         Trailer distribution through online media and magazine covermounts

•  ·         Co-marketing programs with grassroot companies including product inserts and kiosk sampling  

 About MX Superfly featuring Ricky Carmichael

MX Superfly featuring Ricky Carmichael boasts several new features, including an enhanced freestyle mode with all new tricks, expansive environments and wide-open worlds for gamers to explore.  Expanded career modes allow riders to earn cash and upgrade their bikes and equipment in both racing and freestyle modes.  MX Superfly featuring Ricky Carmichael also features 11 mini-games, such as “Pizza Delivery”, “Golf” and “Target Jumping”.  A powerful freestyle stunt track editor allows players to create and design the ultimate motocross course.  Numerous hidden characters and bikes add to the mix including rock-rap superstar and motocross enthusiast Vanilla Ice.  Visual enhancements include new particle effects, reflection mapping and dirt accumulation on riders creating one of the most realistic looking motocross games to date.  Players will reap the rewards of racing through an entire season of pulse pounding motocross action while ESPN commentators Cameron Steele and Davey Coombs join in for all the fun.  

MX Superfly featuring Ricky Carmichael will also be available for the Xbox™ videogame system from Microsoft in the fall.

About Ricky Carmichael

In 1998, Ricky Carmichael was the first rider in history to win every race in the 125cc Supercross Series, winning the Eastern Regional title and the East-West Shoot-Out in Las Vegas.  Since turning professional in 1996, Carmichael has eight National Championships to his credit.  Carmichael this past season clinched both the 250cc class Outdoor National title and 2002 Supercross Series Championship.

About THQ

THQ Inc. develops and publishes interactive entertainment software worldwide 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 .  The THQ Wireless site is located at www.thqwireless.com. 
 

This press release contains statements that are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about THQ’s business based, in part, on assumptions made by its management.  These statements are not guarantees of THQ’s future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict.  Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in such forward-looking statements due to numerous factors, including, but not limited to, those described above and the following: changes in demand for THQ’s products, product mix, the timing of customer orders and deliveries, the impact of competitive products and pricing and difficulties encountered in the integration of acquired businesses.  In addition, such statements could be affected by growth rates and market conditions relating to the interactive software industry and general domestic and international economic conditions.  Specific information concerning these and other such factors is contained in THQ’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 22, 2002.  A copy of this filing may be obtained by contacting THQ or the SEC.  The forward-looking statements contained herein speak only as of the date on which they are made, and THQ does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release.