THQ SHIPS HOT WHEELS™ VELOCITY X FOR PLAYSTATION®2, GAMECUBE™, GAME BOY® ADVANCE AND PC

Mission-Based Combat Racer Reaches Store Shelves in Time for the Holidays

CALABASAS HILLS, Calif. – November 12, 2002 – THQ Inc. (NASDAQ NMS: THQI) today announced that Hot Wheelsä Velocity X for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, Nintendo® GameCube™ and Game Boy® Advance, and PC is now available at retail outlets nationwide.  Hot Wheels™ Velocity X is a unique mission-based racing adventure that appeals to gamers and racing enthusiasts alike.

“Hot Wheels® continues to thrive as a true lifestyle brand supported by more than three decades of avid car fans,” said Peter Dille, vice president, marketing, THQ.  “Hot Wheels™ Velocity X is a distinctive racing adventure that brings the essence of the Hot Wheels® brand to life by combining wild aerial stunts, blazing crashes, huge loops and gravity-defying maneuvers with a fully interactive 3D Hot Wheels™ world.”

“THQ has a proven track record of reaching the gaming audience.  We’re excited to offer that audience one of the deepest Hot Wheels™ experiences on PlayStation 2, GameCube, Game Boy Advance and PC,” said Amy Boylan, senior vice president of New Media, Boys/Entertainment, Mattel.  “Gamers will put their driving skills to the test as they race their favorite Hot Wheels cars through winding courses and jumps in car-inspired environments that are sure to excite racing enthusiasts and Hot Wheels® fans of all ages.”

Hot Wheels™ Velocity X is a high speed, mission-based racing adventure built on core combat racing principles and inspired by the attitude of Hot Wheels®.  When a criminal gang of street racing villains overtakes Monument City, players must do whatever it takes to crush the enemy and compete in treacherous missions—pull-off wild gravity-defying stunts, speed through huge loops, drive up walls, find hidden short-cuts or simply just race them off the road.  The game features more than 30 authentic 3D rendered Hot Wheels® cars, huge levels set in a destructible Hot Wheels™ world, and an arsenal of unique weapons.

For more information about the entire THQ Hot Wheels™ line-up and the rest of its holiday 2002 release schedule, please visit www.thq.com.

About Hot Wheels:

Hot Wheels® cars thundered into the toy world in 1968.  In addition to leading the way with power, performance and attitude, Hot Wheels® cars are also Cool Collectibles® for adults. For the latest information on Hot Wheels®, make a break on the information superhighway and cruise over to www.hotwheels.com.

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.   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 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 16, 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.

Share | Digg This | Glink It

---