THQ Wireless Celebrates SpongeBob SquarePants Mania; Company Expands Popular SpongeBob SquarePants License to Wireless Gaming in the U.S

Business Wire, Oct 4, 2004

CALABASAS HILLS, Calif. -- THQ Wireless(TM) Inc., a subsidiary of THQ(R) Inc. (Nasdaq:THQI), today announced two new SpongeBob SquarePants games for mobile devices in the U.S. -- SpongeBob SquarePants Bowling and The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie Game. The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie Game will be available this fall to coincide with the theatrical release and launch of other SpongeBob Movie games from THQ for the Sony PlayStation(R)2, Xbox(R) video game system from Microsoft, Nintendo GameCube(R), Game Boy(R) Advance and PC. THQ Wireless currently offers SpongeBob SquarePants Darts, which will be available on a number of additional handsets for wider release this fall. All mobile games will be available for downloading through leading carriers in the U.S.

"Since 2001, THQ has sold more than five million units of the SpongeBob SquarePants branded console, handheld and PC games, according to The NPD Group," said Tim Walsh, president of THQ Wireless. "We are excited to expand our longstanding partnership with Nickelodeon into wireless gaming, creating a unique opportunity to cross-promote our console and wireless products."

"As one of the leading publishers of wireless entertainment content, THQ Wireless is introducing the SpongeBob SquarePants license to a whole new audience of gamers," said Paul Jelinek, Vice President of New Media Business Development for Nickelodeon. "THQ has been a great partner to Nickelodeon over the years and we look forward to the same standard of excellence with these upcoming SpongeBob SquarePants games for wireless devices."

About The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie Game

SpongeBob is going from big screen to small screen in the wireless game that is based on the highly anticipated movie, which is scheduled to open in theaters nationwide on November 19, 2004. The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie Game is full of underwater antics in this collection of mini games, including Bubble Popping, Driving Games and an Ice Cream Eating Contest. These action games will star characters from the movie, Plankton and King Neptune, along with the fan-favorite duo SpongeBob and Patrick, as they explore three modes of gameplay including Travel Mode, Challenge Mode and Versus Mode. The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie Game will be available this fall.

About SpongeBob SquarePants Bowling

SpongeBob SquarePants Bowling transforms Bikini Bottom into an underwater bowling alley and creates an interactive adventure full of humor and oddities that captures the goofy action of the show. In SpongeBob SquarePants Bowling, mobile gamers will control the game with their favorite characters Patrick, Squidward, Gary the Snail and SpongeBob starring as the bowling ball. Once players select their favorite character, they will line up their aim, adjust the spin and power, and send the ball rolling for a perfect strike. SpongeBob SquarePants Bowling is now available on Brew and Java.

About SpongeBob SquarePants Darts

Down in the pineapple under the sea, the residents of Bikini Bottom -- SpongeBob, Patrick, Squidward and Mr. Krabs -- are ready for endless rounds of dart-throwing fun. SpongeBob fans of all ages can choose to play as their favorite character in this exciting game. SpongeBob SquarePants Darts features several modes of traditional darts gameplay including 301 and 501 as players try to reduce their starting score to an exact zero. In addition, players can explore the Bikini Bottom Mode, which allows gamers to enjoy humorous quips from the various characters as they are challenged to a game of darts. SpongeBob SquarePants Darts is already available on Brew and Java.

About Nickelodeon:

Nickelodeon, which is celebrating its landmark 25th anniversary this year, is the number-one entertainment brand for kids. It has built a diverse, global business by putting kids first in everything it does. The company includes television programming and production in the United States and around the world, plus consumer products, online, recreation, books, magazines and feature films. Nickelodeon's U.S. television network is seen in 88 million households and has been the number-one-rated basic cable network for more than eight consecutive years. Nickelodeon and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom International Inc.

About THQ Wireless:

THQ Wireless(TM) Inc., a subsidiary of THQ Inc. (Nasdaq:THQI), is a leading worldwide publisher and distributor of applications for mobile devices with an expansive catalog of licensed and original content including applications based on the WWE(TM), professional sports leagues, MotoGP, Worms(R) and popular Nickelodeon properties. THQ Wireless has relationships with major wireless carriers, operators, device manufacturers and retailers worldwide. Further information can be found at THQ Wireless' website at www.thqwireless.com.

About THQ:

THQ(R) Inc. is a leading, worldwide developer and publisher of interactive entertainment software for a variety of hardware platforms including those manufactured by Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc., Nintendo and Microsoft as well as PC CD-ROM and wireless devices. The THQ web site is located at www.thq.com. THQ, THQ Wireless and their respective logos are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of THQ Inc.