Banjo-Pilot Now Available for Game Boy Advance

Popular Rare Studios Franchise Returns to Handheld Market

CALABASAS HILLS, Calif., Jan. 11 -- 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.

"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 www.thq.com.  THQ and the THQ logo are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of THQ Inc.

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