THQ ANNOUNCES HIGH SPEED MISSION-BASED RACING ADVENTURE: HOT WHEELS FOR PLAYSTATION 2

CALABASAS HILLS, Calif. – January 24, 2002 – THQ Inc. (NASDAQ NMS: THQI) today announced Hot Wheels (working title) is in development for PlayStation2.  Created by car combat game developer Beyond Games, Hot Wheels is a unique mission-based racing adventure set in a dark, futuristic world that appeals to core gamers and racing enthusiasts alike.  THQ’s Hot Wheels for PlayStation 2 is scheduled for release in fall 2002.  

“THQ and Beyond Games have worked together to develop 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 destructible 3D Hot Wheels world,” said Michael Rubinelli, vice president, product development, THQ.  “Even the most discriminating gamers will find themselves immersed in the mission-based story line that blends combat racing gameplay with the innovative high performance concept cars of Hot Wheels.”

“This game really let’s THQ’s development talent shine.  They have a proven track record in reaching the core gaming audience, and now gamers can have a whole new Hot Wheels experience

on PlayStation 2,” said Amy Boylan, senior vice president of Boys/Entertainment, New Media, Mattel.  “Gamers will put their skills to the test as they race their favorite Hot Wheels cars through winding courses, jumps and gravity defying loops that are sure to inspire racing enthusiasts and Hot Wheels fans of all ages.”

Hot Wheels for PlayStation 2 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 put their driving skills and cool street machines to the ultimate test to destroy the enemy and restore peace.  Players must pull off wild aerial stunts and blazing crashes in 30 missions within six intense levels.  Monument City offers players surreal environments that will be familiar to Hot Wheels enthusiasts, including huge loops, death-defying jumps and hidden short cuts.  The game features more than 35 authentic Hot Wheels cars.

Hot Wheels will also be available for Nintendoâ GameCubeä and Game Boyâ Advance.  For more information, please visit www.thq.com.

Hot Wheels cars thundered into the toy world in 1968.  More than 30 years later, Hot Wheels is a global brand and Mattel is a leader in the design, manufacture and marketing of vehicles, playsets and tracks. In addition to leading the way with power, performance and attitude, Hot Wheels cars are also Cool Collectiblesä for adults. For the latest information on Hot Wheels, make a break on the information superhighway and cruise over to www.hotwheels.com.  

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, Nintendo and Microsoft.  The THQ Web site is located at www.thq.com. 

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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 current report on Form 8-K as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 21, 2001.  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. 

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