THQ and Nickelodeon Ship Two New SpongeBob SquarePants Videogames.

Business Editors & High-Tech Writers

CALABASAS HILLS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 20, 2001

THQ Inc. (Nasdaq:THQI) and Nickelodeon today announced the release of SpongeBob SquarePants Operation Krabby Patty(TM) for PC and SpongeBob SquarePants: SuperSponge(TM) for the PlayStation(R) game console.

Both games are based on SpongeBob SquarePants, the No. 2 show among kids 2-11. SpongeBob SquarePants: Operation Krabby Patty and SpongeBob SquarePants: SuperSponge are now available at major retail outlets nationwide.

"THQ's first SpongeBob SquarePants videogame release, SpongeBob SquarePants: Legend of the Lost Spatula, has consistently ranked among the top 20 Game Boy Color  titles since its March launch," stated Alison Locke, Executive Vice President - North American Publishing, THQ. "The unique characters and all-ages humor of the SpongeBob SquarePants property lend themselves to fun interactive games the whole family can enjoy."

"We are delighted to be working with THQ on several videogame releases based on many of our significant kids' properties this holiday including Rocket Power, Jimmy Neutron, Wild Thornberry's and others," stated Stephen Youngwood, Vice President, Interactive Products and Publishing, Nickelodeon. "Fans can now play as SpongeBob in the first SpongeBob SquarePants games for PlayStation and PC."

SpongeBob SquarePants Operation Krabby Patty for PC is a collection of mini-game adventures in SpongeBob's underwater village, Bikini Bottom. Players can take the role of SpongeBob himself, or several of his television friends including Sandy Cheeks, Patrick Star and Mr. Krabs through unique levels like "Invasion of the Patty Snatchers" and "Who Cut the Cheese."

Based on the popular television episode "Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy," SpongeBob SquarePants: SuperSponge for the PlayStation leads SpongeBob SquarePants through a humorous underwater adventure in his attempt to secure autographs for his best friend, Patrick Star. Players will use tools like the Bubble Wand and the Coral Blower to advance through five nautical levels of gameplay. The game also includes voice-over from Ernest Borgnine and Tim Conway, voices of Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy in the SpongeBob SpuarePants television show.

About Nickelodeon:

Now in its 22nd year, Nickelodeon has built a diverse, global business by putting kids first in everything it does. The company includes television programming and production in the U.S. and around the world, plus consumer products, online, recreation, magazines, books and feature films. Nickelodeon's U.S. television network is seen in more than 77 million households, and has been the number No. 1 rated cable network for four consecutive years. Nickelodeon and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom International Inc.

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, Nintendo and Microsoft. The THQ web site is located at www.thq.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 the preliminary prospectus contained in THQ's Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed with the Securities Exchange Commission on August 20, 2001, as amended. 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.