THQ announces global Game Boy Advance distribution agreement with Microsoft Corporation for top-selling rare titles

THQ Inc. today announced a multi-property agreement with Microsoft Corporation that grants THQ worldwide rights to distribute titles from Microsoft's Rare game studio on Game Boy Advance, including Banjo-Kazooie: Grunty's Revenge, Banjo Pilot, It's Mr. Pants and Sabre Wulf. The first game scheduled for release under the agreement, Banjo-Kazooie: Grunty's Revenge, is scheduled to release in fall 2003.

"Rare is one of the leading original content developers in the interactive space," stated Germaine Gioia, vice president of licensing at THQ. "With multi-million worldwide unit sales, Banjo-Kazooie is a perfect addition to THQ's leading handheld catalog. We look forward to working with Microsoft in bringing Banjo-Kazooie and Rare's other new titles to the Game Boy Advance market."

"Rare has made world class games for both console and handheld," said Ken Lobb, studio manager, Microsoft Games Studios. "This agreement with THQ will allow Rare to continue to offer top level content for the Game Boy Advance fans that know and love Rare. I'm really excited that we can bring all of these excellent games to fellow fans of the Game Boy."

Developed by Microsoft's acclaimed Rare game studio, Banjo-Kazooie: Grunty's Revenge for Game Boy Advance marks the debut of the popular Banjo-Kazooie brand on any handheld system. Players follow the witch Gruntilda back through time, hoping to thwart her plans of preventing Banjo and Kazooie from ever meeting. Gameplay includes puzzle solving, battles, as well as encounters with familiar and all-new characters from the critically acclaimed, top-selling Nintendo 64 franchise.