THQ Announces Nickelodeon Titles For 2006

Major publisher and developer THQ has announced its 2006 video game line-up based on the brands from U.S. children's cable network Nickelodeon, a particularly important market for the company, since the firm's Nickelodeon-branded games have shipped more than 40 million units worldwide to date. Notable among the announcements were that a number of the new games include a SKU for Nintendo's Revolution console, sure to be a relatively kid-friendly console thanks to Nintendo's reputation for all-ages appropriateness. However, none of the new titles are yet confirmed to ship on Microsoft's Xbox 360 or Sony's upcoming PlayStation 3, perhaps showing THQ's belief that early adopters of those machines are unlikely to buy family games in large amounts. The titles include games based on Nickelodeon's ever-popular TV series SpongeBob SquarePants, including SpongeBob SquarePants: Creature from the Krusty Krab for PlayStation 2, GameCube, Nintendo Revolution, GBA, DS, and PC this fall, adding to the nearly 17 million units of SpongeBob-branded games shipped worldwide, plus an action game based on new show Avatar: The Last Airbender for PlayStation 2, GameCube, Xbox, Revolution, GBA, PSP, DS, and PC. In addition, Danny Phantom: Urban Jungle for DS and GBA and Unfabulous for GBA will debut later in the year, as well as a new installment of an overarching Nicktoons title for PlayStation 2, Nintendo GameCube, Game Boy Advance and Nintendo DS. Finally, a game based on the Nickelodeon co-produced feature film Barnyard will ship concurrently with it for PlayStation 2, Nintendo GameCube, and Game Boy Advance this July. "We look forward to continuing our very successful alliance with THQ in the interactive entertainment market," said Stephen Youngwood, executive vice president, Nickelodeon Digital Media. "This year's lineup gives kids the opportunity to have fun with all their favorite Nickelodeon characters, as well as several of our newest shows and movies." The 2006 lineup of THQ/Nickelodeon video games is being developed by THQ's Studio System, which includes 14 owned studios and more than 25 of the best independent development teams. THQ's Blue Tongue Entertainment is developing Barnyard and Nicktoons, while THQ's Studio Australia is developing Avatar: The Last Airbender. Independent studio, Blitz Games, is developing SpongeBob SquarePants: Creature from the Krusty Krab. In addition, hand held versions of THQ's entire 2006 Nickelodeon lineup are in development by a number of independent developers including Altron, Natsume, Halfbrick Studios, Wayforward and Tose.