THQ Reels in 2000 with Huge New Lineup
THQ announces its packed 2000 lineup with PS2 wrestling
and RPGs, PS skateboarding and more.
January 07,
2000 - Gone are the days when THQ made puny little announcements
about fishing and bowling games (please forgive us, Bass fans). Nowadays
when THQ announces something, it's an ear bender. Today, the Calabasas,
Ca.-based publisher went farther than any other publisher has gone this
year by announcing a huge, far-reaching, next-generation lineup that
ranges from RPGs to wrestling to skateboarding games and then some.
For us die-hard PlayStation and PlayStation2 fans, THQ's power-packed
2000 lineup is a real gem, featuring the ambitious new RPG, Summoner,
created by PC developer Volition; the new round of MTV extreme games,
including MTV Sports: Skateboarding and a new snowboarding game; and the
next of the WWF wrestling series as well as a PlayStation2 WWF title. But
those are just our favorites. The rest of the lineup is just as powerful.
WWF Smackdown, PlayStation2 WWF, and New PS WWF
Due this
fall, THQ and Yukes bring gamers what looks to be the best wrestling game
on the PlayStation, WWF
SmackDown. But don't loose your cookies all just yet, kiddies. Another
WWF title is due by the end of this year on PlayStation (fall 2000),
AND THQ confirmed today its plans for a WWF version for
PlayStation2! Ping! THQ would not confirm the new title's name, developer,
engine, how many players, or any major differences, but hey, at least they
announced it.
Evil Dead: Ashes to Ashes
THQ subsidiary Heavy Iron Studios
this fall will bring Evil Dead to PlayStation, Dreamcast and PC. Based on
Renaissance Pictures' Evil Dead movies, Evil Dead: Ashes to Ashes is a
Resident Evil-style adventure that boasts fast-loading times, a storyline
that coincides with the cult-horror films, and lots of gushing blood and
guts. Nothing better than a little zombie thrashing all night long, right?
Expect to use the chainsaw for some choice cuts.
Summoner
From the PC developers Volition (Descent and Descent
Freespace), THQ brings PlayStation, PC and Mac gamers a huge, unique
role-playing game based on a mythical land of adventurers and the pitfalls
and obstacles that stand in their way. Due at launch of the PlayStation2,
Summoner looks to be a simultaneous release with the PC version, and
should be identical in many ways. Make sure to check out our huge preview.
MTV Sports
After its first -- and relatively good --
snowboard title, THQ continues the MTV Sports lineup with two new
"extreme" sports, a skateboarding game, and a BMX biking game. MTV Sports:
Skateboarding (temporary title) enables gamers to pull off tricks, listen
to contemporary bands and play as the biggest names in the sport.
"Skateboarding" is due this summer.
MTV Sports: BMX racing is also making its way to PlayStation, the new
system for "extreme" sports. In development for fall 2000 release, this
mysterious BMX-style racer is coming to PlayStation, Dreamcast, PC and
Game Boy Color.
Last but not least, THQ is hard at work on another snowboarding game,
temporarily called MTV Sports: Snowboarding 2, due this fall.
Championship Motocross 2 Featuring Ricky Carmichael
Due fall
2000, Championship Motocross 2 follows the first's big success, and will
include more of everything the first delivered and then some. All the
licenses, riders, tracks, tricks and intense control and speed will
return, along with more real riders, bigger licenses, more modes of play,
and well...more more!
Power Rangers Lightspeed Rescue
Coinciding with the seventh
year of the Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers TV show, this fall THQ will roll
out an action-adventure game starring the cheesy, space suit-clad teens
known to you and me as the Power Rangers. Oh now, watch out for those
dangerous Putties, dude! Get ready for the two-minute Zord
transformations, Bobby! Though asked, THQ could not reveal the developer,
how many people could play the game, or anything else. Could the wait be
any more painful?
Nickelodeon's Rugrats in Paris
What can we say about this?
The kids game that turned THQ into a mega-co is now not surprisingly
seeing a new wrinkle in its staid formula. Named Rugrats in Paris, the new
game coincides with the upcoming fall 2000 release of the movie by the
same name. Starring Angelica, Tommy, Phil and Lil, Chuckie, and the rest
Rugrats in Paris should please yuppie families scared of tainting their
kids with Metal Gear Solid, Driver, and the Resident Evils of the world.