THQ confirms Wii launch quartet

Avatar: The Last Airbender, Pixar's Cars, SpongeBob SquarePants, Barnyard to debut alongside new hardware.

Gamers eager to take home a Wii the day it first hits retail are getting a better idea of which games they may be able to bring home with it, because today another publisher revealed its launch-day contributions. However, those looking for violent games about gangsters, espionage, or World War II may be a bit let down.

THQ, which has found retail success with its games based on children's properties, is holding with its strategy for its contribution to the Wii's launch. The publisher confirmed four titles for the system that will be available on November 19, the day the console launches in the US, and each one has been given a family-friendly E-for-Everyone rating.

The four games are Rainbow Studios' Cars (based on the Pixar Studios film of the same name), Avatar: The Last Airbender and Blitz Games' SpongeBob SquarePants: Creature from the Krusty Krab (both based on Nickelodeon cartoons), and the film-to-game adaptation Barnyard.

THQ vice president of worldwide marketing Kelly Flock said, "As the number-one third-party publisher of software across all Nintendo gaming systems, THQ's library of popular mass-market brands aligns perfectly with Nintendo's strategy of creating fun and accessible experiences for the new Wii system."

The four games from THQ up the number of North American launch titles for the Wii to more than two dozen. Nintendo previously stated that approximately 30 Wii games would be on store shelves by the end of the year.

THQ has not yet confirmed retail prices for any of the games.

103 Comments

  • monkkito

    Posted Nov 1, 2006 2:29 pm PT

    ............

  • Bandit_Haze

    Posted Oct 21, 2006 9:10 pm PT

    Runningflame570
    "The Kidtendo movement just got a second wind here.. "

    yes.. because everybody knows that when attempting to make a console that appeals to all generations, you must only make games that get an M rating..

    .. btw, incase you couldn't tell, i was being sarcastic.. of cause there are going to be kids games available, why wouldn't there be. they're also planning on having plenty of other games available at launch including, Zelda: TP, Call of Duty 3, FarCry, Red Steel and Splinter Cell Double Agent.

    i guess you forgot about those

  • BluSamuraiG

    Posted Oct 21, 2006 8:29 pm PT

    Berfomek_666, who said they are bad games?

  • Berfomek_666

    Posted Oct 21, 2006 9:50 am PT

    well....i guess they can't have only good games right?

  • RaiKageRyu

    Posted Oct 21, 2006 1:17 am PT

    Ugh..

  • Runningflame570

    Posted Oct 20, 2006 10:11 pm PT

    BluSamuraiG: They are kids games because they are targeted towards children. Regardless of SpongeBob Squarepant's popularity with adults, and whether or not Avatar: The Last Airbender has made some ground with adults..whether or not Pixar movies are popular with adults they are designed with children in mind first and foremost..they are kids games.

    The Kidtendo movement just got a second wind here..

  • BluSamuraiG

    Posted Oct 20, 2006 10:47 am PT

    what makes these kids games? i know people my age (im 17) and older who has seen the movie cars and barnyard(and loved it) , watches avatar and spongebob all the time. have any of you played these games ? no the wii hasent come out yet.

  • _Sam_

    Posted Oct 19, 2006 7:19 pm PT

    I might rent them sometime, but I don't think I'll be buying them

  • MarioMainic

    Posted Oct 18, 2006 4:04 am PT

    Exallent.

  • hemakm3

    Posted Oct 17, 2006 6:27 pm PT

    Revenue from games like this can go towards more mature games-hopefully.l

  • Phazevariance

    Posted Oct 17, 2006 1:12 pm PT

    Uh yeah... I'm still waiting for more mature games, like Red Steel, Zelda, and who knows what else... so "Shut the smurf up!"

  • metdevthegamer

    Posted Oct 17, 2006 11:56 am PT

    That's good, adds to the selection of games to choose from. Can't force me to buy them though.

  • PixyMisao

    Posted Oct 17, 2006 9:28 am PT

    The only reason Gamecube was a kiddy console is because that's what the general perception was by gamers and developers alike. Very few companies even gave the Cube a chance, (cheers to companies like Ubisoft who have never waivered in the quest to bring the best games to all systems) PS2 was the popular one, Xbox was the fallback... and no one tried to change that. Gamecube has plenty of Teen and Mature rated games and exclusives, but the mindless Sony and M$ fanboys would never admit to being wrong. Yet if things go as planned for Nintendo, the Wii will attract even older gamers with it's simplicity, an audience that Sony and M$ could never dare dream to achieve. And not every game has to be DMC, WWII, Halo or GTA. Some people like games that are actually fun... remember that? When video games were fun? Of course you don't. How could you? You've been playing the same games for 5-10 years.

  • capthunt

    Posted Oct 17, 2006 8:37 am PT

    pff consoles

  • mr_squibble

    Posted Oct 17, 2006 6:57 am PT

    Giving the consumers lots of choices for a console launch is pretty sweet. Every game will not be for every gamer, but at least gamers will have a wide variety of titles/genres from which to choose.

  • SavoyPrime

    Posted Oct 17, 2006 5:28 am PT

    To the average gamers eyes, these are the worst games to launch with a system. But on paper, these games sell and bring in bucks for THQ. Smart business move.

  • Nintendus

    Posted Oct 17, 2006 4:36 am PT

    It's part of business live with it, some people play certain kinds of games.

  • TekkenMaster606

    Posted Oct 17, 2006 2:10 am PT

    In the words of a caveman. Gaming big business, kids games fly off shelves, stockholders happy.

  • Heathcliff

    Posted Oct 17, 2006 1:54 am PT

    To all the fools already calling the Wii, a kiddie system, because of these games (conveniently forgetting about Red Steel, CoD3, and Far Cry) . . . None of these games are exclusive. They're on PS2, xbox, and 360 as well. And for the love of God. . . what's wrong with having something for the kiddies at launch?!

  • ftjx

    Posted Oct 17, 2006 12:52 am PT

    imagine if S.T.A.L.K.E.R. had been part of this.............just close your eyes lay back and imagine......

  • NinjaFoot

    Posted Oct 17, 2006 12:10 am PT

    4 games that are geared towards children. And people wonder why Nintendo gets painted as "kiddie" (unfairly or not).

  • leapfrog91

    Posted Oct 17, 2006 12:09 am PT

    "Wii like GC is going to be the kids console this genaration too"

    Ironic. Does this not *scream* 14-year-old pubescent to anyone else here? Maybe "kids console" is defined as 13 and under now? hah.

  • leapfrog91

    Posted Oct 17, 2006 12:06 am PT

    I want to have a baby just so it'll grow up and play these cute lil games!

  • ifgriffi

    Posted Oct 16, 2006 11:09 pm PT

    I suppose it's good Wii is getting some more launch titles but I do worry a bit that all this third party shovel ware will sell like crap at launch and drive away third party support for the system later on. Then again if a company is only interested in lame movie license games and Gamecube ports then maybe the Wii would be better off without them.

  • Payback7

    Posted Oct 16, 2006 10:48 pm PT

    More Nintendo bagging
    Pretty Pathetic
    I'm in my mid 20's and have been playing Nintendo games since the Super Nes (I started with a Sega Master System! - sorry)
    Sure Nintendo has ALOT of kids games, BUT there are alot of games that are more adult orientated that people always seem to forget. Resident Evil 4 - Great game for the kids that one
    Eternal Darkness - nice themes for the kids to get engrossed in
    Not to mention, call of duty, Rogue Squadren and more.
    Anyway - I'll be getting a Wii release date.
    And whats wrong with Nintendo providing alot of games for children. Don't forget Nintendo was there when you were all growing up, and if Nintendo had not been making all these 'kids' games you would have been complaining that there are not enough games aimed at kids.
    Can't win with people like you.

  • mithund

    Posted Oct 16, 2006 10:39 pm PT

    " wow "

    more current gen games for the Wii

  • puppiemaster

    Posted Oct 16, 2006 9:34 pm PT

    nintendo make kids consoles? I'm 37, never played any of the kids games on any nintendo console and yet I still managed to own 56 gamecube games.

    Its like saying the PS2 is just for sports games or the XBox for FPS.

    a Complete load of tosh.

    AH wait I have animal crossing, but the daughter plays that.

    Hang on Zelda, Red Steel, Call of Duty 3 and Splinter Cell as all launch titles as well.

    OH I get it, fanboys posting about the Wii being a kids console.

    Just buy all the consoles, dont stick with 1, you will miss out on some great games

  • CyphenX

    Posted Oct 16, 2006 8:20 pm PT

    Are they offering anything that ISN'T liscenced cash-cow milking?

  • fartsimpson

    Posted Oct 16, 2006 8:13 pm PT

    Wii like GC is going to be the kids console this genaration too

  • ScorpioKyle

    Posted Oct 16, 2006 7:59 pm PT

    We already got the display boxes for those 4 games at my toysrus last week.

  • Bathyj

    Posted Oct 16, 2006 7:53 pm PT

    Its all about perception.

    Where's PS3 and X360 are seen as cutting edge technology with the best games for avid gamers and technophiles, the Wii is seen (just like every Nintendo console) rightly or wrongly, as a machine for kids with kids games. And they dont seem to be doing much to shake this image. Nintendo only survives because of their loyal fans (and Pokemon freaks. No Offence) but their fans are people who have a Gamecube. They need to to a bit better than that this time round. (And I think they will.) They need to get people who weren't necessarily Nintendo fans last Gen.

    Then again, this is only 4 games and I could be over reacting but if I was Nintendo I'd say "yo, THQ, how bout some Smackdown and Saints Row?"

    C'mon Nintendo. Get some decent games. Man can not live on Zelda alone.

  • Pipboy360

    Posted Oct 16, 2006 7:51 pm PT

    Thank whatever powers that be for UbiSoft at the Wii launch

  • togo2828

    Posted Oct 16, 2006 7:43 pm PT

    Why THQ, why must you try and sell games you know that are going to horrible, and that only little children will play......Huh, and Nentendo i love ya, but ditch THQ there holding you back, big time

  • cocote2049

    Posted Oct 16, 2006 7:38 pm PT

    WOOOHOOOO KID GAMES !!!? : (

  • pXxJoSexXp

    Posted Oct 16, 2006 7:38 pm PT

    good news.......................................for little kids.........cmon THQ show me some games like saints row..I want to see some violence in the Wii

  • JLCrogue

    Posted Oct 16, 2006 7:32 pm PT

    Too bad all of those games are going to suck!!

  • vjso2

    Posted Oct 16, 2006 7:14 pm PT

    Nintendo should be striving away from this crap and should be finding better partners. This really makes them look bad.

  • TryMe01

    Posted Oct 16, 2006 7:13 pm PT

    THQ has little faith in the selling power of their non-movie/cartoon titles. It's a real same to see what the industry is now doing. Being bak the days of the NES and SNES!

  • BassForever2

    Posted Oct 16, 2006 6:52 pm PT

    My give a **** o meter is not doing anything.

  • thebrazenone

    Posted Oct 16, 2006 6:47 pm PT

    wow, I hope THQ doesn't blame the Wii for poor sales

  • Suttonjn27

    Posted Oct 16, 2006 6:02 pm PT

    Not a single game I'm interested in, but I can see the value for families with younger children.

  • bdmckinley

    Posted Oct 16, 2006 5:47 pm PT

    great, more kid games...come on Nintendo. I thought we were trying to stray from this stuff. Being a Nintendo loyalist, this is just great news. Way to start off on the right foot. Idea: Can the kid games and keep them on the GBA where they belong.

  • helluvagood

    Posted Oct 16, 2006 5:31 pm PT

    good news

  • DeuxHero

    Posted Oct 16, 2006 4:52 pm PT

    "each one has been given a family-friendly E-for-Everyone rating." uh i can tell thats E10 and it's barley the size of a singel letter in the word "related games" right below it

  • StarStuck

    Posted Oct 16, 2006 4:35 pm PT

    pass

  • RockysCatnipCo

    Posted Oct 16, 2006 4:30 pm PT

    yippee spongebob and barnyard

  • taytizzle

    Posted Oct 16, 2006 4:26 pm PT

    First-Class...THQ is going all out...no...

  • Flaminglips1

    Posted Oct 16, 2006 4:19 pm PT

    YES

  • DS_fan_atic

    Posted Oct 16, 2006 3:57 pm PT

    pass

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