THQ to release Phantasy Star Collection for the GBA

THQ has announced that it will release Phantasy Star Collection, Virtua Tennis, Crazy Taxi, and Super Monkey Ball for the Game Boy Advance. The recent deal is a part of the 16-game publishing agreement that THQ and Sega signed.

"Working together with THQ, Sega is bringing some of our most coveted franchises to the Game Boy Advance platform, including Super Monkey Ball and Crazy Taxi," said Charles Bellfield, vice president of strategic planning and corporate affairs at Sega of America. "Combining the strength of our game content with THQ's expertise publishing to the handheld gaming platform, we expect to further build on the success we have had to date in this ongoing relationship with THQ."

The Game Boy Advance version of Virtua Tennis will include tournament and exhibition matches, as well as a world circuit mode. In addition, the game will also support up to four players via the Game Boy Advance link cable. Crazy Taxi will have new locations and minigames, as well as a multiplayer component, but specifics on what that component will entail are not yet available. Super Monkey Ball for the Game Boy Advance will be similar to its console counterpart. It will have the traditional puzzle mode and a series of minigames where players will be able to compete against each other. Lastly, Phantasy Star Collection will include the first three Phantasy Star games.

Virtua Tennis is scheduled for release at the end of the year. The other games are currently slated for release in early 2003.