Just days after the confirmation regarding its launch titles, THQ is at again - this time with a 30-seconder commercial. Though the third party publisher still failed to mention about the retail price for each, they have always maintained that their popular titles are and have always been, in sync with Nintendo's campaign for fun gaming experiences.

The commercial shows the four titles (Disney Pixar's Cars, Avatar: The Last Airbender, SpongeBob SquarePants: Creature from the Krusty Krab and Barnyard) being played and enjoyed by kids. By the way all of them were rated E to E 10 by the ESRB. It seems that Nintendo is really bringing out all its marketing firepower now, from the big guns down to the the small ad campaigns.

Download: [THQ Wii Game Footage]

THQ has just confirmed four launch titles for Wii: Disney Pixar's Cars, Avatar: The Last Airbender, SpongeBob SquarePants: Creature from the Krusty Krab, and a film-to-game title to put the icing on the cake, Barnyard.

Unfortunately, THQ did not comment on the retail price of any of the four games but THQ vice president for 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."

Wii's launch line-up is looking pretty strong at the moment with titles such as Splinter Cell: Double Agent coming to the Wii. As long as your Wii doesn't crash, you'll have fun time playing all these games!

Studio Oz and THQ's creation, Avatar: The Last Airbender is once again shown through these handful of screenshots that we have for you now. This game is slated for release on the tail-end of 2006 and will give you that opportunity to play as Aang, Katara, Haru, and Sokka. Of course if there are good guys there will be meanies and you are tasked to annihilate and punish them all.

Apparently, you'll be well equipped in the fighting scenario thanks to customizable bending powers to master the elements of Earth, Water, Fire and Air. The game has obviously stayed with its Nickelodeon cartoon roots and there's nothing wrong with that - they'll be able to cater to their target demographic (the tweens), plus they'll entice older gamers because of the nifty controls. Now, we'll quit the small talk and let you judge the game through its new screenshots.

More screenshots for you to see after the jump!

  

On the sunny shores of Wii-land, some brand-spanking-new box art's just washed in, and today, we've got a net full of these fresh fish. And unlike the fabled Red Steel box art from before, all of these are official, gathered by IGN from Nintendo and other third party developers. Some of these might look familiar, just like the box art in a different platform's version. But mostly, all of them are a fresh new treat to look at.

It's a smorgasbord of games, from across all genres for the Wii. You got action games, party games, games for kids, sports, shooters, and all that jazz. Let's see what we have, shall we?

• Avatar: the Last Airbender
  
• Marvel: Ultimate Alliance
• Red Steel
• Super Monkey Ball Banana Blitz
• Barnyard
• Madden 07
• Tony Hawk's Downhill Jam
• Cars
• Monster 4x4 World Circuit
• Metal Slug Anthology
• Spongebob Squarepants: Creature from the Krusty Krab.
  

Keep your eyes peeled so that by the time the games come out, you'd already know which of those games on the rack you're going to get.

Click on the Full Article to see the rest of the games!

Let's put together what's actually been confirmed about Avatar: The Last Airbender from THQ and Studio Oz. Our recent coverage of the game hasn't really focused on the game (for example, Avatar is just mentioned as one of the games that THQ has in the lineup for the TGS). So let's concentrate and focus on what Aang and company have in store for the Wii (watch your stance, keep your spine straight, and feel the push and pull of the elements).

• The usual details: The game is set to be released in the last quarter of 2006. True to the Nickelodeon cartoon, it's kid-friendly and is aimed at the 6-11-year-old set (we're hoping that doesn't mean it'll be so simple that it'll bore older players).
• Let's make this clear: According to the press release, you will get to play as Aang, Katara, Haru, and Sokka. Haru is the Earth Bender guy from that one episode (don't want to say more just in case the kids get mad for spoiling the series). The game also features bad guys and creatures that have never been seen before.
• Fully customizable? The press release makes us think: "...you grow your team into an unstoppable force making discoveries in a thrilling blend of magic and martial arts combat. Use your fully customizable bending powers to master the four elements of Earth, Air, Water and Fire and explore the beautifully detailed environments of the Avatar nations."
• Will there be more? Up to 2010, maybe: THQ has the license agreement with Nickelodeon up to 2010, so that might mean more games.

As you can see from the picture above (and from the gameplay video posted last month), the game has stayed true to the look and feel of the cartoon. Since I just finished watching the 1st season last night, I'm all hyped for this game. Let's wait and see what else is in store (I want Apa screenshots, darn it!).

The following third party Wii games are confirmed to be out by the end of Nintendo's fiscal year (its fiscal year ends March 31, 2007). Many of the games in the following list are launch games, and we're telling you, Nintendo has provided quite an interesting list. There are over 40 games on it, and all of them are worth your second look. Remember though that this list doesn't even include the first party titles.

Activision
Call of Duty 3
Marvel: Ultimate Alliance
Rapala Tournament Fishing
Tony Hawk's Downhill Jam
World Series of Poker

Atari
Dragon Ball Z Budokai: Tenkaichi 2


Check out the entire list of games after the jump.

Parties make life for journalists and marketing people a whole lot better. First, they allow these guys to get some really good (free) food, the scribes are treated like royalty and the marketing people can gab and get new contacts for their next sale. It's a win-win situation. So here's THQ's Loaded 2006 event at Sydney, Australia.

THQ showed their lineup for the remaining months of 2006. Capcom and Sega were also there by the way. Unfortunately, there was no representative from Sony.

Will the real game consoles please stand up? The hosts were gracious enough to bring a PS3, although journalists suspect that the contraption covered by a white sheet wasn't the real thing but was a dev kit. What surprised them more was the controller. It seemed light and easy to carry, although it might change on D-Day. They played Virtua Tennis 3 on the PS3 dev kit for a while. As for the Wii, they only brought a shell and some sample controllers. They seemed smaller than expected. Release date for Australia will be within the year.

• Destroy All Humans was a huge success. Hence, the sequel Destroy All Humans 2. For the moment, the game looked almost like its older brother. There's open world gameplay in the newest version. According to most journalists who attended, the PS version looked way better than the Xbox's.
• Dead Rising is a game that many people have been waiting for. What is it with zombies and games; they seem to be made for each other? The journalists were attracted to the demo like zombies in a mall. Wait, that's the premise of the game, heheh. What's cool about it is that you can use almost anything in the mall to inflict pain on these poor denizens of the dark. Golf balls to the skull obviously kills them.
• Lost Planet was just the same demo they showed during E3. However, it still looked as magnificent as before. The game will be out by January.
• S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl, is an FPS long over due. It was started in 2001 and has been delayed for various reasons. Let's hope that at least the demo of this Ukrainian game gets out before the end of the year. According to observers, the open ended game is something to look forward to.
• WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2007 hasn't changed its already great gameplay (we reported on before on its PS3, PSP, and Xbox 360 versions) . Although they did manage to add something new: expanded general manager mode, updated rosters, and online play.
  
• Sonic Rivals. Most were impressed with the speed of the game. It felt old school to them, but the graphics were a blast.
• Sonic the Hedgehog. This game for the Xbox 360 looked quite good, although it had some frame rate and oversensitive control problems.
• Avatar. A nickelodeon game going for the Wii. Looked more like a hack and slash game. They were hoping that it would improve as it nears completion.
• SpongeBob SquarePants: Creature from the Krusty Krab. They found it thoroughly enjoyable although confusing at some levels. Probably, because it was still incomplete?

The Leipzig Games Convention (LGC) is here! The Developer Conference opens today, August 21, with a record-breaking participation of more than 600 visitors. The LGC starts August 21 if you're a game developer, August 23 if you're a VIP or with the media, and August 24 if you're one of us, the unwashed masses. The LGC exhibitions end August 27, so start hiking now.

What does video game publisher THQ have for their line-up for the LGC? We took THQ's (very long) press release and squeezed it for the goodies. Here's the short version for your reading pleasure:

Saints Row
For the Xbox 360 is this third-person open-world action/driving hybrid developed by THQ's Volition, Inc. You're a gang member with the 3rd Street Saints and you have to go up the gang ranks and eventually take over the city Stilwater. The game features character customization options and supports multiplayer mode through Xbox Live. Official release: Aug. 29 for North America; Sept. 1 for Europe.

Frontlines: Fuel of War
For the Xbox 360 and also for PS3 and Windows PC is this open-world infantry and vehicle first person shooter from THQ's Kaos Studios. In the near future, a global war for oil is being waged between the Western Coalition (US/NATO) and the Red Star Alliance (Russia/China). You'll play both sides of the battle. Official release: 2007.

WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2007
For the PSP, Xbox 360, and PS2 is this 8th release in the THQ and JAKKS Pacific franchise. It features an analog control grappling system, new movesets, and an interactive fighting area within the crowd. There are updated rosters for Raw and SmackDown and an expanded General Manager Mode and online multiplayer game play with voice chat support. Official release: 2006 holiday season.

Disney-Pixar Cars
You race. Based on the movie. Official release: fall 2006 for Xbox 360 and Wii; all throughout this summer for PS2, Xbox, GameCube, GBA, PSP, DS, Windows PC, and Mac.

SpongeBob SquarePants: Creature from the Krusty Krab
Bikini Bottom. Enough said. Official release: fall of 2006 for Wii, PS2, DS, GameCube, GBA, and Windows PC.

Monster House
Based on the movie. Official release: all throughout this summer for DS, PS2, GameCube, GBA.

Bratz: Forever Diamondz
Search of the country's hottest fashion designer. Official release: fall of 2006 for DS, PS2, GameCube, and GBA.

Barnyard
Based on the upcoming film. Official release: fall of 2006 for Wii, PS2, GameCube, GBA, and Windows PC.

Avatar: The Last Airbender
Do your kung fu and explore the four Avatar nations. Official release: fall of 2006 for Wii, DS, PSP, PS2, GameCube, Xbox, GBA, and Windows PC.

The versatility of the Nintendo Wii Controller (a.k.a. Wiimote) was put to the test, Tuesday, by games publisher THQ in the basement of confectionery Dylan's Candy Bar of Manhattan's fancy Upper East Side.

With a by-invitation-only affair, the company allowed select journalists and kids to try out the work-in-progress versions of Wii games based on Disney's Carsmovie and Nickelodeon's Avatar: The Last Airbender,Barnyard, and Spongebob Squarepants franchises.

Many of the maneuvers seen in other companies' previewed Wii software were also exhibited in the THQ games. A punch in a rampage mode of Spongebob results from a jostle of the Wii remote, while a quick downward swipe makes your character stomp on the ground. Then, turning the device like a steering wheel - with the Wiimote held sideways by its shorter ends - controls the Cars racing game. "One minute you're using the [Wii remote] rampaging and hitting buildings, and the other you're holding it like a joystick in a jet fighter," says Ali Bouda, brand manager for kids' games at THQ, as he surveyed the players in the room.

Meanwhile, these rules have been found to be malleable enough to a certain degree. For example, in the Cars game, holding the remote like you would the horizontal steering wheel of a city bus, rather than like the vertical wheel of a regular car, may work. However, a quick test revealed that the game only reads a twist on the vertical plane. Flipping the remote upside down and then steering would work as well, but again, only on that vertical plane, like the movement of the hands on a clock.

THQ representatives at the event said they did not advocate these alternate ways of playing Wii games. Rather, they merely offered instructions for the standard approach and even gave sufficient warning against attempts to play the games the wrong way, like trying to steer Cars with one hand: "You can't do it. You do need to hold it like a steering wheel."

What this activity has shown is that games can possibly break the rules concerning use of the Nintendo Wii controller. Now, whether or not these alternative ways of playing will prove to be enriching or devastating to the system will be determined when Wii is launched this fall.

If you haven't seen the other video of Avatar: The Last Airbender for Wii, then submit to your compulsion and click the 'play' button above. This one shows us a whole lot more of its knock-'em-dead gameplay! The game looks absolutely wild and zany, very fast-paced action for a real-time RPG. Besides being able to control Aang (and his gang), the gameplay makes you feel as if you were in the cartoon itself! The magic, skills, enemies, and environment will feel very familiar for avid fans of the 'Nickelodeon' show.

What's interesting to note in the video (somewhere towards the end) is that there will be portions in the game wherein you actually get to airbend by controling Aang with button sequences! Oh wow! If this is any indication of the gameplay, it's gonna be one heck of a gale-force of a ride!