January 30^th, 2003 (12:00am) - Sonic Advance 2 has been known about for a long time coming. After the success of the original Sonic Advance on Nintendo’s handheld monster, it seems like a no brainer for Sega and THQ to release a sequel as soon as possible. Sonic Advance 2 is scheduled to hit retailers in Spring 2003 and it will feature the classic 2D Sonic gameplay we all know and love.

CALABASAS HILLS, Calif.--Jan. 30, 2003--THQ and SEGA today announced "SONIC ADVANCE 2," the sequel to "SONIC ADVANCE" -- one of the top-selling Game Boy Advance games of 2002. "SONIC ADVANCE," released in February 2002, has sold through more than 500,000 units in North America alone according to NPD TRST data. "SONIC ADVANCE 2" is scheduled to ship in spring 2003.

"With sales in excess of a half-million units, we are delighted with the success of the original `SONIC ADVANCE’ on Game Boy Advance," said Alison Locke, executive vice president, North American Publishing, THQ. "SEGA’s famous Sonic brand has been a breakout hit on the Game Boy Advance platform and we look forward to the release of `SONIC ADVANCE 2.’"

"`Sonic The Hedgehog’ is one of the most widely recognized video game characters of all time," said Shinobu Toyoda, executive vice president of content strategy and business development, SEGA of America, Inc. "Sonic titles have consistently been top-sellers for SEGA, and we expect continued success with `SONIC ADVANCE 2’ on the Game Boy Advance platform."

About "SONIC ADVANCE 2"

In "SONIC ADVANCE 2," Dr. Eggman is up to his old tricks again, and the world’s fastest hedgehog must put a stop to it. Sonic, Tails and Knuckles are back with new character Cream the Rabbit, racing through new environments and battling new foes. "SONIC ADVANCE 2" features multiplayer fun for up to four Game Boy Advance systems using the Game Link Cable. Players can raise their favorite Chaos and play mini games within the Tiny Chao Garden. Players can also play with their Chao in "Sonic Adventure 2 Battle" on Nintendo GameCube, by connecting their Game Boy Advance to their Nintendo GameCube console.