Darth Tasabrush sends us this official release:

THQ ANNOUNCES STAR WARS?: EPISODE II ATTACK OF THE CLONES? FOR GAME BOY ADVANCE Exclusive Game Based on Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones Scheduled to Release Along with Film Premiere

CALABASAS HILLS, Calif. - February 6, 2002 - THQ Inc. (NASDAQ NMS: THQI) today announced Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones for Game Boy? Advance. Attack of the Clones will be the only game that follows the storyline of the new movie and is scheduled for release spring 2002 coincident with the theatrical release nationwide.

?We are extremely pleased to be the first publisher involved in bringing a Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones branded product to market for Game Boy Advance,? said Alison Locke, executive vice president, North American publishing, THQ. ?THQ?s track record as the #1 third party publisher for Game Boy Advance titles makes us an ideal fit with LucasArts in publishing this popular license.?

?Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones will be the first handheld game that allows fans of the Star Wars saga to experience all the drama of Episode II from start to finish,? stated Mary Bihr, vice president of worldwide sales and marketing for LucasArts. ?LucasArts is looking forward to working with THQ to bring this exhilarating title to Star Wars game fans everywhere.?

About Attack of the Clones With the power of the Force, players will assume the role of three different Attack of the Clones heroes: Anakin Skywalker, Mace Windu and Obi-Wan Kenobi. Players must wield their lightsabers in combat against the mysterious Jango Fett, evil Count Dooku and various other enemies from the Star Wars universe. Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones closely follows the storyline of the film and will feature three different modes of gameplay. First, players will ride their choice of swoop bikes, Republic fighters and speeders in 3D-scrolling, third- person racing. The second mode features space combat. The third mode of play involves side-scrolling lightsaber action. Twelve unique levels take gamers to various Attack of the Clones locations, such as Tatooine, Geonosis and the streets of Coruscant.