THQ to Bring Microsoft Games to Game Boy Advance

Under the deal, THQ will be able to choose Microsoft games until 2004 and publish versions of them through 2008. Initial Microsoft titles to be published on the Gameboy Advance include Oddworld: Munch's Oddysee and Monster Truck Madness 2.0. "We have a first call on any intellectual property that Microsoft does an Xbox or a PC game for," Brian Farrell, the chief executive of THQ, adding that the deal has been in the works for nearly a year. There has been some speculation in past that Microsoft might consider a handheld platform of its own some day, though Farrell said this deal is not a reflection on any such plans that might exist. "I think it's safe to say there's probably not anything in the near term," he said.