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Muppet RaceMania debuts in the USA

Courtesy of Midway Games
October 4, 2000

Order today!

Midway Games Inc., a leading software industry publisher and developer, announced that "Muppet RaceMania'' for the PlayStation game console will ship to retail today.

Later this month, Midway will also ship the second title in the Muppet series, "Muppet Monster Adventure'' just in time for Halloween.

Developed by Traveller's Tales in conjunction with Jim Henson Interactive (JHI), "Muppet RaceMania'' features popular Muppet characters including Kermit, Miss Piggy, Fozzie, Gonzo and Animal racing through six circuits based on all of the Muppet movies. Hilarious clips from these Muppet films are also showcased throughout the gameplay.

"Muppet RaceMania' brings the popular and wacky antics of the Muppets alive in an action-packed videogame adventure,'' said Helene Sheeler, vice president of marketing, Midway. "Muppet fans of all ages can now enjoy their favorite characters in an entirely new and entertaining format.''

In "Muppet RaceMania,'' players choose from more than 30 classic characters (each with their own special Muppet power), 25 zany vehicles and more than 30 wild tracks. The game also has a special mode for kids, which controls steering automatically so players can concentrate on accelerating. Vibrant colors and deep, beautifully rendered 3D backgrounds increase the immersive experience. Tons of secret passageways add to the hours of exploration and fun.

"We are excited to bring digital Muppets to life for console gaming,'' said Craig Allen, general manager of Jim Henson Interactive. "This format allows us to take the characters beyond felt and fabric while retaining the noisy good humor and mayhem that they are known for.''

Launching on Oct. 31, the upcoming "Muppet Monster Adventure'' developed by Magenta Software Ltd. in conjunction with Jim Henson Interactive, features Robin, Kermit the Frog's nephew, as an unlikely hero who embarks on a quest to save Kermit and other Muppets who have been transformed into monstrous versions of their former selves.

As players explore vast, colorful worlds, they find special powers that transform Robin into a gliding vampire bat, a climbing werewolf and other wacky creatures. "Muppet Monster Adventure'' features the original Muppet character voices and a haunting, original soundtrack recorded and written by the award-winning composer Michael Giacchino.

"Muppet RaceMania'' key features include:

1. Unique Muppet kart racing full of comic chaos and fun More than 30 selectable Muppets include Kermit, Miss Piggy, Fozzie, Gonzo, Animal and more

2. More than 30 zany tracks based on the six Muppet movies: "The Muppet Movie,'' "The Great Muppet Caper,'' "The Muppets Take Manhattan,'' "A Muppet Christmas Carol,'' "Muppet Treasure Island'' and "Muppets From Space'' 28 exclusive movie clips are also featured throughout the game

3. Madcap offensive tools including flippy wet fish, penguin mines and bouncy bombs

4. 12 diverse game modes include Stunt, Adventure, Battle and Chicken Chase

5. 25 selectable vehicles like Doozer's Dumper, Dr. Teeth's Hotrod and the Pigs in Space Spaceship

Formed in 1998, Jim Henson Interactive (JHI), a division of The Jim Henson Company, is responsible for the worldwide digital expression of all intellectual property owned by the organization, including such globally embraced and commercially successful brands as THE MUPPETS, FARSCAPE, BEAR IN THE BIG BLUE HOUSE, THE HOOBS, MOPATOP'S SHOP, CONSTRUCTION SITE! and THE DARK CRYSTAL.

Midway Games Inc. is a leading interactive entertainment industry developer, publisher and marketer of software for both the coin-operated and home markets. Midway games are available for play on all major dedicated home game platforms, including Nintendo 64 and Game Boy Color, PlayStation game console and Sega Dreamcast.