THQ Inc. announced that Cars: Mater-National for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system, PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, Nintendo DS and Windows PC has begun shipping to retailers throughout North America. Additional versions for the Wii video game console and Game Boy Advance are scheduled to release in November.

The Cars video game from THQ was the number one selling kids video game brand and the number two overall best selling video game in 2006. Following up on this success, Cars Mater-National will provide a brand new adventure in the world of Radiator Springs. The game is rated E for everyone and is now available for the suggested retail prices of $49.99 (Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3 system, Wii), $39.99 (PlayStation 2 system), $29.99 (Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS) and $19.99 (Windows PC).

Cars: Mater-National, inspired by the Disney/Pixar animated feature, CARS, features an all-new international group of racers vying for their chance to compete against Lightning McQueen in the First Annual Mater-National Race Festival, hosted by Lightning’s best friend, Mater. Gamers will explore the new and improved open world of Radiator Springs, play in all-new Monster Mode, jump into the fast lane with five new international racing competitors and burn rubber on new tracks. Cars: Mater-National also includes over 20 challenging mini-games, as well as head-to-head competition with over 10 multiplayer games.

Development for Cars Mater-National was led by THQ’s critically acclaimed Rainbow Studios with support from Incinerator Studios on the PLAYSTATION 3 system and Wii versions. For more information about this title and the rest of THQ’s lineup of games, please visit www.playthq.com