``WWF SmackDown!'' for PlayStation Backed by Extensive Marketing Campaign; SmackDown! Hotel Commercial Featuring The Rock Premieres Tonight on UPN.

Business Editors

CALABASAS HILLS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 2, 2000

THQ Inc. (Nasdaq:THQI) and JAKKS Pacific (Nasdaq:JAKK) today launched an extensive marketing campaign for "WWF SmackDown!"(TM) for PlayStation game console.

The" WWF SmackDown!" TV commercial will premier tonight during World Wrestling Federation Entertainment's (Nasdaq:WWFE) "WWF SmackDown!" -- the No. 1 rated program on UPN. The highly anticipated "WWF SmackDown!" PlayStation game hits store shelves nationwide today.

The "WWF SmackDown!" PlayStation game commercial was filmed in South Beach, Miami, and stars The Rock coming home to the infamous SmackDown! Hotel. The commercial also features special guest appearances by WWF Superstars Kane, D'Lo Brown and Edge.

The 15- and 30- second spots were created by WWFE's in-house production department -- the same team responsible for producing, among other things, WWFE's last two Super Bowl ad campaigns. Additional marketing highlights for the "WWF SmackDown!" game include:

-- A 4-week television ad campaign on UPN, FOX, ESPN, MTV, Comedy
   Central and other networks.

-- Two-page spread advertisements in lifestyle, major gaming and
   wrestling publications, including WWFE's RAW Magazine and WWF
   Magazine.

-- Exclusive coverage on www.wwf.com, as well as banners and
   promotions on major gaming and wrestling sites and at the official
   "WWF SmackDown!" PlayStation game Web site at www.thq.com/smackdown

-- Posters, oversized boxes and counter displays at major PlayStation
   game retailers nationwide.

-- A video trailer of the game in the Sony Computer Entertainment
   America (SCEA) merchandising video at retail outlets nationwide.

-- A playable demo on Official PlayStation Magazine (OPM) and
   PlayStation Underground. PlayStation Underground is also featuring
   "WWF SmackDown!" as its current cover story.

-- A strong presence at THQ's booth at WWF Axxess: The Fan Fest,
   from March 31-April 2, at the Anaheim Convention Center during
   WrestleMania weekend. The Sony PlayStation truck will also be in
   THQ's booth throughout the event.

-- An aggressive licensing and merchandising effort with WWF
   action figures and toys, comic books, trading cards and the
   official "WWF SmackDown!" video game strategy guide.

About "WWF SmackDown!":

Developed by Yuke's Co. Ltd., "WWF SmackDown!" is the first WWF branded video game to integrate the in-depth backstage storylines, including the ability to make and break alliances, that have made the WWF television programs so successful.

The game features an extensive list of game play options and an up-to-date line-up of WWF Superstars, including The Rock, Triple H and Chyna. "WWF SmackDown!'s" robust season mode includes tag team partners, rivalries and TV and Pay-Per-View events. Players can brawl in the ring or behind the scenes in detailed environments, including the boiler room, loading dock, kitchen and parking lot.

Also, using the Create-A-Wrestler mode, players can build their own wrestlers and customize their height and weight, detailed move selection and personality and mentality variables. Unsurpassed graphics and effects, including skin textures and realistic lighting and shadows bring the "WWF SmackDown!" venue to life on PlayStation like never before.

"Together with the WWF and JAKKS Pacific, we're laying the SmackDown on the gaming industry with this campaign," stated Peter Dille, vice president of marketing, THQ.

"WWF has contributed to the game's marketing efforts on many levels, including using their own production team in creating the game's commercial. This kind of unique licensor/licensee relationship insures that our product is in lock step with the WWF brand, and it's one more reason why the WWF is so far ahead of its competition."

"The WWF has once again pushed the envelope of ingenuity by enhancing their television programming with a commercial that takes the millions and millions of 'WWF SmackDown!' fans on a sneak peak trip through the SmackDown! Hotel tonight," stated Jennifer Richmond, vice president of marketing, JAKKS Pacific Inc. "We're pleased to launch THQ/JAKKS Pacific's first PlayStation release with such a breakthrough commercial."

"Our proven track record of successful video game releases, combined with strong brand recognition of 'WWF SmackDown!' and a creative multi-tiered marketing campaign suggests this game may very well be headed towards the largest WWF video game launch to date," said Jim Byrne, senior vice president of marketing, WWFE.

JAKKS Pacific is a multi-brand toy company that designs, develops, produces and markets toys and related products, including 1. action figures and accessories featuring licensed characters, principally from the World Wrestling Federation(R); 2. Flying Colors(R) molded plastic activity sets, clay compound playsets and lunch boxes; 3. Road Champs(R) die-cast collectible and toy vehicles and Remco(R) toy vehicles and role-play toys and accessories; 4. Child Guidance(R) infant and preschool electronic toys, toy foam puzzle mats and blocks and activity sets and outdoor products; and 5. fashion and mini dolls and related accessories.

THQ Inc. develops, publishes and distributes interactive entertainment software worldwide for a variety of hardware platforms including PC CD-ROM, and those manufactured by Sega, Nintendo and Sony. The THQ Web site is located at www.thq.com.