CALABASAS HILLS, Calif., March 31 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- THQ Inc. (Nasdaq: THQI) today announced the third annual THQ Superstar Challenge, a yearly videogame competition featuring the WWE's top Superstar talent, will take place tonight at the House of Blues on the Sunset Strip in Los Angeles. Sixteen of WWE's biggest, brightest Superstars will be pitted against each other in a no-holds barred videogame competition showcasing THQ and JAKKS Pacific's soon to be released WWE WrestleMania 21 exclusively for the Xbox(R) videogame system from Microsoft.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20041118/LATH093LOGO )

"Hosting this event is our way of thanking the WWE and the Superstars for all their hard work in making our wrestling products successful," said Peter Dille, senior vice president, worldwide marketing, THQ. "The Superstars put a lot of time and effort into mo-cap, voiceover and advertising, so it's great to see them enjoy the fruits of their labor and play a videogame they had a hand in creating. We're also pleased to give fans a great show before the main event this weekend, WrestleMania 21 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles."

"We're thrilled about the great entertainment line-up and that the THQ Superstar Challenge continues to get bigger and better every year," said John Sohigian, vice president partnership marketing, World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. "This is the perfect way to kick off WrestleMania 21 in Los Angeles and we're excited to be a part of this unique opportunity for WWE fans to experience their favorite Superstars as they test their gaming skills in this ultimate videogame competition."

About the THQ Superstar Challenge

The THQ Superstar Challenge is scheduled to take place at The House of Blues, West Hollywood this evening at 7:30 p.m., with celebrity red carpet and interviews beginning at 6:00 p.m. A total of 16 WWE Superstars will compete in a bracketed tournament to decide who will become the ultimate videogame champion in 2005. Defending champion Shelton Benjamin(TM) will attempt to retain his title as a stable of competitors attempt to unseat him and enjoy bragging rights among the gaming elite.

WWE Superstar John Cena will perform on the House of Blues main stage immediately after the THQ Superstar Challenge in a highly anticipated appearance of one of the WWE's brightest young stars. The San Diego-based band Unwritten Law will round out the evening headlining after Cena. Coming off the release of their sixth album titled, "Here's To The Mourning", Unwritten Law is poised to rock the crowd and set off the weekend of WWE events leading to WrestleMania 21 at STAPLES Center, Sunday, April 3.

The public is invited to attend this event and tickets are currently on sale through Ticketmaster.

Superstars Competing in the Challenge:
Randy Orton(TM)
Shelton Benjamin(TM)
Trish Stratus(R)
Kurt Angle(R)
Rosey(TM)
Lita(R)
RVD(R)
The Hurricane(R)
Miss Jackie(TM)
JBL(TM)Kane(R)
Stacy Keibler(R)
Big Show
John Cena(TM)
Christian(R)
Batista(TM)

* Roster subject to change

About WWE WrestleMania 21
WWE WrestleMania 21 for Xbox showcases 45 WWE Superstars including John Cena, Rey Mysterio, Stacy Keibler and Batista. The game includes a story mode that allows players to create a Superstar and build his attributes from the early stages of wrestling development, to the pinnacle of sports entertainment -- WrestleMania 21. WWE WrestleMania 21 is the first ever wrestling game with complete motion capture technology, resulting in the best looking WWE models and animations to ever grace a wrestling console game. Another feature that is unique to WWE WrestleMania 21 is the Pro Reversal System -- a mechanic that adds a level of depth to the gameplay experience by allowing players to counter any move in the game. Rounding out WWE WrestleMania 21's features is a wealth of online content, including a new feature that allows players to build a championship belt and build prestige by challenging opponents online. Players up for the challenge will also have the ability to play multiple match types online via Xbox Live(TM).

For more information about the THQ/JAKKS Pacific World Wrestling Entertainment(R) videogame franchises and the rest of THQ's 2005 line-up, visit www.thq.com.

About World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.

World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: WWE) is an integrated media and entertainment company headquartered in Stamford, Conn., with offices in New York, Los Angeles, Toronto and London. Additional information on the company can be found at wwe.com and corporate.wwe.com. Information on television ratings and community activities can be found at parents.wwe.com.

About THQ

THQ Inc. (Nasdaq: THQI) is a leading worldwide developer and publisher of interactive entertainment software. The company develops its products for all popular game systems, personal computers and wireless devices. Headquartered in Los Angeles County, California, THQ sells product through its global network of offices located in the United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Spain, Korea and Australia. More information about THQ and its products may be found at www.thq.com and www.thqwireless.com. THQ, THQ Wireless and their respective logos are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of THQ Inc.

About Xbox

Xbox (http://www.xbox.com) is the video game system from Microsoft that brings people together for the most exhilarating game and entertainment experiences. Xbox delivers an expansive collection of breakthrough games, powerful hardware and the unified Xbox Live online service. The new tagline, "it's good to play together," captures the spirit of Xbox as the social hub of the new digital entertainment lifestyle. Xbox is now available in North America, Asia, Europe and Australia.

Trademark Statement

The names of all World Wrestling Entertainment televised and live programming, talent names, images, likenesses, slogans and wrestling moves and all World Wrestling Entertainment logos are trademarks which are the exclusive property of World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Xbox is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.

This press release may contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about the business of THQ Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively referred to as "THQ") and may include, but are not limited to, statements related to the THQ Superstar Challenge videogame event. Such statements are based upon management's beliefs and certain assumptions made by management and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward looking statements, including, but not limited to economic, competitive and technological factors affecting the operations, markets, products, services and pricing of THQ. Unless otherwise required by law, THQ disclaims any obligation to update its view on any such risks or uncertainties or to revise or publicly release the results of any revision to these forward-looking statements. Readers should carefully review the risk factors and the information that could materially affect THQ's financial results, described in other documents that THQ files from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal period ended March 31, 2004, and particularly the discussion of risk factors that may affect results of operations set forth therein. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release.

Kristina Kirk
THQ/Media Relations
818/ 871-5119
[email protected]

Julie MacMedan
THQ/Investor Relations
818/ 871-5095
[email protected]

Michael Smith
WWE Publicity
203/352-8657
[email protected]

SOURCE
THQ Inc. 03/31/2005

CONTACT:
Kristina Kirk,
Media Relations,
1-818-871-5119,
[email protected],
or
Julie MacMedan,
Investor Relations,
1-818-871-5095,
[email protected],
both of THQ Inc.;
or
Michael Smith,
Publicity of WWE,
1-203-352-8657,
[email protected]
Photo:
NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20041118/LATH093LOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org
PRN Photo Desk, [email protected]
Web site: http://www.corporate.wwe.com
Web site: http://parents.wwe.com
Web site: http://www.thqwireless.com
Web site: http://www.xbox.com
Web site: http://www.thq.com
http://www.wwe.com

Posted: March 31, 2005