Microsoft Smells What The Rock Is Cooking

Las Vegas, NV - January 6, 2001 - With help from Bill Gates and The Rock, THQ Inc. (NASDAQ NMS: THQI) and JAKKS Pacific, Inc. (NASDAQ NMS: JAKK) today announced that the newest World Wrestling Federationâ (WWFE) licensed video game, WWF Raw Is War™, is scheduled to be among the first wave of launch titles for the Xbox™ video game console. The announcement came at the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) during the keynote address of Microsoft Corp. Chairman and Chief Software Architect, Bill Gates. World Wrestling Federation superstar, The Rock, was also on hand to deliver the news. Set to release in the Fall of 2001, WWF Raw Is War will feature graphics and gameplay never before possible with other game consoles.

“We're delighted to bring the proven World Wrestling Federation franchise to Xbox and very happy to work with Microsoft,” stated Brian Farrell, president and CEO, THQ. “WWF Raw Is War will absolutely shine on this exciting new platform. The hard drive capabilities, alone, will open up some very interesting options for us to explore.”

"We strongly believe that Xbox will be an excellent platform for the WWF Raw Is War video game and we're excited to bring the most up to date capabilities to WWF fans worldwide,” stated Stephen Berman, president and COO, JAKKS Pacific, Inc.

"THQ and JAKKS have continually proven their ability to create authentic WWF entertainment on the top gaming platforms,” said Stuart Snyder, president and COO, WWFE. "We expect WWF Raw Is War for Xbox to continue that tradition.”

“We couldn't be more pleased that WWF Raw Is War is being created specifically to take advantage of the awesome power the Xbox brings,” said J Allard, general manager, Xbox platform and third party relations. “It will be one of the key launch titles.”

About WWF Raw Is War
Created by Anchor, the developers of the award-winning Ultimate Fighting Championship™, WWF Raw Is War will raise the standard by which all video games are measured, as The Rock, Chyna, and 35 other superstars are thrown into your living room like never before. For the first time ever opponents will be able to grab clothing, announcers will provide in-game commentary on the fly, and audiences will scatter as the action spills out of the ring and into the stands.

All-new backstage combat areas randomly change from venue to venue. Opponents can even be confronted on their way to the ring. It's everything you've come to expect from the wildly popular spectacle that is the WWF.

About Xbox
Xbox (http://www.xbox.com/) is Microsoft's future-generation video game console that delivers new and unforeseen gameplay experiences. With more than three times the graphics performance of the newest generation of game consoles, Xbox unleashes game designers' creativity to produce games that are challenging, exhilarating, surprising, and fun.

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

JAKKS Pacific is a multi-brand toy company that designs, develops, produces and markets toys and related products under various brand names (including Flying Colors®, Road Champs®, Remco®, Child Guidance®, Color Club®, and Pentech®) in multiple product categories, including: Wheels; Action Figures; Crafts/Activities/Stationery; Infant/Pre-School; Trading Cards/Games; Plush; and Dolls. The Company also participates in a joint venture that has exclusive worldwide rights to publish and market World Wrestling Federation® (WWF) video games. Visit www.jakkspacific.com and www.JAKKSWWF.com.

Visit the JAKKS Pacific Showroom at the New York International Toy Fair - 200 Fifth Avenue, Room 1034. Media can schedule a same-day appointment by calling 310-995-1461.

CONTACT:
Wayne Teats
THQ Inc.
818.871.5156

Genna Goldberg
JAKKS Pacific, Inc.
310.455.6235
gennag@jakks.net

Anne-Marie Feliciano
JAKKS Pacific, Inc.
310.455.6245
anne-marief@jakks.net