THQ Makes Third PlayStation Wrestling Entrance With `WCW/NWO Thunder'

Business Wire, Jan 12, 1999

CALABASAS, Calif.--(ENTERTAINMENT WIRE)--Jan. 12, 1999--

Game Features Battle Royal Action, Steel Cage Matches,

60 WCW, NWO Wrestling Superstars

THQ Inc. (Nasdaq/NMS:THQI), publisher of top-selling and critically acclaimed wrestling videogames, is back for round three and ready to brawl with its third PlayStation game, "WCW/NWO Thunder."

The sequel to the mega-hit "WCW Nitro" shipped Tuesday and is available at all major retail outlets for a suggested retail price of $49.95.

Featuring more than 60 of the world's most popular WCW and NWO celebrity wrestlers, including Bill Goldberg, Kevin Nash and "Hollywood" Hogan, players will be able to take their opponents to the mat, using the grapplers' signature moves, taunts and finishes.

"We've taken the best attributes of our blockbuster `WCW Nitro' and added in all of the bone-jarring features that fans were asking for," said Michael Rubenelli, vice president, product development, THQ.

"`WCW/NWO Thunder' allows game fans to match up their most celebrated and hated brawlers and pit them against each other in the most true-to-life wrestling environment, all in their own living rooms."

Developed by Inland Productions, "WCW/NWO Thunder" features 32 new wrestler rants, new grappling moves and the ability to change a fighter's allegiance and costume from WCW to NWO. Additionally, players can choose from a completely updated roster of WCW and NWO wrestlers with a myriad of hidden characters.

Furthermore, fans can witness the stars' authentic entrances into the ring with actual theme music, and partake in fights in real arenas such as the Ice Palace, Cow Palace and Nassau Coliseum.

One to four gamers can go head-to-head in the "Battle Royal" mode to win authentic WCW belts. By defeating brawlers in this mode, players might be lucky enough to expose secret characters.

The "Battle Royal" tests opponents' skills -- each time a wrestler is defeated a new grappler runs in to take his place. They can even bring weapons into the ring, everything from stop signs and chairs to televisions and iron pipes.

An all-new Steel Cage match allows those brave enough to test their fighting skills inside a 15-foot steel cage. With no possibility of outside interference, run-in characters or weapons, opponents must battle against their worst enemy to the bitter end. A Might Meter will also aid players in displaying a wrestler's strengths and weaknesses.

A two-man commentary team, featuring Tony Schiavone and Mike Tenay, will deliver the play-by-play blows.

"WCW/NWO Thunder" is compatible with the Dual Shock Controller.

World Championship Wrestling (WCW) is a subsidiary of Turner Broadcasting System Inc., a Time Warner company (NYSE:TWX). WCW produces and markets television programs and live events featuring wrestling superstars. WCW produces 13 hours of programming seen each week throughout the United States and in more than 25 countries throughout the world. The WCW Web site is located at www.WCW.com.

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