Re: Wrestling Game Reviews by Rockofhysteria
Posted: October 31st, 2016, 3:46 am
Ok Folks Time for my 2nd wrestling game review and for this one I'm going to do IMO hands down the best licensed wrestling game of the 8 bit era now I know that's not saying very much lol but just go with me here. I present WWF Wrestlemania Challenge for the NES released in 1990 This game was Developed by Rare and Published in North America by LJN
This was the 2nd WWF game for home consoles after the Steaming Pile of Crap that is WWF Wrestlemania. This game is a step up in every single way and best of all unlike it's older brother it's actually FUN to play.
First lets start with the graphics the first games graphics were mediocre at best with dark colors that didn't really suit a wrestling game. The graphics in this game are much more detailed and much brighter. The Sprites for the wrestlers are much better made and way more detailed than on the first game and each wrestler has their real attire so no more red tights on Hulk Hogan. The Ring looks great and it is presented in a Isometric view which would become very popular in later years in the Fire Pro Wrestling Series.
The sound is also greatly improved compared to the first game the wrestlers themes sound a lot better along with the sound effects in General.
The Gameplay is you guessed it much much better than the first game. Everyone can slam each other and they introduced the ability to come off the top rope. Now mind you that tactic isn't very well done in this game but hey you can't have everything back in 1990. The moves are easy to perform for the most part and attempting a pin is a snap here unlike in the first game. Each wrestler also has a signature move as well which the first game did not have for instance you can do Rick Rude's Rude Awakening move, Brutus Beefcake's Sleeper Hold and so forth. You can even pick your opponent up and throw them out of the ring.
There are also more game modes in this game that aren't in the 1st game you can do Singles Matches of course and a Gauntlet of sorts where you play a generic character called YOU and you work your way through the roster to win the WWF Championship. Now added you can do Tag Team matches as well which is pretty cool and my personal favorite the Survivor Series Match which is 3 on 3 elimination style. All modes play pretty good the only complaint I have is you can only play as the Generic YOU character in the Gauntlet mode.
The last thing I will touch on is the Roster which is expanded to 9 Wrestlers 8 of the top WWF stars of the time and the Generic YOU Character you get Hulk Hogan of Course and Macho King Randy Savage, and Andre The Giant then you get newcomers Hacksaw Jim Duggan, Brutus The Barber Beefcake The Big Boss Man, Ravishing Rick Rude and The Ultimate Warrior who stars in the Awesome Looking title screen for the game. Great limited roster here of nothing but All time greats and the Generic Character.
When this game came out WWF fans loved it of course and it was a far far superior effort to the first game. It also might make you think that maybe this could be the start of a string of great WWF games to come for the NES. Well sadly that was just wishful thinking but I will save that for future reviews. This is without a doubt the peak of 8 bit home console wrestling gaming.
Graphics/A-
Sound/B
Gameplay/B+
Roster/A
Overall grade is B+/A- take it how you want lol not good on averages.
That's it for this review sometime later this week I will do another review most likely the NES classic Pro Wrestling.
This was the 2nd WWF game for home consoles after the Steaming Pile of Crap that is WWF Wrestlemania. This game is a step up in every single way and best of all unlike it's older brother it's actually FUN to play.
First lets start with the graphics the first games graphics were mediocre at best with dark colors that didn't really suit a wrestling game. The graphics in this game are much more detailed and much brighter. The Sprites for the wrestlers are much better made and way more detailed than on the first game and each wrestler has their real attire so no more red tights on Hulk Hogan. The Ring looks great and it is presented in a Isometric view which would become very popular in later years in the Fire Pro Wrestling Series.
The sound is also greatly improved compared to the first game the wrestlers themes sound a lot better along with the sound effects in General.
The Gameplay is you guessed it much much better than the first game. Everyone can slam each other and they introduced the ability to come off the top rope. Now mind you that tactic isn't very well done in this game but hey you can't have everything back in 1990. The moves are easy to perform for the most part and attempting a pin is a snap here unlike in the first game. Each wrestler also has a signature move as well which the first game did not have for instance you can do Rick Rude's Rude Awakening move, Brutus Beefcake's Sleeper Hold and so forth. You can even pick your opponent up and throw them out of the ring.
There are also more game modes in this game that aren't in the 1st game you can do Singles Matches of course and a Gauntlet of sorts where you play a generic character called YOU and you work your way through the roster to win the WWF Championship. Now added you can do Tag Team matches as well which is pretty cool and my personal favorite the Survivor Series Match which is 3 on 3 elimination style. All modes play pretty good the only complaint I have is you can only play as the Generic YOU character in the Gauntlet mode.
The last thing I will touch on is the Roster which is expanded to 9 Wrestlers 8 of the top WWF stars of the time and the Generic YOU Character you get Hulk Hogan of Course and Macho King Randy Savage, and Andre The Giant then you get newcomers Hacksaw Jim Duggan, Brutus The Barber Beefcake The Big Boss Man, Ravishing Rick Rude and The Ultimate Warrior who stars in the Awesome Looking title screen for the game. Great limited roster here of nothing but All time greats and the Generic Character.
When this game came out WWF fans loved it of course and it was a far far superior effort to the first game. It also might make you think that maybe this could be the start of a string of great WWF games to come for the NES. Well sadly that was just wishful thinking but I will save that for future reviews. This is without a doubt the peak of 8 bit home console wrestling gaming.
Graphics/A-
Sound/B
Gameplay/B+
Roster/A
Overall grade is B+/A- take it how you want lol not good on averages.
That's it for this review sometime later this week I will do another review most likely the NES classic Pro Wrestling.