Overall 8.6 Graphics 7 Sound 3 Addictive 6 Story 3 Depth 3 Difficulty 8
8
The grand-daddy of all wrestling games, and its good endings
When this was released, there was also a SEGA Master system version with the same name, because "Pro Wrestling" in US sound generic, doesn't it? I wanted to play this Famicom version to see if there was any difference from the American version, and there is none I've found so far. The engrish is still here, from the "WINNER IS YOU", and all the same wrestlers with the same names. But this is not some lame game, this is listed in the top 200 NES games from Nintendo Power.
What sets this game apart and makes even better than some later made wrestling games (like the WWF ones from Acclaim)? It features eclectic wrestlers, and also includes a cameraman and a referee. The ref is used excellently, expertly getting out of the way of the action, and he has to move to where the pinfall is happening to count it. This was one of the first if not the first to include a ref.
Despite the simple graphics, this is a solid wrestling game. When they do the brain-buster, the suplex, you can literally see them do that, and the opponents body reacting. This was not so even on some later wrestling games for the NES, where the moves were hard to tell what exactly was happening. There are closeup profile shots of each wrestler you can pick, and are quite detailed by NES standards at the time.
The sound is not so hot. The best I can give it is the punishing sound of impact with the mat, its really satisfying. The music when you are fighting is memorable, but not really for good reasons. It doesn't fit wrestling, and sounds like this would better suit another type of game. There is no noise from the fighters, but this was quite on par with the time, so i cannot take any points off for that. The lack of music
selection, or even negating it and letting the bell dings, crushing slams and crowd whistles probably would have made this better.
You have many wrestlers to choose from. Other than their slight change in graphical features, they also each feature signature moves like the popular wrestlers of real life. Each wrestler gets the same
selection of moves, but some are changed or omitted for the special moves to implement. While this sounds bad they have the same stable of beginning moves, this was one of its best feature - and one that hasn't hurt Mortal Kombat. By having the same type of moves, you can play anyone once you learn the basics. The cast is a lot more colorful than expected. You have a bad guy heel, the green bodysuit AMAZON, who looks like a giant piranha and bites and stabs his opponent. There is a all-American guy by the name of Giant Panther, who has a severe bronzed tan and can try to crush your face with a iron claw grip and a headbutt.
The story is not very detailed. You wrestle, and you want to win the belt. When you do, you defend from the same guys you beat up as they challenge you. When you win like 10 more matches, you can face the true champion, the Great Puma. There is no TV interviews or anything to spice it up, or rivalries to add depth. Bare bones, good thing its a fun game.
This game can be difficult, as it ramps up the longer you play. A turbo controller would help, as the cpu can later start dominating you in grapples. Then they start dodging your running moves, and later on even using the match timer or ring out count to try and beat you. While the wrestler you have to beat to get the title is not too tough, the Great Puma you fight later is. This guy comes out of nowhere and man is he has all moves to use against you.
This is a classic wrestler from bygone time, and the only one I'd consider playing on the NES. It lacks story, but features a crazy
selection of wrestlers who all know how to wrestle, and to me, thats the most important thing.
Graphics 7 Sound 3 Addictive 6 Story 3 Depth 3 Difficulty 8
Review Rating: 5/5
Submitted: 08-03-14
Review Replies: 0
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