WWF Wrestlemania: The Arcade Game

32X

Review by Matt Paprocki

Acclaim

Wrestling

Graphics: 5

Sound: 5

Gameplay: 8

Overall: 6


Here we have a good game. Not for everyone, but a good game nonetheless. Here is a good game ported to a somewhat powerful console. See how a good game can get butchered on new platform by shoddy programming.

8 WWF wrestlers are crammed onto this cart. Certainly not enough to appease any wrestling fans, but this flaw plagues every version of the game. These arcade style battles are NOT played out like a standard wrestling match. The wresters turn into inanimate objects to waffle their opponents (Razor Ramon's arm turns into a blade to slash at his opponents for example), objects fly out of the wrestlers when hit, combos can hit the high double digits, and pinning is the only way to win.

You can choose to either tackle the Intercontinental championship or the much more difficult route and go for the world title. You'll be faced not only with one wrestler, but multiple at one time. The final battle on the road to the world title will require you to take on every opponent, 3 at a time, to finally become the champ. After that, it's over. There's nothing more to do. No wrestlers to unlock, no need to defend the title. Truly a disappointment.

The thing most immediately noticeable about this one are the graphics. Not because they're outstanding or anything, but how they don't even look as good as the SNES version. Actually, they're barely above the Genesis port. The console (if you want to call it that) can pump out a massive amount of color, so why doesn't this game use them? Digitized graphics require as much color as possible. Not only are the graphics lacking detail, but the sound is even sparser than any of the other ports. Jerry Lawler SHOULD be calling these matches, but this port only features Vince McMahon.

The game is still good, no questions there. It's an absolute blast to play, especially for those who aren't big fans of pro wrestling. However, as a game reviewer, you have to knock points off because it doesn't take advantage of the console you're playing it on. There is no reason to play this game over any other version, an inexcusable flaw. Pick up the PS One or Saturn version instead.

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Last updated: Sunday, January 30, 2005 05:51 PM