So, you're a fan of the WWE, eh? Maybe...TNA as well? What about Ring of Honor? Heck, maybe you despise all three, and just wish pro wrestling would go back to its glory days. However you feel about it, one thing remains- you are a pro wrestling fan. Whether you think the heyday of the business was the WWF/WcW Monday night wars, when you had the live WcW crew shooting itself in the foot by giving out spoilers that Mankind was going to win the WWF Heavyweight Title at the end of that Monday Night Raw (which, if you don't know, caused viewers to switch the channel from WcW Nitro, right over to WWF Raw). Or maybe your heyday of pro wrestling is when the All-American Hulk Hogan lifted up Andre the Giant and gave him the bodyslam heard 'round the world in front of a record crowd in Pontiac, Michigan at Wrestlemania III. Maybe your heyday goes father back than that to the days of the WWWF, the NWA, Stampede Wrestling, and the rest of the territories. Whatever you consider the heyday of professional wrestling, chances are that it is long gone at this point. So, what do we turn to to get our wrestling fix? Videos? Maybe. Memories? Of course. But, the best thing to turn to, to really reLIVE those times- video games. And that's where this list comes into play. Below are the top 10 professional wrestling games released in these United States. Enjoy.
#10: Legends of Wrestling II (PS2)
Legends of Wrestling II is an old school wrestling fans dream…well, sorta. LoW II contains a massive list of classic wrestlers including Owen Hart, Sid Vicious, Eddie Guerrero, Bam Bam Bigelow, Andre the Giant, Hulk Hogan, Bret Hart, Jimmy “Superfly” Snuka, and the list goes on and on, totaling over, a whopping, 65 legends. What’s really fun about this game is the fact that you get to relive the days when territories ruled the world. There are six fictional (but based on real life) territories to play through in Career mode, and there are some very famous storylines to complete on your quest to the coveted World Championship. The fact that you can replay this through with each of the different wrestlers adds a great deal of replayability to the game. Personally, I love the slower style of gameplay LoW II offers, but others may not feel the same way. There's a reversal system in the game that really slows down matches, but overall, I think this works in the games favor to help reproduce pro wrestling during the territory days. The graphics have a comic book look to them, giving the appearance that these superstars are larger than life (which fits perfectly for the 1980s personalities that the game includes). There is also a create-a-legend mode, theatre mode (with interviews from the legends themselves), quite a few match options (including cage and ladder matches), title matches (World, US, or Tag titles), and 7 international arenas to wrestle in. In the end, if you are able to look past the less-than-perfect, slower-than-average gameplay, you will be rewarded with a very fun game that has, arguably, the best roster in a video game to date, which is why Legends of Wrestling II gets the number 10 spot on my list.
#9: Pro Wrestling (NES)
Ah, classic 8-bit wrestling at its finest! Pro Wrestling features 7 original wrestlers (Fighter Hayabusa, King Slender, Starman, King Corn Karn, Starman, Giant Panther, The Amazon, and Great Puma- I’m sure you recognize at least ONE, if not all, of those classic names. Each wrestler has their own unique signature move, and most have a punch, a kick, two suplexes, and about three other moves in their arsenal. The goal is to beat 5 wrestlers on your quest to fight the Video Wrestling Association Champion- King Slender. The matches have a referee (which must be in position in order to start the three count), and a cameraman (purely aesthetic, outside of the ring). Wrestlers can even exit the ring in Pro Wrestling, which prompts the referee to start his 20 count. Another excellent feature in PW is the inclusion of mulitplayer. You and a friend can each choose one of the 7 wrestlers listed above and fight head to head to see who is truly deserving of the 8-Bit World Championship! Pro Wrestling gets the nod at number 9 because this is the game that really started it all, not to mention the best wrestling game on the NES.
#8: WWF Raw (SNES)
Let’s double up and jump to the 16-bit gem, and number 8 on my list, WWF Raw for the Super Nintendo. WWF Raw takes everything its predecessor WWF Royal Rumble did and improves upon it. Featuring 12 wrestlers, 6 game modes, and 1 steel chair outside of the ring, WWF Raw never leaves you feeling unfulfilled. All wrestlers are rated on 4 different attributes- strength, stamina, speed, and weight- and have their own, unique movesets (including signature moves, and over-the-top-rope mega moves). WWF Raw has a very arcade feel to it, probably the most of any game on this list, but that’s where the fun factor of the game comes in. This is a great game to play multiplayer, as it passed countless hours in my younger days with my best friends. The gameplay features a tug-of-war system, where button mashing is king, in order to execute your grapple moves. The shining star of the game has to be its Royal Rumble mode, where you throw your opponents over the top-rope, and fight to be the last man in the ring. This caused more than a few fights between us young, elementary school boys back when the game was released. WWF Raw for the SNES comes in at number 8 on my list due to its high fun factor, excellent multiplayer, and Luna Vachon.
#7: WWF SmackDown! 2: Know Your Role (PS)
It’s difficult to bypass any original when it sparked such a long running series like WWF SmackDown has, but the sequal, WWF SmackDown 2: Know Your Role improved on the original so much, that I would be stupid to leave it off the list for it’s predecessor. Living in todays wrestling world, it’s hard to even imagine video game wrestling before THQ and Yuke’s introduced us to the WWF/E SmackDown series. This series truly revolutionized pro wrestling video games in the same way that John Madden revolutionized football games. Whether you feel it is for the better, or for the worst, the change came with this series. WWF SmackDown 2: Know Your Role consists of pick-up-and-play gameplay, a great story mode, a (relatively) deep create-a-wreslter, and a create-a-taunt that hadn’t been seen before. SmackDown 2 also contains tag team moves for the first time, and a vastly improved list of moves (which includes pre-created movesets of popular WcW and Japanese wrestlers). Although far from perfect, WWF SmackDown 2: Know Your Role for Playstation earns the number 7 spot on this list because of the series overall impact on the industry, pick-up-and-play gameplay style, and the introduction of features to the American console game.
#6: WCW/NWO Revenge (N64)
I know what you’re thinking- “where are the Nintendo 64 wrestling games?!” Well, at number 6, we meet our first one- WcW/nWo Revenge! Revenge contains a great roster, very decent graphics, and outstanding gameplay. For the first time, WcW fans could wrestle in real venues like the WcW Nitro arena, or the Starrcade arena, and see their wrestlers ring entrances. Revenge’s gameplay also featured a new combo system (which may not be a good thing, depending who you ask), which allowed players to perform a combination attack before hitting a move. We also see the skeletal system for the very famous create-a-wrestler option from THQ (which will be vastly improved upon later on). Revenge also fixes a lot of small issues that were present in WcW vs. nWo: World Tour, such as imperfect finishers, post-match replays, and more wrestlers, but it isn’t perfect. Where this sequel proves inferior to its predecessor, WcW vs. nWo: World Tour, is in the multiplayer- players could take advantage of a glitch where spinning the analog stick will always kick you out of a pin. But, aside from the multiplayer, WcW/nWo Revenge earns the number 6 spot because of its outstanding gameplay, large roster, well balanced engine, and overall fun factor.
#5: Fire Pro Wrestling Returns (PS2)
Now, if I may jump back on the path of the not-so-mainstream game, I want to talk about number 5- Fire Pro Wrestling Returns. Fire Pro Wrestling is a legendary series overseas, dating back all the way to the days of the Super Famicom (or Super Nintendo as we know it in the States), but FPR marks the American home console debut. FPR is a DIFFICULT game, but those that stick with it are rewarded with the most realistic wrestling experience imaginable. If you’re a fan of button mashing, you may want to move on down the list, because FPR will never reward you for doing so. Instead, the game relies on impeccable timing, and Nick Bockwinkle-like (look him up) ring philosophy in order to pick apart your opponent and earn the three count. The game hosts over 300 (yes, OVER 300) wrestlers to choose from, and allows you to create a ridiculous 500 other wrestlers. The thing is, due to licensing issues, fans of the WWE, TNA, and other organizations will not see their favorites in the game when they first boot it up. However, upon further review, you will notice some striking similarities to your favorites. Why is that? Because Spike has included those guys, they just did it in such a way as to not get sued by the Big Bad Vinny Mac. If you do some quick edits of name, and color options, you will, almost magically, see your favorites from the WcW, WWE, TNA, NOAH, ROH, and others appear. There is way too many good things to be said about this game, but I will leave it up to you to look up on GameFAQs to find all it’s wonderful abilities. Fire Pro Wrestling Returns ranks in at number 5 on my list because of its nearly infinite customization options, brutally realistic gameplay features, and beautifully detailed sprite graphics.
#4: WWE SmackDown! Here Comes the Pain (PS2)
WWE SmackDown: Here Comes the Pain marks the second game in the SmackDown series to make this list, but, it is also the best game of the series (not to mention the last before the SmackDown vs. Raw series began). HCTP has an excellent roster of 56 “current” wrestlers (for the time, of course), and is the first game in the series to have Legends (11 of them). There are 2 games in this series to not have commentary, and they’re both on this list (coincidence?). In HCTP, we see the debut of the Bra and Panties Match, the Elimination Chamber Match, and the First Blood Matches to the series. The grappling system used the O+Direction style to select moves, which is one of the easier control schemes for pick-up-and-play wrestling games, as well as a personal favorite (well, my second favorite scheme, actually). The gameplay is a bit slower than the rest of the series, but this was a great choice on THQ’s part because it really adds to the realism of the gameplay. The season mode in HCTP is one of my favorites as well, as it is fully controlled by the user- if I want a title match, I can challenge for one (assuming I’m not involved in a storyline), and it has a decision-based system which affects the path of your character and experience points earned. You earn money in season mode, which can be used in the ShopZone to purchase unlockables including movesets for created wrestlers, loading screens, and experience points to rank up your wrestler. The best part of HCTP is the incredibly in-depth create-a-wrestler options. This is one of the deepest CAW systems I have seen in a wrestling game, which is really what gives HCTP a boost up (or down, in this case) the list. WWE SmackDown: Here Comes the Pain takes the number 4 spot simply because of its unmatched playability, deep create-a-wrestler mode and unique season mode.
#3: WWF No Mercy (N64)
I know, let the bashing begin- WWF No Mercy is the number 3 pro wrestling game of all time- 2 spots lower than the majority probably thinks I should put it. But, if you continue reading, I think I can justify this. WWF No Mercy is, without a doubt, the best Nintendo 64 wrestling game, the best mainstream wrestling game, and the best home console wrestling game ever released (you’ll see that the top two don’t fit into any of those categories). If you haven’t played No Mercy, you are probably too young, or have been living under the proverbial rock since 2000. The story mode remains the best story mode in any traditional wrestling game, with a branching storyline system (meaning that you don’t have to win every match in order for the story to continue- the story advances in different ways depending on whether you win or lose) that gives players a unique storyline for each of the WWF championship belts. After winning one of the titles, players are then able to defend the belt in exhibition matches. If you want to complete the story mode 100%, you actually must LOSE some of the matches when you replay the story mode, which is one feature I love about the game. As with Here Comes the Pain in the number 4 spot, the create-a-wrestler in No Mercy is impeccable. The options are vast, and it allows for up to 4 different attires (you can change everything in these 4 slots, including names). The best part of the CAW for me is creating the movesets because of the large array of moves available in the game. One thing that always upset me about WWF No Mercy was the fact that AKI took out the create-a-belt option that was found in WWF Wrestlemania 2000 (No Mercy’s predecessor), but the gameplay more than makes up for this. The addition of the SmackDown Mall adds a lot of replay value to the game, and players can fight backstage for the first time (and perform moves through the announce table!). The graphics have that classic Nintendo 64 look to them that you grow to love, and it’s more realistic than most games on current-gen systems. WWF No Mercy takes the number 3 spot because of its branching storylines, excellent create-a-wrestler mode, spot-on gameplay mechanics, robust features, and simply fun multiplayer modes.
#2: Fire Pro Wrestling (GBA)
What could possibly bump No Mercy to number 3 on the list? Well, first up is number 2, and it’s a…Game Boy Advance game?!? That’s right, the GBA gem known as Fire Pro Wrestling takes spot number 2. This was the first Fire Pro game to be released in America, and it introduced us Americans (who weren’t lucky enough to have it imported, and able to read Japanese) to the wonders that are Fire Pro. As I said before, the Fire Pro series is DIFFICULT. The same applies to this game as does FPR above, button mashing gets you nowhere. This version of the game is ranked all the way up at number two simply because it is the most realistic wrestling ever created, and you can play it anywhere you want! The customization is the reason to play FPW, and the GBA cartridge capabilities are nothing to laugh at: 200 playable wrestlers, and over 70 create-a-wrestler slots make FPW the most customizable portable game I have played, wrestling or otherwise. Again, the movesets are some of my favorite aspects of creating a wrestler, and FPW is tops, allowing for setting your own custom name for finishers, amongst other small details that really set this game apart. The graphics are fantastic in detail for such a small screen, and the gameplay is unaffected because its on a handheld. Again, for copyright issues, your favorite wrestlers are hidden behind fake names and random color schemes, but all this is easily changed with some time, and the right FAQ. Also in FPW is the octagon, meaning that MMA matches are possible, and very well done. FPW2, this games sequel took out some match options, which is why FPW gets this spot and not FPW2, but both are games any wrestling fan should own. Fire Pro Wrestling for the Game Boy Advance steals the number 2 spot because the match options are robust, the gameplay is the best available, and the customization is nearly limitless. You will not find a better traditional wrestling game around, period.
#1: TNM7 (PC)
And so we have arrived- the number 1 pro wrestling game released in the United States, and what does that bring us to? TNM 7 for the PC, of course! Now, you’re probably thinking “wait…TN-what?” TNM 7 is a huge turn away from your traditional wrestling video games, as this is a text-based wrestling simulator created by Oliver Copp. TNM caught my attention years ago with it’s catchy marketing, promising me that I could make Goldberg versus Steve Austin, Bret Hart versus Kurt Angle, and other, at the time, impossible dream matches with one program. It took me only a few days into the trial to realize that TNM 7 was something special. TNM puts YOU in the shoes of Vince McMahon, Jeff Jarrett, Ted Turner, and any other wrestling owner you can think of, and lets you sign wrestlers, start feuds, book matches, crown champions, and see storylines through to fruition. You don’t control a single match, instead you control an entire promotion- you can book finishes (or let TNM randomly choose), decide if it’s a title match, book run-ins, book spots, pick show titles, and virtually anything else you can imagine. What makes TNM unique is…well…everything! You are owner, booker, promoter, and head writer. You want to give Stevie Richards that main event push he’s always deserved, super kicking his way to the top, then go for it! With TNM, the only limitations I have ever found was my own imagination. The matches play out in a text-based format (the program originally ran in DOS, but now has made the move up to work all the way to Windows Vista), and it never feels like I’m reading the same match twice, just with the names changed- TNM delivers its results based on a very vast set of customizable stats for all your wrestlers. At the end of the match, you get a breakdown of the finish, and a star rating of the match. This trend continues for your entire card. Graphics are completely null in TNM 7 because of its text-based format, but you play TNM because of its freedom of options, and to fill your life long dreams of running a pro wrestling company. If you have every played the GM Mode of any of the SmackDown vs. Raw series, TNM is a vastly improved, and much, much deeper version of that. TNM 7 requires a “smart mark” of the pro wrestling world to be enjoyed, but if you’ve ever wanted a game that allows you to play as Vince McMahon, you owe it to yourself to try out this excellent text-based wrestling simulator program. It even comes with a free 30-day trial! TNM 7 for PC rounds out the top 10 list because nothing else allows as much freedom, nothing else allows you to be as creative, nothing else has more replayability, and nothing else is as unique or limitless as TNM 7.
As with any list such as this, you always have to leave out some great games, and this is no exception: honorable mentions go to WWF Wrestlemania 2000 (create-a-title says it all), WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2006 (first GM mode, excellent gameplay), WWF Attitude (forever changed the way we looked at create-a-wrestler modes), Total Extreme Warfare 2005 (another great text-based PC program where you play as the owner/operator), Def Jam Vendetta (the last AKI rapper fighting/wrestling game that uses the same skeletal system as WWF No Mercy), and WWE Day of Reckoning 2 (simply great gameplay). But, the games listed above just stand out above the rest. And if you look closely, you'll notice that two words really top this list- unique and customization. To me, if a wrestling game doesn't allow for a lot of customization, or brings something unique to the table, I probably will not be playing it for too long. Well, if you’ve made it this far, I want to thank you for reading, and I hope I have been able to spark your interest on a few games you may not have tried yet. Again, thanks for reading!
