Press Pause 09.10.07: Wrestling Games, Part 3 of 3
Posted by Cory Moore on 09.10.2007
Wrapping up the wrestling feature with a look at the games that have hit the market since WWE became the powerhouse of the industry.
Over the past two weeks, we've taken a stroll down memory lane by taking a look at some of the best wrestling titles produced on home video game systems. Today, we wrap up the journey, taking a look at the titles released since Vince McMahon secured his chokehold on the wrestling industry by buying out his competitors, ECW and WCW. So sit back, grab some munchies and a coke, and enjoy
Laying The Smackdown: A Look at Wrestling Games Over the Years Part 3: WWE Dominance
Whereas past games we've looked at represented certain eras in the wrestling world, the titles released since 2001 haven't really had a back story to them. With one exception, these titles have simply represented the WWE period they were released in. So instead of a chronological view, we'll break down these selections according to consoles
Extreme Warfare Revenge
PC, 2002
Manage a wrestling promotion, from booking matches to negotiating weekly TV timeslots
Deal with backstage politics based on relationships and morale
Match commentary provided by internet columnists such as Scott Keith
Read the latest internet gossip on "EWRevenge.com"
Claim to Fame: Okay, so this isn't your typical wrestling game. The game is text based, which means you won't be seeing entrances, the matches, or anything like that. As far as your wrestlers go, you manage everything about them: from determining card status to their on-screen gimmicks. Then, you have to wrangle with road agents, contract PPV and TV time, and compete with other companies who want to snatch from your farm of talent.
The game's legacy: This game is for those who have said they can manage a wrestling promotion better than Vince McMahon himself. Creator Adam Ryland pretty much said, "Really? Here you go, then." Even though you can't play against another human opponents, the computer's AI makes for a very competitive experience. This game really gives you a good idea about what it is like to manage a backyard fed versus competing on a global scale of the now-defunct WCW or WWE. If you've ever dreamed of managing the backstage aspects of a wrestling promotion, this release is for you. Oh, did I mention it is free?
Wrestling games released on the X-Box video game console
WWF RAW (2002) features:
47 WWF Superstars circa Spring 2001
Singles, Tag Team, Triple Threat, and Handicap Matches
Extensive Create-An-Entrance lets you modify lighting, camera effects, and pyrotechnics
WWE RAW 2 (2003) Features:
66 WWE Superstars Circa February 2003
Season mode follows 12 months of a WWE calendar year, with the eventual goal of winning the WWE or World Heavyweight Championship. Along the way, you have the option to turn face and heel by attacking your opponent from behind, stealing attire, calling out a rival, and much more.
Only X-Box WWE game to feature editable costumes for WWE superstars
WWE Wrestlemania 21 (2005) Features:
40 WWE Superstars circa Fall 2004 + 7 Unlockable Legends
Only X-Box WWE game to feature voiceovers and play-by-play commentary
Unique control system ensures that every move has counter
"Character Evolution" season mode allows you to customize abilities, appearances, moveset, and other aspects of your wrestling persona on your pursuit to the World Heavyweight Championship
Claim to Fame: The WWE games that appear on the X-Box make a name for themselves thanks to the extensive customization in Create-a-Wrestler. More specifically, the Create-an-Entrance feature is improved on in each game. RAW is spectacular because it allows you to tweak the nuances of the arena's lighting, while RAW 2 allows for timed pyro and a neat create-a-titantron feature. Wrestlemania 21 stands out because it puts the X-Box hardware to good use by allowing gamers to rip CD tracks and use them for their wrestler's theme music.
The games' legacy: With the X-Box's variety when it comes to sports games, it's not really shocking that these wrestling games are often overlooked in the system's library. I once owned RAW and it was quite horrible gameplay-wise, though the sequels did fix many of the initial mistakes. The system's titles do have their own spice, though. From the interrupting of an opponent's entrance to ripped theme music, these games truly mimick sports entertainment's weekly broadcasts. What these titles may lack in gameplay, they more than make up for with superb presentation.
WWE Day of Reckoning (series)
Gamecube
WWE Day of Reckoning (2004) features:
35 WWE Superstars circa Spring 2004 + 5 Unlockable Legends
Create-An-Entrance with fireworks and pyrotechnics
Momentum meter allows for unthinkable comebacks and impossible feats, such as a cruiserweight lifting a super-heavyweight for a power move that rocks the ring
WWE Day of Reckoning 2 (2005) features:
38 Superstars circa Spring 2005 + 5 Unlockable Legends
3 stages of blood damage, from a small incision on the head to pouring down a wrestler's chest
Stamina system ensures match pace mirrors that of the real sport
Claim to Fame: Day of Reckoning is the first (and only, to date) wrestling series to offer a continuing storyline. ((WARNING: THIS SECTION CONTAINS SPOILERS)) The first Day of Reckoning game followed your created superstar's journey to the top of the WWE. As with any grappler, you begin training in the developmental territories. When you're ready to be called up, you get face time on the B-Shows, Velocity and Heat. Finally, you make your debut on RAW with Triple H's Evolution stable or on Smackdown! as a part of the Undertaker's Ministry faction. From there, you build momentum, challenge for titles, and eventually battle for the Heavyweight belt in an Iron Man Match at Wrestlemania XX. Day of Reckoning 2 picks up with your character transferring to the RAW brand. Triple H regains the belt, loses it to Chris Jericho in a controversial fashion, and the title is declared vacant. A tournament is set up that will conclude at Wrestlemania 21, but the belt is stolen and your character is framed and fired from RAW. Teddy Long signs your superstar, who goes on to feud with Triple H in a cross-branded rivalry. This all leads to Wrestlemania 21, where your character wins back the Heavyweight title, rekindles his love with Stacy Keibler, and gains the respect of the locker room.
The games' legacy: The Day of Reckoning duo is a cause of debate for many wrestling gamers. Nintendo gamers were specifically trained (and spoiled) with Wrestlemania 2000 and No Mercy on the Nintendo 64. These titles don't quite live up to that caliber, but I don't think anybody expected them to. Nevertheless, these titles do present some unique features that made their way to later titles, such as the stamina meter (which can now be seen in Smackdown vs. RAW). All in all, WWE was represented well on the Gamecube.
WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2007
Playstation 2/Xbox 360
50 WWE Superstars circa Summer 2006 + 16 Unlockable Legends
Fight into the crowd and interactive with the environment around you
17 Speciality Matches, including Money in the Bank
Claim to Fame: Season modes have come a long way since the 32-Bit days, and the Smackdown vs. RAW series has introduced us to a new way to experience wrestling games: GM Mode. Remember Extreme Warfare, the game I talked about earlier? Well, this mode is a simplified version of that game. You control either brand of WWE, Smackdown or RAW, and draft superstars accordingly. You book the shows week-by-week, watch as feuds progress, and can take a peak by watching or playing the matches. GM Mode allows the booker in all of us to shine in a structured environment. Great stuff.
The game's legacy: The Smackdown! series has continued strong, with an annual installment each year since its inception in 2000. The developers have listened to the fans, incorporating a robust number of match types, re-implementing the create-a-belt feature first seen in the N64 titles, and producing some of the best graphics seen on any sports game to date. The Smackdown! series has set the benchmark for wrestling games and has shown no sign of letting up any time soon.
The future
THQ has condensed its efforts into one project for the next wave of wrestling video games: the Smackdown vs. RAW series. The 2008 installment will get the proper treatment on each of the next-gen systems: The Wii edition will have motion controls, the Playstation 3 port will have downloadable content, and the X-Box 360 title will feature high-end graphics that will improve upon 2007's stellar presentation. Hopefully THQ will eventually release system-specific titles again, but if they decide to take the one-game-only route, SvR is a choice that most gamers will find satisfaction with.
(Thanks goes to Gamefaqs.com's database for making my compiling of details so much easier!)
Signing Off
And with that, my time at 411Mania has come to a close. My nine months writing here was a tremendous experience, but I'm afraid my senior year of college has caught up with me. With school assignments flying at me left and right and preparing to graduate soon, I wouldn't be able to continue and put 100% effort into my work, so I decided it was best to step away than to neglect the hobby I love so much. Before I sign off, though, I want to say thanks to Ashish and Caleb for giving me this opportunity. 411 is one of the few credible places on the net where you can express your opinion, and that has made for a thoroughly enjoyable experience. To my fellow writers, I urge you guys to continue bickering on the forums. I will miss the witty banter a great deal. And to my readers, I thank you for taking the time out of your day to read the column produced by lil' ol' me. Sometimes hearing of another gamer's passion was the only thing outside of Red Bull keeping me going week after week.
My AIM is TheEgo204 and my e-mail address is coryamoore@gmail.com. I'm always up for a good discussion or a heated online Wii battle, so don't hesitate to contact me!
