The History of Wrestling Games

**Kugyince** · 12-12-2010, 03:56 PM

Professional wrestling and video games should have been the perfect fit from the earliest of the home console system's entry into the common home. It is an industry that can be traced back to the 19th century, and legend has it that Abraham Lincoln, the very same 16th president of America, was a skilled shoot (catch style) wrestler in his day who performed in wrestling matches at fairs and markets before becoming commander in chief and ending slavery, a moment in history only surpassed by Hulk Hogan defeating the Iron Sheik. Despite his wrestling background, Lincoln has strangely not been an unlockable in any wrestling game so far, which is surely a missed opportunity.

Hardcore Gaming 101: AKI Wrestling Games

**RU Joe** · 12-12-2010, 04:40 PM

WWF King of the Ring » Nintendo
WWF WrestleMania » Nintendo
WWF WrestleMania Challenge » Nintendo
WWF WrestleMania: Steel Cage Challenge » Nintendo

Super Fire Pro Wrestling » Super Nintendo
Super Fire Pro Wrestling - All Star Dream Slam » Super Nintendo
Super Fire Pro Wrestling - Queen's Special » Super Nintendo
Super Fire Pro Wrestling - Special » Super Nintendo
Super Fire Pro Wrestling II » Super Nintendo
Super Fire Pro Wrestling III - Final Bout » Super Nintendo
Super Fire Pro Wrestling X - Premium » Super Nintendo

Wrestle War (set 3, World, 8751 317-0103) » Coin Op
WWF Superstars (US) » Coin Op
WWF WrestleFest (US set 1) » Coin Op

Here's a partial list of games on site, but there may be more in the arcade that I'm not aware of.

I never used to like wrestling games much back in the day, so I missed all these great games listed above ...

I picked up a couple of Wrestling games for Gamecube and Playstation 2, and still thought they were 'Meh' , but since I got Smackdown Vs. Raw 2007 for Playstation 2, all that has changed.

What can I say but .. WOW!!
It has smooth gameplay with great controls, and the graphics are excellent as well - the wrestlers are rendered in high detail with all their signature entrances and moves.
{compared to other wrestling games I have: Day of Reckoning and Smackdown: Just Bring It, which seem like works in progress by comparison}

But Smackdown Vs. Raw has even more than that: you can create your own Wrestler, and believe me, this is almost a game unto itself with literally hundreds of individual attributes and features you can use to make a truly realistic Wrestler.

I have a lot of fun with it, and before this turns into even more of a review, I'll finish off by saying thanks to Tenser for bringing the History of Wrestling Games article to our attention.

**fenrir1887** · 12-15-2010, 09:52 PM

I love the SvR series. I create so many different wrestlers and stomp the AI flat it's not funny. My first project was HFC Jean Grey.

**CatalystiCam** · 12-15-2010, 11:45 PM

they mention a million games including obscure ones but not the one I liked the most :-/

**Josephjo** · 12-16-2010, 04:13 AM

This was my first wrestling game - Rock 'n' Wrestle for the Commodore 64 from1985

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XQ0Y43N9AY&feature=player_detailpage"]YouTube - C64 Longplay Rock'n wrestle[/ame]

Things have come a long way!

**Slime Slayer** · 12-16-2010, 04:38 AM

Hahah, it's been awhile since a games graphics have made me lol. The little wrestlers are priceless. Seriously though, extremely well done for c64.

---------- Post added at 10:38 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:36 AM ----------

Music fits perfectly too.

**elrod21** · 12-16-2010, 12:47 PM

I remember Rock 'n' Wrestling on the C64. I believe it was known as Bop 'n' Wrestling here in North America.

I also liked Championship Wrestling by Epyx as well from that period on the C64.

**jim5cents** · 12-16-2010, 12:55 PM

So if Bret Hart had the Sharpshooter and Stone Cold Steve Austin had the Stone Cold Stunner, does that mean Lincoln's finishing move was the Emancipation Proclamation?

**RU Joe** · 12-16-2010, 06:08 PM

No, I think he just crowned his opponent with that huge honking hat he wore.

**Dudebro** · 12-16-2010, 06:51 PM

I think Lincoln was more of a no holds barred kinda wrestler. He'd just drone on about some issue and when they're about to nod off he hits them with his Lincoln log.

**jim5cents** · 12-17-2010, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DB

he hits them with his Lincoln log.

Are we still talking about wrestling?

**Dudebro** · 12-17-2010, 08:29 PM

That's the beauty of perception, it can be whatever you want it to be. You might see it as sexual and I might see it as a president hitting people with his poop. That could also be sexual, depending on your perception.

**StarfoxFan2009** · 01-10-2011, 11:40 PM

I'm considering getting Smackdown Vs Raw 2011 so i can create some outlandish finishers

**splatglobe 95** · 01-11-2011, 11:25 AM

what's is the best wrestling game ever to date today? you know like how good it is?

**RU Joe** · 01-11-2011, 05:44 PM

SG, I highly recommend the Smackdown Vs. Raw series.
Like I said, I have the 2007 edition and it's amazing.
{check my previous post up there ^}
I wager that if SFF gets the 2011 edition they will not be disappointed.

However, I suggest that you check youtube for gameplay videos to see what you're getting into before you spend your money.
Even with the low quality videos posted there you should gain a better understanding of what the games are like.

**StarfoxFan2009** · 01-11-2011, 05:50 PM

I've already seen what it has to offer (Match creator ftw!) plus i'm satisfied with the legends they've added to 2011.

**RU Joe** · 01-11-2011, 06:02 PM

When you said 'Legends' did you mean the Hulkster, Rowdy Roddy Piper, and that crowd?

**StarfoxFan2009** · 01-17-2011, 04:23 PM

yeah, or in this case Stone Cold, Jake The Snake Roberts, and the one and only Jimmy Superfly Snuka

---------- Post added 01-17-2011 at 04:23 PM ---------- Previous post was 01-11-2011 at 06:14 PM ----------

I acquired Smackdown Vs Raw 2011, and so far i am not disappointed with it. I currently have the US Championship

**Tails** · 01-17-2011, 04:25 PM

WWF arcade game for SNES is great. 8 man out is horribly hard imo.

**RU Joe** · 01-17-2011, 04:33 PM

Quote:

I currently have the US Championship

Well, how does that make you feel?

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UEuLsw4BzDg"]YouTube - Ren & Stimpy - Mad Dog Hoek - Speech End Scene (480p)[/ame]

{sorry, I just can't get enough of that one .. they really pegged it!}

---------- Post added at 05:33 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:27 PM ----------

WWF Wrestlemania The Arcade Game » Super Nintendo

Hey, how did I miss this one before?
Is this new to RU?

**Tails** · 01-17-2011, 04:37 PM

No Joe.

**jim5cents** · 01-17-2011, 06:28 PM

My personal favorite wrestling game was WCW/NWO for the the N64.

**Dudebro** · 01-17-2011, 07:07 PM

That's because those were the best wrestling games to date. I've played others since then but none have been as fun. They look a lot better but the gameplay fails.

**RU Joe** · 01-18-2011, 06:34 PM

Well, the Wrestlers need to be standing in the right position for them to execute certain moves and it takes a second for the game to get the sprites aligned properly {speaking of my SVR 2007} , are you meaning to say that the N64 games had instantaneous response time?

**Dudebro** · 01-18-2011, 08:01 PM

It's been a while but I remember the N64 ones as being much better. I played a few of the SvR games and they always felt cheap and lazy by comparison.