WWF WrestleFest

"The Ultimate Arcade Wrestling Game"

Acclaim should have stopped making wrestling games with WWF Wrestlefest. At this point in time, the early 90's, they perfected the arcade wrestling genre. Long lines were strewn about to play the great brawler, featuring four player tag team action and a battle royale feature seldom seen in games of the time.

Why is WWF Wrestlefest so successful, even today, so many years after its release? It combines fast-paced, high intensity body slamming with simplicity. All the moves in the games are executed with two buttons and a joystick. Therefore, it's simple to throw down Perfect-Flexes and Flying Leg Drops.

As I said, there are two buttons. When you're not in the grapple, one button punches, and one button kicks. When in the grapple, one button suplexs and holds, and the others sends your opponent into the ropes. While your opponent is on the mat, you can launch a myriad of different moves, such as elbow drops and foot stomps. You can also do typical wrestling game staples, such as climbing the turnbuckles and fighting on the outside with chairs and TV monitors.

Another source of popularity - the license. The major WWF wrestlers of the time are represented in the game, which made it popular then, and popular now, as it's one of the last video games for these characters. The roster includes such greats as the Ultimate Warrior, Macho Man Randy Savage, Jake the Snake Roberts, and of course, the immortal one, the Hulkster, Mr. Hulk Hogan. All signature moves are in the game, so prepare to be using DDT's and Spike Slams.

As previously mentioned, there are two play modes, tag team and battle royal. In the tag team mode, you select two superstars, and fight your way through the ranks of the other tag teams. Win enough matches, and you'll face the champs, the Legion of Doom.

In the battle royal, you control one superstar, and your object is to either pin your opponents or throw them out of the ring. However, the other five wrestlers in the ring with you are attempting to do the same thing. The game is over when you're eliminated, or you eliminate the entire roster of wrestlers.

The graphics are one of the best features of WWF Wrestlefest. All the characters are large, and scaled well. Earthquake is significantly bigger than Mr. Perfect. All the characters are also animated perfectly, and there is little to no graphical slowdown.

There's a catchy theme prevalent throughout most of the wrestling scenes. It might get annoying, but usually you're focusing too much on the gameplay to notice. The effects are very strong. There's a ringside announcer who does excellent play-by-play, complete with character names.

When you see WWF Wrestlefest in action, it's very hard to believe that this game was released in the early nineties. If you see it in an arcade, immediately give it a play. I can almost gurantee you that you won't be sorry, even if you don't like wrestling games.

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 07/27/01, Updated 07/27/01