New Japan Pro Wrestling: Toukon Retsuden 4

"The Great MutaH said it...the BEST game ever!!"

WARNING WARNING I will not lie...this is not a total review
More of a first impression...I have only had the game for 2 days

a lil backround--This is my first review..I chose this game because I dig it--and its sad there is only one review for it
```I have alot of wrestling game experience```
I own over 30 of them...and many are exceptionally good ie; Firepro S,G and D--Giant Gram 2 $ 3-- As well as VPW 1

I dig the japanese wrestling games so much more...that most of my wrestling games are imports....Why be The Rock when u can be Kojima MAX or Kobashi or all the great JR.'s

Well...New Japan ProWrestling 4...arrived merely 2 days ago
and I must say it crushes its predecessor Toukon Retsuden 3

Graphics---I honestly was stunned....I knew it was going to look pretty but after playing Giant Gram 2000 all week...I didn't know it was going to look better
I was very impressed by how they cleaned up the models
Each wrestler has a very distinct body/skin...
And the faces are beautiful....some could be better (Mutoh) but overall they did an excellent job (especially how they improved upon Ohtani..he looks so real)

***The first entrance I watched was Dragon Kid...and WOW...look at his cape as he climbs in the ring and u know u got a winner in your system***

Controls---Well I can't speak on behalf of a newbie to this control scheme....I own both Toukon Retsuden 3 and Power Move Wrestling (Smackdowns evil older brother)
and I absolutely love this control setup...especially how the buttons work in the same vein of how the PSX versions did....they just ported the exact placement of buttons to the DC version...good move
Back when I first played a game in this series..the controls were easy...but I couldn't get the timing down for anything..especially irish whip moves--but i learned in like 4 days

***A cool new thing is that the pressing the analog direction towards your opponent goes for a test of strength...great animation too...very Macho Man like***

Audio---I dont really pay attention to videogame audio...but this game has all the real entrance themes for there stars...I think Lygers is the best
THe ingame BGM sucks in my humble opinion...but most BGM sucks ne way...
SE--very good...the sound of certain kicks is awesome..Wrestlers shout things in there taunts..and the crowd gets behind u when your getting beaten to death

***When the crowd chants your name..u become re-energized and go into a rush mode***

Gameplay---AHHH!! lets see...this aint' no WWF game..so dont expect 9 ppl on screen...the max is 4 and 1 ref (there is always a ref in the ring)
Even though WWF Royal Rumble,WWF Smackdown 1 2 & 3, Powermove and the ProWrestling Simple Series all copied this gameplay
they just didn't copy it enough (7 dopplegangers still couldnt get it right)
There is many League challenges and Tournaments (Best of Super Jr.'s ne one??)
There is also a Create A wrestler which I haven't even touched yet...I'm too busy having great exhibition matchs

Bad Pts
1--alot of wrestling gamers will never get to play it..and prolly never even hear about it (there to busy playing Know Your Role ne way)
2--I don't dig the secret characters too much (except Evil Sasuke)
3--Not enuff Gaijins (Americans)..no I dont mean guys like The Rock...but I wanted Scott Norton to be in it
4--If only Toukon and Smackdown could combine better...what Toukon lacks in modes (TLC,TAble,Ladder) Smackdown lacks in Gameplay and Simulation..we need a happier medium
5--Not enuff hours in the day

This is currently my fave 3d Wrestler
Oh and its sucks that the DC is dead....it has the best selection of wrestling games..its so sad
Fire Pro D
Giant Gram 2
Giant Gram 3
NJPW 4
ECW Anarchy Rulez, WWF Royal Rumble and WWF Attitude...hahaha j/k

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 11/29/01, Updated 11/29/01