WWF No Mercy

"The best wrestling game for the N64, hands down"

If you liked Wrestlemania 2000, you'll love No Mercy. The game is basically an updated WM 2000, with new wrestlers, new play modes, a better career mode and some new features too. Kurt Angle, Tazz, the Dudleys, Lita, Trish, the Kat, Steven Richards, Bull Buchanan, Linda McMahon and the Radicals all made the cut for this game, while The Big Show, surprisingly, did not. Guest referee and ladder matches are now available, and an announce table on the outside can be used to slam your opponent into or put him through. In the career mode, you choose a wrestler and a belt to pursue, and the storyline leads you into feuds with other wrestlers, their allies and even Vince McMahon, the boss who calls the shots. On occasion the battle takes place outside the ring - in a hallway or a bar. The roster is pretty recent, including two Right to Censor members, Undertaker as the American Bad Ass and Val Venis wearing his white trunks/white boots outfit. Up to four players can battle at once, though a tag team ladder match is not recommended - it's painfully slow.

Graphics: 9/10

The same as Wrestlemania 2000, more or less. The polygon character design is identical, though the graphics used for some faces (most of the wrestlers from WM 2000, actually) are altered in some way. Every move looks incredibly realistic, with moves such as the Pedigree and Stunner recreated to perfection. When Chris Benoit delivers a German suplex, the opponent's legs sway back and forth slightly as the pin is counted. The out-of-ring areas, such as the pool hall, are decent enough. The only complaints are that some faces look less-than-impressive, and some clipping is still evident. The TitanTron videos, however, are inexcusable. They should have simply been left out.

Sound: 8/10

The theme music is about as good as you'll get on the N64, and the sound effects are improved as well. Each weapon has a distinct sound, such as the metal thwack of the chair or the dull thud of a broken table. When a weapon is in the ring and a move is executed on the weapon, a clang (or thud) is heard - it's a nice touch. There's still no commentary, but the game is better without it, in my opinion.

Gameplay: 10/10

Here's where the game really shines. For those that have played WM 2000 (or Revenge), you'll instantly be familiar with the controls. Even those who haven't will become efficient in the ring in no time flat. Once the controls are mastered, gameplay runs amazingly smooth and very much like an actual wrestling match. All the special moves are here, and a variety of moves can be executed from the top rope into the ring or to the outside, from the apron to the outside and using the ropes as a springboard. Irish Whip, corner, reverse, grapple and running moves mean that each wrestler has moves for every possible situation. In a Triple Threat match, one wrestler can hold an opponent so that the third man gets some free shots in. Weapons can now be dropped and picked up again, and the steel steps can be dislodged and thrown into the ring. Special moves are again executed by moving the attaining special, initiating a strong grapple and moving the analog stick.
For those unfamiliar with the Attitude meter: each wrestler has a bar that increases when they execute a move on their opponent and decreases when a move is executed on them. As the bar grows, it reaches a point when the bar disappears and the word ''SPECIAL'' appears; during this period of about twenty seconds, special moves can be executed and your wrestler is more likely to counter and reverse holds attempted by your opponent. After special wears off, the bar ''resets'' and must be built up again.

Replay: 10/10

One person can attempt to unlock all the secret characters and win all the belts. With two or more people, the fun is endless. The guest referee mode will cause some arguments, and the ladder matches bring a new level of fun to the game, as the ladder can be used both to climb to the briefcase and as a weapon. Each wrestler offers a different experience, as they each have individual taunts, special moves, grapple moves and counters.

Overall: 9/10

A near-perfect wrestling game. This game beats Wrestlemania 2000 in every area, and even non-wrestling fans will most likely have some fun with this title. It's definitely worth having a look - if you can only get one N64 wrestling game, get this.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 11/23/00, Updated 11/23/00