All Japan Pro Wrestling Featuring Virtua

"Virtua Fighter meets wrestling."

General info

This game was only released in Japan for Saturn in 1997. Its sequels for Dreamcast were titled Giant Gram.

Graphics: 8

For the Saturn, the 3D graphics are very nice. The resolution is not high, but the framerate is good. The lighting and shadow effects are pretty horrible, since a crappy blocky color contrast was used to represent them, but who cares? Us Saturn gamers have gotten used to that. There is absolutely no slowdown, and the game runs fast and smoothly. The camera views and effects are perfect.

Sound: 6

While playing, there is no music. In fact, I don't think there's any music in the game. Only the wrestler's entrance music, which plays when he enters the ring and wins (and it's extremely quiet). And the crowd sounds are bad, because there is a constant fuzz sound that is supposed to represent the crowd. And I don't understand how the crowd volume works. Sometimes, a random move is done and it gets loud all of a sudden. Then, when you try to taunt or something, nothing happens. On the other hand, there is a lot of commentary; sure it's all Japanese, but whatever. The overreacting is there, and I didn't hear any repetition. And best of all, the collision sounds are awesome. When you powerbomb a guy, it sounds like a bomb has just exploded. Sure, they're overexaggerated, but it fits the game, because the moves all look really brutal.

Gameplay: 10

This game plays more like a 1 on-1 3D fighting game (specifically like Virtua Fighter), rather than a wrestling title. Whoo! I hate that button tapping crap that destroys your gamepad and paralyzes your fingers. AJPW is based entirely on timing of moves, like in Fire Pro Wrestling games. There are five buttons: hit, hold, throw, taunt and block. Hit is a basic attack button which works on the automatic combo system; tap it four times, and you'll do something like two punches, a kick, and then an uppercut (varying from spin kicks to drop kicks to sweeps, etc., depending on the character). The throw button does a basic body slam, unless you input a directional sequence or use it in combos.

The hold button activates a grapple; if you press it first, and get into a grapple, you have the advantage, so the opponent can do nothing until you break the hold, so you have a few seconds to plan a move. The grapple moves usually just consist of a direction plus either the throw or attack button. The attack button usually is a hold, while the throw button is usually a slam or suplex. Pressing a direction and hold again will make you slide behind the opponent; there you have a whole new list of moves. Special moves work in a ''chain''/combo system. For example, here is how a special move of some sort would work: ''press throw'' (you body slam the guy), ''press up and hit'' (where you'll pick him up by the throat), ''press down and throw'' (where you'll piledrive him), and ''press forward forward throw'' (lock in a leg hold). At first, you may think it's stupid, but it's really cool. There are no stupid ''forward forward up down punch'' moves; they're combos that are much more efficient and easier to do since you're already attacking the guy while doing the maneuver, rather than pressing a directional combination (where the opponent can attack you at any time and break it).

Also, what makes the game fair is the fact that the reversal/counter system is the greatest counter system ever. A ''reversal'' logo appears, and when you press a button right when it comes up, you do a counter move. It takes a while to perfect it, but once you do, you'll be countering powerbombs with hurricarranas and stuff. Now... Onto other moves. You can do turnbuckle moves, jump out the ring, etc., but you automatically do it with the press of a button and direction. Sort of puts limits on the game, but oh well. These can also be countered (to dodge the flying attacks)..

Features: 8

I'm not sure what more there is to the game since everything is in Japanese. The training mode helps a lot though, so I bumped up the score significantly. You can get through it not understanding any of the text if you use common sense. Basically, you'll go through every single move each character has to offer, as well as the counters.

There is also a career mode, where you make your own wrestler. It's cool, since you get to earn credits to buy any move you want, and you can get the skin for American wrestlers like Sabu and Rob Van Dam, but I just can't do anything with it since I can't read Japanese.

In terms of character selection, I think you get all the Japanese greats, in addition to Jeffry and Wolf from Virtua Fighter (my main reason for buying the game). All 12 or so fighters have a unique style and move set.

Overall: 9

If you're a Virtua Fighter fan, I guarantee you'll enjoy this game, even if you don't enjoy wrestling (hell, I don't). I bet it's really cheap these days, and it has solid replay value.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 03/24/01, Updated 08/20/03