"Still not great, but an Improvement is an Improvement"

OK, so in 1988, the WWF produced the first of their many video games, simply titled WWF Wrestlemania: Bigger, Better, Badder. It was definitely bad, but that's another review. Anyway, someone must've bought the game, so the WWF released it's second game for the NES System, this time dubbed WWF Wrestlemania Challenge. Instead of a silly looking graphic of Hulk Hogan, we get a slightly less silly looking graphic of the Ultimate Warrior on the title screen, although he still looks like a complete moron.

The Roster:
Improving (BARELY) on the last games roster of Six Superstars, here we are upgraded to EIGHT, including Hulk Hogan, the Ultimate Warrior, Brutus "The Barber" Beefcake, "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan, Andre The Giant, The Big Bossman, "Macho King" Randy Savage, and "Ravishing" Rick Rude. You can also play as "Yourself", but you can't really do anything with him.

Game Modes: 7/10
I'll have to give credit here. They improved on the stupid only singles match rule and added not only a Tag Team Match, but also a 3-on-3 Elimination Tag Team Match, which made me jump for joy. However, still, outside of that there's nothing much else to do, especially with a limited roster.

Graphics: 5/10
The graphics are STILL pretty bad, but it's a lot more realistic compared to WM. The wrestlers aren't bright pink and are colorful looking, the ring looks good, there's an actual crowd, although they sit like 30 feet away like it's the Toronto Maple Leaf Garden, and the moves don't look as sloppy.

Music: 8/10
OK, the music isn't TOO great, but damn, they improved a lot more. The opening theme isn't as annoying, and doesn't make you damn Nintendo for it, and in game music consists of the Wrestlers theme music, which will play depending on who's in the ring and in control at the time. The other noises are off course the bell ringing and the pinfall counts, which also are improved compared to Wrestlemania.

Controls: 4/10
Still not good, but better. The wrestlers move a lot more crisp, although they seem to be on speed (I guess Warrior passed his stash around) and you have to learn how to move in the diamond shape ring the proper way. Pulling off moves isn't hard, and neither is pinning someone. Only hard thing is trying to tag out.

Challenge: 2/10
Instead of ultra hard, it's pretty damn easy. Unless playing with another human player, this game will be a cakewalk against the pathetic A1, who seems to still like running away from whoever you are playing as.

Recommendation:
Probably the best NES game made by the World Wrestling Federation, which isn't saying much. It improves in almost every single department that sucked in the first (i.e. all of them), and makes it more fun to play instead of being a chore. Thumbs Up here.

Reviewer's Score: 6/10, Originally Posted: 10/09/04