Fire Pro Wrestling

"How can anyone NOT love this game? It's better then the N64/PSX wrestling games!"

Fire Pro Wrestling A is simply put, the best wrestling game to ever be released on a portable system. Fire Pro has a long history of being a top-quality video game series that appeals to hardcore wrestling fans, and this game continues to carry that proud tradition. And now you can have all the wrestling action during Algebra class!

Graphics
The wrestlers look really detailed. I noticed that some of the costumes Japanese wrestlers, such as Ultimo Dragon, look almost dead-on from their real-life counterparts. The graphics, like most Fire Pro games, are pretty bland. Nothing too terribly flashy. But that really isn't that big of a deal. Now, the best thing about the graphics is how the moves look. Spike (the original creator of the game) gave the game a fast frame rate, making the moves look incredibly realistic. I was amazed at how moves like the hurricanrana and the dragon sleeper and the emerald fusion looked like. It also says a lot when a portable game's moves look more realistic than some of it's home console counterparts (WWF Attitude, anyone?). The rings are pretty basic, as are the arenas. But it is not that big of a deal. The camera angle is at a 3/4 birds-eye-view. You can see the entire ring at once, which makes the game a lot easier to play. So, while the game's graphics isn't flashy, they aren't bad either. I think that Spike left the graphics in the condition that they are in to keep up with the 2-D tradition of all the Fire Pro games, so that is why the graphics get a high score. Graphics: 9/10

Sound
Probably the only bad part of the entire game is the sounds. The music isn't bad, but it certainly could be better. The sounds of bodies hitting the mat are pretty good. The ref even talks! And it actually sounds clear! So the sound could be better, but it could be worse. Sound: 7/10

Controls
This is where the game gets tricky. Most people are used to the grapple system used in the N64 and PSX games. In Fire Pro, you automatically get in a grapple when you get near to your opponent. The instant you grapple your opponent, you need to do a button combination to execute a move. It's a lot easier than it sounds, trust me. So if you grapple your opponent and press Up and A at the same time, you may execute a vertical suplex. It will take you a few hours to get the timing down perfectly, but it isn't too terribly complicated. Using this control style, the game allows you to execute more than 8 moves...a problem that has been in PSX wrestling games. Controls: 8/10

Roster
After you unlock all the hidden characters, there are around 190+ wrestlers, spanning from federation across the world. You are probably wondering how Spike can afford the licensing fees for all of that. The answer: they didn't! They changed the names of the wrestlers and federations to avoid paying costly royalties. But you should be able to figure most of them out by their appearance and names. For example, the APW (the WWF) has a wrestler named Steve Majors, who's finisher is the Deep Freeze. Obviously, he is supposed to be Stone Cold Steve Austin. That is how they avoid the costly fees. But thanks to the edit mode and the FAQs here on GameFAQs, you can edit your wrestlers to be their real-life counterparts. The fact that there are around 200 wrestlers more than makes up for the lack of licensing. Roster: 10/10

Create-A-Wrestler Mode
You thought SmackDown! and No Mercy had complicated CAW modes? Prepare to be put to shame. There are numerous choices for appearances and color sets, and you can choose from over 1200 moves to give to your wrestler! You can even create your own federation! This game has one of the most unique CAW modes I have seen. And the best part is, it isn't complicated! CAW Mode: 10/10

Game Modes
There are several unique modes in Fire Pro Wrestling A. One that sticks out in my mind is the Audience match. You appeal to the audience in a certain way, and if they like you, they declare you the winner! There are also tag team modes, as well as hardcore deathmatches. The hardcore deathmatch is really just an electrified cage, and C4 explodes after 15 minutes, but that is about it. Kind of disappointing, but more than enough for a portable game. But the awesome tag mode makes up for it. Now, I am not a big fan of tag team wrestling, whether it's in a game or an actual show, but this is tag team wrestling at its best. Seriously, really fun. Game Modes: 8/10

Replay Value
I spent $40 on this game, and I really needed that money. Turns out that this was the best $40 I spent in months. This game will get you hooked, simply because it is a great wrestling simulator...and it's portable! I pulled two all-nighters just to play this game. The variety of wrestling moves, wrestlers, and modes will keep you hooked. Definitely worth spending money for. Replay: 10/10

Difficulty: Medium-High

Pros
Variety of wrestlers
Variety of moves
Lots of game modes
It's just really fun!

Cons
Graphics
Sound

The Final Word
BUY THIS GAME!!!!

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 07/01/01, Updated 10/26/01