Fire Pro Wrestling 2

"If Only Next-Gen Consoles Could Expand On This..."

Before I even get to far in, I'll say this. If you like any style of wrestling whether it be the WWE, UFC, Judo or others and have a Game Boy Advance SP, you owe it to yourself to pick up this fantastic game.

Fire Pro Wrestling 2 is the sequel to the Game Boy Advance launch title of the same name (minus the '2'). I cannot speak of the original Fire Pro Wrestling as I have not played it but from what I've gathered, it's pretty similar to the new addition. That does not prevent FPW2, however, from being, in my view, the greatest wrestling title I've played.

THQ typically releases WWE games annually and they sell quite well due to the WWE's fan following. However, often times those games seem incomplete and often rushed in some areas. You'll get fantastic graphics but lousy gameplay or you'll get 70+ weapons and 2 match types. It gets annoying after awhile because since the WWE is the only major promotion in the United States now, THQ's offerings are typically what we have to live with if we want a fix of some wrestling action. With the exception of the lack luster Legends Of Wrestling series and the soon to be released Def Jam Vendetta, Stone Cold and The Rock are all we have even if it isn't all that enjoyable.

Well Game Boy Advance owners can rejoice. Fire Pro Wrestling 2 is the savior we've been after. Although it doesn't bare the flashy 'WWE' brand name, it boasts the most incredible gameplay experience for a wrestling game...probably more incredible considering it's on a handheld system. And even though the Rock and Stone Cold aren't ''legally'' in this game, in some ways...they are...

GAMEPLAY: 10/10

As you may have gathered by now, FPW2 is the most in depth wrestling game that I have experienced. The basics make it sound like any other wrestling title minus the fancy matches.

It has your average modes such as Exhibition where you can play in various match types. They have:

1 vs. 1
2 vs. 2
1 vs. 2
Gruesome Match - A knockout or submission is the only way to win
Deathmatch - Fight surrounded by an electric cage
Battle Royal - Over the top, normal, or endless rules

There is also an Ironman Mode which is where you choose 2 wrestlers and fight through 3,4 or 5 rounds (depending on the difficulty you chose) of match types. Each round is comprised of 5 matches in which you choose one of your 2 chosen wrestlers or both if it happens to be a tag match and fight your opponents. If you emerge victorious, you unlock the wrestler(s) you fought presuming you have not already done so for that/those particular wrestler(s).

Wrestlers you unlock show up in a feature called Wrestlers List. It has 40 pages each with 5 wrestlers. It simply shows all the wrestlers you have unlocked and gives a bried description about their style, date of birth, origin among other things. Wrestlers whom you have yet to unlock are represented by a question mark for the time being until you beat them in Ironman Mode.

Fire Pro Wrestling 2 also boasts probably the greatest Create A Wrestler modes ever. They simply call it Edit Wrestler and here you can make up to 77 created wrestlers. Everything from appearance to name to movesets is customizable. Obviously there are restrictions due to the limitations of a handheld. You can't go in too deep as far as appearance goes as you could with next generation console wrestling titles. However, as far as customizing your wrestlers moves and strategies no game has yet to surpass it. You may choose from over 1200 fighting techniques for your wrestler. You can decide how he/she is on the defensive end and how he/she is on the offensive. If you want them to be a technical wrestler, that option is there. A high flying luchadore? It's there too. In fact, almost any style imaginable is there. This part of the CAW is so incredibly deep that my first CAW took over 2 1/2 hours for me to build to my likings. You may also create up to 5 original wrestling organizations if you wish and you can trade wrestlers between existing federations.

There is also your typical training mode called the Practice Do-Jo. This is where you learn the basic gameplay mechanics through a series of lessons.

Although this may seem pretty basic and some may consider it lacking compared to other wrestling games, keep in mind 2 things; this is a handheld game and it's the fun of the actual matches themselves that count.

Thankfully, BAM! Entertainment Inc. and Spike, the makers of FPW2, hit the mark like no other in terms of the actual gameplay. The game boasts 200 not-so fictitious wrestlers (more on that later) compiled in 18 different federations. To start a match, you select the mode you want, set up the rules, select the wrestler you want and finally your opponent. Before you know it, you're into the game and into the match. I guarantee this is where you'll get hooked.

Each of the premade 200 wrestlers, many of whom resemble real life recognizable wrestlers, have different movesets and styles. The game boasts a grappling system where 3 different strengths of grapples are possible. The 'B' button is your weaker moves with 'A' being medium and 'A+B' being powerful and typically includes your finisher. Timing is everything in this game. It provides a realistic wrestling atmosphere where you must create strategies rather than mash buttons to prevail. If you hit the button a second late, your opponent may be turning your powerbomb into a hurricanrana quicker than you can blink. That's another feature to this game's amazing gameplay...the many, many reversals. Fans of No Mercy on the N64 will remember all the cool reversals from that game. FPW2 has all of those and then some. The type of reversal depends on your wrestlers style. For instance, a submissions wrestler may turn an arm drag into an arm bar while a brawler may simply club them in the head. I have seen up to 5 different reversals for a single move and since this game has well over 700 moves that is a TON of reversals.

Wrestlers aren't only stuck with grapples though. There are also 3 variations of strikes (weak, medium and powerful once again) as well as running, aerial and many submission attacks. There are plenty of moves in each wrestlers move lists so you won't find yourself getting bored by doing the same move too many times each match.

Now back to what I mentioned earlier. The game has 200 wrestlers, many of whom resemble real life wrestlers. In fact, the fictitious organizations aren't even all that fictitious. Due to copyright laws, they obviously can't put the likes of Stone Cold Steve Austin, The Rock, Kurt Angle and others in the game. However...they are there. BAM! and Spike have changed their names and colors of their uniforms to bypass licensing laws. For instance, 'WWE' itself is know an 'WPA' and The Rock wears blue and is known as 'The Salesman'. Now you might think ''how will I know if they are modeled after real wrestlers?'' Two answers: you can tell by their finishers because even though the name has changed (the Stone Cold Stunner is the Deep Freeze for example) if you wrestle as a member of the WPA the finishers are definitely recognizable. The Pedigree is there. The Last Ride is there. They are all there. Also, in the Wrestlers List mode, they give a brief biography that gives it away if you follow wrestling. For example, Kurt Angle's bio reads something like ''a cocky American hero''. From that you can tell it's him. The best part is, once you find out who The Salesman represents and as I've already said, he's The Rock in the game, in Edit mode you can change their names so that you won't forget.

The length of this section justifies the 10/10. I could of gone on longer but that would keep me away from FPW2 for too long. Yes, it's THAT fun.

GRAPHICS: 7/10

The graphics aren't beautiful but they aren't hideous either. The moves are animated superbly and are easily recognized. The player models are basic but they look nice. The various rings typically only vary by logo and color but the how they angle the camera is excellent for this type of a wrestling game.

The graphics have been beaten by other GBA but it's nothing to shrug over. They also can't make the game any less fun.

SOUND: 8/10

For a handheld, I was pleasantly surprised. The BGM is quite good and clear. It doesn't get too annoying. As well, the sound effects are pretty decent minus the referees voice. There is not much to say regarding the sound expect for that it was better than anticipated.

REPLAY VALUE: 10/10

I can't envision getting tired of this game. If Ironman Mode isn't enough to keep you going, surely the enjoyment from the gameplay will. Unlocking the 200 wrestlers is fun and rewarding and basic matches are excellent.

Also, the CAW is extremely deep and customizing 77 different wrestlers is time consuming but worthy of it. It will keep you going. You won't tire of this game quickly.

OVERALL: 10/10

In case you couldn't already tell, I love this game. THQ should take notes and follow suits. This is how next-gen wrestling games should be built although obviously with enhanced graphics and sound and a few more match types. It's the limitations of the cartridge that prevent further match types, not lazy developing.

I have said it already and I'll say it again; if you are a wrestling fan and own a GBA, buy this game. After you get over the initial stage of frustration while you try to master the timing of the moves, you will learn to love this game. I admit at first it doesn't seem like anything special but just give it an hour after you've beaten the Practice Do-Jo and you will see why this is a fantastic game.

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 03/26/03, Updated 03/26/03