Big Bang Pro Wrestling

"I-E-Dub! I-E-Dub! I-E-Dub!"

Introduction
Big Bang Pro Wrestling is a pretty cool game on the Neo Geo Pocket Color... but good luck scoring one of those now. This game hearkens back to a time of 16 Bit Graphic gaming goodness. It's got all that you could ask for in a wrestling video game. Sure, there is no CAW mode, but it is a fun game. You've even got some trash talking the likes of which haven't been seen since Street Fighter II Turbo... "Get up! It's too early for you to be defeated!"

Game Modes
You have got three basic options: One Match, Tournament and IEW Champion. "Normal Match" is a typical exhibition match. "Tournament" has the same settings as normal matches do and you may enter up to 8 wrestlers. "IEW Champion" is the stuff that usual championship modes are made of where you'll take hold of your favorite brawler and go for the world title. If you beat everyone twice then you are the champ. There is also a "Vs. Match" mode so that you can hook up with a friend who also has a NGPC. Yeah right.

Gameplay
The characters in BBPW are great: there are a wide variety of generic brawlers and each one is neat in his own generic stereotypical way. You've got strong style Brian, big man David, brash punk Alex, mysterious giant Dietz, high-flying Eagle, martial artist Sho, suplex machine Mike and mist spitting Macey. There are also two hidden characters in the game: big boss Josef Steele and the game's only female, Kei. It's not much of a surprise when you get to them though, because they are both listed in the manual.

You can set the time limit, rules, set the difficulty level, pick a ring logo and choose the ring color. Yes, you can choose your ring color in a 16 bit game. The in ring action is very simple to grasp. You have a large variety of moves and each wrestler's signature move is pretty cool. When you challenge for the IEW Championship, each match will begin with a little smack talk from the wrestlers. The lines are customized for each wrestler and add a little spice to the upcoming match.

Grappling in BBPW is based on timing, not just a frantic mashing of buttons. You have to use timing on each tie-up or you will be beat. You have to smack your opponent around before you can put him away. Work on him with some small attacks (like punches and body slams) and then follow with stronger and more damaging moves (like plexes and drivers).

There are four kinds of matches in BBPW: Normal, No Rule, Coffin and Reward. The different types of matches in the game go a long way for creating great variety when you need it. "Normal Match" is your typical wrestling match and "No Rule Death Match" is a standard hardcore deathmatch. The "Coffin Death Match" will have you fighting in a match in which the goal is to throw your opponent into a casket that is outside of the ring and close the lid. The Reward match aka "Scramble Money Death Match" is an awesome way to mash those buttons to climb the pole and get the bag of cash at the top. These options are very innovative for a 16 Bit game. There is no tag team mode but that is ok, this one was designed more for singles matches anyway, especially considering the coffin and pole matches.

You have the option to turn count outs on or off, depending on if you want to fight in a straight match up or a deathmatch. The deathmatch is tied heavily in the theme of BBPW, so don't be a sissy, count outs are for Lex Luger.

Control
The control of BBPW is a solid and easy control, like many of the older wrestling games. It is kind of limited because of the fact that NGPC only had two buttons. Strikes are really limited, but that's ok, it's a brawling type of wrestling game anyway. You have one button that is used for standing attacks. The other button is used for taunting. Yes, with only two buttons, taunting gets it's own.

There are lots of moves at your disposal: punches, strong strikes, grapples, running attacks, ground attacks, submission holds and the lighter guys can climb the turnbuckle and fly.

With the deathmatch theme comes the required brawling to the ringside area. Go fight outside of the ring and you even pull a chair from the audience to wail on your opponent. Is the ref unhappy with you? Well, knock him down so you can wail on your opponent.

There is a decent amount of moves. You have access to four moves from the front grapple and two from back grappling. There is a variety for each wrestler and most big moves are used by only one wrestler.

What would wrestling be if no one had trademarked finishers? Each wrestler has a signature move. The signature move is not pulled off from a grapple. When your character's name is flashing onscreen, simply get close to your opponent and press A+B. This makes signature moves easy enough to pull off.

Graphics
These 16 Bit graphics are very nicely done. The wrestlers aren't very colorful but still look ok. Each wrestler is a combination of black, gray, white and another color like green, purple, yellow. However, the animations for each move are great and there is never any doubt as to what is going on either in the ring or out.

Every wrestler has his own brief theme and pyro or light show for his entrance. It isn't much but it is still pretty cool. The amount of little things like this in the game are what give it its big feel.

When a wrestler hits his signature move you will get a quick anime style cutscene of a close up portrait of that wrestler.

The arena looks awesome. It is well themed and nicely colored. The crowd looks good and there are even fans holding up the ever annoying poster signs. The ring is a good size in comparison to the wrestlers and the area outside of the ring is quite large. You even have a bumpable referee who will call the action inside the ring and out.

Sound
As stated previously, each wrestler has his own generic entrance music. There are a few in-game songs and altogether the music is decent. The sound effects are pretty good too. There is crowd noise at the beginning of the match but once the bell rings, you won't hear the crowd cheer. What you will get is lots of slamming and submission & stretching sounds.

Recommendation
The controls, moves, and characters of Big Bang Pro Wrestling are all very well done. Once you get over the learning curve, this game is very easy to play. If you have a Neo Geo Pocket Color system, beggars can't be choosers, as BBPW is the only wrestling game for Neo Geo Pocket Color. Because of its depth and variety, BBPW has a great replayability factor. It is an easy video game to play for a match or two or much longer depending on your mood. Check it out because you may like it too.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 01/24/06