[Insert poon-tang pie reference here.] {{{PIE W/0}}}
Written: Jul 12 '02 (Updated Jul 12 '02)
Product Rating:
Pros: Control, amount of wrestlers, CAW, Belt mode
Cons: practically everything about is outdated
The Bottom Line: Yeah it's old, but so what! WM2K still offers some things that today's wrestling games don't even have, making it one of my favorite games, period.
I don’t know why, but when I ask people what their favorite N64 wrestling game was, majority of the people I asked responded by saying it was No Mercy. Now while I own and enjoyed my time playing No Mercy, I knew it could never top Wrestlemania 2000 (WM2K). Now I know, the graphics and roster is outdated, and the game modes aren’t as beefy as in No Mercy, but for some odd reason, I always found myself coming back to WM2K. It’s hard to put my finger on it, as to what makes the out dated WM2K come over No Mercy, but I know it’s there. And in all honesty, I still prefer WM2K over today’s wrestling games. Why? Read on and find out.
Like I stated, the visuals wont blow anyone’s mind away. The introductions for the characters may be considered lame by today’s standards due to the fact the titan tron only displays a few frames of the wrestler’s actual theme while playing a fuzzy sample of their introduction song. However, I still enjoy watching them considering all of this was done on a cart. The arenas are based off of the weekly-televised shows as well as some pay-per-view events with hordes of fanatic wrestling fans while holding signs (which don’t change). Unfortunately for some, the game does not contain any backstage areas at all, but for people like me, I rather not have them considering majority of them are lame or just plain pointless.
The roster is obviously outdated, but still carries a large majority of those still wrestling today, such as The Rock, HHH, and the Hardy Boyz. The characters attire’s match up to their real life ones, some go as far as showing logos on their outfits (HHH) to legible text (Austin’s vest). The wrestlers faces, for majority of the roster, look accurate even though they don’t animate. Some even better compared to the faces used in today’s current games (HHH’s face on raw is just…ugh, hideous). What stands out a lot though for the character models is that they are given a blocky appearance. Somewhat like Lego’s, but still smooth. This sort of appearance turns off some people, but I personally enjoy it since it allows the animations to look smoother, even though there are massive clipping when in the middle of a submission move.
The sound used in WM2K is for the most part, a bit to fuzzy. The entrances like I mentioned aren’t very clear and for majority of the songs, are looped far to soon. This actually isn’t that annoying, considering the N64 wrestling games never really focused on the entrance appearance, but more on the wrestlers animations during them. For example, Jericho begins his introduction with his back facing the arena as he slowly steps one leg over and faces the audience while slowly eyeing from left to right. Or how the former WWE superstar Stone Cold “sell out” Steve Austin takes his sweet time walking down the ramp way while climbing on all 4 turn buckles as he raises his arms in the air. Sure this is nothing new compared to today’s wrestling games, but I can’t help that some of them look better then the one’s seen in such games like WWF RAW for the XBOX.
Back to the sound, the in game musical tracks consist mostly of guitar tunes with a mixture of rock music backgrounds. While it may be annoying to some, it really goes well with the in game action considering all the other sounds you’ll be hearing off and on. The sound effects are those you would expect in a wrestling game. The typical smacks and thumps from the ring on out are in the game; along with some hilarious sound effects such as the groin shot where a metallic “plink!” will echo off as your wrestler falls to the floor in pain.
Still, considering the time in which this game was released. There is no commentary or voice dialogue from the wrestlers themselves. Plus, the crowd is either mute or extremely ecstatic, depending on what you do. So for those expecting anything more such as taunts being changed or just a random person yelling a certain comment towards your wrestler, don’t count on this game having such a thing. Besides, is it really necessary?
Control wise, the layout is perfect! L button reverses/avoids a grapple, flips the standing opponent, pins the opponent, and holds them from behind. R button Blocks/counters striking attacks, released grapples, forced a downed opponent back to their feet, and changes stable matches. The C buttons do the following: Up climbs through/over the ropes, grabs weapons from the crowds, tags partner into the match, and randomly selects a wrestler at the select screen; Down runs, climbs the turn buckles, hop over downed opponent, enter the ring from the outside, and randomly select a wrestler from the select screen; Left flips opponent on the mat, drags opponent on the mat, and changes the outfit; Right focuses on different opponents and changes the outfit as well. The A button grapples your opponents while the B button performs your striking attacks along with weapon attacks. Z button toggles between CPU and manual control for the Royal Rumble. The Analog joystick taunts your opponents while also performing finishing moves; and finally, the control pad controls your wrestler through out the game.
Seems like a whole lot to know for a mere wrestling game, and may be intimidating, but believe me, it’s not. The more you play the more the game makes sense, making performing moves or grapples extremely easy to execute. Reason being is because the control is responsive and works well so that you have total control of what you do. Performing a light or hard grapple is determined as to how far you press the A button. The speed as well as the damage amount is extremely accurate to what you would see on television. The amount of time a wrestler stays down on the mat from an attack isn’t as fast as those in smackdown, but it’s actually determined as to what grapple or strike you perform. Pull off a simple jab and your opponent will barely stay down; however a finisher will definitely keep your opponent(s) down for a good amount of time, allowing you to perform whatever you desire considering they won’t be moving anywhere. The amount of damage in WM2K is still, by far the most realistic one I have ever played, period.
The game modes in WM2K may not be up to par as with today’s wrestling games, with such modes as a hell in a cell, TLC (tables, ladders, and chairs), and much more, but that doesn’t mean the modes in WM2K stink. With up to five main modes already present for you to select, you’ll be able to edit them further more to your liking. Exhibition mode allows you to select the specific style of match you’ll take part in along with your teammate or opponent(s). King of the Ring allows you to create a singles or tag tournament style bracket where only one superstar or team is left. Road to Wrestlemania is the game’s career mode as you take a WWE superstar or tag team through a certain number of opponents for the championship belts. Pay-Per-View is, as you would guess, allow you to create your own PPV events with jobber matches to the main event with belts on the line. Finally, there is the Royal Rumble mode where it’s a free-for-all brawl as up to 40 wrestlers battle it out in the ring (four at a time) until one wrestlers remains on the ring.
As the modes may seem small to some, it’s plenty when you consider all the altercations you can make. By being able to use the current superstars or your very own, you’ll be able to battle your opponents in a tag match with all the opponents in the ring, a 3 way match, or a cage match! Royal Rumbles can be set so you lose by pin fall or by going over the top rope. Hardcore matches can be altered so the only way of becoming victorious is by knocking your opponent out. Or my favorite is of placing your earned belts, or better yet, your very own belt on the line! That’s right, in WM2K you can create any type of belt you want, and place it on the line for keeps.
So as you can tell, while WM2K may have an outdated roster and downgraded graphics, the fun is still there. And it’s the reasons I listed above, as to why I selected this game, for my pie-write off. Because while it may not taste, look, or be as appealing as pie, it’s just as good, if no better.
1.) Wrestlemania X8 -” Unless your a fan of the Smackdown games, I suggest you make this game a rental at the most.” - **
2.) No Mercy -”I am pleased with what THQ has pulled off for their second WWF game, and hoping that their third is even better for Nintendo.” - ****
Here are all the participants in the write-off:
ChromeKiller
32_Footsteps
kenshin-guy
Rock_On
xeno3998
pavona21
netnut746
jeremy1456
gorocco
tanta07
skater6446
dark_cheeseboy
ss3goku (That guy is so cool, I wish I could be just like him… oh wait, that’s right…I am, ha ha… ha)
Or you could just go here: www.geocities.com/ss3gokugamereviews/piewriteoff.html
Over 50 WWF superstars with unique moves, 7 different events, Clear and detailed sound effects and 3D rendered graphics, Original entrances, Create a ...More at Amazon Marketplace
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