Tecmo World Wrestling

Infobox VG| title = Tecmo World Wrestling


developer = Tecmo
publisher = Tecmo
designer =
engine =
released = ^JPN September 1 1989
^NA April 1990
^EU November 11 1990
genre = Wrestling
modes = Single player, multiplayer
ratings =
platforms = Nintendo Entertainment System
media = Cartridge
requirements =
input =

"Tecmo World Wrestling" is a NES professional wrestling game for one or two players released in 1990 where the player can control one of ten fictional international professional wrestlers. This is first wrestling game to feature a play-by-play announcer, the animated Tom Talker, although his speech was only text bubbles. The game's text, e.g. Tom Talker's commentary, was translated from the Japanese game almost directly, leading to instances of Engrish. For example the Northern Lights Suplex is called "Northern Right Suplex". The game was released in Japan under the name nihongo|"Gekitou Pro Wrestling!! Toukon Densetsu"|激闘プロレス!! 闘魂伝説|Gekitou Puroresu!! Toukon Densetsu

Gameplay

The gameplay is deep for a wrestling game of this era, which usually had only a few moves for each wrestler. "Tecmo World Wrestling" contains over 20 moves per wrestler, by the virtue of not having a dedicated grapple button. Instead a grapple is initiated whenever two wrestlers walk into each other, and from there, combinations of the joypad and buttons can be used to perform a variety of holds and slams. There are also many situational moves such as ground attacks, turnbuckle moves and running attacks to perform.

In addition, the game was perhaps the first to feature action replays: when certain signature moves are performed on a weakened wrestler, the game introduces a quick cut-scene, showing the move being performed, as if in a close up television replay.

The one player mode consists of beating all the other wrestlers in the game with your chosen wrestler. Between tournament matches, the player is given an option to train with his female trainer. He can chose to do "button mashing" exercises, either squats, situps, or push-ups (with a sumo wrestler on his back). Successfully completing training increases the character's fighting abilities.

When all the competitors are defeated, the player must overcome the challenge of the final boss, Blue King "The Manic Warrior", a non-playable character, before winning the game.

Two players

Two player mode in "Tecmo World Wrestling" features essentially the same gameplay as single player. Each player selects a wrestler (the game prevents the same character being chosen for both players) and then proceed directly into the match. The most notable difference from the single player game is the addition of a momentum meter onscreen that rapidly swings back and forth between both players. This meter determines which player will have the advantage in a grapple.

Wrestlers

"All information in this section, other than "Other Notes," comes from the game."

Japanese version

The Japanese version of the game, released as Gekitou Pro Wrestling!! Toukon Densetsu has some noteable differences from the western release. It was released a year earlier and has a password feature. The announcer is also different, sporting black hair and more Japanese looking facial features, his name according to the Japanese manual is Yasushi Geki. The female personal trainer also sports black hair.