I didn’t think it would come to this.
A wrestling video game series from a decade ago still is generating enough buzz to be one of the most viewed articles on the Shamoozal Nerdlog. (Refer to it here). To be honest, I only wrote the article because I know most Shamoozal readers are here for video game talk. I wanted to contribute something more than just movies or random goofy stuff. Even though I’m not much of a gamer, I needed a gaming topic that I was knowledgeable in. Since I’m a huge pro wrestling fan, I decided to talk about the N64 games that were somewhat popular with wrestling fans and video game fans of the time. Phil informed me a couple months later that people were still viewing the post I made. I was in shock, as I thought it was a throw away post that would make some of my friends laugh and think about how great of a game it was in its time…. and still today.

This general interest in the topic has forced me, in a way, to create a follow-up. In movie-land the sequel usually isn’t as good as the original so I was hesitant to even do a follow up at all. But again, since the site is geared towards video games most of the time, I decided….. WHY NOT?! I’ll contribute another.

A couple of things I wanted to touch on are somewhat personal so bear with me to join in on my fun. In WCW Revenge, which was the 2nd game in the series coming out in 1998, sometimes between friends of mine, a mini-contest would be put into effect for a Battle Royal. All 4 players would have to start as Lex Luger. All the Lugers would have to be a different costume; the Luger to last longest would win the mini-competition. Still to this day, I pick Luger with the All American tights as my first wrestler whether we’re doing that mini-contest or not. You should see how jealous the other players get once you are the only remaining Luger. No matter if you helped them during the match or not, they will all turn on you. It would be 3 vs. 1. You, as Luger, must fend off angry friends to keep Lex staying alive.
I do believe when I was playing against some inexperienced players, I went all the way as All American Luger. Not once was I eliminated. It is one of my greatest achievements not only in Revenge, not only in Gaming, but in my life in general.

Another common trait in all of these wrestling games (World Tour, Revenge, Wrestlemania, No Mercy) is the BUMP and STARE. Having some fun and bouncing off the ropes in the ring isn’t easy to do with 3 other dudes in there. If you happen to run into someone, you find out for yourself that a staredown is necessary. After the bump, both wrestlers will move in the same exact motion at the same exact time telling each other with body language to “Get the hell out of my way” or maybe even “ Oh No You Didn’t!!” If you ever play this game, you will see this Bump and Stare at least 97 times per match.
This brings me to another constant annoyance. There’s a simple gameplay strategy for all of these games. Hitting one button will punch or kick and hitting another button will grapple. That’s your basic move set. If you just so happen to grapple someone as they grapple you, then its time to play MERCY! A back and forth test of strength will take place that lasts a good minute of time. At the end it’s either a quick kick to the gut and a suplex if you’re a power wrestler or a crazy flipping arm toss if you’re a cruiserweight depending on who smashed their buttons more. Of course if you happen to be The Giant, he will also do the crazy flips, which I guess was put in the game as a joke. I kinda laugh in shock every time I see it.

I know this is a topic that shouldn’t be going on for much longer but I can seriously think of a million things to talk about regarding these great games. Like if another player is La Parka, you could twirl the analog stick on the N64 controller around and do his crazy dance taunt as any other wrestler. The same goes for Alex Wright or Disco Inferno. Anyone that dances is a perfect example. Get Hollywood Hogan to do a disco dance and I guarantee you get a couple laughs.
Or what about in some of the WWF (WWE) games trying to win a Royal Rumble as one of the chicks. Stephanie McMahon, Chyna, Mae Young, Godfather’s Ho, or even Howard Finkel. Any of those girls could win.

I could keep going, literally. But I won’t. I just love to talk about what I call a party game. If you have some people over your house, having a few drinks or even just chilling then bust out the ol’ Nintendo 64 and pop in the game. Old wrestling fans will be relieved to remember the good ol’ days of pro wrasslin. People that have never tried will surely get into the competition of a Battle Royal. I guaran-damn-tee it.

This is long enough for a Part 2. Hopefully it was as interesting as Part 1, but then again, like I said, sequels are rarely as good as the original. Now I know why movie studios keep cranking out the bad sequels because as long as there’s an interest and people telling you how popular your work was… then you’re gonna want to try to keep bringing it back for more glory. Stay tuned at a later date for a possible Part 3. HAHA!