Back in the day this was a very decent arcade wrestling game, which I
was addicted to and played as often as possible. To my knowledge has never been
released on any Taito compilation, but does (apparently) exist on Atari 7800.
As “PLAYER 1” or “YOU” you must face five different
opponents, each with different tactics, level of difficult, special moves and
cheapness. Yes, I said “cheapness”. Once you face “Coco Savage” you will know
what I mean, but I will return to that point later. After you win the
championship belt you will face the roster of baddies in random order until you
lose. Losing happens when you are pinned for a 3 count, left outside the ring
for a 20 count (even if CPU is there too), or run out of time (both lose). Conversely,
winning happens when you pin your opponent for a 3 count or they are outside
the ring for a 20 count.?
REVIEW (based on 1985 standards)
?
Graphics – 8 / 10
The graphics are fairly standard for 1985, with good sized
characters. There are some glitches, however. It earns extra points for the crowd
in the background.
?
Sound – 7 / 10
There are several music types depending on the situation (i.e. before match, during match, championship match, etc.). Simple and repetitive, so the music will stick in your head. That being
said, most games of this time did not have much in the way of musical scores.
The sound effects are simple also, yet the referees three count is extremely memorable.
“One… Two… Threeeeeeeeeee!”
?
Control – 10 / 10
Everything works as it should and very responsive.? Moves are easy to learn and execute; no ridiculous
joy stick / button combinations required.
?
Addictiveness – 10 / 10
Probably I am bias, but if you like this game you just want
to keep seeing how far you can go before Coco Savage puts you in the hospital.
Story: 1 / 10
You are a wrestler and you wrestle. ‘Nuff said.
Depth: 8 / 10
This game allows you to utilize whatever strategy suits you
best, and the amount of actions your character has is very decent.
?
Difficulty: 8 / 10
Coco Savage is Satan incarnate and you will learn to hate
facing him. All others only pose a real threat as you get to higher matches.
?
MORE INFO
PLAYER 1 (YOU)
?
Moves:
Punch
Kick
Elbow Smash
Clothesline
Back Body Drop
Jumping Back Kick
Body Slam
Back Suplex
Shoulder Block
Brain Buster (Pile Driver)
Jumping Body Splash (Pin)
Turnbuckle (Top Rope):
Knee Drop
Sunset Flip
?
Here now is the list of wrestlers you will tackle in “The
Prowrestling Network”, or “T.W.A – Taito Wrestling Association” as it is named in
the game.
?
INSANE WARRIOR
?
He is a punk / road warrior type and fairly easy, provided
you do not get caught in repeated Neck Chops or Press Slams. He will smugly pin
you with one arm, if you let him.
?
Moves:
Punch
Elbow Smash
Clothesline
Neck Chop
?
Special:
Press Slam
?
?
KARATE FIGHTER
?
This guy knows karate (or kung-fu) and presents a challenge.
You need to be weary of his Drop Kick when running.
?
Moves:
Kick
Dropkick
?
Special:
Karate Chops
Jumping Face Chop (when you are downed)
?
COCO SAVAGE (“Coco Savege” )
?
Cheapness! This should be his name because once he grabs you
he may never let go, often defeating you with repeated knocks to the head. DO
NOT let him touch you and pin him quick!
?
Moves:
Shoulder Block
Ear Slap (Mongolian Chop)
Body Splash
?
Special:
Leg Whip (when you are downed)
Coco Headbutt (Headknock)
?
THE PIRANIA (should be Piranha)
?
What he hides behind his mask will never be known, but he
will take you down just the same. Watch out for his questionable (illegal?)
moves, which the referee lets pass.
?
Moves:
Back Body Drop
Claw Hold
Neck Choke
Hair-Lift Face Punch (?)
?
Special:
Elbow Drop (when you are downed)
?
GOLDEN HULK (a.k.a. “Blues Bloody” ) ~ T.W.A. World Champion
?
*cough* Hulk Hogan *cough* is the champion and defeating him
will land you the Championship Belt and a kiss from a lady. Beware his Leg
Drops!
?
Moves:
Kick
Elbow Smash
Dropkick
Body Slam
?
Special:
Leg Drop
?
TV HOST
Cory (a.k.a. “Nori” )
?
CROWD (Background)
?
Superman
Batman & Robin
ZZ Top
Popeye
Alien
Stevie Wonder
John Travolta
The Jackson
Five
The Stay Puft Marshmallow Man (Ghostbusters)
Darth Vader and Princess Leia Organa (Star Wars
Back in the day this was a very decent arcade wrestling game, which I
was addicted to and played as often as possible. To my knowledge has never been
released on any Taito compilation, but does (apparently) exist on Atari 7800.
As “PLAYER 1” or “YOU” you must face five different
opponents, each with different tactics, level of difficult, special moves and
cheapness. Yes, I said “cheapness”. Once you face “Coco Savage” you will know
what I mean, but I will return to that point later. After you win the
championship belt you will face the roster of baddies in random order until you
lose. Losing happens when you are pinned for a 3 count, left outside the ring
for a 20 count (even if CPU is there too), or run out of time (both lose). Conversely,
winning happens when you pin your opponent for a 3 count or they are outside
the ring for a 20 count.?
REVIEW (based on 1985 standards)
?
Graphics – 8 / 10
The graphics are fairly standard for 1985, with good sized
characters. There are some glitches, however. It earns extra points for the crowd
in the background.
?
Sound – 7 / 10
There are several music types depending on the situation (i.e. before match, during match, championship match, etc.). Simple and repetitive, so the music will stick in your head. That being
said, most games of this time did not have much in the way of musical scores.
The sound effects are simple also, yet the referees three count is extremely memorable.
“One… Two… Threeeeeeeeeee!”
?
Control – 10 / 10
Everything works as it should and very responsive.? Moves are easy to learn and execute; no ridiculous
joy stick / button combinations required.
?
Addictiveness – 10 / 10
Probably I am bias, but if you like this game you just want
to keep seeing how far you can go before Coco Savage puts you in the hospital.
Story: 1 / 10
You are a wrestler and you wrestle. ‘Nuff said.
Depth: 8 / 10
This game allows you to utilize whatever strategy suits you
best, and the amount of actions your character has is very decent.
?
Difficulty: 8 / 10
Coco Savage is Satan incarnate and you will learn to hate
facing him. All others only pose a real threat as you get to higher matches.
?
MORE INFO
PLAYER 1 (YOU)
?
Moves:
Punch
Kick
Elbow Smash
Clothesline
Back Body Drop
Jumping Back Kick
Body Slam
Back Suplex
Shoulder Block
Brain Buster (Pile Driver)
Jumping Body Splash (Pin)
Turnbuckle (Top Rope):
Knee Drop
Sunset Flip
?
Here now is the list of wrestlers you will tackle in “The
Prowrestling Network”, or “T.W.A – Taito Wrestling Association” as it is named in
the game.
?
INSANE WARRIOR
?
He is a punk / road warrior type and fairly easy, provided
you do not get caught in repeated Neck Chops or Press Slams. He will smugly pin
you with one arm, if you let him.
?
Moves:
Punch
Elbow Smash
Clothesline
Neck Chop
?
Special:
Press Slam
?
?
KARATE FIGHTER
?
This guy knows karate (or kung-fu) and presents a challenge.
You need to be weary of his Drop Kick when running.
?
Moves:
Kick
Dropkick
?
Special:
Karate Chops
Jumping Face Chop (when you are downed)
?
COCO SAVAGE (“Coco Savege” )
?
Cheapness! This should be his name because once he grabs you
he may never let go, often defeating you with repeated knocks to the head. DO
NOT let him touch you and pin him quick!
?
Moves:
Shoulder Block
Ear Slap (Mongolian Chop)
Body Splash
?
Special:
Leg Whip (when you are downed)
Coco Headbutt (Headknock)
?
THE PIRANIA (should be Piranha)
?
What he hides behind his mask will never be known, but he
will take you down just the same. Watch out for his questionable (illegal?)
moves, which the referee lets pass.
?
Moves:
Back Body Drop
Claw Hold
Neck Choke
Hair-Lift Face Punch (?)
?
Special:
Elbow Drop (when you are downed)
?
GOLDEN HULK (a.k.a. “Blues Bloody” ) ~ T.W.A. World Champion
?
*cough* Hulk Hogan *cough* is the champion and defeating him
will land you the Championship Belt and a kiss from a lady. Beware his Leg
Drops!
?
Moves:
Kick
Elbow Smash
Dropkick
Body Slam
?
Special:
Leg Drop
?
TV HOST
Cory (a.k.a. “Nori” )
?
CROWD (Background)
?
Superman
Batman & Robin
ZZ Top
Popeye
Alien
Stevie Wonder
John Travolta
The Jackson
Five
The Stay Puft Marshmallow Man (Ghostbusters)
Darth Vader and Princess Leia Organa (Star Wars