All Star Pro-Wrestling
Encyclopedia
is a Japan-exclusive professional wrestling
video game developed and published by Square
on June 8, 2000 for the PlayStation 2
. It was the first wrestling game published on this platform.
All Star Pro-Wrestling was released in a period in which Square sought to diversify its catalog by producing various non-role-playing game
s for the PlayStation 2. The game was notable for its control relying exclusively on the DualShock 2's analog sticks, although a second mode using the normal buttons was also available.
While the quality of the game's graphics was lauded and sales were good during its month of release, the control was received negatively by critics, who felt it was awkward and unintuitive. Nevertheless, the game spawned two sequels, released in 2001 and 2003.
All Star Pro-Wrestling is based on Japanese wrestling
rather than American. The game can be played in several modes selected in the "Match Make" menu; these include exhibition matches, championships, tournaments, or leagues separated by weight. Depending on the mode chosen, different wrestling rings
can be chosen to battle, as well as the referee and the time limit. 26 real-life wrestlers are initially available, notably Jushin Liger
, The Great Muta
, Don Frye
, Koji Kanemoto
, Antonio Inoki
, and Masahiro Chono
.
Each battle begins with the wrestlers' entrance sequence. Two types of controls can be chosen to fight. The default one uses the DualShock 2's analog sticks exclusively; the left one being pressed for movements and the right one for attacks. Pins
are executed by tilting both sticks up; and pressing both sticks grabs the opponent, who can then be attacked or thrown depending on the way the right stick is tilted. The second type of controls, called "Type B", is closer to other fighting games and assigns pinning to the triangle button, grabbing to the square button, and punches and moves to the cross button. With Type B, the power of each move is determined by the level of pressure applied on the buttons. In both modes, the precise techniques available depend on the position and distance of the opponent, as well as a personal "tension meter" which builds up during battle. At any time, the D-pad
can be used to change the angle of the camera.
Wrestlers return to full health after each match, and the game keeps track of the time of victories and records with the PlayStation 2 internal clock. A memory card
can be used to save progress, battle snapshots, and match videos; the latter of which can either be ten-second long instant replay
s or up to three entire "Best Bout" matches. Hidden features include collectible autograph pictures of the defeated wrestlers; and a few unlockable characters, among whom are two female models in bikinis.
, Tobal 2
, and Ehrgeiz
), Square decided to develop a wrestling game internally as Dream Factory was already working on The Bouncer
, another Square title. The game was produced by Yusuke Hirata of Parasite Eve 2 fame, head of Square's Osaka
-based fifth production team. The score, which was never released in album form, consists mostly of rock music
and was composed by Tsuyoshi Sekito
, Kenichiro Fukui
, and Kumi Tanioka
.
Square's aim with the title was to create some of the most realistic wrestlers seen in video games, with accurate details such as a faithful replication of body-muscle physics and facial expressions. Screenshots of the game were shown during the Square Millennium Event in Japan in 2000; and a battle was played in demonstration by Yusuke Hirata and a young Japanese idol
later in the same year at the Tokyo Game Show
.
, with the four reviewers highly praising the graphics but feeling that the controls, while not bad, could have been better implemented.
The American gaming website GameSpot
rated the game 4 out of 10, and criticized the battle system more severely along with IGN
, which stated that the default analog controls are "mind-boggling"; with pins
being very difficult to execute whereas some other maneuvers can be chained with single button presses. The second type of controls was judged easier to play with by IGN, although one reviewer felt that it wears out the thumb quickly. On the contrary, GameSpot felt that the second type is even more difficult to use than the default one. The amount of moves available has been described as low even compared to lackluster titles such as WWF Attitude
. Regarding the game's fluidity, GameSpot and one IGN critic compared it to the speed of an "underwater soccer match", with smooth moves coexisting with simple, three-second long movements. The second IGN critic noted that the game is more of a wrestling simulation than an arcade title focused on entertainment.
Still, both GameSpot and IGN lauded the realism of the wrestlers' appearances, their faithfulness to those of their real-life counterparts, and the efficient use of the PlayStation 2 Emotion Engine
. The spectacular ring entrance scenes and the amount of blood visible during battles was also appreciated. One IGN critic noted that the referee is always present on-screen, unlike many other wrestling games. However, the other one stated that the outdoor arenas "look like they were ripped out of a [Sega] Saturn
game". He also criticized the presence of only two facial expressions for each wrestler; and both IGN reviewers criticized the inconsistent collision detection
and the lack of diversity in the crowd, who sometimes "look like they were made out of Lego
s". GameSpot added that the walking looks particularly unrealistic, in contrast with the other animations.
While both IGN reviewers noted the sparcity of the audio commentary and crowd shouting, one critic felt the sound was adequate albeit less impressive than the graphics. GameSpot called the sound decent and well executed. Finally, the omission of features such as weapons and modes such as "create-a-wrestler", steel cage match, battle royal
, and multiplayer tag team
, was felt as a very noticeable weak point compared to American wrestling games present on the market.
, Pro Wrestling Noah
, and Pro Wrestling Zero-One. The game also scored 31 out of 40 in Famitsu. A third installment, All Star Pro-Wrestling III was released by Square Enix
on August 7, 2003 for the same platform. It included a create-a-wrestler feature.
Both sequels added multiplayer tag team and battle royal modes, playable using a multitap
with up to 5 players at a time (4 wrestlers and the referee
). Tsuyoshi Sekito returned to score the two soundtracks. The All Star Pro-Wrestling II Original Soundtrack was published by DigiCube
on January 23, 2002, while the third game's soundtrack was not published in album form.
Professional wrestling
Professional wrestling is a mode of spectacle, combining athletics and theatrical performance.Roland Barthes, "The World of Wrestling", Mythologies, 1957 It takes the form of events, held by touring companies, which mimic a title match combat sport...
video game developed and published by Square
Square Co.
was a Japanese video game company founded in September 1983 by Masafumi Miyamoto. It merged with Enix in 2003 and became part of Square Enix...
on June 8, 2000 for the PlayStation 2
PlayStation 2
The PlayStation 2 is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Sony as part of the PlayStation series. Its development was announced in March 1999 and it was first released on March 4, 2000, in Japan...
. It was the first wrestling game published on this platform.
All Star Pro-Wrestling was released in a period in which Square sought to diversify its catalog by producing various non-role-playing game
Role-playing game
A role-playing game is a game in which players assume the roles of characters in a fictional setting. Players take responsibility for acting out these roles within a narrative, either through literal acting, or through a process of structured decision-making or character development...
s for the PlayStation 2. The game was notable for its control relying exclusively on the DualShock 2's analog sticks, although a second mode using the normal buttons was also available.
While the quality of the game's graphics was lauded and sales were good during its month of release, the control was received negatively by critics, who felt it was awkward and unintuitive. Nevertheless, the game spawned two sequels, released in 2001 and 2003.
Gameplay
Professional wrestling in Japan
Puroresu is the popular term for the predominant style or genre of professional wrestling that has developed in Japan. The term comes from the Japanese pronunciation of "professional wrestling" , which is shortened to puroresu . The term became popular among English-speaking fans due to Hisaharu...
rather than American. The game can be played in several modes selected in the "Match Make" menu; these include exhibition matches, championships, tournaments, or leagues separated by weight. Depending on the mode chosen, different wrestling rings
Boxing ring
A boxing ring is the space in which a boxing match occurs. A modern ring, which is set on a raised platform, is square with a post at each corner to which four parallel rows of ropes are attached with a turnbuckle...
can be chosen to battle, as well as the referee and the time limit. 26 real-life wrestlers are initially available, notably Jushin Liger
Jushin Liger
, better known as and later, is a Japanese professional wrestler who primarily works for New Japan Pro Wrestling.He has wrestled and beaten many of the top smaller wrestlers in both Japan and the United States, and is frequently cited as one of the greatest and most revolutionary junior...
, The Great Muta
Keiji Mutoh
is a Japanese professional wrestler who first gained international fame in the National Wrestling Alliance. He is mostly known for his work as The Great Muta in New Japan Pro Wrestling during the 1990s, but he has also competed in United States, Puerto Rico, Mexico, and Taiwan...
, Don Frye
Don Frye
Donald Frye is a retired American mixed martial artist, actor, and professional wrestler. Frye rose to fame fighting in early Ultimate Fighting Championship events, winning the UFC 8 and Ultimate Ultimate 96 tournaments...
, Koji Kanemoto
Koji Kanemoto
is a professional wrestler. He is of Zainichi Korean descent.-Career:Kanemoto practiced Judo during his high school days and won a few championships as a professional before being recruited by the New Japan Dojo. He debuted in November 1990, wrestling against Michiyoshi Ohara. In March 1992, he...
, Antonio Inoki
Antonio Inoki
is a Japanese professional wrestling promoter and retired professional wrestler and mixed martial artist who now resides between New York City and Tokyo. He was also the founder and former owner of New Japan Pro Wrestling before selling his controlling share in the promotion to Yukes...
, and Masahiro Chono
Masahiro Chono
, is a Japanese professional wrestler. He primarily wrestles for New Japan Pro Wrestling , but has also made appearances for the now defunct World Championship Wrestling, as a member of the New World Order. Chono was also known as Mister Black Jack when he first started as a villain. He is a...
.
Each battle begins with the wrestlers' entrance sequence. Two types of controls can be chosen to fight. The default one uses the DualShock 2's analog sticks exclusively; the left one being pressed for movements and the right one for attacks. Pins
Pin (wrestling)
A pinfall, a pin, or a fall is a victory condition in various forms of professional wrestling that is met by holding an opponent's shoulders on the wrestling mat for a prescribed period of time...
are executed by tilting both sticks up; and pressing both sticks grabs the opponent, who can then be attacked or thrown depending on the way the right stick is tilted. The second type of controls, called "Type B", is closer to other fighting games and assigns pinning to the triangle button, grabbing to the square button, and punches and moves to the cross button. With Type B, the power of each move is determined by the level of pressure applied on the buttons. In both modes, the precise techniques available depend on the position and distance of the opponent, as well as a personal "tension meter" which builds up during battle. At any time, the D-pad
D-pad
A D-pad is a flat, usually thumb-operated directional control with one button on each point, found on nearly all modern video game console gamepads, game controllers, on the remote control units of some television and DVD players, and smart phones...
can be used to change the angle of the camera.
Wrestlers return to full health after each match, and the game keeps track of the time of victories and records with the PlayStation 2 internal clock. A memory card
Memory card
A memory card or flash card is an electronic flash memory data storage device used for storing digital information. They are commonly used in many electronic devices, including digital cameras, mobile phones, laptop computers, MP3 players, and video game consoles...
can be used to save progress, battle snapshots, and match videos; the latter of which can either be ten-second long instant replay
Instant replay
Instant replay is the replaying of video footage of an event or incident very soon after it has occurred. In television broadcasting of sports events, instant replay is often used during live broadcast, to show a passage of play which was important or remarkable, or which was unclear on first...
s or up to three entire "Best Bout" matches. Hidden features include collectible autograph pictures of the defeated wrestlers; and a few unlockable characters, among whom are two female models in bikinis.
Development
All Star Pro-Wrestling was announced in January 1999 as part of Square's desire to expand into more diverse game genres on the PlayStation 2 than their usual role-playing games. While DreamFactory developed most of Square's previous fighting games (namely Tobal No. 1Tobal No. 1
is a fighting game for the PlayStation developed by DreamFactory and published by Square in 1996. The game was DreamFactory's first release, as well as Square's first release on the CD-based console....
, Tobal 2
Tobal 2
is a 3D fighting game developed by Dream Factory and released by Square in Japan in 1997. It is the sequel to Tobal No. 1. Unlike the latter, Tobal 2 was not released in North America or PAL territories...
, and Ehrgeiz
Ehrgeiz
, fully titled Ehrgeiz: God Bless The Ring, is a 3D fighting game developed by DreamFactory and published by Namco in 1998 for the arcade platform. It was first ported to the PlayStation and published by Square Co...
), Square decided to develop a wrestling game internally as Dream Factory was already working on The Bouncer
The Bouncer
is a beat 'em up for the Sony PlayStation 2 video game console. It was co-developed by Square and DreamFactory. The game features character designs by Tetsuya Nomura and music by Noriko Matsueda and Takahito Eguchi....
, another Square title. The game was produced by Yusuke Hirata of Parasite Eve 2 fame, head of Square's Osaka
Osaka
is a city in the Kansai region of Japan's main island of Honshu, a designated city under the Local Autonomy Law, the capital city of Osaka Prefecture and also the biggest part of Keihanshin area, which is represented by three major cities of Japan, Kyoto, Osaka and Kobe...
-based fifth production team. The score, which was never released in album form, consists mostly of rock music
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
and was composed by Tsuyoshi Sekito
Tsuyoshi Sekito
is a Japanese video game composer, arranger, and musician who has been employed at Square Enix since 1995. As a composer, he is best known for scoring the video games Brave Fencer Musashi and The Last Remnant...
, Kenichiro Fukui
Kenichiro Fukui
is a Japanese video game composer and musician. Before working at Square Enix, he was employed at Konami. He is an arranger and a keyboardist in the band The Black Mages, formed in 2003. Additionally, Fukui arranged Angela Aki's "Kiss Me Good-Bye" from Final Fantasy XII. In October 2007, he left...
, and Kumi Tanioka
Kumi Tanioka
is a Japanese video game music composer and musician. She is most known for composing the Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles series.-Early life:Kumi Tanioka was born in Hiroshima, Japan. She studied music and composition while in school and enjoyed listening to video game music as her younger brother...
.
Square's aim with the title was to create some of the most realistic wrestlers seen in video games, with accurate details such as a faithful replication of body-muscle physics and facial expressions. Screenshots of the game were shown during the Square Millennium Event in Japan in 2000; and a battle was played in demonstration by Yusuke Hirata and a young Japanese idol
Japanese idol
In Japanese culture, are media personalities in their teens and early twenties who are considered particularly attractive or cute and who will, for a period ranging from several months to a few years, regularly appear in the mass media, e.g...
later in the same year at the Tokyo Game Show
Tokyo Game Show
The , commonly known as TGS, is a video game expo / convention held annually in the Makuhari Messe, in Chiba, Japan. It is presented by the Computer Entertainment Supplier's Association and the Nikkei Business Publications, Inc...
.
Reception
All Star Pro-Wrestling topped the Japanese sale charts in its week of release with 107,331 copies sold, and continued to top the charts for the rest of the month of June. It was the 63rd best-selling video game of 2000 in Japan, with 185,616 copies. The game scored 31 out of 40 in the Japanese gaming magazine FamitsuFamitsu
is a line of Japanese video game magazines published by Enterbrain, Inc. and Tokuma. Currently, there are five Famitsū magazines: Shūkan Famitsū, Famitsū PS3 + PSP, Famitsū Xbox 360, Famitsū Wii+DS, and Famitsū Wave DVD...
, with the four reviewers highly praising the graphics but feeling that the controls, while not bad, could have been better implemented.
The American gaming website GameSpot
GameSpot
GameSpot is a video gaming website that provides news, reviews, previews, downloads, and other information. The site was launched in May 1, 1996 by Pete Deemer, Vince Broady and Jon Epstein. It was purchased by ZDNet, a brand which was later purchased by CNET Networks. CBS Interactive, which...
rated the game 4 out of 10, and criticized the battle system more severely along with IGN
IGN
IGN is an entertainment website that focuses on video games, films, music and other media. IGN's main website comprises several specialty sites or "channels", each occupying a subdomain and covering a specific area of entertainment...
, which stated that the default analog controls are "mind-boggling"; with pins
Pin (wrestling)
A pinfall, a pin, or a fall is a victory condition in various forms of professional wrestling that is met by holding an opponent's shoulders on the wrestling mat for a prescribed period of time...
being very difficult to execute whereas some other maneuvers can be chained with single button presses. The second type of controls was judged easier to play with by IGN, although one reviewer felt that it wears out the thumb quickly. On the contrary, GameSpot felt that the second type is even more difficult to use than the default one. The amount of moves available has been described as low even compared to lackluster titles such as WWF Attitude
WWF Attitude
WWF Attitude is a professional wrestling video game based on the World Wrestling Federation released by Acclaim Entertainment in July 1999 for the PlayStation and Nintendo 64. A slightly enhanced port of the game was later released for the Dreamcast, as well as a handheld version for the Game Boy...
. Regarding the game's fluidity, GameSpot and one IGN critic compared it to the speed of an "underwater soccer match", with smooth moves coexisting with simple, three-second long movements. The second IGN critic noted that the game is more of a wrestling simulation than an arcade title focused on entertainment.
Still, both GameSpot and IGN lauded the realism of the wrestlers' appearances, their faithfulness to those of their real-life counterparts, and the efficient use of the PlayStation 2 Emotion Engine
Emotion Engine
The Emotion Engine is a CPU developed and manufactured by Sony Computer Entertainment and Toshiba for use in the Sony PlayStation 2 video game console, as well as early PlayStation 3 models sold in Japan and North America...
. The spectacular ring entrance scenes and the amount of blood visible during battles was also appreciated. One IGN critic noted that the referee is always present on-screen, unlike many other wrestling games. However, the other one stated that the outdoor arenas "look like they were ripped out of a [Sega] Saturn
Sega Saturn
The is a 32-bit fifth-generation video game console that was first released by Sega on November 22, 1994 in Japan, May 11, 1995 in North America, and July 8, 1995 in Europe...
game". He also criticized the presence of only two facial expressions for each wrestler; and both IGN reviewers criticized the inconsistent collision detection
Collision detection
Collision detection typically refers to the computational problem of detecting the intersection of two or more objects. While the topic is most often associated with its use in video games and other physical simulations, it also has applications in robotics...
and the lack of diversity in the crowd, who sometimes "look like they were made out of Lego
Lego
Lego is a line of construction toys manufactured by the Lego Group, a privately held company based in Billund, Denmark. The company's flagship product, Lego, consists of colorful interlocking plastic bricks and an accompanying array of gears, minifigures and various other parts...
s". GameSpot added that the walking looks particularly unrealistic, in contrast with the other animations.
While both IGN reviewers noted the sparcity of the audio commentary and crowd shouting, one critic felt the sound was adequate albeit less impressive than the graphics. GameSpot called the sound decent and well executed. Finally, the omission of features such as weapons and modes such as "create-a-wrestler", steel cage match, battle royal
Battle royal (professional wrestling)
In professional wrestling, a battle royal is a multi-competitor match type in which wrestlers are eliminated until one is left and declared winner...
, and multiplayer tag team
Tag team
Tag team professional wrestling is a variation in which matches are contested between teams of multiple wrestlers. A tag team may comprise two wrestlers who normally wrestle in singles competition, but more commonly are made of established teams who wrestle regularly as a unit and have a team name...
, was felt as a very noticeable weak point compared to American wrestling games present on the market.
Sequels
A sequel titled All Star Pro-Wrestling II was released on November 22, 2001 for the PlayStation 2. It addressed the controls issue by replacing it with a new, more standard battle system, and included wrestlers from three real-life Japanese wrestling federations: New Japan Pro WrestlingNew Japan Pro Wrestling
is a major professional wrestling promotion in Japan, founded by Antonio Inoki in June 1972 and owned by Yuke's since 2005, when Inoki sold the promotion. Naoki Sugabayashi is the current President of the promotion and has held that position from 2007. Owing to its TV program aired on TV Asahi, it...
, Pro Wrestling Noah
Pro Wrestling Noah
is a major Japanese professional wrestling promotion, founded in 2000 by former All Japan Pro Wrestling ace Mitsuharu Misawa. NOAH is broadcast weekly in Japan...
, and Pro Wrestling Zero-One. The game also scored 31 out of 40 in Famitsu. A third installment, All Star Pro-Wrestling III was released by Square Enix
Square Enix
is a Japanese video game and publishing company best known for its console role-playing game franchises, which include the Final Fantasy series, the Dragon Quest series, and the action-RPG Kingdom Hearts series...
on August 7, 2003 for the same platform. It included a create-a-wrestler feature.
Both sequels added multiplayer tag team and battle royal modes, playable using a multitap
Multitap
A multitap is a video game console peripheral that increases the number of controller ports available to the player, allowing additional controllers to be used in play...
with up to 5 players at a time (4 wrestlers and the referee
Referee (professional wrestling)
A professional wrestling referee is the official figure that makes sure that wrestling matches move smoothly in an attempt to maintain kayfabe. The referee also has the ultimate power in the ring...
). Tsuyoshi Sekito returned to score the two soundtracks. The All Star Pro-Wrestling II Original Soundtrack was published by DigiCube
DigiCube
DigiCube Co., Ltd. was a Japanese company established as a subsidiary of software developer Square on February 6, 1996 and headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. The primary purpose of DigiCube was to market and distribute Square products, most notably video games and related merchandise, including toys,...
on January 23, 2002, while the third game's soundtrack was not published in album form.
External links
- All Star Pro-Wrestling official homepage at Square Enix
- All Star Pro-Wrestling II official homepage at Square Enix
- All Star Pro-Wrestling III official homepage at Square Enix
- All Star Pro-Wrestling III official website, retrieved from the Internet Archive