Growing up in the late 80's, a kid only needed two things really: Nintendo and Hulk Hogan. I still remember how my uncle, before father time got the better of him, would watch Saturday Night's Main Event with me and my brother. How he took us to the mall to get autographs from visiting WWF superstars. It was a great time
ZEN NIPPON PRO WRESTLING is an excellent wrestling game featuring solid "thick" graphics, good sound and terrific gameplay. The grapple system relies on timing rather than speed. You have weak, medium and power attacks during grapple. The energy bar is perhaps my favorite thing about these games. (The "whiplash rope" trick is pretty damn cool too...)
Your energy bar starts out BLUE
The bar decreases as damage is taken, revealing these colors in sequence:
GREEN YELLOW RED DARK RED BLACK
Like Capcom's stellar 2D fighter Vampire Savior, health can be recuperated. In a tag match when you're not in, you recover. When you take a move, like a powerbomb or dropkick, you lose the proper amount of health, but your energy will recover at a decent pace. However, the more damage you take, the slower your energy will recuperate. Ace concept
Japanese wrestling legend Giant BABA in the house. But he's no match for the younger and quicker Patriot
And, of course, I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the ability to knock the opponent's tag team partner off the apron with a well-placed clothesline. And if the chap attempts to tag out, you can TAKE HIM OUT. Good stuff
As good as this game is, the "sequel" is even better....
ZEN NIPPON PRO WRESTLING DASH was released only five months after the 1st one. It's more of an upgrade than a sequel. Like the original, 16 wrestlers are available. So what's new? Besides minor roster changes, the focus is now on tag team play, though the 1st had tag team modes as well. The difference here? Tag team moves
That'll re-arrange his furniture
C.O.D -- Concussion on Delivery
OK, I know what you're thinking
"Tag team combo moves. BIG DEAL!"
Tell me about it. That's why, to save Dash from being simply a hack cash-in, they included...
The Fatal 4-Way Battle Royal!
This mode is a wild free-for-all and provides great multiplayer action. There are no energy bars cluttering the screen. The only way to win is via pinfall or submission. Over-the-top-rope doesn't matter here -- hell, you can take the battle outside!
The outside mat has a different crunch than when slamming some one on the regular mat, nice, huh?
The Zen Nippon games are great wrestling titles. Fire Pro gets all the hoop-la and deservedly so, but don't overlook these gems. In 1994, Natsume released Natsume Champ Wrestling on the SNES, it's essentially the same game but converted with fake wrestlers. It's one of my favorites -- my bro and I wasted so many hours on that game back in the day
