WWF Wrestlemania Arcade (1995) // Undertaker Playthrough
190s Video Games, Episode 244
WWF Wrestlemania Arcade (1995) // Undertaker Playthrough
WWF WrestleMania: The Arcade Game is a professional wrestling video game released in 1995, developed by Midway Games and published by Acclaim Entertainment. Unlike the more traditional wrestling simulation games at the time, WrestleMania: The Arcade Game took a highly stylized, over-the-top arcade approach. It combined the spectacle of World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE) wrestling with the frenetic, fast-paced gameplay seen in fighting games like Mortal Kombat—another Midway title.
Gameplay Style
The game features a roster of WWF wrestlers, but the gameplay departs from realism, introducing exaggerated, almost cartoonish elements that turn wrestlers into caricatures of themselves. Wrestlers could perform outlandish moves, like punching their opponents to send objects flying (Yokozuna would hit with fish, Doink the Clown with a giant mallet, etc.), and they could execute high-flying combos that defied wrestling physics. Each wrestler had special moves akin to the special abilities in fighting games, making the game feel more like a brawler than a wrestling simulation.
Roster
WrestleMania: The Arcade Game includes a compact but memorable roster of WWF superstars from the mid-1990s. The playable characters are:
Bret "The Hitman" Hart: Known for his technical wrestling skills, he was given special moves like swinging punches and high-flying dropkicks.
Shawn Michaels: The flamboyant "Heartbreak Kid" was presented with fast-paced, agile moves, matching his real-life persona.
The Undertaker: Famous for his dark, supernatural gimmick, in the game, he could summon spirits and wield supernatural abilities.
Yokozuna: The massive sumo wrestler, who hits opponents with fish and performs moves with immense power.
Razor Ramon: Known for his slick style, Razor had fast, powerful moves and used his signature machismo in his animations.
Doink the Clown: The prankster clown whose moves were comedic, using props like a giant mallet or a joy buzzer to deal damage.
Lex Luger: The muscular "All-American" who wielded powerful, strength-based moves.
Bam Bam Bigelow: The heavyset wrestler known for his speed and agility, whose attacks often involved fire due to his "beast from the east" gimmick.
Modes
The game offered two primary modes:
Single Player: Players could fight through a series of matches in either Intercontinental Championship mode (four opponents) or WWF Championship mode (eight opponents), with each mode escalating in difficulty.
Multiplayer: Local multiplayer allowed two players to compete against each other in fast-paced matches, adding a fun and competitive element.
Graphics and Presentation
The game used digitized graphics, similar to Mortal Kombat, which gave the wrestlers realistic likenesses, but with exaggerated movements and animations. This use of digitization was a hallmark of Midway's arcade games during the era and contributed to the game’s distinctive style. The arenas, while simple, were bright and colorful, capturing the flamboyant essence of the WWF's presentation in the mid-'90s.
The commentary in the game was voiced by the iconic WWF announcers Vince McMahon and Jerry "The King" Lawler, adding to the authenticity despite the arcade-like nature of the game.
Ports and Reception
The game was initially released in arcades but was later ported to several home consoles, including:
PlayStation (1995)
Sega Genesis (1995)
Sega Saturn (1996)
Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) (1995)
PC (MS-DOS)
The home versions varied in quality, with the PlayStation and Sega Saturn versions being closest to the arcade experience, while the 16-bit versions for SNES and Genesis had fewer graphical features and a reduced roster (Bam Bam Bigelow and Yokozuna were missing in these versions).
Critically, WWF WrestleMania: The Arcade Game received mixed to positive reviews. Many praised the game for its fun, chaotic gameplay and innovative approach to the wrestling genre. Fans of both fighting games and wrestling enjoyed the crossover appeal, but traditional wrestling game purists found the lack of realism to be a detractor. The game’s quirky, exaggerated style marked a unique chapter in wrestling games, standing out as a fun, memorable title that blended genres in an unexpected way.
Legacy
While WrestleMania: The Arcade Game was not the most realistic wrestling game, its influence can be seen in later WWF/WWE games that tried to bring some arcade-style fun into the genre. Its mix of wrestling and fighting game mechanics laid the groundwork for more experimental wrestling games down the road, and it remains a beloved cult classic for fans of 90s wrestling and arcade games alike.
Enjoy my playthrough with Undertaker :)