Finally, some real wrestling!

As a already legendary game in Japan, it is about time the US (and European) gamers finally got their hands on what I believe to be the most innovative wrestling game ever. Fire Pro Wrestling comes at you for the GBA with such things that other wrestling games don’t even touch. Such as 150 wrestlers, 70 caw's, with endless amounts game modes, such as tournaments, leagues, battle royals, steel cage death matches, and the new audience approval matches. So I bet your wondering with all those #'s, is that the only thing that this game has going? The answer is mixed actually, as in being both yes and no.

Visually, the game won’t turn to many heads, reason being cause it Fire Pro Wrestling has and always be 2D. Those who are stuck in the No Mercy, Smackdown way of playing wrestling games will be disappointed at first by the serious lack of flash, however by sacrificing the flash, this allows more space for the number modes and wrestlers, but especially for the caw feature, which you'll be given the opportunity to make the most specific type of wrestler that such games like no mercy and smackdown could not even touch at, here you will be given the choice of deciding your wrestlers appearance, moves, style, technique, and stats. And the way your create your wrestler, will factor in a lot when you place him (or her) in the ring. If the wrestler has weak arms, expect for a lot of reversals, if they don’t take slams well, don’t expect them to jump back up, and if your wrestler is more into power then technique, don’t expect that person to do a torpedo off the top rope. That’s how detailed the game is, which may seem like a pain, but is most rewarding when you suddenly create the perfect wrestler.

Still, with that being, I bet your wondering on how the game responds to the control, which I must warn you now, this game is NOT, and I repeat NOT a button masher!!! Precession and timing is the key to success in Fire Pro Wrestling, button mashing will only lead you to an butt kicking faster then the time it took you to pop the cart in your game. Yes I know it is very tempting to bash those A and B buttons in when you see wrestlers in a ring, but trust me, the way to winning will take hours, if not a day or two for those first time Fire Pro Wrestling gamers, but trust me, when you become skilled enough to know that you should push your combination of buttons at the right moment, you'll see how enjoyable the game really is.

As far as sound goes, the back round music, while not bad enough to make you keep the sound off the whole time playing, it might get to the point in which you pay more attention on seeing how the 45 second track keeps playing over and over. Sound effects on the other hand are done quite well, which will really stand out once you plug your headphones in. Hearing fists smacking against flesh, boots running across the mats, bodies taking harsh falls, and crowds screaming their heads off as the ref. counts to three really makes the sound effects block out the games repetitive music.

So to sum it up, Fire Pro Wrestling is a game of skill and patience, which will leave most gamers frustrated and searching for that slip of paper in which will allow them to get their money back. But for those who take the time and master the grappling system, will find out a lot more then what they thought they had with this game, with all the numerous modes and wrestlers they will be open up to, and a true Fire Pro Wrestling fan can be lost for days creating their own wrestler. However, those who prefer the flashy pictures and mindless button mashing wrestling types of games, may want to pass on Fire Pro Wrestling, even though they are missing out on what I believe, to be the best wrestling game ever.