Review
Release Date: 11.15.2000
Platform:
Nintendo 64Developer:
AKI CorporationPublisher:
THQ, Inc.Reviewed by
Wade Monnig on 4.27.2003
| Review Rating: 9/10 | User Rating: 9/10 |
With the release of so many wrestling games on so many systems, there is always the question, what is the best American WWF wrestling title? The answer is WWF No Mercy for the N64.
Released for the Nintendo 64, WWF No Mercy is the pinnacle of THQ wrestling legacy. It includes an easy to grasp but deep grappling system, a story mode, specialty matches and tons of wrestlers.
The gameplay system is an extension of the one THQ/Asmik Ace introduced in WrestleMania 2000. A is used from grappling and B executes a strike. Hitting the R button picks a wrestler up and the L button goes for the 1-2-3. Counters are accomplished by shaking the analog stick or tapping the appropriate button. Factors such as exhaustion also add to the equation. The real wrestling flair comes from throws, grapples and signature moves that are exclusive to each character.
The Story Mode uses a branching system that lets you choose your own path in a quest for a belt. Each belt has a completion percentage, and every time a different path is taken, you move closer to achieving 100% of the story for that belt. This adds replay value on top of this already impressive mode. My favorite part of the Story Mode is that you can spend the money you earn from winning matches on items in the Smackdown Mall. This mall is used in the create a wrestler feature by letting players purchase specialty moves that can be added to your created grappler. You can also purchase outfits, weapons and even hidden wrestlers.
Another advantage to the Story Mode is that you can create a tag team stable and play through in a Tag-Team Title Mode. If you want Kane to team with Mick Foley, and create "Fire and Fruitcake", no problem. If you would rather use a more tradition grouping, such a Matt and Jeff Hardy, you can do that too. This mode isn't just a recycled version of the single wrestler title quest but uses the unique tag-team set up to explore alternative storylines.
Possibly the most impressive part of No Mercy is the list of included wrestlers. It has 74 past and present WWF superstars. They include true behemoth wrestlers like the late Andre the Giant, recent retirees such as Mankind and Stone Cold Steve Austin
The downsides to WWF No Mercy can be traced directly to the N64 hardware limitations. The music and intro's are understandably subdued; this is a cartridge after all. While this doesn't affect gameplay, the slowdown that occurs when 4 or more wrestlers appear on the screen does.
During the last days of the N64, many wrestling fans felt that the WWF titles had become something of a serialized sports game, with roster changes and few new moves added to a pre-existing formula. In our opinion, if WWF No Mercy is the formula, we would have no problem with THQ going serial. With the huge graphical improvements seen in the WWF Raw for the Xbox and WrestleMania X8 for the GameCube are any indication, a next millennium version of No Mercy would be an answer to our pleadings.
