WWF Royal Rumble Review

Graphics - Pretty good! Each wrestler has their trademark look. The ring is big and vibrant. There are also animated announcers behind the ring (probably Vince McMahon and Bobby "The Brain" Heenan as they were the WWF announcing team when this game was released [1993]). There is also a ref in his trademark blue shirt and black slacks (this was the WWF ref uniform back then). And when you win, WWF ring announcer Howard Finkel enters the ring and raises your arm in victory.
Sound - There are the trademark grunts and a very active crowd. The music in this game is totally PHAT! Thanks to the SNES sound chip, there are excellent reditions of the wrestlers' entrance songs, from Savage's "Pomp & Circumstance", Bret Hart's "Hart Attack", and Shawn Michaels' "Sexy Boy". My fave songs are Ric Flair's (WHOOO!), Crush (excellent metal-sounding song), Shawn Michaels', Ted DiBiase's, and Yokozuna's.
Control - Excellent!
Playability - You have several modes of play : one-on-one, tag, 6-man tag, and the Royal Rumble. In one-on-one, you can have a one-fall exhibition match wither either 1 or 2 players (in 1 player mode, you can pick the opponent or have the computer pick the opponent), a brawl (match ends when somebody's health meter reaches zero), and tournament (if you beat all 11 opponents, you win the World Wrestling Federation Championship). In tag team mode, you can have 1 player, 2 players competitive, or 2 players cooperative. Unlike the Genesis version, there is no tournament mode in tag team, so you will not be able to go for the World Wrestling Federation Tag Team championship. In 6-man tag mode, you can have one player, 2 player competive, or 2 player cooperative...there is no tournament mode in 6-man (well, the WWF never had a 6-man championship...only World Class and the NWA/WCW had 6-man titles). Finally, the Royal Rumble match where you must throw your opponents over the top rope without being thrown over the top rope yourself (stay off the turnbuckles because you risk being knocked off the turnbuckle onto the floor, which would eliminate you). There are 12 wrestlers in this game : The Undertaker, Bret "Hitman" Hart, Tatanka (aka Chris Chavis), Crush (babyface "Kona" Crush version), "Nature Boy" Ric Flair (WHOOOOO!), "Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels, Razor Ramon (aka "Last Call" Scott Hall), Yokozuna (who sadly died last year), "Narcissist" Lex Luger, "Million Dollar Man" Ted Dibiase ("Everybody has a price for the Million Dollar Man! Gya-ha-ha-ha!"), "Macho Man"Randy Savage (OOH YEAH! DIG IT!), & Mr. Perfect (aka Curt Hennig).
Overall - A great wrestling game!

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Wrestlemania Review

The Good - There are some decent graphics, with pretty detailed caricatures of the Superstars (but where's the crowd?). Each wrestler has his own completely unique moveset, strength, and speed, so it actually does matter which Superstar you choose as your own. You won't see The Honky Tonk Man slamming Andre the Giant on this game.

The Bad - The gameplay itself is slow and the controls aren't very responsive. The sound (including theme music) is just okay. There aren't any wrestling moves on this game (other than the "bodyslam", which is simply an ugly-looking pick-up and throw-down). The computer is also quite difficult (read: cheap), especially when you face off with stronger characters. In addition, there are only six wrestlers here: Hulk Hogan, Andre the Giant, Randy Savage, Ted DiBiase, The Honky Tonk Man, and Bam Bam Bigelow.

The Ugly - The "bodyslam", as mentioned. With its emphasis on brawling tactics, power-ups, and the fact that a wrestler only stays down when he is completely out, WrestleMania resembles a second-rate fighting game more than a wrestling game. It's also frustrating to play and probably wouldn't have been a hit if not for the novelty of finally having WWF/E wrestlers on the NES.

Recommendation to avoid.

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Product Description:
All wrestlers possess a limited amount of moves, which comprise of basic standing punches and kicks, headbutts, a running attack, a move off the turnbuckle (which André the Giant and Bam Bam Bigelow cannot perform), and a bodyslam (which Bam Bam Bigelow and Honky Tonk Man cannot perform). All wrestlers also possess a "back attack" that they can use on an opponent standing behind them (usually a backwards punch). The moves themselves are somewhat tailored to each wrestler (Randy Savage, for example, uses elbow smashes instead of punches, while Bam Bam Bigelow has two running attacks instead of one). It is also worth noting that only Hulk Hogan is able to bodyslam the massive André the Giant. The wrestlers cannot leave the ring and can only execute turnbuckle attacks from the bottom two corners. Sometimes, while a wrestler is taking punishment, he will turn red, indicating anger. An "angry" wrestler can inflict more damage than normal while in this state. Occasionally, during a match, an icon will come on screen that a wrestler can pick up to gain health. The icons are unique to each wrestler (for example, Honky Tonk Man's looks like a guitar, while Hulk Hogan's looks like a crucifix) and cannot be used interchangeably (wrestlers can only pick up their own icons).Players can either play a single exhibition match (one player versus the computer or two players head-to-head) or a tournament. In a single player tournament, the player chooses one wrestler and must defeat the other five in a series of matches to win the championship. In a tournament with two or more player-controlled wrestlers (up to six can play), each wrestler faces every other wrestler once (fifteen total matches). At the end of the tournament, the wrestler with the best record wins the championship. In the event of a tie, the wrestler in the tie who achieved the single fastest victory during the tournament will be declared the winner.

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