Summary
- Release Year: 1998
- Genres: Fighting, Sport
- Platforms: PlayStation
- Developers: Inland Productions
- Publishers: THQ
WCW/nWo Thunder (1998): The Best Wrestling Game on the N64
WCW/nWo Thunder is a professional wrestling video game released by THQ and developed by AKI Corporation for the Nintendo 64, PlayStation, and Dreamcast. It was released in North America on December 1, 1998, and in Europe in 1999. The game is based on the World Championship Wrestling (WCW) and New World Order (nWo) professional wrestling promotions.
WCW/nWo Thunder was a critical and commercial success, selling over 2 million copies worldwide. It was praised for its graphics, gameplay, and roster of over 60 wrestlers. The game is still considered to be one of the best wrestling games ever made.
Gameplay
WCW/nWo Thunder features a variety of gameplay modes, including:
- Exhibition: A single match between two wrestlers.
- Tournament: A single-elimination tournament with up to 16 wrestlers.
- Career: A mode in which the player creates a wrestler and takes them through a career in WCW.
- Create-a-Wrestler: A mode in which the player can create their own custom wrestler.
The game’s controls are simple and easy to learn, but difficult to master. The player controls their wrestler with the analog stick and uses the buttons to perform moves. The game features a variety of moves, including punches, kicks, grapples, and aerial attacks.
WCW/nWo Thunder also features a number of innovative gameplay features, such as:
- Full-screen wrestler entrances: Wrestlers enter the ring to their full entrance music and pyrotechnics.
- Commentary from Tony Schiavone and Mike Tenay: The game features commentary from real-life WCW commentators Tony Schiavone and Mike Tenay.
- Create-a-Move: A mode in which the player can create their own custom moves.
Roster
WCW/nWo Thunder features a roster of over 60 wrestlers, including:
- Goldberg
- Hollywood Hogan
- Kevin Nash
- Diamond Dallas Page
- The Giant
- Bret Hart
- Konnan
- Rowdy Roddy Piper
- Curt Hennig
- Saturn
- Randy Savage
- Chris Jericho
- Sting
- Raven
The game also features a number of unlockable wrestlers, including:
- Lex Luger
- Scott Hall
- X-Pac
- Syxx
- Buff Bagwell
- Disco Inferno
Graphics
WCW/nWo Thunder features some of the best graphics on the N64. The wrestlers are rendered in 3D and look very realistic. The game’s environments are also very detailed and immersive.
Sound
WCW/nWo Thunder features a great soundtrack featuring entrance music from real-life WCW wrestlers. The game also features commentary from Tony Schiavone and Mike Tenay, which adds to the game’s realism.
Overall
WCW/nWo Thunder is a classic wrestling game that still holds up today. The game’s graphics, gameplay, and roster are all top-notch. If you’re a fan of wrestling games, then you need to check out WCW/nWo Thunder.
Review Score
9/10
Review Score
7.5/10
Art
Cover Art
Screenshots
