This was my first Super Famicom purchase. I remember it fondly. It was Monday morning, March 27, 2006. The time -- 4:22 AM. I sniped it with 3 seconds to go. Crazy times. Anyway, this is the first of Varie's SFC wrestling trilogy. It features impressive big sprites and famous wrestlers like LYGER and big Van VADER (10 in all)
Late great Gorilla Monsoon: "It's reasons like this I'm glad I'm retired"
The grapple system relies on timing a la the Zen Nippon Series. I was hoping it would be as good as those Zen Nippon games. Unfortunately I think Varie spent too much time on the graphics because the frame rate is choppy. This game was a huge letdown for me. The graphics are awesome, sure, but it doesn't play very well. It's too bad
Let's see if the sequel is any better........
SHIN NIPPON PRO WRESTLING '94: BATTLEFIELD IN TOKYO DOME
The sprites have been downsized, and as a result the frame rate is better. The roster doubled from 10 to 20 (including the Legion of Doom and a very young Chris Benoit) but it still doesn't come together. It's a much better effort than the original though, but it still can't touch the Zen Nippon games
Bobby "The Brain" Heenan: Boy, I wish I could do that to my partner... Gorilla Monsoon: Enough already Bobby Heenan: I got carried away Gorilla Monsoon: I wish you would
SHIN NIPPON PRO WRESTLING KOUNIN '95: TOKYO DOME BATTLE 7
It's the final chapter in Varie's wrestling trilogy (never minding their female version Stardust Suplex) and also the hardest of the three to find, by far, at least in my experience. So, does the series go out with a bang... or a whimper?
Some roster changes were made, though 20 remains the count. Say good-bye to the Great Muta and hello to the Great Sasuke. The frame rate is the best of the 3 and the graphics were not sacrificed either. Weapons are introduced. But what really MAKES this game is the new FATAL FOUR WAY BATTLE ROYAL mode. It's good fun and reminiscent of the cult arcade multiplayer WWF WrestleFest or Capcom's SATURDAY NIGHT SLAM MASTERS
At this time, I'll hand it over to my two all-time favorite commentators from the late 80's/early 90's: the late great Gorilla Monsoon and Bobby "The Brain" Heenan... they'll call the action that follows
L to R: Roddy Piper, Gorilla, Vince McMahon, Heenan and the late great Curt Hennig AKA Mr. Perfect
Tonight's main event is a FATAL FOUR-WAY!
*music plays*
Introducing, from PARTS UNKNOWN, he IS... the MASKED MAULER... the MONARCH OF THE MAT... the MINISTER OF MENACE... THE GREAT SASUKE!
And introducing, from Michigan, Scott Steiner
[Hey, wassupwitdat?! -Scott Steiner]
And THEIR OPPONENTS... first he hails from THE COSMOS... he IS... the SUBMISSION SPECIALIST... the SADISTIC SAVAGE... the SANGUINARY SOLDIER... JUSHIN "THUNDER" LYGER!
And finally, he resides from Bay City, Michigan... Rick Steiner
[HEY! What gives? -Rick Steiner]
Bobby: You know Monsoon, the Steiner's are brothers Gorilla: Give me a break Bobby: I hate all four of these guys. I hope they all cripple each other Gorilla: Will you stop! How do you sleep at night? Bobby: Oh, on my side, usually...
Gorilla: [ignoring the Brain] Ladies and gentlemen history will be made here tonight. Capacity crowd, jammed packed to the rafters, the electricity is so thick you can cut it with a knife Bobby: I have to give the edge here to Lyger, much as I can't stand his guts Monsoon. He's the quickest Gorilla: Rick Steiner might be at a distinct disadvantage here because he's the most lethargic of the four Bobby: And he's slow too!
Gorilla: WHAT A PEARL HARBOR JOB! Bobby: I told you Monsoon! Sasuke was my guy all along! Gorilla: Will you be serious? The guys with the white coat and the net are going to be looking for you Bobby: I rather not see your family again
Gorilla: The irresistible force is meeting the immovable object Bobby: So much for that theory
Gorilla: Sasuke is really stretching out those lateral colateral ligaments in the knee Bobby: IN ENGLISH PLEASE!
Gorilla: Ouch! That's excedrin headache number 2,182. Makes me glad I retired Bobby: [Mocking Gorilla] There's one to the cervial dervial part of the neck!
Gorilla: Sasuke just pinned and eliminated Rick Steiner! We now have a triple threat match! Pandemonium has broken out! Bobby: I told you Monsoon, he was just too slow for this type of match Gorilla: [Mockingly] And lethargic too, right? Bobby: Yeah, that too
Gorilla: Good night nurse! Bobby: Not if she spent it with you! Gorilla: Grow up, Brain Bobby: Hey Monsoon, you know why the Great Sasuke wears a mask? Gorilla: No, why? Bobby: Have you looked in the mirror lately? Gorilla: Will you please!
Gorilla: Sasuke has taken over the match! The arena is deafening! Bobby: Get that Benjamin ready for me Monsoon! Gorilla: Will you stop! What kind of broadcast journalist are you? Bobby: The type that takes cash only!
Tokyo Battle Dome 7 isn't a shabby wrestling title, but it's not as good as the Zen games. On the other hand, TDB 7's Battle Royale mode is a bit more chaotic in nature than Dash's. If you're a diehard wrestling fan, set your sights on TDB 7 and Zen Dash; especially the latter. They're the best in their respective series, rendering the other games a bit useless unless you're a collector or the type who enjoys seeing the 'evolution' of a series. If I had known this earlier, I wouldn't have bought them all. But now, hey might as well keep 'em all =p
So in closing, the Shin Nippon trilogy has great graphics, but sans the last one, doesn't play all that well. It's a bit of a shame, but at least they got the last one somewhat right
