TNA Impact! (video game)

Infobox VG
title=TNA Impact!


caption=
developer=Midway Studios - Los Angeles
publisher=Midway Games
distributor=
designer=
engine=Unreal [cite episode|url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DkOjDXrUymA|title=The 9/18 Edition Of TNA Today|series=TNA Today|serieslink=TNA Today|date= 2007-09-18|airdate=2007-09-18|accessdate=2007-10-12]
version=
released=September 9, 2008 (PS2, PS3, X360)
September 16, 2008 (Wii) cite web|url= http://ps3.ign.com/objects/814/814948.html|title=TNA iMPACT!|publisher=IGN|accessdate=2008-08-23]
genre=Fighting [cite web|url=http://www.gamepro.com/article/reviews/207153/tna-impact-350/|title=TNA Impact!|publisher=GamePro|accessdate=2008-09-08]
modes=Single player, multiplayer
ratings=
platforms=PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Wii, Xbox 360cite press release|url=http://www.midway.com/rxpage/mpr_11944.html|publisher=Midway Games|date=2007-07-09|title=Midway Announces Diverse And High-Powered Lineup For 2007 E3 Business & Media Summit| accessdate=2007-07-09]
media=DVD (PS2, Xbox 360)
Blu-ray Disc (PS3)
Wii Optical Disc (Wii)
requirements=
input=

"TNA Impact!" (official typeset ""TNA iMPACT!") is the first video game released by the professional wrestling promotion, Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA). The game was developed by Midway Studios in Los Angeles and published by Midway Games.

Production

After periods of negotiation with Electronic Arts [cite web | url = http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2003/10/13/225170.html | title = No TNA-EA Sports game deal, yet | last = Waldman | first = Jon | date = 2003-10-13 | accessdate = 2007-07-29 | work = Slam! Sports | publisher = Canadian Online Explorer] and Rockstar Games, [cite web | url = http://sports.ign.com/articles/661/661349p1.html | title = Mr. Robinson's Neighborhood - TNA Wrestling finally gets a videogame deal. | date = 2005-10-25 | accessdate = 2007-09-09 | last = Robinson | first = Jon | publisher = IGN.com] TNA signed a multi-year agreement with Midway Games on November 7, 2005. [cite web | url = http://www.wrestleview.com/news2005/1131410794.shtml | title = Midway Games issues press release on TNA video game, Rhino, D'Amore | last = Martin | first = Adam | accessdate = 2008-08-24 | date = 2005-11-07 | publisher = WrestleView.com] Midway announced their intentions to release "Impact!", the first game in TNA's history, for each of the seventh generation consoles on March 2, 2006.

TNA wrestlers have been involved with the games production. The self described "hardcore gamers" Samoa Joe and A.J. Styles have both taken part in meetings with Midway staff to brainstorm game-play ideas, and Joe, Styles, Christopher Daniels, Senshi, Sonjay Dutt, and Jeff Jarrett were all a part of the motion capture sessions.cite web | url = http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/action/tnaimpact/news.html?sid=6152439 | title = TNA Wrestling updates game debut | last = Sinclair | first = Brendan | work = GameSpot | publisher = CBS Interactive | date = 2006-06-07 | accessdate = 2007-07-24] cite web | url = http://www.tnawrestling.com/content/view/296/84/ | title = New Footage Of The TNA Video Game | date = 2007-10-12 | accessdate = 2007-10-12 | last = Banks | first = Bill | publisher = TNA Wrestling] During the October 23, 2006 tapings of the weekly "TNA Impact!" program, members of the TNA roster were "scanned" for the game and audio samples of the Impact! Zone crowd were recorded. [cite web | url = http://www.wrestleview.com/news2006/1161823867.shtml | title = A Busy Day At The Impact! Tapings, Midway Games At the Tapings, More | last = Flannagan | first = Jay | accessdate = 2008-08-24 | date = 2006-10-25 | publisher = WrestleView.com]

Features

"TNA Impact!" is geared towards a quick-paced, high-impact style of play, with less emphasis on submission maneuvers. It supports up to four players at once on a console, with online support—which includes tournaments—currently standing at one-on-one. [cite web | last = Lane | first = Scot | date = 2008-04-18 | title = TNA iMPACT! Midway Gamers' Day 2008 Interview | url = http://www.gamespot.com/video/933906/6189603/tna-impact-midway-gamers-day-2008-interview | accessdate = 2008-04-19 | work = GameSpot | publisher = CBS Interactive | format = Video] cite web | url = http://www.gametrailers.com/player/32768.html | title = TNA: iMPACT! - Exclusive Features Trailer | accessdate = 2008-04-12 | date = 2008-04-12 | publisher = GameTrailers] Online play is, however, limited to the Playstation 3 and Xbox 360 versions. It's planned to feature straightforward, intuitive controls, with "accurate" and "detailed" character models.cite web | last = Ekberg | first = Brian | date = 2007-10-14 | title = TNA iMPACT! Hands-On | url = http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/action/tnaimpact/news.html?sid=6180962 | accessdate = 2008-10-17| work = GameSpot | publisher = CBS Interactive] Scans of the actual wrestlers were used for the game in place of hand-painted textures to include small details, such as skin texture and specific scars.cite web | last = Lane | first = Scot | date = 2008-04-18 | title = TNA iMPACT! Interview 2 | url = http://www.gamespot.com/video/933907/6180963/tna-impact-interview-2 | accessdate = 2007-10-14 | work = GameSpot | publisher = CBS Interactive | format = Video] Finishers are accessed by building up the "Impact! meter" displayed on the screen. In the same area a color-coded damage indicator shows the condition of characters. The game also features mini-games for escaping pin attempts and submission holds.

TNA's signature match, Ultimate X, is a playable match type, alongside the more standard Singles, Tag team and Fatal Four Way matches.cite web | first = Mike | last = Regan | url = http://gamingring.com/news/?p=269 | title = TNA Impact Detailed Hands On Impressions | accessdate = 2008-04-02 | date = 2008-03-30 | publisher = GamingRing.com] cite web | first = Mike | last = Regan | url = http://gamingring.com/news/?p=269 | title = TNA Impact Detailed Hands On Impressions | accessdate = 2008-04-02 | date = 2008-03-30 | publisher = GamingRing.com] cite web | first = Mike | last = Regan | url = http://gamingring.com/news/?p=289 | title = New TNA Impact Information | accessdate = 2008-08-24 | date = 2008-04-01 | publisher = GamingRing.com] Submission and Falls Count Anywhere matches will also be included. There isn't however a Six Sides of Steel match. Eight different venues—including TNA's main home; the Florida Impact! Zone, and arenas set in Japan, Mexico, England, Las Vegas, and locations designed to evoke the independent circuit feel—areavailable to house matches, with the Impact! Zone having an increased ringside area for play and hot spots for player interaction. Liverpool Olympia is also a playable arena in the game. cite web |url=http://www.inyourheadonline.com/viewnews.php?autoid=1362 |title=Interview Recap — Traci Brooks |accessdate=2008-03-01 |publisher=In Your Head Online]

The story mode's main character is a wrestler named Suicide. During every iMPACT episode after the August 14, 2008 version of iMPACT!, the words "whoissuicide.com" flashed on the screen for less than a second. On the website, it shows that Suicide is being taken from the game to real life television. cite web|url=http://www.whoissuicide.com|title=Who Is Suicide?|accessdate=2008-08-25|publisher=Who is suicide.com]

Roster

The game features over 35 TNA wrestlers:

*Abyss¹
*Afro Thunder²
*Kurt Angle
*Booker T
*Brother Devon
*Brother Ray¹
*Christian Cage
*Christopher Daniels
*Sonjay Dutt¹
*Hernandez
*Homicide
*Jeff Jarrett¹
*Jay Lethal ¹
*Kevin Nash¹
*Rhino
*Robert Roode
*Chris Sabin
*Samoa Joe
*Senshi²
*Shark Boy
*Alex Shelley
*Scott Steiner
*Sting
*James Storm
*A.J. Styles
*Suicide¹
*Mike Tenay³
*Tomko¹
*Don West²
*Eric Young¹
*Christy Hemme⁴

¹Must be unlocked via Story mode
²Must be unlocked via Style Points
³Must be unlocked via pre-order code and is only on the {Xbox 360} version
⁴Appears in Game but is not playable

Reception

Reviews of "TNA Impact!" were generally mediocre. The game was praised for its realistic graphics and simple control scheme, [http://blastmagazine.com/the-magazine/technology/2008/09/tna-impact/] but criticized for its limited and repetitive movesets, poor entrances, lack of championship belts, and poor AI. [cite web |url=http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/908/908532p1.html |title=TNA Impact! Review |first=Greg |last=Miller |date=2008-09-08 |publisher=IGN |accessdate=2008-09-19 ] [cite web |url=http://tech-gaming.com/2008/09/11/tna-impact-reviewed.aspx |title=An Upset by the Upstart: TNA Impact! Reviewed |author=DesertEagle |date=2008-09-11 |publisher=Tech-Gaming |accessdate=2008-09-19 ]

References

External links

* [http://www.tnagame.com TNAgame.com (official website)]
* [http://www.angerangle.com Online Promotion and Trailers]