WWF Superstars

Infobox VG
title = WWF Superstars


developer = Technos Japan Corporation
publisher = Technos Japan Corporation
designer =
release = vgrelease|NA|May 1989
genre = Sports
modes = Up to 2 players, simultaneous
cabinet = Upright
arcade system = CPU: 68000 and Z80 with a YM2151 and an M6295 for sounds.
display = Raster resolution 456x336
input = Joystick, 2 buttons
platforms = Arcade

"WWF Superstars" is an arcade game manufactured by Technos and released in 1989. It is the first WWF arcade game to be released. A series of unrelated games with the same title were released by LJN for the original Game Boy. Technos followed the game with the release of "WWF WrestleFest" in 1991.

Features

The game features some of the signature moves and trademark mannerisms of the wrestlers in the game. There are also cut scenes featuring Ted DiBiase, André the Giant and Virgil. Mean Gene Okerlund and Miss Elizabeth make appearances as well. Before the first match, the player's chosen team enters the arena via the "ring cart" seen in Wrestlemania III and Wrestlemania VI.

Gameplay

The game features a basic grappling and attack system. From a grapple, a player can either toss the opponent, throw them into the ropes, or go into a headlock from which two character-specific grapple moves can be performed. Each wrestler also possesses standing strikes, running attacks, running counter attacks, ground attacks, and moves from the top turnbuckle. Brawling outside of the ring and usage of weapons is also allowed in each match. A referee is present in the ring, but cannot be attacked or otherwise affected by the wrestlers.

Players select two wrestlers to form a tag team. The playable wrestlers are Hulk Hogan, The Ultimate Warrior, Big Boss Man, Randy Savage, Honky Tonk Man, and "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan. Up to two players can play at once. The players take their team through a series of matches with other tag teams in New York City and then Tokyo. After three matches are won, players get to challenge the Mega Bucks ("The Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase and André the Giant). The Mega Bucks are not selectable characters. However, there are cheats for MAME that allow them to be used (together or separately), the drawback being that if DiBiase or André get a submission victory, the game will think that the player lost. Also, there can sometimes be graphical errors which will make the in-ring opponent disappear.

If the player wins the title match, a newspaper headline heralding the players' tag team as champions is shown. The player is then taken through another series of three matches (one of which will feature DiBiase) in the other city and a final match against DiBiase and André before the game ends.

Character specifics

All playable characters move and respond at different speeds. Randy Savage and Honky Tonk Man have the fastest movement speed and reflexes, while Big Boss Man and Hacksaw Jim Duggan move at the slowest rate. The player does need to take this into account when attempting to pin the computer-controlled opponent, as a slower partner may not keep the other CPU player from interfering with the pin if he cannot traverse the distance from the ring apron in time to intercept them.

Some characters have two attires. Randy Savage alternates green and pink trunks, Ultimate Warrior switches between green/white and pink/white attire, Honky Tonk Man can appear in either red or blue tights, and Hacksaw Jim Duggan wears blue or black trunks.

CPU-controlled characters can perform a taunt (e.g. Hacksaw's "thumbs up" gesture) after downing the player's character during the match.

Ted DiBiase and André the Giant have the only submission holds in the game: The Million Dollar Dream sleeperhold and the Canadian Backbreaker, respectively. Both moves will eat up five life squares unless the player's partner can rescue him from the hold.

Bodyslams against André fail most of the time, due to his colossal weight. However, if André is more that 50% worn and the player's character is at 75% life or higher, the player can successfully bodyslam him if the button is hit fast enough. Besides an Irish Whip into the ropes and, if conditions are right, a bodyslam, most moves that require grabbing or grappling automatically fail against André (Big Boss Man's headbutt and Honky Tonk Man's headlock & punch are two exceptions to this rule). Striking attacks (punches, kicks, dropkicks, clotheslines, knee shots, elbow/leg drops, stomps) work, as well as back body drops.

If DiBiase is hit in rapid succession with punishing moves, he will "beg off", putting up his hands and shaking his head, imploring for mercy. This gives the player an opportunity for a free attack.

References

*cite web | url=http://www.klov.com/game_detail.php?game_id=10387 | title=Coin-Op Museum: WWF Superstars | accessdate=December 8 | accessyear=2005
*cite web | url=http://www.gamefaqs.com/coinop/arcade/game/563213.html | title=WWF Superstars FAQ v3.0 | accessdate=December 8 | accessyear=2005
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QCiopZGiKyE "WWF Superstars" gameplay footage]

*game director [http://wind.ap.teacup.com/kishi/ yoshihisa kishimoto]