WWF No Mercy

WWF: No Mercy is a classic wrestling game that is still popular 25 after its debut. The game is celebrated for being possibly one of the best wrestling games of all time. Although the graphics aren’t amazing, it does have a lot to offer those who are a fan of the genre. The game features an abundance of options depending on how you want to play. There’s both single player and multiplayer. Single player has two modes, Championship and Survival. Championship is the career mode that lets you work your way up from the beginning. Multiplayer has a wide number of different modes depending on how you want to play.

The Championship mode is very well done, with multiple, branching stories that go into the details of your chosen wrestler. This keeps the game fresh and entertaining for many hours of gameplay. The game also offers varying levels of difficulty, but be advised it’s a challenge to complete even on the easiest level. Gameplay is very similar to WWF Wrestlemania 2000, but it’s a lot more polished and has a few added moves.

Fun New “Ladder” Mode

Wrestling is all about a spectacle of violence. Ladder mode adds to that feeling by bringing a literal ladder into the match. Players can take the ladder and use it to hit other players, or climb up it to dive down on top of them. The game is fun in single player, but it truly excels as a fun game to play with friends. Landing a great move is incredibly satisfying, and if you happen to miss, it can be hilarious.

New Backstage Area

Another new addition to WWF: No Mercy is the backstage area. The backstage has a bar, locker rooms, and the actual back of the stage. This area isn’t just for relaxing or waiting your turn in the arena. You can turn these areas into an all out brawl as well, complete with creative weapons. Certain items such as the pool table in the bar can also be destroyed, adding to the feel of destruction in the game.

Unlockable Items

WWF: No Mercy also has an in-game shop where you can purchase new items with money earned from Championship mode. Items include new wrestlers, weapons, and moves for your wrestler. This helps give the rest of the game replayability. Every new wrestler gives you the opportunity to replay old areas to see how the new wrestler performs.

Rating: 9/10

This is an incredible game. There’s a reason why it is still as popular as ever a quarter of a century later. It is creative, with a huge variety of things to do in the game, captivating story, and of course, copious amounts of violence.

Pros:

• Hours of gameplay
• Unlockable content
• Destructable objects

Cons:

• Graphics are dated

Tack on another couple hours to your Monday night wrestling stint. When THQ releases No Mercy this November, dorm rooms and living rooms alike are sure to be packed with mat maniacs looking to take out some aggression in the ring.

Choose one of the 65-plus brawlers in a single, tag or survival match and watch the personalized intro as he/she makes his/her way to the ring. Use a ladder to flatten your foe, or mix it up Andy Kaufman-style and take on some of the ladies who frequent the circuit. If you get bored of the Squared Circle, toss your opponent backstage and fight it out behind the scenes in one of three different scenarios.

To really get folks roped in, Aki is adding transfer Pack support for compatibility with the GBC version, as well as an option to create your own wrestler if you've exhausted the WWF superstars.