WWF Attitude

Developers - Iguana Entertainment. Publishers - Acclaim Sports. Release Nov 10, 1999.

As I have stated in my Royal Rumble review, I am not the biggest wrestling fan, but this is one WWF game I did go out and buy back in the day. It boasted so much depth of play for a sports title and had such bold looks that I couldn't resist. (That and I was wanting a break from action games for a bit.)
If you are a wresting fan then WWF Attitude cannot fail to excite. It has all the standard Exhibition and career modes and then a whole lot more. King Of The Ring events, Pay Per View events, you can even create your very own unique sweaty extravaganzas and design everything from lighting placements to event logos. Now thats depth!
New features included blood letting and the ability to play to the crowds and from the little I have watched of wresting, the chance to get those audiences hollering for you is a big part of the show. Also each wrestler entered the ring with their own unique entrances, that is the ones they use in real life. So far so good then.
I spent Saturday morning with this game and came away with the impression that while Iguana Entertainment has no doubt made a fine looking game with all the bells and whistles (or should that be bandanas and lycra?) it also has its share of downward pointing thumbs.
First off are the arenas themselves. Now while they look the buisness and have the official logos and fighters entrances, they 'feel' very small and not arena like at all. For instance you can hear single shouts of support for one wrestler, making it feel more like its being held in a pub than stadium. Commentary is dire too compared to the accomplished television style commentary we have got used to by the likes of Madden. At certain times one of the presenters giggles for no apparant reason which made me feel like I was being watched by a madman.
Each fighter has their own taunts too but personally with lines such as The Undertakers, 'children shouldn't play with demons,' I would feel more threatened by a tag team consisting of lambs and butterflies. And don't get me started on Kane, who for some inexplicable reason sounds like a toaster.
On the other hand the wrestling itself is done well and the slabs of muscle and lycra move about the ring as you would expect. No problems there. Also the moves (don't ask me to name any) seem to be cool enough and all in order. Saying that I did seem to get by simply sticking to using a kick and punch combo which tells me something is not quite right for a 'sport' that prides itself on wild, stylish manouvres.
So there you go, about as fair and unbiased review by a non wrestling fan as you're likely to get. And my gripes are only with the sounds, which aren't up to the games decent looks and scraps. Most fans of WWF will love this, especially with the depth of play and chance to set up their very own events. (If only we had a rugby game that did this.)
More good news is this sells for peanuts on auction sites and can be got for the price of a Sunday newspaper.

8 Jagerbombs.