RetroMania Wrestling: The Video Game We Need

After years of being disappointed by the WWE2K series, wrestling fans are in for a treat this summer. Forget about the fancy lights and pyro, this video game offers unique game play, compelling story modes and a wacky roster. Fire Pro Wrestling World has always been reliable, but it may take a back seat to RetroMania Wrestling, the official sequel to the 1991 arcade hit WrestleFest.

Worlds collide as the legends of the past clash with the stars of today. The Road Warriors, Nikita Koloff and Austin Idol represent the ‘70s and ‘80s. ECW icons Tommy Dreamer and the Blue World Order represent the ‘90s. Familiar faces like Zack Sabre Jr , Johnny Retro (you may know him as John Morrison) and the NWA World Heavyweight Nick Aldis represent the stars of today. AEW’s latest signee Colt Cabana, Jeff Cobb, Warhorse and the tag team of Brain Myers and Matt Cardona (formerly known as Curt Hawkins and Zack Ryder) fill out the roster.

The main story mode will have you go day by day as Johnny Retro while chasing the Ten Pounds of Gold. You’ll have to run the gauntlet in order to win the NWA World Heavyweight Championship. This feature is unique because it’s canon with the game, unlike other games where exhibition and story mode don’t reflect each other.

RetroMania has also done a great job of having unique arenas and match types available. There will be seven different arenas you can choose from. While that may seem low, quality outweighs quantity in this case. In addition to House of Hardcore and NWA 70 banners adorning a basic arena setup, you get fun options like the NWA Powerrr studio setting, as well as the Pro Wrestling Tees warehouse and Stevie Richards’ gym. There are seven match types: single, tag team, six-man, eight-man, three way, four way and Retro Rumble. Here’s where it gets even better: you can play those match types under elimination, tornado or steel cage rules.

The details are what make this game special. All the characters have names, not just the wrestlers, but the referees and ring announcer, too. Ring of Honor’s old duo of Ian Riccaboni and Cabana will be handling commentary. Pat Savino and Ryan Torok will be refereeing. The ring announcer has yet to be revealed, so that will be a great surprise.

For this game to reach its full potential, you will need to support it. Gamers always trash WWE’s offerings as being more of the status quo, well, we’ve finally got an innovative alternative. Let the gaming industry know that wrestling fans are willing to purchase unproven products. Plus, the more money we plop down will hopefully encourage the developers to add a women’s roster, more tag teams and the most requested feature of any wrestling game since the mid-2000s: GM Mode. RetroSoft Studios has already mentioned it as a possibility if the game gets enough support. C’mon people, let’s make our dreams come true!

RetroMania Wrestling will be available on the Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and Steam this summer.