Summary
- Release Year: 1990
- Genres: Sport
- Platforms: Atari 7800
- Developers: BlueSky Software
- Publishers: Atari Corporation
Mat Mania Challenge: The Ultimate Atari Wrestling Experience
Released in 1990, Mat Mania Challenge is the sequel to the popular Atari wrestling game, Mat Mania. It features updated graphics, new wrestlers, and a variety of new moves and features.
One of the most notable new features in Mat Mania Challenge is the ability to create your own wrestler. You can choose your wrestler’s name, appearance, and moveset. This allows you to create a wrestler that is unique to you and your own personal style.
Another new feature in Mat Mania Challenge is the ability to compete in tag team matches. This adds a whole new level of strategy to the game, as you must now work together with your partner to defeat your opponents.
Mat Mania Challenge also features a variety of new moves and animations. These new moves add even more depth and excitement to the gameplay.
Gameplay
The gameplay in Mat Mania Challenge is very similar to that of its predecessor. The game is played from a top-down perspective, and you control your wrestler using the joystick and buttons. You can perform a variety of moves, including punches, kicks, grapples, and throws.
The goal of the game is to defeat your opponent by pinning them to the mat for a three count. You can also win by submission, if you can force your opponent to tap out.
Characters
Mat Mania Challenge features a roster of 12 wrestlers, each with their own unique moves and abilities. The wrestlers include:
- Bruno the Sledge: A large and powerful wrestler who is the five-time champion.
- Eric the Flaxen Saxon: A technical wrestler who is the current champion.
- Gorgeous George: A flamboyant wrestler who is known for his charisma.
- Ivan the Terrible: A Russian wrestler who is known for his strength and toughness.
- Jimmy “Jammer” Johnson: A high-flying wrestler who is known for his agility.
- Kamala the Ugandan Giant: A giant wrestler who is known for his power and ferocity.
- King Kong Bundy: A large and powerful wrestler who is known for his strength and size.
- The Legion of Doom: A tag team consisting of Hawk and Animal. They are known for their power and intensity.
- The Nasty Boys: A tag team consisting of Jerry Sags and Brian Knobbs. They are known for their dirty tactics and brawling style.
- The Rockers: A tag team consisting of Shawn Michaels and Marty Jannetty. They are known for their high-flying style and charisma.
- Tito Santana: A technical wrestler who is known for his speed and agility.
- Ultimate Warrior: A powerful and intense wrestler who is known for his face paint and his signature move, the Warrior Splash.
Reception
Mat Mania Challenge was a critical and commercial success. It was praised for its improved graphics, new features, and exciting gameplay. The game was also a hit with fans of professional wrestling, who appreciated the game’s realistic portrayal of the sport.
Mat Mania Challenge is still considered to be one of the best wrestling games ever made. It is a classic game that is still enjoyed by fans of the genre today.
Legacy
Mat Mania Challenge had a significant impact on the wrestling game genre. It was one of the first games to feature a create-a-wrestler mode, and it also introduced a number of new moves and features that became standard in later wrestling games.
Mat Mania Challenge also helped to popularize the Atari Lynx handheld console. The game was one of the most popular titles on the system, and it helped to show that the Lynx was capable of handling complex and graphically impressive games.
Conclusion
Mat Mania Challenge is a classic wrestling game that is still enjoyed by fans of the genre today. It is a well-made game with a lot of depth and replayability. If you are a fan of wrestling games, then you owe it to yourself to check out Mat Mania Challenge.
Review Score
8/10
