Summary
- Release Year: 2004
- Genres: Fighting, Sport
- Platforms: Nintendo GameCube, PlayStation 2, Xbox
- Developers: Acclaim Studios Austin
- Publishers: Acclaim Entertainment
Showdown: Legends of Wrestling (2004)
Showdown: Legends of Wrestling is a professional wrestling video game developed by Acclaim Studios Austin and published by THQ. It was released for the PlayStation 2, Xbox, and GameCube in September 2004. The game features over 70 wrestlers from the past and present, including Hulk Hogan, Andre the Giant, Ric Flair, and “Stone Cold” Steve Austin.
Gameplay
Showdown: Legends of Wrestling features a variety of gameplay modes, including:
- Exhibition: Play a single match with any two wrestlers.
- Career: Create a custom wrestler and take them through a career mode, starting in the independent circuit and working their way up to the big leagues.
- Tournament: Compete in a tournament with up to eight wrestlers.
- Create-a-Wrestler: Create your own custom wrestler, complete with their own appearance, moveset, and entrance music.
The game’s controls are simple and easy to learn, making it accessible to players of all skill levels. The game also features a variety of match types, including:
- Singles: A one-on-one match.
- Tag Team: A two-on-two match.
- Triple Threat: A three-way match.
- Fatal Four-Way: A four-way match.
- Ladder Match: A match where the objective is to climb a ladder and retrieve a championship belt.
- Table Match: A match where the objective is to put your opponent through a table.
- First Blood Match: A match where the objective is to draw blood from your opponent.
- Cage Match: A match where the objective is to escape from the cage.
- Battle Royal: A match where the objective is to be the last wrestler standing.
Roster
Showdown: Legends of Wrestling features a roster of over 70 wrestlers, including:
- Hulk Hogan
- Andre the Giant
- Ric Flair
- “Stone Cold” Steve Austin
- The Rock
- Triple H
- John Cena
- Shawn Michaels
- Bret Hart
- The Undertaker
- Kane
- Big Show
- Rey Mysterio
- Eddie Guerrero
- Chris Jericho
- Goldberg
- Lex Luger
- Sting
- Dusty Rhodes
- Harley Race
- Roddy Piper
- Jimmy Snuka
- Junkyard Dog
- The Fabulous Moolah
- Wendi Richter
- Chyna
- Lita
- Trish Stratus
Reception
Showdown: Legends of Wrestling received mixed reviews from critics. Some praised the game’s large roster and variety of match types, while others criticized its repetitive gameplay and lack of innovation. However, the game was a commercial success, selling over 1 million copies worldwide.
Legacy
Showdown: Legends of Wrestling is remembered as one of the best wrestling games of the early 2000s. It was one of the first wrestling games to feature a roster of over 50 wrestlers, and it introduced several new match types to the genre. The game is also credited with helping to popularize the create-a-wrestler mode, which has become a staple of wrestling games ever since.
Conclusion
Showdown: Legends of Wrestling is a fun and nostalgic wrestling game that is still enjoyed by fans today. It features a large roster of wrestlers, a variety of match types, and a create-a-wrestler mode. If you are a fan of wrestling games, then you owe it to yourself to check out Showdown: Legends of Wrestling.
Review Score
7.5/10
