5 Greatest Retro Wrestling Video Games

#4. Fire Pro Wrestling Returns

Fire Pro Wrestling Returns

For this entry, I'm handing the duties over to my Sportskeeda colleague, WWE news & features writer and editor Kevin C. Sullivan:

Thanks, Adam!

Fire Pro Wrestling series has been some of the most critically acclaimed wrestling game franchises in the world. Beginning with Fire Pro Wrestling Combination Tag, released in Japan in 1989 for the PC Engine (aka the TurboGraphix-16), it has spanned nearly all of the home console generations - hitting this current series of consoles with Fire Pro Wrestling World for the PS4. Which is awesome, go play that.

But, here we're talking about Fire Pro Wrestling Returns for the PS2, which you should also go play, too. Well, read this article first. Then go play it. Well, you might have to buy it on eBay or something if you don't already have it, since game stores aren't really open right... you know what? I'm getting sidetracked. Let's keep going.

Returns was released in Japan in 2005, and two years later in the United States. It features a roster of a whopping 327 wrestlers, including a number of WWE stars altered just enough to get past copyright infringment. Since it's a pro wrestling game released since 2001, it has the obligatory create-a-wrestler feature, and a damn good one at that.

One of the reasons this game is able to cram so much amazing content into one game is partly due to the graphical style. Despite being on a powerhouse of a system (for its time, obviously), the game's developers stuck with the 2D sprites and all-around game presentation. This is not a bad thing. All the character models are highly detailed, and the 16-bit asthetic also gives it a little bit of extra charm.

But, the best part about this game is the Match Maker mode. If you're a fan of the GM modes present in a lot of the Smackdown vs Raw titles in the past, this will be right up your alley. It's essentially a wrestling promotion simulator - you pick your roster, you book the matches, and those matches are judged based on "audience reaction." It's addiction-level fun.

If you can't find this one to play, World on the PS4 is just about as good - and even features the roster of New Japan Pro Wrestling circa 2018, including Kenny Omega.

Anyway, back to you, Adam!