Well, if you know wrestling, you know that Japanese wrestling is all the rage right now
thanks to a little company called New Japan Pro Wrestling putting on a little show called
Wrestle Kingdom 9 that happened to be a little awesome.
Now everyone’s on the New Japan bandwagon.
And if you know CGR Undertow, you know Kris from Jersey City, New Jersey, just sent us
a massive box of wrestling video games.
So in the spirit of Wrestle Kingdom 9, I looked for the most Japanese wrestling game in that
box.
That’s when I found this.
Hey, forget Tanahashi vs. Okada.
It’s Saturday Night Slam Masters, for the Super NES.
Now, if you like wrestling, and you like fighting games…I feel confident in saying this game’s
gonna be your favorite.
‘Cause this game’s awesome.
And it’s basically, literally, a combination of those two things.
It’s a fighter, dressed up like professional wrestling…and with characters designed by
the guy who does Fist of the North Star.
So like I said, this is gonna be your favorite.
And if you have any doubts, hey…listen to Lana, and shut up.
‘Cause the main character’s name is Biff Slamkovich.
I don’t care what you have to say.
Neither does Biff Slamkovich.
So this thing was originally released to arcades, which obviously means it has a very arcade
feel.
Heavy on action, light on modes, likes to time you when you do things…can you imagine
what it must be like to live with an arcade game?
You try to go to the bathroom, but there’s a timer on the wall…and a little chalkboard,
above the stove…
Says “top lasagnas.”
Oh, rub it in…arcade game.
F*ck you and your sh*tty lasagna, this game rules.
And again, especially if you’re into shows like Lucha Underground, and games like Street
Fighter…
By the way, Lucha Underground rules, you guys.
Hey, speaking of luchadors…this game has ‘em.
It’s also got a kabuki warrior, a former rugby star and the guy from Final Fight.
Pretty weird roster, but hey…what’d you expect from a game like this?
That’s part of the charm.
And all these guys are competing to become the Capcom Wrestling Association champion.
I guess Mega Man vacated the title.
But that’s the main mode here.
It’s a single-player journey, match by match, to earn the championship.
Although…I guess calling that the “main mode” probably isn’t accurate.
‘Cause what this game’s really known for…is its multiplayer.
So the great thing about the Super NES version…is that, not only does it include the arcade
game’s multiplayer mode…but it also supports multi-tap.
Which means you get to play Saturday Night Slam Masters with up to four players.
And that’s when things get interesting, man.
That’s where the game shines.
I mean, by yourself…yeah, it’s still a fine fighter.
But with a group of friends?
That’s what Saturday Night Slam Masters is all about.
And fortunately, it plays so well, your friends will be able to jump in and play, too.
It’s not like a complex fighter that’s going to turn some people off, which is another
reason it’s so great for multiplayer.
And you know, another thing I really like about this game…is how well made it is.
It’s not a masterpiece, or anything…but it’s really well made.
The animations are great, and the sprites are detailed, the game sounds good…and there’s
a lot of character, too.
The wrestlers have entrances, they have victory celebrations…I mean, it’s just a polished
game.
Both in terms of gameplay and presentation.
I had never played this until now, and I’m upset I missed out on it for so many years.
This is a game my friends and I would’ve played for hours back in the day.
Listen, don’t make the same mistake I did.
If you like wrestling, and you like fighters, and you have friends, and I guess a multi-tap…alright,
listen, I know that’s a lot of qualifiers, but I mean…
Look, it’s a wrestling game with an ape man.
Like, a dude legit raised by apes, fighting Biff Slamkovich.
I’m sorry, but we are the niche audience, guys…and there’s nothing wrong with that.
It’s Saturday Night Slam Masters.