Common Sense Media Review
By Brett Molina
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Pro wrestling game is fun-yet-shallow revisit of history.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 12+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Play
What's It About?
THQ, longtime publisher of the pro wrestling title WWE Smackdown VS. Raw, is revisiting history. WWE LEGENDS OF WRESTLEMANIA goes back to simpler times and controls in this fun retro wrestling game. Players choose between 40 classic wrestlers, such as Hulk Hogan, Andre the Giant, and Sgt. Slaughter.
Controls have been simplified compared to Smackdown Vs. Raw. One button allows players to punch, while another executes grapples. Attacks fall under three tiers. As you pummel opponents, a meter fills that unlocks higher tiers and more powerful wrestling moves. When wrestlers reach the top tier, they can perform their finishing move to help secure victory. Players can guide the wrestlers through key moments in Wrestlemania history, or create their own superstar and defeat the sport's best in Legend Killer mode. Players can also practice their skills online in a multiplayer mode.
Is It Any Good?
Fans of pro wrestling in the '80s and '90s should love the nostalgia Legends of Wrestlemania evokes. The roster is a fantastic mix of wrestling icons. The Wrestlemania mode lets players relive or rewrite moments in WWE history. Before each match, video clips reminiscent of NFL films play, retelling the events leading to a match as well as the outcome. Any longtime follower of the sport will appreciate the opportunity to review these moments.
The greatest weakness in Legends of Wrestlemania is a lack of depth. The game only consists of two single-player modes outside of exhibition. Some type of career mode could have given the title more longevity. The game also uses quick-time events, interactive scenes where players must press a button at the right time to complete a move. In some cases, this mechanic adds drama to a match. When analyzing finishing moves and whips into the ropes, it actually makes those experiences slightly harder than in most wrestling games. WWE Legends of Wrestlemania is exciting, but only for a brief period of time.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the classic wrestlers compare to today's athletes. Do you prefer stars such as Hulk Hogan and the Ultimate Warrior over modern-day wrestlers? Did this video game format capture the feel of the WWE?
Game Details
- Platforms : Xbox 360 , PlayStation 3
- Pricing structure :
- Available online? : Available online
- Publisher : THQ
- Release date : March 24, 2009
- Genre : Fighting
- ESRB rating :
- Last updated : June 19, 2019
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