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Falls short of the brand name

2 Rating: 2, Useful: 4 / 39
Date: November 24, 2007
Author: Amazon User

Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R18R6D1UFJ2QJY I first played Fire Pro wrestling in the mid 1990's on my Playstation 1. I was lucky enough to have one of the very first playstations released that allowed users to play foriegn games, and I have to say that "Fire Pro Iron Slam 1996" was one of the most incredible wrestling games I ever played.

Knowing the reputation of "Fire Pro" games, and my own experience, I had no problem pre-ordering this title for the PS2. I was shocked when I looked at the back of the box and noticed that the graphics looked only
slightly better then the Game boy advance games. I still gave it a chance, but the controls were horrible. Even at a bargain price, this game is an insult to the brand name and gamers. I don't even consider this a real Fire Pro game. The real Fire Pro games were revolutionary and had good graphics, and great control. I'm truly insulted that they would release a Fire Pro game that is worse (in every way) then the version I played over ten years ago on my PS1.

graphics=2 stars out of 5
control=2 stars out of 5
fun factor= 1 star out of 5
sound=1 star out of 5

Wow, I can't believe all the positive reviews for this game. The has to be alot of people with brain damage. Saying that this is better then Smackdown is really stupid. THQ puts so much work into making smackdown the most lifelike wrestling video game experience ever. This game is just a cheap copy of the game boy advance games. The graphics suck, the movement is choppy, and the controls are horrid. I have no problem with 2-D wrestling games. My problem is with bad games (this is one of them).

Sorry- Just MY opinion of the game

2 Rating: 2, Useful: 3 / 10
Date: November 26, 2007
Author: Amazon User

based on the reviews, i didn't expect too much on the graphics, but i have to say i was a little disappointed with the controls too. i've only spent about 20 minutes on it so far and it has NOT impressed me too much. obviously i need to give it more time, but if you like (and you're used to) the smackdown vs. raw's and wcw of the PS series, then i'm pretty sure you're NOT gonna like this one too much.
again, perhaps i've not spent enough time on it to unlock it's full potential, but i'd suggest this to be a rental before it's a purchase. overall, i'm giving this two stars for now, but i'm hoping to change my review in the next few weeks :(

Not bad...

2 Rating: 2, Useful: 4 / 9
Date: December 23, 2007
Author: Amazon User

I guess since we have been playing the full 3-D wrestling games such as the WWE series, for me it was hard going back to the 2-D wrestling games of old. The character selection is awesome, with some of the world's best wrestling and fighters that have ever stepped into the squared circle. The match selection is also great, like the barbed wire explosion matches you see in Japan and the wrestling holds are there, but the soundtrack and looks of it is going back to the 8-bit Nintendo days and I don't think I can go back to that. I wished I had my hands on this game 10 years ago, it would probably made a difference, but that's just my opinion.

Only serious gamers who are fans of Japanese Pro-Wrestlilng/NHB need apply...

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 6 / 8
Date: December 14, 2007
Author: Amazon User

Attention NHB fans who are also gamers,

I bought Fire Pro Wrestling Returns the other day... Apparently a Japanese Import, and popular in Japan.

BIG WARNING: There is a huge learning curve for gameplay, and the graphics and engine are more like the Nintendo "Pro-Wrestling" title from over two decades ago. The graphics, however, are top notch. Set the CP skill level to one, and that's plenty challenging enough to truly enjoy this game...

Hundreds of characters to chose to play with from the history of Japanese pro wrestling. But the biggest suprise was that many of the people who have participated in mixed martial arts in Japan are represented, as well as many suprises...

Within the game, there are several different fictional organizations loosely based on most every organization in Japan, including New Japan, NOAH/All Japan, Pancrase, Pride, K-1, Toryumon, Dragon's Gate, etc...

Within the organization based on Pride, there are playable characters that include Fedor (whose name is Blizzard and is black, but you can change him into the white Fedor). Others include Don Frye, Kazushi Sakuraba, Yoshihiro Takada, Hidehiko Yoshida, Randleman, Wanderlai, CroCop, Josh Barnett, Royce Gracie, Ken Shamrock, Rampage, and others...

Other fighters include:
Andy Hug, Mike Bernardo, Mushashi, Masa Funaki, Yuki Kondo, Minoru Suzuki, ALEXANDR KARELIN (yes, that's right. His reverse body lift is glorious), Akira Maeda...

Other Japanese professional wrestling legends include:
Rikidozan, Lou Thesz, Inoki, Hashimoto, Muta, Hawk and Animal, Atsushi Onita, Mr. Pogo (complete with sickle attack), Abdullah the Butcher, Bruiser Brody, Liger, Tiger Mask, Black Tiger, Santo, Dos Caras, Dos Caras, Jr., Dr. Wagner, Jr., Negro Casas, Kendo KaShin, Kenta Kobashi (and the burning hammer), Mitsuhara Misawa (and the spinning elbow), Matsunga, Tarzan Goto, Terry Funk, Terry Gordy, Dr. Death Steve Williams, Ultimo Dragon, Jr., Dory Funk, Jr., Hall and Nash, Vader, A-Train/Prince Albert, .... pretty much name a big name from Japanese pro wrestling or an American that has traveled there, and you got him...

There are death matches (exploding barbed wire and time bomb deathmatches), barbed wire land mine deathmatches, K-1 style matches, and UFC style cage fights. Dream matches galore!

If you are a hardcore gamer and a fan of wrestling, especially Mexico and Japanese, take the time to learn the very basic controls and have an addicting amount of fun...

The three star rating is for simple graphics and controls learning curve. But the payoff is outstanding!

why,,,,,no progress

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: February 24, 2008
Author: Amazon User

I've been playing FP games since HAL wrestling, I don't understand why they haven't made a federation mode track computer and player win-losses and deriving a top contenders list to compete for world, secondary and tag titles. The gameplay and customization is always excellent. The matchmaker would be better if you competed against other feds and could do more then 12 cards. Otherwords your just simming a match at a time for your own personal enjoyment. I don't get this, 20 yrs, and still no fed geez.... It doesn't need a lame story line mode, just something to let it be a wrestling simulation not a one match at a time simulation. And a league mode that just tracks points.... man your halfway there.

Not for hot-tempered controller throwers

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 0 / 2
Date: March 03, 2008
Author: Amazon User

A control system similar to N64's "No Mercy" would have made this an untouchable blockbuster. As is, you are driven to insanity as the computer stomps you with impunity. Intricate and complex and wrestling video game do not mix. If/when Fire Pro Returns again, lets hope for a more player-friendly configuration, and the ability to USE foreign objects laying all around the ring would be nice as well.

Overrated, but overall FPWR can be fun....Somewhat.

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 1 / 6
Date: March 20, 2008
Author: Amazon User

Overall FPWR is a decent attempt at a wrestling game. It would need major updating, graphics and audio wise, and a little re-working of the fighting engine to become a very good wrestling game, but it can be fun, for the most part...If you can get past the Sega Genesis era audio and graphics. I mean c'mon, 2D wrestling in 2005? (when the game came out in Japan) is simply ridiculous!

The MAJOR CONS in FPWR are: Navigating through the menus can be painful. The audio and graphics are from Sega Genesis era, and I'm not joking. An 8 player battle royal can be painful being that it will be hard to see your player sometimes during the match. No life gauge too see how bad your wrestler is hurt or how much damage he is taking, no grapple button, you simply run into your opponent to grapple which takes away from strategy a bit, and the other big flaw is no indicator bar to see when you can do your finisher on someone. The customization is great but the graphics take away from all that. While making wrestlers, I was like "Why in the hell am I wasting time creating 2D wrestlers when I could make near realistic human looking models with SvsR2008"?

This game deserves 3 stars, no more, no less. Simply put, even though the graphics date back to 1992, it can be a fun game, but in small doses. I get tired of this game after 30 min. of play. Customization and match types are its strength, and gameplay, while lacking a few major things, is all about timing, and less of a brainless button masher. FPWR, gameplay wise, is almost a sheer clone of 1991's WWF Wrestlefest arcade game.

In closing, FPWR can be fun at times and is a fresh change from SvsR2008, but I do think SvsR2008 blows this game away in every way. Make FPW 3D, add a finisher and life bar (keep it optional though, to where I can turn them off or on), add a grapple button then when grappled have a power meter, (kinda like what those old WWF wrestling games for Sega Genesis had) and keep all of the customization but add custom entrances and make a better story mode, improve the audio majorly, and you would have a perfect game. Basically mix SvsR with FPW and you have perfection.

P.S. I have completely stopped playing this game since I got SvsR 2008.

Awesome Wrestling Series Make It's First Console Debut In The States

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 24 / 25
Date: November 16, 2007
Author: Amazon User

Fire Pro Wrestling is a really old wrestling series from Japan that has been around since the early 90s. So far only 2 versions have only ever been released in America, both of them on GBA.

Agetec decided to bring this two year old Japanese wrestling game to the states recently, and I couldn't be more grateful.

Yes this game looks bad, but the graphics are not where it shines. It is all about the amazing gameplay and extreme customization.

Some people may complain that their favorite WWE superstars are missing, but they are not. All your favorite WWE stars are there under a different alias, and if they do happen to be missing you can create them.

For $15 this is something any wrestling fan should pick up. It's amazingly deep and way better then the latest WWE game.

The best console wrestling game in quite some time

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 4 / 5
Date: November 29, 2007
Author: Amazon User

After making two appearances on the GBA over here, the overseas hit series Fire Pro Wrestling makes it's console debut on the PS2 with Fire Pro Wrestling Returns, and be glad that it has. Even though it features 2-D character sprites (albeit they are well designed and animated 2-D sprites) and no big name wrestlers (although there are some characters that look noticably similar to fan favorites of yesteryear), Fire Pro Wrestling features one of the deepest combat systems you'll ever see in a wrestling video game. Instead of pushing button mashing gameplay, everything about Fire Pro Wrestling Returns comes down to timing and precision. However, this is where another flaw in the game comes about: the AI is challenging to say the least, maybe too challenging for those more used to the big name, big budget WWE titles that get all the attention. However, once you get over all the turn-offs, Fire Pro Wrestling Returns offers a wide variety of playing modes, wrestlers, options, styles, and an incredibly deep edit and creation mode as well. Not to mention that you can't beat the game's price tag, which makes Fire Pro Wrestling Returns all the sweeter. All in all, you may be turned off at first by it's presentation, but give Fire Pro Wrestling Returns a chance, and you'll be pleasently surprised.

Fire Pro, Good game, but know what to expect...

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: December 01, 2007
Author: Amazon User

I bought this game a week or so ago. It is becoming an addiction!

Graphics are not state of the art. This game has a real old school gaming feel, think something from Sega Genesis or Super Nintendo era. Or better yet an arcade like the Neo Geo machines. The graphics are super well drawn sprites with tons of customizing options. Again, graphics are good but not state of the art, a retro look.

Sound is not so good. During matches is O.K. Some of the sound effects are good, but that dang menu music will have you ready to tear you hair out. The menu music is complete GARBAGE. I have been on a few of the receiving ends of my wifes scoldings about that **** music. THIS WOULD BE A 5 STAR GAME EXCEPT THE TERRIBLE SOUND!

Game play is great fun. It is VERY difficult so far, as far as timing on grapples and such, but I get better with each session. I guess that's something missing from games now, the ability to improve you SKILLS, not just reload the data until you beat the bad guy! This aspect it is great for someone wanting a challenge.

It also features match maker mode, in which you act as a promoter setting up matches and the likes. That is pretty fun, and you have the option of playing as one wrestler in the match or just watching (actually many more options). It is actually fun to watch the computers go at it.

Another thing I have found, you can make almost any wrestler with some imagination. If you lack imagination and want to play your favorite wrestler of yesterday (or today, or tomorrow), there are also many packs available online which you can use on your playstation via a usb cheat device like a codebreaker.

Another option is up to 8 players in any match, with them being any combination of computer players or actual human players via a mulitap. When was the last time you saw an 8 player wrestling game?

All in all, its a great game, especially at such a low price point. Think about it, you could go see a movie at the theater or have an addicting game that you could probably play for years without boredom.

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