WWF Raw

LJN Ltd., Sculptured Software, Inc.

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Product Details

UPC:	023582090061
Release Date:	1994
Platform:	Super NES
Genre:	Sports
Style:	Wrestling

Review

Super Nintendo owners who loved Acclaim's earlier wrestling games (published under the names Flying Edge and LJN) will find more of the same in WWF Raw, the third WWF game released on the system. Like the Genesis version, it closely follows 1993's WWF Royal Rumble in look, feel and control, so if you disliked that title, it goes without saying you won't be too fond of this one.

Aside from a few new wrestlers, faster speed and four-player support, there's not a heck of a lot worth mentioning. For those owning both 16-bit systems, this cartridge has more vibrant color, significantly better audio and a slightly easier control scheme due to the differences in game pads. Otherwise, both versions are nearly identical.

For the first time in a Super Nintendo wrestling game, you can play with four people at once (providing you have an adaptor). This is a step in the right direction as there's nothing like having three of your friends in the ring all ganging up on each other. In addition, each wrestler also has more special moves, referred to as "mega-moves," which better reflect the individual strengths of your selected player.

The only problem is that they aren't listed in the manual, so you have to figure them out for yourself (most involve tapping the control pad in one direction while releasing a button during a grapple). New game modes "Raw Endurance Match," where you face six opponents one after another, and "Bedlam," where you fight two wrestlers at once, help add to the challenge and extend the replay value of the title, although there still isn't a battery to keep track of user records.

As in previous WWF games, the basic moves include punches and kicks, which turn into kneedrops or elbowdrops whenever your opponent is on the mat. Aerial moves like hip-tosses, dropkicks and clotheslines can also be performed while your opponent is running toward you. Furthermore, you can use flying elbowdrops, climb turnbuckles, leave the ring at any time (even grab a chair), and perform illegal moves such as eye gouges and chokes. If the referee is bothering you, go ahead and knock him out with a well-timed punch or kick!

Unfortunately, the grappling system has remained unchanged from WWF Royal Rumble. After locking grips with an opponent, a meter will appear showing who is winning the test of strength. Then it's a battle of rapid button tapping as you and your opponent try to execute or counter various moves. This gets rather tedious.

And remember how Royal Rumble's computer was ridiculously hard to out-grapple on the higher difficulty levels, but relatively easy to defeat using basic moves? WWF Raw has much faster gameplay making it a lot harder to win against the computer on any difficulty level. Expect to become frustrated with the computer's cheap way of outperforming your moves -- like it's using a turbo controller! In the end, WWF Raw will satisfy fans who care more about a having a fun multiplayer game than a rewarding single-player experience. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide

Credits

Name	Role
1-2-3 Kid	Character
Bam Bam Bigelow	Character
Doink the Clown	Character
Bret \"The Hitman\" Hart	Character
Owen Hart	Character
Lex Luger	Character
Shawn Michaels	Character
Razor Ramon	Character
Luna Vachon	Character
Yokozuna	Character
Undertaker [WWF]	Character
Sculptured Software, Inc.	Developer
LJN Ltd.	Manufacturer/Publisher