Software:WCW vs. the World

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WCW vs. the World
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Developer(s)The Man Breeze
Publisher(s)
  • JP: Asmik Ace Entertainment
  • WW: THQ
SeriesVirtual Pro Wrestling
Platform(s)PlayStation
Release
  • JP: September 13, 1996
  • NA: March 28, 1997[1]
  • EU: December 1997
Genre(s)Fighting
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

WCW vs. the World is a professional wrestling video game for the PlayStation video game console. It was the first game developed by The Man Breeze to be released outside Japan , and is an American localization of their Japanese game Virtual Pro Wrestling (バーチャル・プロレスリング, Bācharu Puro Resuringu), the first game in the Virtual Pro Wrestling series. WCW vs. the World marks the first World Championship Wrestling video game released during its rise amidst the Monday Night Wars.

Gameplay

WCW vs. the World features various modes including League Challenge, Best of Seven, Exhibition, Elimination, Tournament, League, and Double Title. Such modes are predominantly characteristic of Japanese pro wrestling as opposed to American customs.

The game includes many other establishing features that would carry on and improve in future AKI wrestling games. A "spirit meter" replaces the traditional but more linear energy bar to better suit the momentum of a wrestling match. However, it also features modes surrounding the winning, defense, and even creation of championship belts which would be entirely absent from the game's immediate successor, WCW vs. nWo. The latter, however, would achieve far greater popularity thanks to its introduction of the intuitive "grappling system" not yet developed in WCW vs. the World.

Roster

The game features 60 wrestlers. In addition to its WCW/nWo roster, in keeping with the game's title, WCW vs. the World also has several "fictional" foreign wrestlers. These performers are actually renamed counterparts of real-life Japanese wrestlers that could not be properly represented in the game's American version due to licensing restrictions.[2] This practice of altering Japanese performers for American games would carry on through two more AKI games for the Nintendo 64.

World Championship Wrestling

  • Chris Benoit
  • Dean Malenko
  • Eddy Guerrero
  • The Giant
  • Jeff Jarrett
  • Hulk Hogan
  • Lex Luger
  • Masahiro Chono
  • Ric Flair
  • Rick Steiner
  • Scott Steiner
  • "Lord" Steven Regal
  • Sting
  • Ultimo Dragon

"Fictional" wrestlers

  • 200 Wins (Yoji Anjo)
  • Abispa (Jushin "Thunder" Liger)
  • Akira (Akira Maeda)
  • Bad Blood (The Great Muta)
  • Bear Breath (Gary Albright)
  • Billy Gaijin (Scott Norton)
  • Black Belt (TAKA Michinoku)
  • Black Ninja (The Great Sasuke)
  • Blackheart (Tarzan Goto)
  • Bolt Jamison (Kensuke Sasaki as Power Warrior)
  • The Count (Stan Hansen)
  • Dakota (Hiroshi Hase)
  • David Harley (Sabu)
  • Dojo (Shinya Hashimoto)
  • El Borador (Hiroyoshi Tenzan)
  • Fujigami (Tatsumi Fujinami)
  • Grizz Lee (Bruiser Brody)
  • Habanero (Hayabusa)
  • Jaguar (Tiger Mask)
  • Kaiji (Yoshiaki Fujiwara)
  • Kapuna (Toshiaki Kawada)
  • Kim Chee (Koji Kitao)
  • Konaka (Shiro Koshinaka)
  • Le Masquerade (Mil Mascaras)
  • Mad Oahu (Riki Chōshū)
  • Major Tom (Terry Funk)
  • Moma (Nobuhiko Takada)
  • Mongol (Keiji Muto)
  • Mongrel (Jumbo Tsuruta)
  • Mukluk (Kensuke Sasaki)
  • Overdose (Road Warrior Hawk)
  • Puchteca (Atsushi Onita)
  • Saladin (Genichiro Tenryu)
  • Sam Song (Kenta Kobashi)
  • Samoa (Giant Baba)
  • Shanghai (Karl Gotch)
  • Shaolin (Jinsei Shinzaki)
  • Sherlock (Ken Shamrock)
  • Siberia (Steve Williams)
  • Steel Talon (Antonio Inoki)
  • Thunder Dome (Bas Rutten)
  • The Turk (Dynamite Kid's body with Vader's moves)
  • The Unknown (Super Delfin)
  • Uraki (Masakatsu Funaki)
  • Wu Fang (Mitsuharu Misawa)
  • Yamagiwa (Kazuo Yamazaki)

Reception

Reception
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
GameRankings74%[3]
Review scores
PublicationScore
AllGameStarStarStarStar[4]
EGM7.75/10[5]
Famitsu25/40[6]
Game Informer8/10[7]
GameSpot6.3/10[8]
IGN6/10[9]
Joypad40%[10]
Next GenerationStarStar[11]

The game garnered above-average reviews.[3] In Japan, however, Famitsu gave it a score of 25 out of 40.[6]

The majority of praise was aimed at its broad selection of gaming modes[8][9][11][12] and wrestlers.[5][8][9][11][12] Most critics commented on the cleanness of the polygon graphics,[5][8][9][12] though some remarked that the textures are bland and minimal.[9][11] Kraig Kujawa and Dean Hager of Electronic Gaming Monthly said WCW Vs. the World was "probably" the best 32-bit wrestling game to date, but further qualified that statement by noting that there weren't many such games out.[5] Jeff Gerstmann of GameSpot noted, "There are some problems with the play, and the sound is a bit lackluster, but the sheer number of characters and options make up for the deficiencies."[8] A Next Generation reviewer instead contended that they "[don't] really amount compared to the game's numerous shortcomings." He found particular fault with the way the game treated wrestling as a serious sport, as compared to how WWF WrestleMania tapped into the drama and fantasy appeal of wrestling.[11] Johnny Ballgame of GamePro instead judged the use of real wrestling holds and the authentic recreation of the looks and personalities of real wrestlers to be the best points of the game, and gave it a strong recommendation.[12][lower-alpha 1] IGN said, "The control is a little off [...] but the sheer amount of options should keep most wrestling fans happy."[9]

In a 2008 retrospective on the history of wrestling video games, IGN's Rus McLaughlin lamented, "WCW vs. the World took a strong step towards 3D gaming on the PlayStation without putting a solid game behind it."[13]

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ GamePro gave the game two 4/5 scores for graphics and sound, 5/5 for control, and 4.5/5 for overall fun factor.

References

  1. ↑ "EB Industry News - WCW Wrestling". 1997-07-14. http://www.ebworld.com/news/articles/april/wcw.html. 
  2. ↑ Johnny Ballgame (November 1997). "Sneak Previews: WCW vs. NWO: World Tour". GamePro (IDG) (110): 88. https://archive.org/details/GamePro_Issue_110_Volume_09_Number_11_1997-11_IDG_Publishing_US/page/n89/mode/2up. Retrieved July 23, 2021. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "WCW vs The World for PlayStation". CBS Interactive. https://www.gamerankings.com/ps/199287-wcw-vs-the-world/index.html. 
  4. ↑ Kanarick, Mark. "WCW vs. The World - Review". All Media Network. http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=2354&tab=review. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Kujawa, Kraig; Hager, Dean (April 1997). "WCW Vs. the World". Electronic Gaming Monthly (Ziff Davis) (93): 114. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "バーチャル・プロレスリング [PS"] (in ja). Famitsu (Enterbrain). https://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_h_title&title_id=6780&redirect=no. Retrieved July 23, 2021. 
  7. ↑ Storm, Jon; Reiner, Andrew; Anderson, Paul (May 1997). "WCW Vs. The World". Game Informer (FuncoLand) (49). http://www.gameinformer.com/may97/wcw.html. Retrieved July 23, 2021. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 Gerstmann, Jeff (February 25, 1997). "WCW vs. The World Review [date mislabeled as "May 2, 2000""]. CBS Interactive. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/wcw-vs-the-world-review/1900-2550176/. 
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 9.5 IGN staff (October 7, 1997). "WCW vs. The World". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/1997/10/08/wcw-vs-the-world. 
  10. ↑ Chris (February 1998). "WCW VS The World [sic"] (in fr). Joypad (72): 123. http://download.abandonware.org/magazines/Joypad/joypad_numero072/JOYPAD%20072%20%281998-02%29%20Page%20123.jpg. Retrieved July 23, 2021. 
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 11.4 "WCW vs. the World". Next Generation (Imagine Media) (30): 120. June 1997. https://archive.org/details/NEXT_Generation_30/page/n121/mode/2up. Retrieved July 23, 2021. 
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 Johnny Ballgame (May 1997). "WCW vs. The World". GamePro (IDG) (104): 82. https://archive.org/details/GamePro_Issue_104_Volume_09_Number_05_1997-05_IDG_Publishing_US/page/n83/mode/2up. Retrieved July 23, 2021. 
  13. ↑ McLaughlin, Rus (November 12, 2008). "IGN Presents the History of Wrestling Games". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2008/11/12/ign-presents-the-history-of-wrestling-games. 
  • MobyGames is a commercial database website that catalogs information on video games and the people and companies behind them via crowdsourcing. This includes over 300,000 games for hundreds of platforms.[1] Founded in 1999, ownership of the site has changed hands several times. It has been owned by Atari SA since 2022.

Features

Edits and submissions to the site (including screenshots, box art, developer information, game summaries, and more) go through a verification process of fact-checking by volunteer "approvers".[2] This lengthy approval process after submission can range from minutes to days or months.[3] The most commonly used sources are the video game's website, packaging, and credit screens. There is a published standard for game information and copy-editing.[4] A ranking system allows users to earn points for contributing accurate information.[5]

Registered users can rate and review games. Users can create private or public "have" and "want" lists, which can generate a list of games available for trade with other registered users. The site contains an integrated forum. Each listed game can have its own sub-forum.

History

Logo used until March 2014

MobyGames was founded on March 1, 1999, by Jim Leonard and Brian Hirt, and joined by David Berk 18 months later, the three of which had been friends since high school.[6][7] Leonard had the idea of sharing information about computer games with a larger audience. The database began with information about games for IBM PC compatibles, relying on the founders' personal collections. Eventually, the site was opened up to allow general users to contribute information.[5] In a 2003 interview, Berk emphasized MobyGames' dedication to taking video games more seriously than broader society and to preserving games for their important cultural influence.[5]

In mid-2010, MobyGames was purchased by GameFly for an undisclosed amount.[8] This was announced to the community post factum , and the site's interface was given an unpopular redesign.[7] A few major contributors left, refusing to do volunteer work for a commercial website.{{Citation needed|date=June 2025} On December 18, 2013, MobyGames was acquired by Jeremiah Freyholtz, owner of Blue Flame Labs (a San Francisco-based game and web development company) and VGBoxArt (a site for fan-made video game box art).[9] Blue Flame Labs reverted MobyGames' interface to its pre-overhaul look and feel,[10] and for the next eight years, the site was run by Freyholtz and Independent Games Festival organizer Simon Carless.[7]

On November 24, 2021, Atari SA announced a potential deal with Blue Flame Labs to purchase MobyGames for $1.5 million.[11] The purchase was completed on 8 March 2022, with Freyholtz remaining as general manager.[12][13][14] Over the next year, the financial boost given by Atari led to a rework of the site being built from scratch with a new backend codebase, as well as updates improving the mobile and desktop user interface.[1] This was accomplished by investing in full-time development of the site instead of its previously part-time development.[15]

In 2024, MobyGames began offering a paid "Pro" membership option for the site to generate additional revenue.[16] Previously, the site had generated income exclusively through banner ads and (from March 2014 onward) a small number of patrons via the Patreon website.[17]

See also

  • IGDB – game database used by Twitch for its search and discovery functions

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sheehan, Gavin (2023-02-22). "Atari Relaunches The Fully Rebuilt & Optimized MobyGames Website". https://bleedingcool.com/games/atari-relaunches-the-fully-rebuilt-optimized-mobygames-website/. 
  2. ↑ Litchfield, Ted (2021-11-26). "Zombie company Atari to devour MobyGames". https://www.pcgamer.com/zombie-company-atari-to-devour-mobygames/. 
  3. ↑ "MobyGames FAQ: Emails Answered § When will my submission be approved?". Blue Flame Labs. 30 March 2014. http://www.mobygames.com/info/faq7#g1. 
  4. ↑ "The MobyGames Standards and Practices". Blue Flame Labs. 6 January 2016. http://www.mobygames.com/info/standards. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Miller, Stanley A. (2003-04-22). "People's choice awards honor favorite Web sites". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. 
  6. ↑ "20 Years of MobyGames" (in en). 2019-02-28. https://trixter.oldskool.org/2019/02/28/20-years-of-mobygames/. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Plunkett, Luke (2022-03-10). "Atari Buys MobyGames For $1.5 Million". https://kotaku.com/mobygames-retro-credits-database-imdb-atari-freyholtz-b-1848638521. 
  8. ↑ "Report: MobyGames Acquired By GameFly Media". Gamasutra. 2011-02-07. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/report-mobygames-acquired-by-gamefly-media. 
  9. ↑ Corriea, Alexa Ray (December 31, 2013). "MobyGames purchased from GameFly, improvements planned". http://www.polygon.com/2013/12/31/5261414/mobygames-purchased-from-gamefly-improvements-planned. 
  10. ↑ Wawro, Alex (31 December 2013). "Game dev database MobyGames getting some TLC under new owner". Gamasutra. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/game-dev-database-mobygames-getting-some-tlc-under-new-owner. 
  11. ↑ "Atari invests in Anstream, may buy MobyGames". November 24, 2021. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-11-24-atari-invests-in-anstream-may-buy-mobygames. 
  12. ↑ Rousseau, Jeffrey (2022-03-09). "Atari purchases Moby Games". https://www.gamesindustry.biz/atari-purchases-moby-games. 
  13. ↑ "Atari Completes MobyGames Acquisition, Details Plans for the Site's Continued Support". March 8, 2022. https://www.atari.com/atari-completes-mobygames-acquisition-details-plans-for-the-sites-continued-support/. 
  14. ↑ "Atari has acquired game database MobyGames for $1.5 million" (in en-GB). 2022-03-09. https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/atari-has-acquired-game-database-mobygames-for-1-5-million/. 
  15. ↑ Stanton, Rich (2022-03-10). "Atari buys videogame database MobyGames for $1.5 million". https://www.pcgamer.com/atari-buys-videogame-database-mobygames-for-dollar15-million/. 
  16. ↑ Harris, John (2024-03-09). "MobyGames Offering “Pro” Membership". https://setsideb.com/mobygames-offering-pro-membership/. 
  17. ↑ "MobyGames on Patreon". http://www.patreon.com/mobygames. 
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