The WWF/WWE craze being so high in India at the time, it made sense to include the titles as showcases along with Tekken in video game parlours. Lo and behold, as generation upon generations of teens grew up, wrasslin’ and reversing the hell out of you, from Dehradun to Delhi. It’s truly an amazing phenomenon to look back on.

However, for the developer Yuke’s, it also kickstarted a market for wrestling game fans. A market that loved new modes, moves, wrestlers, improved graphics and more. It showed the advantage of CD-ROM over the cartridge with the amount of content that could fit, including play-by-play commentary. More than anything, it culminated in a fun series. Games that focussed more on the wrestling – sure, presentation was better, but it wasn’t the best compared to what other franchises were doing at the time. For all intents and purposes, nailing Chris Jericho’s triple power bomb and winning that hardcore match were all that we needed.

In fact, it’s hard to find much difference between the TV show and the games at the time. WWF catered more to an edgy, fast-paced style of entertainment that featured plenty of real-life brutality. The games, for their part, didn’t skimp on the blood, barbed wire or wanton madness. Storylines – though they be strong – be damned. It wasn’t a matter of plot or characters – maybe because it felt more “real” at the time, that we got so involved. Maybe it hit so close to home that we truly felt like the Rock or Stone Cold Steve Austin at times.

This was during the WWE’s most lucrative period, referred to as the “Attitude Era”. However, as the Smackdown games got bigger – along with the WWE – something happened. Suddenly, it wasn’t about just a game. It was about the current events of WWE. The reigning champion and top-billed stars were on the video games covers. Smackdown became Smackdown vs Raw to reflect the “brand split” (since WWE had purchased it’s competitor WCW and was overflowing with wrestlers). The game was now a yearly release because, hey, a hell of a lot changes in a year. Like the new Career and Make-a-Superstar modes. Suddenly, the focus was shifting further away from being a wrestler to controlling one. The message wasn’t to let you feel like Shawn Michaels, but to let you play as him. Reality was slowly but surely bleeding through, as it was hard to tell what was “fixed” and what was “real”.

And lord help us, it was the time the dev teams got lazy and threw in an instant reversal system that relied more on one’s spamming abilities than anything else. Latter attempts were made to rectify this with new systems and transitions into holds and moves, but it still remains a stain on modern wrestling games.

Fast forward to the new age, the dawn of WWE’s PG Era. This is an odd time, with a de-emphasis on technical wrestling, more attention to story telling and “plot-lines”. Because wrestling is just a performance art now. Everyone knows it’s not real, that the results are determined beforehand, and all the action happening before us is just entertainment. How else do you compete with something like MMA or Boxing in that regard, both which offer instant and real gratification mixed with unpredictability for the violence-seekers among us?

The video games now aren’t so much about wrestling (go figure). They’re not about nailing the signature moves for the right characters. One of CM Punk’s running grapples in WWE ’12 is a flying head-scissors into a floatover reverse neck-breaker. Has anyone seen him attempt that on TV?

It’s now more about who’s on the cover of the game, since that represents today’s top dog. Systems are now named after wrestler aliases, instant replays and crowd reactions are flashier and more professional than ever, match categories allow you to set whether you’d like a quick hoss fight or a long, epic battle. Career mode lets you now relive moments from the Attitude Era, in a bizarre time loop where things are real but seen through the looking glass of real-life perception. Rosters and DLC characters aren’t that big a deal now – after all, whoever’s got the highest character ranking wins by default. Matches are now more Undertaker and John Cena than the confrontations of yore. Much like WWE today (well, at least in terms of John Cena being everywhere).

That’s not to say the new games aren’t any good (though they really do pale in comparison to the classics). But the days when you could have a battle of cruiserweights is long gone. The days when run-ins were interesting and you went TKO style if you wanted a long match. It just wasn’t all about recreating the “WWE Universe” feeling. It was about being one of these fake wresting muscular guys while pummeling other fake wrestling muscular guys. The games will always reflect the product however – don’t be surprised to see Touts implemented somehow for the future – but hopefully a day comes when we’ve got the wrestling game we need, rather than the one WWE thinks we want.

THQ announced development of the WWE ’12 WrestleMania Edition, a complement to the November 2011 release in the company’s WWE flagship videogame franchise. In addition to the complete WWE ’12 offering, the WrestleMania Edition will offer players a wide variety of downloadable content released to date, including:

Playable Characters:

• The Rock
• Shawn Michaels, Jerry “The King” Lawler and Jim Ross
• “Macho Man” Randy SavageTM, Trish Stratus and Batista
• Mick Foley, Brodus Clay, Michael Cole, Brie Bella, Nikki Bella

The WWE ’12 WrestleMania Edition is currently in development for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. The videogame is currently scheduled for release in May 2012 throughout Europe.

Yet another wrestling game… but this one has some fresh ideas

There are various game options accessible from the main menu…  one on one fights, two on two, triple threat, fatal 4 way, 6 man, handicap and, of course, the Road to WrestleMania mode. What’s more, you can determine the styles and rules too: Extreme Rules, Hell in a Cell, Inferno matches, Iron Man, Ladder and Last Man Standing to name a few. As you’d expect, the customization options are also suitably extensive, allowing you to create your own Superstars, entrances, finishing moves, storylines and arenas.

As you’d expect the presentation is superb. From the razzmatazz of each fighter’s grand entrance, with fireworks and lighting effects, booming music and the raucous crowd, it feels just like the “real” thing. There are loads of fan favourites available from the start (both Superstars and Divas) with additional stars available though downloadable content.

There are loads of game modes to keep you busy

What struck me from the very start was the decent AI, which really does seem to react to your gameplay. Pull the same moves over and over and the computer-controlled characters seemingly start to get wise to your tactics and shake things up a bit.

The controls have indeed been revitalised and it’s easier to grapple, strike and throw than in previous games. Despite this, it can still be fairly tricky for a novice to dive straight into a game and compete as there are so many moves and techniques to factor in. My Road to WrestleMania escapades were dampened somewhat in my first few attempts as I was unable to even conquer my first opponent. No matter how much damage I inflicted, a failed counter on my part and a few retaliatory throws left me unconscious on the floor, bloodied and battered.

This brings me to my main bugbear with this game – the QTE indicators that allow you to counter opponents’ strikes or pull off reversals. Problem is, you’ve got to be lightening fast to pull them off as they only appear onscreen for a split second. Fail and you’re down for the count. This proves really irritating when it repeatedly leads to yet another defeat.

Still, the new Limb Targeting System adds a welcome element of strategy to the game, allowing you to grapple your opponent and focus attacks on their head, arms or legs – making it easier to submit them.

Presentation-wise, it looks pretty good

It’s also worth noting  all the new broadcast camera angles that document your progress. The camera works really well, perfectly replicating the TV show and keeping up with all the action. The developers apparently worked alongside the TV production team and included 25 new angles to capture everything. It really does mean you’re immersed into the action. Also, in the graphics department, a lot of time seems to have been spent on the immediate ring environment too. The physics for the ropes and the ring now react to each thump and thud; get smacked down onto the canvas and the ropes bobble and the mat springs into life.

Prior to its release, the developers were really pushing the game’s new Predator Technology, which claims to offer a more fluid and dynamic wrestling experience. Effectively this improves the transition between moves, melding them together into a seamless chain and making everything look more authentic. Combined with the improved textures and graphical overhaul, WWE 12 is really quite pleasing to the eye.

Regarding fluidity, players can also now interrupt manoeuvres and movement, so you don’t have to wait until the animation finishes before reacting to a situation. Not only does this feel more realistic but it looks more realistic.

There are plenty of customisation options to create new fighters

The fights feel slightly less formulaic than in previous games, largely because of the tweaks that mean the momentum of a match can shift in an instant, adding drama to the proceedings. Fighters tend to start a bout with more gusto, the matches starting full of raw enthusiasm and energy before waning a little deeper into a fight. The pacing works really well; downed characters get up more quickly than past games, ready to resume the action. The ability to comeback from a seemingly lost cause and the fact you can store finishing moves, means you can bide your time and unleash them to devastating effect. And there’s the Breaking Point submission system, which is effectively a mini game that determines whether you win or the battle continues.

Fans will relish all the content in WWE 12 and will enjoy the various fighting options and vast roster. There are a few gripes – notably the QTE – but otherwise it’s a fairly solid game and arguably one of best representations of the sport for many years.

This game was reviewed on the Xbox 360.

e-xpress has announced the promotional event of WWE12 with “The Great Khali”.

Be there to witness the Event and get a chance to meet “The Great Khali”,click Pictures, take autographs with the Superstar himself.

Up for grabs are the WWE12 T-shirts and Posters to the fans present at the Venue.

Make sure you are seen at the following venue:
Oberoi Mall, Goregaon(east)
Mumbai, 3rd Dec 2011 – 2:00pm to 4:00pm.

THQ has released a launch trailer for their upcoming fighter, WWE 12, ahead of its release. Gameplay looks amazing, definitely something that might interest those who have stuck with the series for some years, or those who follow the sport. Oh, it… shouldn’t be viewed by children.

The game releases on November 22 for Xbox 360, PS3 and Wii. Stay tuned for more info.

Check out this new trailer from WWE’12 showing Mick Foley in action.

WWE’ 12 is coming out this November for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, 3DS, PS3 and Wii.

The game is published by THQ and developed by Yuke.

Had a look at the trailer? Now let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Check out thie new video from WWE 12 featuring an interview with Brock Lesnar.

WWE ’12 will feature the franchise’s best-in-class creation suite, enabling players to develop and customize their own Superstars, entrances, finishing moves, storylines, Highlight Reels and other all-new capabilities to be announced later this year.

WWE ’12 will feature the franchise’s best-in-class creation suite, enabling players to develop and customize their own Superstars, entrances, finishing moves, storylines, Highlight Reels and other all-new capabilities to be announced later this year. As well, the popular Road to WrestleMania® Mode will enable players to explore compelling new storylines and major gameplay improvements. WWE ’12 will also boast one of the largest rosters of WWE Superstars, WWE Divas and WWE Legends in franchise history, including cover Superstar Randy Orton, John Cena, The Miz and the debuting Alberto Del Rio.

For more on WWE ’12 please click here

Brock Lesnar is in a contract with UFC. So when the news broke out that he was going to be in a WWE videogame, people were skeptical and thought, “Maybe, he want’s to wrestle in the WWE!”

That’s not going to happen because of contractual obligations and the UFC president holds a tight leash over him. Brock Lesnar was a legend in the WWE and held the WWE Championship for a long time at a young age. He left the WWE in 2004 and is now in the UFC.

We have a video where UFC president, Dana White is being asked about Brock’s presence in the WWE and he was pretty cool with it. Check it out and tell us what you think in the comments section below.

WWE ’12 will feature the franchise’s best-in-class creation suite, enabling players to develop and customize their own Superstars, entrances, finishing moves, storylines, Highlight Reels and other all-new capabilities to be announced later this year.

The game releases on the Wii, PS3, X360 and 3DS.