Last year publisher THQ brought its WrestleMania franchise to Nintendo’s next-generation console to mixed reactions. Players were pleased that developer Yuke’s, with former members of the Aki team, was at the helm of the semi-sequel, but the end play mechanics and grappling moves seemed to lack the finesse and depth of the N64 titles. Meanwhile, while the wrestler’s visuals were suitable, it still lacked a selection of features, including what is often the biggest selling point in these types of projects today, a strong story mode.
THQ listened to the complaints and in some sense went back to the drawing board. The result is WWE WrestleMania XIX, which is set to debut exclusively for GameCube this August. The game, piloted by a “brand new development team with Yuke’s members mixed with former Aki staff in a unique creative collaboration,” is in every way a deeper wrestling experience, according to THQ, with a host of enhancements and additions that are sure to finally satisfy demanding GCN owners.
Wrestlers
Triple H
The Rock
Stone Cold Steve Austin
Brock Lesnar
Undertaker
Kurt Angle
Hulk Hogan
Rob Van Dam
Chris Jericho
Booker T
Goldust
Rey Mysterio
Edge
Kane
Chris Benoit
Shawn Michaels
Big Show
Scott Steiner
Bubba Ray Dudley
D-Von Dudley
Stacy Keibler
Trish Stratus
Victoria
Eddie Guerrero
Ric Flair
Matt Hardy
Jeff Hardy
Lita
Christian
Torrie Wilson
Batista
John Cena
Hurricane
Randy Orton
Chris Nowinski
Vince McMahon
Stephanie McMahon
Test
Chavo Guerrero
Dawn Marie
Tajiri
Al Snow
Rikishi
William Regal
Lance Storm
Goldberg
Non-playable characters include:
Jim Ross
Jerry “The King” Lawler
Earl Hebner
Nick Patrick
Features
# Exclusive WWE WrestleMania GCN Sequel
# Developed by a new team made up of Yuke’s and former Aki members
# Faster, but more simulation-centric focus
# More than 50 wrestlers including WWE superstars
# Grappling system now features wider variety of grapples
# Enhanced create-a-superstar mode
# First wrestling game this generation to feature blood in matches
# Path of a Champion mode
# Brand new storyline mode
# Totally re-created character models
# Player-specific damage
# Tutorial mode
# Four-player support
Other
Publisher: THQ
Developer: Yuke’s
Origin: Japan.
Number of Players: 4
Released: August 2003
