Mean Machines Sega
1st January 1995
Categories: Review: Software
Publisher: Acclaim
Machine: Sega Game Gear (EU Version)
Published in Mean Machines Sega #28
WWF Raw
For kids: fed up with being derided? Had enough of people pointing at you and laughing in the street? Up to the eyeballs in lard jokes? Well, stop blaming it on your glands - we can help you, Roland.
Yes, there's a place where you can be porky and proud, and earn big bucks for the privilege. All you have to do is grow a scruffy bit of extraneous hair at the nape of your neck, strap on a silver codpiece, practise shouting at balding commentators and - hey presto! - you're a WWF wrestler! All that remains is for you to assign yourself a ridiculous monniker, something like Kevin O'Nasty or Boyd Fastsmasher should do. Alternatively, you could just stick with this portable version of the "sport" and eating a few less pies. Although that might be a bit too much trouble, eh?
Origin
Yet another outing for those wild 'n wacky WWF wrestlers and their testosterone-charged grappling antics.
Game Aim
Strange all your competitors and claim the crown of Wrestling's Rudest and Roughest.
Giant Haystacks
Every character in WWF Raw, of which there are ten in all, has their own special signature move (a bit like they do in real life) so you can tell them all apart. The technique for performing each of these specials is the same for all the wrestlers but the timing varies. Some, such as Razor Ramon's Razor's Edge effort require your opponent to be low on energy, whilst others, like Bret Hart's Sharpshooter need your foe to be on the mat already.
The Mad Ayatollax
What distinguishes wrestling from other forms of unarmed combat is that the particular pants grapple with each other as opposed to just smacking each other in the teeth.
This essential element has been lovingly restored in Game Gear WWF Raw. Press both joypad buttons to grab your opposite number and hit any button you so desire repeatedly to pull off an offensive move from here.
Steve
With all the attention focused on new systems, it's great to see quality products still hitting the Game Gear. Ok, Raw isn't the most original title, but it is solid action with plenty of options and enough wrestlers to keep the WWF fans happy.
Things tend to get a little confused because of the titchy sprites and this makes some of the moves a little indistinct, but WWF Raw is full enough. Button bashing isn't acceptable on the Megadrive as reflecting in last month's pasting, but this handheld version is more than adequate.
Rad
Acclaim's family of wrestling titles is testimony to the popularity of WWF over here, and the steady sales of each new release indicates there's definitely an audience for more. If you've already got one of these games, don't bother picking this up, as it's basically more of the same button-bashing as before.
If, however, you're a fan of the sport and you don't own a WWF game, this is probably the most comprehensive effort so far. Worth a look for die-hards but don't expect a radical departure from the WWF formula.
Verdict
Graphics 78%
P. Nice and colourful all-round, and clear enough for you to see what's going on all the time.
N. Bit difficult to recognise any of the wrestlers.
Sound 69%
P. Music and effects all the way, yes siree.
N. They're not very good.
Playability 80%
P. All the grunt 'n' grapple action you could possibly want.
N. You might not want very much.
Lastability 79%
P. Quite tough, especially on the Hard setting.
N. Not enough variety to hold your interest for too long at a time.
Value For Money 82%
P. If you've got the patience for the tournament, this should last ages.
N. If you haven't, then you'll get bored very quickly.
Overall 80%
Not a bad game, but it's only ever going to appeal to hard-core wrestlemaniacs, or whatever they're called.