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Ever fancied dipping your toes into the zany, madcap world of wrestling? Well, with this new Nintendo cart you can do just that, without the need to suddenly eat a massive lard mountain and put on a pair of ill-fitting, gaudy trunks. Tecmo's latest takes you to the USA, where the sport of wrestling has a slightly more theatrical air (indeed, most of the bouts seem to be scripted) and each of the participants seem to be violence-crazed egomaniacs!

First of all, on the one-player game, a wrestler is chosen. After that there is the opportunity to take your muscle-bound mauler to the gym where those ten pecs can be honed to perfection. Then it's into the ring itself where the real business of causing bodily damage to your opponent begins.

The object is pretty straightforward: either to hold down your opponent for the count of three, or beat him into submission!

If you think your wrestler is something of a wimp, take him along to the gym where those rippling muscles are beefed up still further! Squats, sit-ups and push-ups are three methods of working out and in each the extra power of your wrestler is determined by the amount of joypad battering you can cram into a strict time limit.

Good wrestlers are always resourceful, making the best use of their surroundings. Such is the case with World Wrestling, where our heroes have the ability to use the whole ring to their advantage.

The posts particularly come in handy - not only for crashing your opponent's head against, but also for scaling and launching an airborne attack on your hapless foe! The action can also continue outside of the ring. Why not throw your opponent outside and finish him off with a jolly jumping knee-butt?

At the beginning of your game, a wrestler is selected. Each has a number of strengths and weaknesses and special attacks. All of the greatest wrestling moves have been crammed into this game, including that old favourite - the piledriver (turn your opponent upside down and slam his head into the canvas!).

Other moves include jumping knee-butts (jump into opponent's face with knee extended) and the obligatory clothes line, where an extended arm collides at speed with your opponent's neck!

It really disturbs me that such a blatantly violent game can be so fun! World Wrestling's greatest attraction is definitely the amount of moves crammed in. You really feel the pain when your on-screen character is unceremoniously thrown out of the ring and, while out for the count, mercilessly gets a knee straight in the family jewels!

Playing the game in two-player mode is where you have the biggest laffs, as the computer opponents won't really keep you that occupied for long. One to look out for, methinks.

I watch WWF Wrestling on Sky telly and think it's a great laugh, and I'm pleased to see that all the fun and action has been captured in this console version of the sport, with each wacky wrestler capable of an incredible variety of moves - some of them are amazing!

The commentary that appears under the main screen is a laugh - it's as inane as the real thing! If you're looking at the screenshots, don't be misled. The graphics might look simple when they're static, but it's a different kettle of fish when they're moving - the animation is superb, and there are loads of neat touches like the spanging ropes and clambering back into the ring when you get chucked out!

If you're after a thoroughly enjoyable game packed with loads of original features, wrestle this from your software dealer.

Presentation 90%
Glitzy wrestling-type presentation screens enhance the atmosphere no end.

Graphics 87%
Amazing sprites with brilliant animation for every move!

Sound 80%
The tunes are accomplished enough and the effects suit the action.

Playability 90%
Instantly playable with so many moves to keep you at the console.

Lastability 83%
The one-player mode is a good laugh, but the two-player moder will have you coming back for more months later.

Overall 85%
A brilliant and amazingly playable wrestling game that even surpasses some arcade efforts! Check it out.