WWE All Stars (3DS) Review
+ Best portable version
+ Pick up and play
+ Includes Superstars released as DLC on console
+ New, exclusive modes
- Speed not a good fit for 3DS controls
- 3D visuals don’t add much
Score: 8.0
Tagline: See every curve of bulging muscles in 3D
When I reviewed the PSP release of WWE All Stars back in April, I commented how
good it looked and played for a portable port. Imagine my surprise when I put in the
3DS version and found that it looks even better, is without the glitches I identified in
the PSP version, includes all of the character DLC from the console versions and
even has new modes. This is no throwaway port. It is a fully realized version of the
high flying, arcade-style wrestling game from earlier this year.
For those that haven’t followed wrestling for some time or played one of the more
simulation-oriented Smackdown vs. Raw (renamed this year to WWE ’12), WWE All
Stars features the kind of ring action you remember from the Nintendo 64 era. The
move sets are more streamlined, and the action is exaggerated to the point of
absurdity. While the simulation games feature realistic looking moves, WWE All
Stars kicks it up a notch with Superstars thrown high into the air and crashing with
a thud, all while painted in brightly colored streaks of light as the background is
washed out to accentuate the insanity.
The game features two groups of wrestlers: Legends of years gone by and
Superstars currently making their names in the ring. All of the most popular names
are here: Hulk Hogan, Randy “Macho Man” Savage, Andre the Giant, The Rock, Randy
Orton, Triple H and more. If you have a favorite wrestler, chances are he is here. Yes.
I said “he.” There are no Divas in this game and, no, the included creation tool does
not even give you the option of making a female. This is strictly big men throwing
each other around.
Each Superstar falls into one of four classes: Brawler, Acrobat, Big Man and
Grappler. You have a general idea of what you are getting into with each wrestler
based on his class, but the signature and finishing moves are all here, differentiating
each. Entrances are abbreviated, but are present, as is the in-match commentary
provided by JR and Jerry “The King” Lawler. It’s great to have the commentary since
that is something often left out of portable WWE games.
The game features a huge number of modes, including five returning match types
and the new Score Scramble and Gauntlet types. Gauntlet pits you against every
other Legend and Superstar in consecutive matches. If that doesn’t sound like a big
enough challenge, your health does not automatically regenerate. You have to earn it
back by accomplishing goals laid out for you during the match, like winning by KO
instead of pinfall. My only gripe with Gauntlet mode is the loading that takes place
after every three opponents. It’s a challenging mode, and a good way to unlock new
people for your roster.
Score Scramble comes in two varieties. The first challenges you to reach a target
score first. The other is a timed match, with the winner having the most points at the
end. You’ll earn points by executing combos and grapple moves, with signature and
finishing moves earning big bonuses.
In addition to Exhibition matches, the game features three campaigns leading up to
a big match against The Undertaker, Randy Orton or DX. There are also 15 Fantasy
Warfare matches that pit two similar wrestlers, one a Legend and one Superstar,
against each other. These are preceded by fantastic videos that look great and
provide some cool information about the combatants. Ever wonder what would
happen if The Rock and Hulk Hogan squared off? You can pick a side and play it out
in Fantasy Warfare.
The game looks great, with cartoony wrestlers that look more like their action
figures than they do in real life. The game loads quickly, even while creating a
wrestler. The options are fairly basic when compared with WWE ’12, and you
probably won’t have too much success filling in holes in the roster, but it’s great to
have it.
The sound is wonderful, and it seems that my concerns from the PSP version were
addressed. The persistent sound glitch I encountered when executing a signature or
finishing move is nowhere to be seen. The effects are great and, as I mentioned, the
commentary rounds out the package.
My biggest gripe with the game was the use of a single touchscreen button for a
wide variety of functions including climbing the turnbuckle, entering/exiting the
ring, pinning an opponent and more. Thankfully, executing signature and finishing
moves is handled by pressing two buttons simultaneously, far easier than hunting
for the right spot of the touchscreen and taking your eyes off the screen (especially
when the 3D is on). Also, just like with the other versions, countering and reversing
seems far too difficult, especially when the AI seems to pull off those moves
frequently. Finally, the 3DS became a bit uncomfortable to hold, largely because the
game uses every button, often in combination or rapid succession. The speed of the
matches combined with having to move your hands around often, lead me to shorter
play times than I would have liked.
If you are a wrestling fan with a 3DS, this is a great game for your library. Matches
play quickly by yourself, or with a friend, via the local play option (each player must
have their own copy, though), and having a huge roster of personalities from
throughout the history of World Wrestling Entertainment means lots of
replayability. WWE All Stars won’t do anything to change your mind about
wrestling. It’s a love letter to fans of the sport, and for that, every Hulkamaniac
should be grateful.