Pro Wrestling

Pro Wrestling

Overview & History

Released by Nintendo in 1987 for the Nintendo Entertainment System and developed by Software Technology Design, Pro Wrestling is a pioneering title that laid the mechanical groundwork for console grappling games. Diverging from the scrolling brawlers of its era, it introduced a dedicated one-on-one ring combat system featuring a roster of six distinct wrestlers, each possessing unique fictional personas and stylized sprites. Unlike later licensed titles, it relied on original talent rather than real-world federations, establishing its own distinct arcade-style identity in gaming history.

Gameplay Features & Mechanics

The core gameplay revolves around endurance, stamina, and precise timing. Matches take place in a square ring where combatants exchange punches and kicks before transitioning into high-flying maneuvers, Irish whips, and devastating body slams. A unique feature of the game is the out-of-ring mechanic: wrestlers can brawl on the concrete floor, but must scramble back inside before the referee counts to twenty to avoid a count-out loss. The roster includes diverse fighters like the martial arts master Star Man, the high-flying Kin Corn Karn, the monstrous Giant Panther, and the ultimate champion, The Amazon. Mastering each wrestler requires memorizing their exclusive finishers, such as Star Man's missile dropkick or Giant Panther's vicious backbreaker, while managing a flashing fatigue meter that dictates when your wrestler is vulnerable to defeat.

Keyboard Controls

• Arrow Keys / D-Pad: Move
• Action Keys: Attack / Jump
• Enter: Start / Pause