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Tsuppari Oozumou

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NES

Tsuppari Oozumou essentially means "Shove Sumo", Tsuppari being a move performed by Sumo wrestlers to push their opponent out of the ring. The game works like any other tournament-based fighter: The player character must fight a series of increasingly difficult opponents until they reach the top ...

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Developer
Tecmo

Released on
1987

Size
1–2 Players

Version
NES

Requirements
Nintendo Entertainment System

Downloads
Sports

ESRB Rating
Not Rated

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Description

Tsuppari Oozumou essentially means “Shove Sumo”, Tsuppari being a move performed by Sumo wrestlers to push their opponent out of the ring. The game works like any other tournament-based fighter: The player character must fight a series of increasingly difficult opponents until they reach the top and are declared Yokozuna: The highest rank of Sumo.

The player has two moves at their disposal: A shove attack that will send an unprepared opponent reeling backwards and a grapple move that will wear down the opponent’s stamina. With the judicious use of both attacks, the player must move the opponent to the edge of the ring and then find a way to push them out after draining their stamina.

Between matches the player can take part in training exercises, such as eating a lot of rice, in order to refill and increase the player character’s stamina bar.

Tsuppari Oozumou

Overview & History

Developed and published by Tecmo, *Tsuppari Oozumou* (translated roughly as *Thrusting Sumo Wrestling*) was released exclusively for the Family Computer in Japan in 1987. Capitalizing on the massive cultural popularity of professional sumo (*sumotori*), Tecmo transformed the ancient Japanese sport into an arcade-style, action-packed sports simulation. Unlike mundane sports adaptations of the era, this title infused traditional wrestling rituals with RPG elements and high-octane physics, eventually earning a legendary cult status among retro gaming enthusiasts. The game follows an unranked, ambitious rikishi (sumo wrestler) striving through the grueling ranks of the *Banzuke* hierarchy, fighting his way from the bottom tier up to the prestigious and elusive title of *Yokozuna*.

Gameplay Features & Mechanics

Unlike Western fighting games of the late 80s, *Tsuppari Oozumou* relies heavily on timing, stamina management, and positional dominance rather than rapid button-mashing combos. Before each bout commences, players must successfully execute a traditional salt-throwing ritual to boost initial stamina. During the match inside the *dohyo* (ring), mechanics center around a two-bar system representing physical endurance and emotional spirit. Players utilize rapid thrusts (*tsuppari*), lethal headbutts, belt grabs (*mawashi*), and strategic slaps to push opponents to the edge or throw them out entirely. A standout feature is the training minigame sequence between tournaments, allowing players to rigorously build up their wrestler's speed, weight, and power statistics by engaging in grueling chankonabe feasts and roadwork. Defeating distinctive boss wrestlers with specialized traits introduces acute strategic challenges, requiring gamers to adapt their grappling approach on the fly.

Keyboard Controls

Arrow Keys / D-Pad: Move rikishi left/right inside the ring, or navigate menu options
Action Keys: Attack / Jump (Perform slaps, thrusts, headbutts, and grapple throws)
Enter: Start / Pause