Big Bang Pro Wrestling (ビッグバンプロレス) is a wrestling game made by SNK and S-Neo for the Neo Geo Pocket Color. It was in the Japanese market on November 23, 2000 and is one of the few import games to have a working English option. For wrestling fans, it's a miniature revival of the sprite wrestling genre. Several characters in the game are based on real-life WWE pro wrestlers.
Story[]
Only a handful of top wrestlers can be show their face on the TV for their fans at home. In the IEW mat, this rule is no exception. In an event practiced for 300 years, only the best performances are in demand. This year, the great king of the IEW, Josef Steele, returns to defend his throne. The story of eight top wrestlers competing for the greatest prize on the ring, the IEW champion belt, is about to begin...
Gameplay[]
Attacks are limited to the A and B buttons on the Neo Geo Pocket. The A button is used for physical attacks and grappling. The B button is for various actions such as getting out of the ring, mounting the turnbuckle, taunts, climbing, and pinning an opponent. When a character's name is flashing, pressing both buttons at once will perform their special attack, which varies with each character. Each character has unique moves and subtleties to distinguish them from one another.
There are four modes that can be played. The game's story mode is the IEW Championship, where the player will face the other seven wrestlers before facing the boss, Josef. In One Match and Tournament mode, the player can set up a match with the computer and change the time limit, rules, ring color, and difficulty of their opponent. In these modes, they can also select the alternate Coffin option (where the winner successfully throws their opponent in an open casket) and Money option (the players climb a rope outside the ring to reach a bag of cash). The last mode is a standard VS Mode with another Neo Geo Pocket owner.
Characters[]
- "Supernova" Brian McDougall: A surprising rookie wrestler who suddenly appeared on the IEW mat and set a record of 193 consecutive wins since his debut. His natural power, overflowing from his blessed physique, overwhelms other wrestlers. A power character who takes a lot of inspiration for his undefeated streak and moves from Bill Goldberg.
- "The Magician of the Orient" Macey the Oriental: A mysterious wrestler with oriental paint on his face. While he is an impeccable technician, he is also good at rough fighting. He is a versatile fighter who can spit mist and appear in a puff of smoke before his matches. Most likely inspired by the Great Kabuki (alias of Akihisa Mera) .
- "Suplex Typhoon" Mike Martin: A large wrestler from the amateur wrestling world. He is known for his versatile and powerful suplex attacks. Has a moveset similar to Kurt Angle.
- "Black Beast" Deitz - A tall, bizarre wrestler standing over 2 meters tall. He's not particularly good at using the microphone to make appealing statements, but he is skilled at using the unique features of his own body. A character who looks, acts, and moves like the Undertaker (alias of Mark William Calaway).
- "Hinomaru Fighter" Sho Hayama: He has steadily built his reputation as a Vale Tudo mixed martial arts fighter, but has now made a surprise appearance on the IEW mat. With his well-honed submission techniques and sharp throws, he is vying for the championship. He's a quick moving technique wrestler who relies a lot on his physical attacks.
- "Crazy Bomber" David Bogner: A heavyweight wrestler active in both Japan and the United States. Although his style is different from Brian's, he also excels at dynamic power fighting. He is the only character who cannot climb the turnbuckle.
- "Wild Panther" Alex Fall: A wrestler with a contradictory character, a arrogant attitude but a lovable personality, who is equally popular with Brian. Although he is inferior in physique and power, his explosiveness and technique allow him to compete on equal terms with other wrestlers. A slim and cocky guy who is actually a rather strong grappler heavily inspired by The Rock (alias of Dwayne Johnson).
- "The Conqueror of the Sky" The Great Eagle: He was the IEW Light Heavyweight champion, but since he was without an opponent in the same weight class, he entered the heavyweight division. He aims to dominate the heavyweight division with his natural speed, aerial killing techniques, and sharp striking techniques. A speedy technique character who bears a resemblance to Tizoc from Garou: Mark of the Wolves.
- "The Mad King" Josef Steele: Former IEW Heavyweight Champion. He held the belt for many years, repeatedly defending the title with his power, technique, and excellent inside work, but suffered the humiliation of having to vacate the title due to a long absence caused by injury. The final boss who is playable after he's defeated in the IEW tournament. He is one of the tallest characters in the cast and fights with his own powerful grappling style, similar to that of Shawn Michaels.
- "Dangerous Queen" Kei Nakano: She was originally one of the most talented wrestlers in the Japanese wrestling world, but in the IEW wrestling world she worked as Joseph's manager. After that, she and Joseph parted ways and have been feuding ever since. A time released character and the only female wrestler in the game, she is the quickest yet weakest character.