WCW Nitro

by Nintendo

Product Features

• N64

Product Details

• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B00000IH04
• Media: Game Cartridge
• Release Date: February 1, 1999
• Average Customer Review: 1.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #21,247 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)

Product Description

GameSpot Review

Until now, all the WCW-licensed games on the N64 have been based on a Japanese engine used by Asmik in a couple of overseas wrestling games. These games have been tolerable from a gameplay standpoint, but none of them ever really captured the look or feel of actual WCW wrestling. Meanwhile, PlayStation owners have been getting WCW games that look a bit more like the real thing, but the gameplay has been atrociously bad. Now, N64 owners can experience the weak gameplay of the PlayStation WCW games mixed with a bit of the real look and feel of the PlayStation games, though the inadequate storage space of the N64 cartridge keeps some of the atmosphere out of the game.

This is essentially a slightly updated version of the WCW Nitro that appeared on the PlayStation. The gameplay remains the same, but the roster has been updated, and wrestlers like Bill Goldberg have been added to the lineup. Gone from the original are the short taunt videos, which, by the way, were the best thing about the PlayStation version of the game. Also gone from the original are the poorly pixelated character graphics. Here, the wrestler models are very sharp, though the skin textures look quite bad. The crowd also looks really, really terrible. The game moves a lot quicker than the PlayStation version, but this gives the game a really strange look - it seems as though the motion-captured animation is simply running too fast.

For those unfamiliar with the original version of the game, Nitro eschews the tie-up system of gameplay used by previous WCW games, as well as WWF Warzone, for a different, move-based style. Instead of tying up and pounding buttons to pull off moves, you execute the moves via a series of button presses. When this game came out for the PlayStation, it was nice to see someone trying something new in wrestling games, even if it wasn't too spectacular. But now that THQ has milked this style of gameplay for three games, it's way past its prime.

Gameplay modes include the standard championship, which pits you against ten different opponents, one at a time. Win and you're the champion. Lose and you'll get to continue. There's also a tag-team mode and a battle royal, which forces you to toss your opponents over the top rope to eliminate them.

WCW Nitro is just a rehash of the PlayStation version, only it's about a year too late. It may have worked as a simultaneous release, but now the game is just plain bad. Even roster updates can't save it from its horrible gameplay and shoddy appearance. Let's hope EA can put out a decent WCW-licensed wrestling game when it takes over the license later this year. --Jeff Gerstmann
--Copyright ©1999 GameSpot Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of GameSpot is prohibited. GameSpot and the GameSpot logo are trademarks of GameSpot Inc.

Manufacturer Description

Step into the ring as one of your favorite WCW or NWO superstars! You can choose to battle it out in tag team action or take on the oppostion by yourself. Many of your favorites are here featuring the likes of Hollywood Hogan Lex Luger and many more. Each wrestler has many devastating moves to choose from including unique special moves for each wrestler.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Nitro is a waste of cash., March 29, 2000

By A Customer

= Durability:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:1.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: WCW Nitro (Game Cartridge)

First of I must say that I really feel like I threw my hard earned cash away when I purchased Nitro. For one thing the playibility is horrible and performing a single regular move like a suplex is immpossible. Hell every move is immpossible because if you are facing the computer, the other charcter will constantly grab you while you are trying to perform your moves. Also what really sucks, is the hidden wrestlers. I like the roster but the wrestlers dont sport their own signature moves just someone elses. For example Roddy Piper is a hidden character and his finisher is called "the Piper Clutch." What this moves is what I remember is Chris Benoit's Crippler Crossface. To put in hardcore terms DONT EVEN RENT THIS GAME. If you must then I say let the buyer and the renter BEWARE.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Needs polish, November 20, 1999

By A Customer

= Durability:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:3.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: WCW Nitro (Game Cartridge)

The play control needs work, but the graphics are surprisingly good. It reminded me of a Genisis wrestling game from awhile ago. If you're not a hardcore wrestling fan, you probably won't think much of it. I thought it was okay.

1.0 out of 5 stars PASS ON THIS ONE, November 26, 1999

By A Customer

= Durability:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:1.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: WCW Nitro (Game Cartridge)

There are many better wrestling games than Nitro. The control is flat out poor. I like to find strong points in any game, but THQ and the programmers were not thinking of the gamer when they wrote this one. Sorry guys, but this game stinks.

Jason