Game: Backyard Wrestling
PS2, Xbox
Publisher: Eidos Interactive
Developer: Paradox Development
Rated M for Mature
TORONTO (djc) — Wrestling ain’t exactly the most highbrow form of entertainment around. But it does make for good video games — the Smackdown! series, Def Jam Vendetta, and I could go on.
Shockingly, there’s a form of wrestling that even mainstream wrestlers and fans occasionally look down on — backyard wrestling, which seems to consist of guys that the makers of Jackass would find irresponsible — bashing each other with light bulbs, jumping off roofs on to flaming tables…it’s little surprise that Backyard Wrestling for the PS2 and Xbox is subtitled “Don’t Try This at Home.” It even has a giant ass warning screen repeating the mantra before the game begins. Guess this one made the lawyers really nervous.
I will leave the morality and responsibility arguments to others. The only question before me is whether or not it’s a good game. The answer: umm, well, it’s okay. Could be better, and considering it is similar conceptually (wrestling game without a wrestling ring) to WCW Backstage Assault (AKA: the worst wrestling game ever made), it could have been a lot worse too.
The environments are full of items to interact with and destroy, or bash over the head of the other guy, causing blood to spurt out real horrorshow. Levels have things like a mattress that can be lit on fire, windows you can be tossed into, and spectators who will occasionally get involved by taking a swing or throwing something at you. You are also encouraged to climb up to high levels and jump on your opponents below, or drag them onto tables so you can smash them right through. My favorite levels are a strip club, where you can toss opponents into a giant aquarium, causing it to shatter, and a talk show set. This is probably the real reason people go on Springer — trashing a talk show set is fun.
The trouble with BW is that the game’s speed needs to be turned down a notch. The wrestlers zoom all over the place in a not very believable way, and it makes it tricky to grapple with your foes. The AI opponents though never have problems grabbing you though, so they can get on a roll where they mop the floor with you. It doesn’t help that you have no blocking option. This speed also makes it difficult to take advantage of some of the environmental toys. Don’t bother trying to drag your foe on to that table to set them up for a killer move—he almost always recovers before you have a chance to do it anyway.
There are also a number of annoyances. For example, the computer is able to throw objects with ridiculous accuracy, such to the point that the objects literally arc in mid-flight to nail you. Seriously, if you are in motion when the AI opponent makes the throw, you will still get beaned. Stopping and then running seems to break up the missile lock it has on you.
Although you can pin your opponents, the majority of your wins will come by scoring a knockout, which is achieved by depleting your opponent’s health. This makes the game feel more like a straight Beat ‘Em Up. The makers of the game probably want to emphasize crazy action, but they actually could have had a good strategy vibe if they’d used a Def Jam Vendetta style pinning system.
You can play with a variety of indie wrestlers (who have actually trained), and members of the band the Insane Clown Posse, who own their own indie federation — Juggalo Championship Wrestling. The Create a Wrestler mode is pretty perfunctory, and cannot compare to those offered by the Smackdown! series. I will grant though that it’s a breeze to use and use quickly. In fact, the control system is light and fairly easy to master too, once you get used to the insane speed at which the AI attacks you.
Taking pride in its sleaziness (you can unlock videos of the real wrestlers in action, including some scantily clad babes), Backyard Wrestling ain’t for the kids, but it isn’t a horrible game, unless you get all of your opinions from Joe Lieberman and the soccer mom talk show circuit. But it can’t compare to the other quality wrestling games out there. Definitely rent before you buy.
Jason MacIsaac is Digital Journal’s expert video game reviewer. Check back each week to read more from our gaming guru.
