WWF WrestleMania is a professional wrestling arcade video game released by Midway Manufacturing Co. in 1995. It is based on the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) professional wrestling promotion.

The Story Behind WWF WrestleMania - The Arcade Game

Many years later, developer Sal DiVita confirmed that Adam Bomb was a hidden character, but also stated that the character in the game was not fully completed. Programmer Mark Turmell stated that "I worked 16 hours a day, seven days a week for six months to get WWF WrestleMania out. The Super NES release omits Bam Bam Bigelow and Yokozuna.

Commentary is provided by Vince McMahon and Jerry "The King" Lawler, who also appear in the game sitting at the announcers' table to the right of the ring, and Howard Finkel welcoming players to Wrestlemania at the start screen. The Genesis version retains most of the voice and commentary samples from the arcade and allows for four wrestlers on-screen, also with slow down. It also lacks several voice and commentary samples and damage taken by in-game fighters from attacks was reduced.

How WWF WrestleMania - The Arcade Game Plays

Although based on professional wrestling, WWF WrestleManias digitized graphics and fast-paced gameplay make it more of a fighting game than a sports/wrestling game inspired by Midway's popular Mortal Kombat series. A unique feature is that each character can "bleed" an object that represents them. WWF WrestleManias one-player mode has the player choose one of eight wrestling superstars – Bret "The Hitman" Hart, The Undertaker, Shawn Michaels, Razor Ramon, Bam Bam Bigelow, Yokozuna, Doink the Clown, and Lex Luger.

While actual wrestling moves are present, matches consist primarily of strike attacks and special moves. In-game music consists of snippets from the roster's circa-1994 entrance music (with the exception of Shawn Michaels, who has the older, Sherri Martel version of "Sexy Boy", and Undertaker with his previous theme when he had the Western Mortician moniker from 1991 to 1994), as well as the opening themes to WWF Monday Night RAW, WWF Superstars, and WWF Wrestling Challenge. In the Intercontinental Championship mode, the player must win four one-on-one matches, two Handicap 2-on-1 matches, and one Handicap 3-on-1 match to win the title.

Why Players Still Load It Up

Rob Allsetter of Sega Saturn Magazine maintained that it was "worth the wait", applauding the gameplay and humor. Bruised Lee of GamePro gave the arcade version a positive review, particularly praising the "unmatched" level of detail in the digitized characters, the wacky sense of humor, and the accessible controls. After about five minutes you'll find yourself able to perform some of the most outrageous moves." In 1996, GamesMaster ranked the Mega Drive Version 10th on their "The GamesMaster Mega Drive Top 10" In the same issue, GamesMaster ranked the SNES version 10th in their "The GamesMaster SNES Top 10."

RePlay reported WWF WrestleMania: The Arcade Game was the third most-popular arcade game at the time. GamePros Scary Larry gave it a 4.5/5 for control and a perfect 5/5 in every other category (graphics, sound, and FunFactor), calling it "a great wrestling game, a great fighting game, and a great as-fun-to-watch-as-it-is-to-play game." A reviewer for Next Generation opined that it "looks great and plays even better." The two sports reviewers of Electronic Gaming Monthly both gave it a 9 out of 10 and an "Editor's Choice Platinum" award, and remarked, "[Acclaim and Williams] have turned out the lights on anyone thinking of making a wrestling game for the PlayStation." Scary Larry said the 32X version is "no match for the PlayStation title" and lacks many of the sound samples of the arcade version, but at least has better graphics than the Genesis and Super NES versions, and overall is a must-have for 32X owners. He applauded the "cleanly digitized" characters, variety of moves, ability to play either head-to-head or two-on-two cooperative, and sense of humor.

WWF WrestleMania - The Arcade Game — Frequently Asked Questions