| Virtual Pro Wrestling 2: Ōdō Keishō | |
|---|---|
 Cover art ofVirtual Pro Wrestling 2 | |
| Developer | AKI Corporation |
| Publisher | Asmik Ace Entertainment |
| Series | Virtual Pro Wrestling |
| Platform | Nintendo 64 |
| Release |
|
| Genre | Wrestling |
| Modes | Single-player,multiplayer |
Virtual Pro Wrestling 2: Ōdō Keishō (バーチャル・プロレス2 〜王道継承〜) is aprofessional wrestlingvideo game released in 2000 for theNintendo 64. The game was only released in Japan and is the sequel to 1997'sVirtual Pro Wrestling 64. The subtitle,Ōdō Keishō, translates to English asRoyal Road Succession, which is also the name of the game's single player mode.[1]
The game features the same engine asWWF WrestleMania 2000 but the two titles otherwise differ considerably and feature entirely different rosters.WrestleMania 2000 was released in Japan as well, unlike previous AKI-developed WCW titles.
At the 1999Nintendo Space World, fans got a preview of the game which was 65% completed. Modes boasted were Tournament, League, Ranking and Grand Meeting, as well as the newly added Belt Edit, Champion Road and an expanded player creation mode. The game was said to have over 1,000 different move combinations and a roster of "way over 100 fighters".[2]
Catering to the Japanese fanbase,Virtual Pro Wrestling 2:Ōdō Keishō deemphasizes the gimmicks and theatrics ofAmerican wrestling while introducing various competitive, sportsman-like attributes ofpuroresu. It features noWWF license and is based entirely on Japanese wrestling; consequently, unlike previous games which includedWCW wrestlers, none of the current WWF superstars at the time were included inVPW 2.Asmik Ace Entertainment was only licensed to genuinely represent talent fromAJPW; thus, for legal purposes, all other performers were given generic names and altered apparel with the ability to be modified by theplayer.
VPW 2 omitted the newly introducedCage match andFirst Blood match ofWrestleMania 2000 as they were unconventional to Japanese wrestling (a common misconception is that a "First Blood" option does exist, whereby, if the wrestler bleeds twice the match is stopped by the official - however this is a referee stoppage match setting). It did, however, resurrect the test-of-strengthgrappling function and thestriking combination grapple from 1998'sWCW/nWo Revenge. It also introduced the running grapple as an intuitive counterpart to the long-established running strike.VPW 2 boasts hundreds of moves including many prohibited in mainstream American wrestling such as the dangerous hangman'sDDT, Russian neckdrop, andBurning Hammer. In a first for3D wrestling games, an entirely unique grappling system was also developed formixed martial artists which corresponds with optionalshootfighting rules. Such stipulations place emphasis on strike combinations,judotakedowns, andsubmissions and allows strikes to cause substantial damage.[1] This in conjunction with professional wrestling standards allows for uniquehybrid-style matches.
In contrast to the theatrical entrances of American pro wrestlers, performers inVPW 2 are given a simple backstage intro and are audiblyannounced upon entering the ring. Venues include theNippon Budokan,Kawasaki Stadium,Korakuen Hall, and theTokyo Dome.[3]Entrance themes are limited to a few signature AJPW themes and originalMIDI songs of genericrock music. The player can also choose from three differentreferees with distinct reaction times and count speeds.
VPW 2 expanded the Create a Wrestler mode that debuted inWrestleMania 2000 and boasts a detailedmask editing feature. The game includes a largely generic roster based on real-life performers which sets the foundation for the player to modify attire and names to create more faithful representations of the actual wrestlers.VPW 2 is the only game in the THQ/AKI series to include a "Logic" factor. When creating a wrestler, the player can choose what types of moves are used at certain points of the match when the created wrestler is controlled by the computer. The Belt Creation mode is carried over with a new addition, theTriple Crown, whichunifies threechampionship belts (thePWF World Heavyweight Championship,NWA International Heavyweight Championship, andNWA United National Championship[4]). The "Smoking Skull" WWF Heavyweight Championship was originally available for selection within Belt Creation mode, but it was removed from the final version of the game and is currently only accessible through video game cheat devices.[5]
The 12-month Royal Road Succession mode largely parallels the Road to WrestleMania mode included inWrestleMania 2000. As common in Japan, some contests are held over largeloving cuptrophies rather than championship belts, and opportunities to unlock wrestlers are abundant.[1]
Virtual Pro Wrestling 2:Ōdō Keishō gained positive reviews. On release,Famitsu magazine scored the game a 30 out of 40[6] and whileIGN's Aaron Boulding criticized the bland pre-match animation, he praised the addition of various moves. Regarding American gamers, Boulding considered it "a nice addition to the library of the most extreme hardcore wrestling fan".[3]
With a strong fanbase behind the AKI wrestling game series,VPW 2 would become the second most popular import title on the N64 afterSin and Punishment.[1] Professional wrestlersSamoa Joe andA.J. Styles, who were both involved in the development ofTNA Wrestling'sfirst video game, had hoped the game would replicate the style ofVPW 2. Styles, an avid fan of the AKI wrestling series, has citedVPW 2 as the all-time greatest pro wrestling game.[1][7]