Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Fire Pro Wrestling D delivers one of the deepest wrestling simulations available on portable consoles. With over 200 licensed wrestlers from prominent North American and Japanese promotions, the game offers an unprecedented roster that caters to both longtime fans and newcomers. You can reenact iconic showdowns from wrestling history or dream up fantasy matches that never happened, from inter-promotional dream bouts to classic cage fights. The inclusion of Ultimate Fighting matches and an octagon cage adds another layer of variety, allowing you to switch between pro wrestling and MMA-style combat with ease.

(HEY YOU!! We hope you enjoy! We try not to run ads. So basically, this is a very expensive hobby running this site. Please consider joining us for updates, forums, and more. Network w/ us to make some cash or friends while retro gaming, and you can win some free retro games for posting. Okay, carry on 👍)

The heart of Fire Pro Wrestling D lies in its move set, featuring thousands of distinct holds, strikes, and signature maneuvers. Each wrestler feels unique thanks to the extensive animation library and move assignments, and the timing-based grapple system rewards precision and timing over button-mashing. Defensive maneuvers such as counter-throws, reversals, and rope breaks add strategic depth, ensuring that you must read your opponent’s tendencies and adapt on the fly. Matches feel dynamic, with momentum swings that mirror the ebb and flow of real-world wrestling bouts.

One of the standout features is the robust Edit Mode, which lets you create custom wrestlers, referees, arenas, and even entire promotions from scratch. You can tweak everything from fighting stance and outfit colors to entrance music and victory animations. A specialized AI editor allows you to program behavioral tendencies, so your custom creation fights and reacts exactly how you envision. This level of personalization turns Fire Pro Wrestling D into a creative sandbox, where you can stage elaborate storylines or simply test your dream matchups.

Beyond one-on-one contests, the game supports multi-person bouts, tag-team matches, gauntlet challenges, and battle royals. Each mode introduces its own strategic considerations, whether coordinating with a partner or coping with the chaos of multiple opponents in the ring. The pacing remains sharp throughout, and the absence of load times between entrances keeps the action flowing. For wrestling fans who crave variety and depth, Fire Pro Wrestling D’s gameplay is an absolute knockout.

Graphics

Despite using a 2D sprite engine, Fire Pro Wrestling D manages to deliver fluid animations and clear visual feedback. Wrestler sprites are richly detailed, capturing signature attire and physiques with surprising accuracy on a handheld screen. Moves are animated smoothly, and the dual-plane ring system—where wrestlers can shift between foreground and background—creates a faux-3D effect that adds spatial depth to every slam and suplex.

The user interface is clean and unobtrusive, prioritizing match readability. Health meters, momentum bars, and on-screen prompts for reversals are placed thoughtfully so as not to distract from the in-ring action. Crowd background elements, such as cheering fans and dynamic lighting, contribute to the atmosphere without overwhelming the screen. During special moves and finishers, close-up shots and screen shakes emphasize impact, giving each highlight moment theatrical flair.

Customization extends into the visual realm as well. The Edit Mode’s paint tools and sprite editor permit intricate redesigns of wrestler attire, entrance screens, and ring logos. Whether you want to recreate a legendary promotion’s aesthetics or invent a neon-lit cyberpunk federation, the graphical freedom encourages experimentation. Although resolution limitations of the platform are evident, the artistic direction keeps the presentation vibrant and engaging.

Overall, Fire Pro Wrestling D strikes an excellent balance between technical constraints and visual clarity. Matches run at a steady frame rate, even when the ring is crowded, ensuring responsive controls and smooth transitions. The sprite-based look may feel retro to some, but it’s executed with such polish that it never feels dated—rather, it reinforces the series’ long-standing identity.

Story

Fire Pro Wrestling D does not feature a traditional narrative campaign; instead, it empowers players to craft their own wrestling saga. The lack of a fixed storyline might initially feel like a drawback, but the extensive Create-a-Federation system turns that absence into an advantage. You can script rivalries, establish championship lineages, and even design periodic tournaments, effectively writing your own wrestling drama.

For players who thrive on emergent storytelling, each match becomes a plot point. Upset victories, surprise debuts of custom creations, and multi-promotion dream bouts allow you to weave unpredictable narratives. The AI’s adjustable personality settings ensure that your rivalries develop in believable ways—some wrestlers may show resilience under pressure, while others burn out quickly or fall back on underhanded tactics to win.

While there’s no voice-acted dialogue or cutscene-driven plot, presentation elements like entrance animations, victory poses, and referee calls convey enough context to keep you invested. Pair this with custom title belts and promotional logos, and your self-made wrestling universe starts to feel like a living, breathing world. For fans who love role-playing their own sports drama, the open-ended nature of Fire Pro Wrestling D’s storytelling is a major draw.

Ultimately, the narrative experience you get from Fire Pro Wrestling D depends on your willingness to roll up your sleeves and create. If you’re looking for a linear story, this might not be the game for you. However, if you relish the idea of building story arcs, staging surprise returns, and scripting multi-week feuds, the creative tools on offer provide more freedom than nearly any other wrestling title.

Overall Experience

Fire Pro Wrestling D stands out as a wrestling title that truly understands what makes the sport captivating: variety, strategy, and creative expression. The combination of a deep move set, responsive controls, and a smart AI system ensures that each match is both challenging and rewarding. The absence of load times and the tight frame rate make every event feel seamless, whether you’re playing single bouts or marathon tournaments.

The customization suite elevates the game from a simple simulator to a boundless creative playground. From designing your dream wrestler to scripting an entire wrestling federation’s seasons, the editing tools are surprisingly user-friendly yet robust enough for veteran modders. Coupled with the rich roster of official talent, the editing possibilities mean you’re never short of fresh content or storyline inspiration.

Graphically, the game embraces its 2D heritage while delivering clear, engaging visuals and animations that keep the action readable and impactful. The sprite-based style gives it a retro charm that longtime series fans will appreciate, and newcomers will soon find themselves swept up in the fast-paced gameplay rather than nitpicking polygon counts.

In sum, Fire Pro Wrestling D is a must-have for wrestling enthusiasts who crave depth, replayability, and creative freedom. Its blend of simulation accuracy and sandbox editing makes each play session unique. Whether you want to reenact historic showdowns, stage intergalactic rookie tournaments, or run a cross-promotional juggernaut, this game provides all the tools you need to become the ultimate wrestling promoter and competitor.

Retro Replay Score

null/10