Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Fire Pro Wrestling 2 on the Game Boy Advance delivers an impressively deep wrestling experience, packing over 200 licensed wrestlers into a handheld cartridge. From the moment you step into the Practice Dojo, you’re introduced to the series’ signature timing-based grappling system. Every move—whether it’s a suplex, a piledriver, or a simple body slam—relies on precise button presses and directional inputs. This depth rewards patient players who learn to read opponents’ tells and chain together devastating combos.

The heart of the game lies in the Ironman Road mode. Starting with a modest roster of ten fighters (eleven once you conquer the Dojo), you battle your way through opponents to expand your stable. Each victory unlocks new wrestlers, fueling your momentum and sense of progression. Alongside standard singles matches, you’ll face off in Gruesome and Deathmatches—complete with electrified cage environments and customized rule sets that inject chaos and unpredictability.

Exhibition mode offers flexibility for one-off bouts or four-man Battle Royals, perfect for quick pick-up-and-play sessions or local multiplayer showdowns. Meanwhile, the Create-A-Wrestler (CAW) mode remains as robust as ever, enabling you to craft up to 77 additional fighters. You can tailor their appearance, move lists, entrance animations, and even trade them with friends. This level of customization ensures that no two matches feel the same, keeping the experience fresh match after match.

Graphics

While the Game Boy Advance isn’t known for its raw graphical horsepower, Fire Pro Wrestling 2 makes the most of the hardware with crisp, well-defined sprites and fluid animation frames. Each wrestler retains the chibi-style charm of the series while being instantly recognizable through color-coded outfits and signature moves. The pacing remains smooth, even in the most chaotic four-man bouts or electrified cage matches.

Ring environments and crowd backgrounds are relatively simple but effectively convey the atmosphere of a live arena. Subtle details—like the flashing lights of the electrified cage or the referee’s flinches when you deliver a stiff strike—add immersion. Menus are clean and intuitive, with clear icons for move sets, wrestler stats, and CAW creation tools. Navigating through your roster or customizing a character feels straightforward and appropriately fast-paced.

Custom wrestlers created in CAW mode adopt the same presentation quality as the built-in roster. You can assign unique color schemes, masks, and entrance poses, all rendered consistently on-screen. While load times are minimal, the game makes smart use of palette swaps and sprite layering to maximize variety without taxing the GBA’s limited memory.

Story

True to wrestling traditions, Fire Pro Wrestling 2 doesn’t follow a cinematic narrative but builds its own drama through the Ironman Road progression. Each match you win isn’t just a stat boost—it’s a new chapter in your wrestler’s ascent. Starting as a rookie in the Practice Dojo, you punch your ticket to the big leagues by defeating increasingly formidable opponents, echoing the classic “underdog becomes champion” arc.

The lack of cutscenes is offset by the emergent storylines you craft yourself. Rivalries form naturally as you discover opponents’ move sets and exploit their weaknesses. A sudden upset in an electrified Deathmatch can feel as climactic as any scripted finale, thanks to the game’s dynamic rule variations. Gruesome matches, with their barbed-wire and weapons, turn the ring into a battlefield, heightening the stakes without needing words.

Even the CAW mode contributes to your personal narrative. Trading custom wrestlers with friends or injecting your own creations into the Ironman lineup lets you write unique sagas. Whether you’re building a fearless rookie or resurrecting a fallen legend, Fire Pro Wrestling 2 hands you the tools to become the author of your wrestling legacy.

Overall Experience

Fire Pro Wrestling 2 stands out as one of the GBA’s most robust sports titles, offering a staggering number of competitors and match types in a portable package. The blend of precise controls, deep mechanics, and versatile modes caters to both casual players looking for quick bouts and hardcore fans craving a strategic wrestling simulation. It may take a few hours to master the timing-based system, but the payoff is immensely satisfying once you’re chaining move after move.

The CAW mode alone delivers near-endless replayability, as you can continuously expand your roster with custom fighters and share them with friends. Combined with the variety of match stipulations—Exhibition, Ironman Road, Battle Royal, Gruesome, and Deathmatch—there’s always a fresh challenge waiting. Even with the GBA’s graphical limitations, the presentation is clear, the animations are smooth, and the overall package feels polished.

Whether you’re a long-time fan of the Fire Pro series or new to the world of wrestling games, Fire Pro Wrestling 2 on GBA is a must-have for any portable gaming library. Its addictive gameplay loops, extensive customization, and dynamic match environments make it far more than just a simple handheld spin-off—it’s a fully-fledged wrestling universe in your pocket.

Retro Replay Score

7.6/10