Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Zen-Nihon Joshi Pro Wrestling: Queen of Queens adopts a full-motion video (FMV) system to present every wrestling move in vivid detail. When you select an attack or a grapple, the game cuts to a pre-recorded video of the chosen star executing that maneuver. This approach delivers an immersive presentation, though it can sometimes interrupt the flow of fast-paced exchanges common in traditional sprite-based wrestling titles.

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The game offers two distinct modes: League and Free Battle. In League Mode, you guide your chosen wrestler through the All Japan Women’s Pro-Wrestling championship, adhering to the official rules of the league. Each victory edges you closer to the Queen of Queens title, and the bracket-based structure adds a competitive narrative drive to your matches. Free Battle allows you to jump straight into exhibition matches, either against the CPU or another player in two-player mode.

Controls are simple but effective: directional inputs for positioning, a button to grapple, another for striking, and a contextual input for reversals. Timing is crucial—mistime a reversal and you’ll watch helplessly as your opponent executes a signature powerbomb or suplex in high-quality video. While the lack of real-time graphics may feel restrictive to fans of fluid animation, the FMV system ensures that every slam and submission looks authentic.

Multiplayer matches can be a highlight if you enjoy head-to-head competition with friends. The mixture of strategic move selection and reading your opponent’s tendencies brings a layer of depth. However, matches can feel sluggish compared to sprite-based wrestling titles, as the game must load each FMV clip, creating brief pauses that punctuate the action.

Graphics

Rather than using hand-drawn sprites or polygons, Queen of Queens relies entirely on FMV clips of actual wrestlers from All Japan Women’s Pro-Wrestling. These videos showcase stars such as Aja Kong, Akira Hokuto, and Dynamite Kansai performing authentic wrestling moves. The result is a level of realism that pixel art or polygons can’t match, as viewers watch the bodies of these athletes contort and collide exactly as they would on a live stage.

Video quality is subject to the limitations of the era and hardware. Resolution is modest and colors can appear muted, but the grainy texture gives matches a vintage broadcast feel. Transitions between clips are generally smooth, though you may occasionally notice slight stutters during camera cuts. This technical limitation is more forgivable once you consider the novelty of seeing real wrestlers in-game.

Character likenesses are instantly recognizable, thanks to the use of licensed footage. You’re not watching animated stand-ins or approximations—you know it’s Aja Kong delivering the dreaded Air Raid Crash. Costumes, hairstyles, and finishing moves are faithfully preserved, adding a layer of authenticity that wrestling fans will appreciate. The crowd is heard rather than seen, with audio cheering that helps sell the in-ring drama.

Menu screens and promotional artwork employ static photography of the wrestlers and minimal UI embellishments. While these elements may feel sparse by modern standards, they maintain focus on the core FMV experience and avoid cluttering the interface. Overall, Queen of Queens’ graphics deliver a unique, if somewhat dated, presentation that stands out among other wrestling titles of its time.

Story

Queen of Queens does not feature a conventional narrative campaign with cutscenes or dialogue trees; instead, it revolves around the competitive structure of the All Japan Women’s Pro-Wrestling championship. Each match in League Mode functions as a chapter in your journey toward becoming the league’s top contender. The bracket progression offers a simple but effective storyline: overcome increasingly tougher opponents to claim the Queen of Queens crown.

The roster itself serves as the game’s narrative backbone. Icons like Aja Kong and Akira Hokuto carry real-life rivalries and histories into the ring. While the game doesn’t explicitly detail backstories or personality traits, the familiarity wrestling fans have with these athletes fills in the gaps. Knowing the significance of a match between Jolanda and Kyoko Inoue adds emotional weight, even without extensive in-game exposition.

For players unfamiliar with All Japan Women’s Pro-Wrestling, the lack of voice-overs or written character bios can make it challenging to connect with the roster. The game assumes a baseline appreciation for its licensed stars, so newcomers may miss the subtext behind certain matchups. Nevertheless, the simple “win or go home” stakes of the league format provide enough motivation to keep climbing the bracket ladder.

Between matches, there is minimal fanfare—no celebratory cutscenes or dramatized rival confrontations. What drives the story is entirely your performance in the ring. Victory sequences display the wrestler’s signature celebrations, and defeat sequences show a post-match shake of the head, reminding you of the high stakes in every bout.

Overall Experience

Queen of Queens offers a niche yet compelling experience for wrestling aficionados, especially those who appreciate All Japan Women’s Pro-Wrestling’s storied history. The FMV system creates a documentary-like authenticity that sets the game apart from sprite-based contemporaries. However, this realism comes at the expense of fluidity and responsiveness, as each move transition demands a brief load time.

Replay value hinges on your attachment to the roster and willingness to master the timing-based control scheme. League Mode’s bracket system encourages multiple playthroughs as you experiment with different wrestlers and strategies. Free Battle mode gives you the freedom to stage exhibition matches, which can be ideal for casual head-to-head fun with friends.

Ultimately, Queen of Queens is best suited for dedicated fans of Japanese joshi puroresu and retro gaming collectors intrigued by FMV titles. If you’re seeking a deep strategic wrestling simulator with real-time graphics, this may not be your ideal pick. But if you want to witness iconic female wrestlers performing authentic moves in a gaming context, the title remains a unique and memorable piece of wrestling history.

While it’s not without quirks—such as occasional video stutters and limited narrative depth—the game’s core concept is strong: bring real pro wrestling into your living room through licensed footage. For its target audience, Queen of Queens delivers an engaging glimpse into the world of All Japan Women’s Pro-Wrestling, making it a worthwhile addition to any retro wrestling collection.

Retro Replay Score

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