Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Despite what its title might imply, WWE Crush Hour abandons the traditional wrestling ring in favor of a high-octane arena of rocket fire and engine fumes. You take control of combat-equipped vehicles piloted by your favorite WWE superstars, from The Rock’s turbocharged muscle car to the Hardy Boys’ nimble off-road buggy. Each vehicle boasts its own arsenal of weapons—rocket launchers, mines, and rapid-fire guns—alongside unique special attacks that reflect the character’s in-ring persona. Whether you’re ramming foes into the walls or unleashing homing missiles, the core loop is instant, visceral, and designed for explosive fun.

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The variety of game modes keeps the action fresh. In standard elimination matches, you simply blast opponents until only one vehicle remains functional. The King of the Ring challenge tasks you with holding the championship belt for a set duration, requiring careful map control and strategic positioning. Time Attack races you against both the clock and adversaries, demanding precision driving and opportunistic takedowns. Each mode offers a slightly different pacing, preventing the vehicular carnage from ever feeling stale.

Multiplayer support further elevates the experience. Local split-screen allows up to four players to duke it out on the same console, recreating the couch-based rivalries of classic party games. Online matchmaking extends the carnage to a global stage, with leaderboards for most kills, longest belt possession, and fastest lap times. While occasional latency hiccups can disrupt a well-timed rocket shot, the thrills of out-maneuvering a human opponent usually outweigh these minor technical issues.

Graphics

On its release hardware, WWE Crush Hour pushed the boundaries of polygon counts and texture resolution for a wrestling-themed game. Vehicles gleam under venue floodlights, and the environmental textures—from dusty arenas to rain-slicked tracks—feel surprisingly detailed. When a rocket slams into metal, you’ll witness dynamic debris sprays and fiery explosions that punctuate every successful hit. These visual flourishes heighten the sense of power behind each collision.

Character likenesses are well-captured in their vehicular forms. You can instantly recognize Stone Cold Steve Austin’s beefy chassis or Trish Stratus’s sleek silhouette even before you see the custom decals. The cockpit perspectives offer an immersive view of scuffed windscreens and dashboard indicators that flash when your armor weakens. Cinematic camera angles during takedowns help underline the significance of a well-executed special move, making battles feel more consequential.

However, the game isn’t without its graphical shortcomings. Some arena backdrops repeat across multiple levels, and pop-in textures can occur in the busiest moments of a four-player free-for-all. Shadows occasionally flicker or jitter at track edges, reminding you that you’re playing on sixth-generation consoles. Still, given the fast pace and constant explosions, these minor imperfections rarely detract from the overall spectacle.

Story

WWE Crush Hour forgoes a deep narrative in favor of an arcade-style presentation that mirrors arcade racing and combat games of the era. There’s no elaborate cutscene-driven storyline or branching dialogues—your journey is framed around climbing the ranks in various vehicular combat tournaments. Unlocking each wrestler’s ride and weapon upgrades provides a sense of progression, but narrative beats are minimal or implied through announcer voiceovers and simple on-track challenges.

That said, the game does a commendable job of infusing WWE personality into its combat arenas. In-ring banners, bold pyro, and character voice quips maintain the brand’s showmanship without bogging down the action. Your wins are celebrated with short highlight reels that feature entrance music snippets and trophy reveals. Losses trigger humorous jabs from rivals, echoing the banter fans expect from weekly wrestling programs.

For players seeking a heartfelt tale or dramatic rivalries, the lack of a structured story campaign may feel underwhelming. Yet, the focus on pure action aligns with the game’s central premise: “Get in, blow up your opponents, and entertain the crowd.” In that sense, WWE Crush Hour succeeds by delivering a straightforward, adrenaline-fueled experience that needs little narrative scaffolding to keep you hooked.

Overall Experience

At its best, WWE Crush Hour captures the same electrifying energy that makes WWE events must-see TV, transposing it into a combustible blend of vehicular warfare. The moment you launch your first rocket or nail a perfectly timed rear-end smash, the game’s appeal becomes immediately clear. Controls are tight enough to master drift turns and barrel rolls, while the weapon loadouts encourage experimentation. You’ll find yourself returning to try new buildouts—heavy armor with high-caliber cannons or speed-focused buggies with quick-fire shotguns.

Replay value is bolstered by the unlockable content—new vehicles, alternative color schemes, and upgraded weapons open up fresh tactical possibilities. The variety of modes, from capture-the-belt to timed eliminations, ensures that your local multiplayer nights stay exciting. Even when the novelty of the basic modes begins to fade, chasing leaderboard positions or perfecting a personal best time can keep you invested.

While it may not satisfy those looking for a deep narrative or a pure wrestling simulator, WWE Crush Hour delivers a unique mash-up of WWE spectacle and vehicular combat. Its high-impact action, generous roster of WWE stars, and accessible multiplayer modes create an engaging party-game atmosphere. If you’re a wrestling fan who’s ever imagined The Rock trading suplexes for suped-up demolitions—or a vehicular combat enthusiast seeking recognizable faces—this title is well worth your time.

Retro Replay Score

5.8/10