Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

WWF Smackdown! offers an engaging core experience that captures the excitement of professional wrestling. With a roster of up to 36 licensed WWF superstars, players can dive straight into one-on-one showdowns, tag-team bouts, or high-stakes championship matches. The range of match types—including standard bouts, hardcore clashes, and backstage brawls—ensures every play session feels fresh and unpredictable. Quick inputs for grapples, strikes, and finishers are easy to learn but challenging to master, striking a satisfying balance between accessibility and depth.

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One of the standout features is the Create-A-Wrestler mode, which lets you craft your own in-ring persona from the ground up. From selecting unique entrances and taunts to fine-tuning move sets and special abilities, you can build a competitor that feels truly your own. This personalization extends beyond mere aesthetics: your custom wrestler’s stats and signature moves directly affect match dynamics, rewarding players who experiment with different styles.

The AI opponents are smart enough to keep you on your toes without feeling unfair. They adapt to your tactics, countering repetitive strategies and forcing you to mix up your offense and defense. Multiplayer options allow for split-screen action, whether you want a friendly match with a roommate or a more competitive showdown. With such a versatile suite of match types and customization tools, WWF Smackdown! offers hours of replay value for both solo and group play.

Graphics

For its era, WWF Smackdown! delivers impressive visuals that bring the larger-than-life characters of the WWF to life. Wrestler models are detailed with signature attire, facial expressions, and body types that closely resemble their real-world counterparts. Animations for grappling, running off the ropes, and executing finishers feel fluid and weighty, giving each slam and suplex real impact.

The arenas are equally well-realized, complete with authentic ring designs, crowd animations, and entrance ramp lighting. Each venue—from the sold-out main arena to the dank corridors of backstage areas—contributes to an immersive presentation. Subtle touches such as commentator bite-lines popping up on screen and dynamic camera angles during finishers help heighten the drama and recreate the atmosphere of a live WWF broadcast.

While the game’s graphical fidelity may seem dated by today’s standards, it still holds charm thanks to its clear character silhouettes and vibrant color palettes. Textures are sharp enough to read sponsor logos on turnbuckle pads and identify individual wrestlers from across the ring. Whether you’re playing on an old-school CRT or through emulation, the visuals remain crisp, ensuring you never lose sight of the action.

Story

WWF Smackdown! does not follow a traditional narrative campaign, but it weaves in story-like elements through its Show mode. Players can embark on a series of matches tied together by rivalries, title pursuits, and backstage encounters. This loose structure gives a sense of progression as you climb the ranks, challenge champions, and build heat with your opponents. Unlockable cutscenes and rival promos further flesh out your wrestler’s journey.

The real storytelling emerges from the player’s own choices and the dynamic rivalries that develop in multiplayer sessions. Unscripted moments—like turning on your partner mid-tag or staging a surprise backstage attack—become your personal wrestling saga. Create-A-Wrestler also fuels narrative creativity by letting you script custom entrance lines and victory poses, adding an extra layer of drama whenever you step into the ring.

Although there’s no linear plot tying together every match, the game’s structure mimics the episodic feel of a weekly WWF show. Feuds can carry over between matches, and championship victories often require overcoming multiple challengers in succession. For fans of wrestling’s theatrical flair, this approach allows you to craft your own epic storylines match by match, without being confined to a rigid storyline.

Overall Experience

WWF Smackdown! remains a classic wrestling title that captures the essence of late-’90s WWF action. Its diverse match types, deep customization options, and multiplayer support make it an accessible yet strategically satisfying experience for casual and hardcore fans alike. The game strikes a fine balance between arcade-style fun and simulation elements, ensuring that no two matches play out exactly the same way.

The longevity of Smackdown! is bolstered by its Create-A-Wrestler mode and the thrill of unlocking new arenas, belts, and hidden characters. Community tournaments and home match nights have kept this title alive for decades, proving that good wrestling gameplay stands the test of time. Whether you’re reliving nostalgic rivalries or creating new legends, the possibilities feel endless.

For anyone on the fence about diving into the world of digital wrestling, WWF Smackdown! offers a polished, content-rich package that still packs a punch. Its mixture of fast-paced action, strategic depth, and creative freedom ensures that it’s more than just a relic—it’s a benchmark for what wrestling games can achieve. Get ready to step into the ring, unleash your finisher, and hear the roar of the crowd: this is pure, unfiltered WWF excitement.

Retro Replay Score

7.7/10