Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Who Wants to Beat Up a Millionaire (WWTBUAM) presents a unique blend of trivia and brawler mechanics that keeps players engaged through a relentless back-and-forth of question rounds and beat-’em-up “punishment” matches. Each stage begins with a multiple-choice question very much in the spirit of classic game shows. Answer correctly, and you earn the right to step into the ring against one of five over-the-top millionaire contestants. Fail, and you’re left to watch your opponent gloat as their bank account—or rather, your potential take—remains untouched.

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Once the bell rings, WWTBUAM shifts gears into a simplistic but surprisingly satisfying fighting game. You have a basic moveset of punches, kicks, and a special “bank breaker” attack that’s charged by landing clean hits. The controls are accessible enough for newcomers—directional pad plus two attack buttons—yet offer depth through chaining light and heavy attacks into short combos. Timing and positioning matter, especially when facing later-level millionaires, who each boast unique counterattacks and taunts.

The “Lifeboats” system adds tension to the trivia portions, replacing traditional lifelines with humorous alternatives such as Calling Mom for Emotional Support or Throwing Money at the Stage. Using a Lifeboat gives you second chances on tough questions, but they’re in limited supply, forcing you to weigh risk versus reward carefully. This strategic layer keeps the trivia from feeling arbitrary and adds real stakes to each decision.

Progression is tied closely to both your fighting skill and trivia knowledge. As you defeat millionaires, new arenas unlock—ranging from a blindingly lit TV studio to a seedy back-alley fighting pit when the show goes “underground.” Additional “hidden” contestants and bonus question packs extend replayability, encouraging you to revisit earlier rounds with new challenges and high-score targets.

Graphics

Visually, WWTBUAM opts for a satirical, cartoonish style that complements its parody premise. Character models are intentionally exaggerated: the game’s host, Egregious Phillin, is a caricature of Regis Philbin blown up in all the worst ways—puffy cheeks, sweat-drenched collar, and a booming, nasal laugh that practically shakes the camera. The five millionaire opponents each sport flamboyant outfits and animations that underscore their greed and arrogance.

The arenas are rendered in bright, flashy colors that mimic the spectacle of real-life game shows but with a gritty, underground twist in later levels. Textures and lighting are serviceable if not groundbreaking, with occasional pop-in on crowd elements or background details. However, these minor shortcomings are overshadowed by the energy of the design choices: flashing neon, confetti cannons, and animated audience members who either cheer or heckle you based on your performance.

Special effects during fights—sparks on heavy hits, screen shakes for powerful combos, and onomatopoeic “BAM!” text overlays—evoke classic arcade brawlers. The camera angle stays close to the action, rarely drifting into cinematic swoops, which keeps the pace tight and the focus firmly on your next punch or dodge. Cutscenes feature stylized comic-book panels to recap trivia wins and set the stage for each fight, injecting charm into otherwise low-budget animations.

While hardcore fighting-game aficionados may find the visuals simplistic, the presentation suits WWTBUAM’s tongue-in-cheek tone perfectly. It feels less like a high-budget fighter and more like a late-night TV skit come to life—complete with blinking lights, cheesy transitions, and the occasional laugh track when you land a knockout blow.

Story

The narrative framework of WWTBUAM is deliberately thin, resting on the premise of a parody game show hosted by the obnoxious Egregious Phillin. There’s no elaborate plot to follow—each match is self-contained, bookended by Phillin’s biting quips and the occasional desperate plea from a millionaire begging for mercy. The lack of a deep storyline is a design choice that keeps you focused on gameplay and humor rather than emotional arcs or character development.

Despite its simplicity, the game injects personality through its five millionaire characters. From Lady Pennyfists, a former jewel mogul with custom gauntlets, to Doc Dough, a pharmaceutical baron sporting a syringe-themed fighting style, each opponent comes with a brief bio, unique dialogue, and introduction animations that reveal just enough to make them memorable. Defeating them unlocks little snippets of “behind-the-scenes” scandal photos or overheard phone recordings, fleshing out the world in small, amusing ways.

Between battles, Phillin delivers running commentary that borders on performance art—insulting contestants, poking fun at your failures, and occasionally breaking the fourth wall. While repetitive after a dozen or so matches, these moments capture the show’s shameless gimmickry and keep the mood light. There’s a playful mockery of wealth and celebrity culture at its core, and the writing leans hard into satire.

In short, Story is not WWTBUAM’s selling point. It exists to frame the fighting and trivia mechanics in a comedic context. If you’re looking for an epic tale or rich lore, you won’t find it here. But if you appreciate snarky hosts and one-off character encounters, the game delivers enough narrative flavor to keep you smiling between rounds.

Overall Experience

At its heart, Who Wants to Beat Up a Millionaire is an offbeat party game meant to be enjoyed in small doses with friends or solo marathon sessions. Its fast-paced trivia rounds followed by lighthearted brawls create a roller-coaster rhythm that seldom overstays its welcome. Matches last just long enough for tension to build before delivering an explosive knockout or a humiliating defeat—perfect for bite-sized play sessions.

The game’s humor is subjective: you’ll either find Egregious Phillin’s over-the-top antics side-splitting or grating after extended play. Lifeboats add a clever twist to typical quiz mechanics, while the fighting segments serve as an enjoyable palette cleanser. Occasionally, you may encounter balance quirks—some millionaire bosses spike in difficulty unexpectedly—but these moments can fuel friendly rivalries in multiplayer mode.

Replay value is boosted by unlockable arenas, bonus trivia packs, and hidden challenger modes that ramp up complexity. Leaderboards encourage you to polish both your trivia reflexes and your combo execution, chasing higher scores and faster completion times. On the downside, the absence of an online multiplayer component feels like a missed opportunity in an otherwise social-ready package.

Overall, WWTBUAM is a quirky, entertaining title that appeals to players who enjoy satire, casual fighting action, and game-show parodies. Its blend of bite-size trivia and light brawling might not satisfy hardcore fighters or trivia purists completely, but it carves out a niche as a fun, off-kilter experience. If you’re in the mood to lampoon celebrity wealth while tossing punches in a flashy arena, this game is tailor-made for you.

Retro Replay Score

4.4/10