WWE All Stars (Xbox 360, 2011)

"Macho Man" Randy Savage and the WWE Universe (mainly Vincent K. McMahon) were on bad terms up until recently, but the two sides made amends somewhat, to the point that Savage's legacy could be honored in video game form right before he passed away tragically last month in a Tampa suburb last month. To many fans, this could be the #1 reason to purchase this game.

In what is said to somewhat be a continuation of WWF No Mercy (2000), WWE All Stars actually feels like an amalgamation of several wrestling games. Some of us were lucky enough to grow up in the 80's and early 90's and play the old WWF arcade games.

WWE All Stars also feels like Wrestlemania Challenge released on the NES in the early 1990's. Over half of that roster is represented in WWE All Stars, but guys like Rick Rude and Brutus Beefcake are disappointingly conspicuous by their omission from this game.

Legends of Wrestlemania shares many of the same Legends roster as All Stars, but this time, the physiques are even more exaggerated, and the moves are highly exaggerated. There is no roster import feature with SVR 11, but there are several current WWE superstars on the All Stars roster. In order that consumers buy the upcoming WWE '12 game, stars like Alberto Del Rio and Daniel Bryan were omitted from All Stars. Strangely, Christian (who recently won the World Heavyweight Title), R-Truth (who might be in a DLC package or free download), and Dolph Ziggler are absent from this roster.

One of the developers of Midway's WWF Wrestlemania: The Arcade Game worked on All Stars as well, and All Stars is much more enjoyable and a touch more realistic. Regardless, the action is zany and unpredictable.

Similarities to TNA iMPACT are noticeable as well; the collision system, reversals, abbreviated ring introductions, and other aspects are eerily reminiscent of the only TNA game to date.

The unrealistic movesets were reminiscent of the Legends of Wrestling series, but the gameplay is much better than the LOW series.

Regardless, my theory that whenever a company makes the first video game "of its kind", that company always makes sure that they can make the second one better, in order that people buy it. For example, Acclaim's WWF War Zone preceded WWF Attitude, and Attitude was much more inclusive. WCW/nWo vs. The World was excellent, but WCW/nWo Revenge was even better. In THQ's next installment, it's safe to say that the roster will be expanded, there will be more than 6 arenas to choose from, and there will be more than 15 create-a-wrestler slots. Besides, WWE All Stars does not allow for custom entrance songs from a user playlist, but the SVR series and Legends of Wrestlemania allow you to do so.

For lifelong wrestling fans, this game is a "must-have", since it features Randy Savage in a WWF/E ring for the first time since 1993, and it features a great mode where stars of today face legends, with video montages as previews. If you're a wishy-washy fan, I would recommend waiting for the next installment.

Either way, arcade style wrestling is back!

I am a huge fan of the WWE, and this game really made me happy to play. I grew up watching the good old days with legends like Macho Man Randy Savage, Hulk Hogan, The Rock, Stone Cold Steve Austin, and Andre the Giant, the best generation in wrestling history. It felt like I was going back in time watching the Fantasy Warfare video clips, seeing footage of classic legends compared to their opposite current "Superstars." It's really fun to pit a Legend against a Superstar and see who will win. Some things I noticed in this game were that it's extremely hard to counter attacks, and CPU's are quite the challenge. Online play is fun, but some people out there can kick anyone's ass. Overall, I am proud that I bought this game and I highly recommend it to WWE fans of the past and present. I mean, who doesn't want to see Andre the Giant fight Big Show, or Ultimate Warrior vs Sheamus, or even Jake "The Snake" Roberts take on Randy Orton? Great game.

Finally a fun wrestling game that you don't need a book in front of you in order to figure out how to play. It is over the top and with flaws but it is easy to learn and fun for everyone. Other games have got more complex over the years. I don't need tons of story and have unrealistic skills to be competitive. Fun is in gaming. Games are becoming to difficult to pick up and play. I am tired of looking up tips just to complete a game. This game isn't deep but had more fun with it than most games I have bought in a year.

I bought this game so that my friends and i can have crazy fatal 4 way matches with our favorite superstars. The game is easy to pick up but for the hard core gamers this is a very detailed combo based game. If you are looking to have a great time then this is the game for you and your friends.

Sure the game is pretty over the top and the characters look like Roided up action figures. But thats what allows you to bring in the charm!

At the start the game doesnt take its self too seriously. Its made for the fans and its made for fun.

-Good-

-Fun gameplay
-Great controls
-Epic Wrestlers and awesome dream matches
-Easy learning curve
-ONline play

-Bad-

-Reversals can be tricky sometimes
-Custom Characters don't always look as good as the greats

-Verdict-

Amazing game. Just pure fun. If it looks interesting to you, then you wont be sorry. :D