Nintendo NES Tag Team Wrestling is a professional wrestling video game developed by ACI Studios and published by THQ. The game was released in North America in June 1992 for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) console. The game is based on the World Championship Wrestling (WCW) promotion, which was one of the major professional wrestling promotions at the time.
The gameplay in Nintendo NES Tag Team Wrestling is a side-scrolling beat-em-up style fighter, similar to other games released during that era such as Double Dragon and River City Ransom. Players control their chosen wrestler from either WCW or World Class Championship Wrestling (WCCW), competing against opponents in a series of one-on-one matches.
The game features six playable wrestlers: Ric Flair, Sting, Lex Luger, Barry Windham, Nikita Koloff, and Terry Funk. Each wrestler has unique abilities and special moves that can be used during the match. The objective is to knock out your opponent by using a combination of punches, kicks, and special moves.
One of the notable features of Nintendo NES Tag Team Wrestling is its storyline mode. Players are presented with a series of story-driven scenarios where they must choose their response to certain events or decisions, which affect the outcome of the match. The game's storyline is loosely based on the real-life feuds between the wrestlers and the major storylines of WCW at the time.
Nintendo NES Tag Team Wrestling was released in several countries, including North America, Europe, and Australia. The game received generally positive reviews upon its release, with praise for its colorful graphics, fast-paced gameplay, and variety of playable characters.
However, some critics noted that the game's difficulty level could be frustratingly high, particularly for players who were new to beat-em-up games or wrestling simulations. Others praised the game's storyline mode, which added a layer of depth to the gameplay.
The game's age rating has been reevaluated over time due to its availability on various digital platforms and online services. In 2015, Nintendo released an enhanced port of the game as part of their Virtual Console service for the Wii U and New Nintendo 3DS consoles. The Virtual Console version of the game was rated "M" by the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) in North America, indicating that it contains mature themes, violence, and mild language.
In recent years, the game has become a cult classic among retro gaming enthusiasts and wrestling fans. The game's unique blend of beat-em-up gameplay and professional wrestling simulation has made it a standout title among NES games.
Age Rating:
- ESRB: M (Mature) - This rating indicates that the game contains mature themes, violence, and mild language.
- PEGI: 16+ - This rating is equivalent to the ESRB "M" rating and indicates that the game may contain violence, strong language, and some suggestive content.
- USK: 18+ - This rating is used in Germany and other European countries and indicates that the game contains mature themes, violence, and strong language.
Digital Availability:
- Nintendo Virtual Console (Wii U, New Nintendo 3DS): Rated M by ESRB
- Nintendo eShop (NES Classic Edition): No age rating available due to regional restrictions
- Online gaming platforms such as GOG.com and Steam: Not rated, but may be restricted due to content warnings
Overall, Nintendo NES Tag Team Wrestling is a classic professional wrestling video game that offers a unique blend of beat-em-up gameplay and simulation elements. While the game's difficulty level and storyline mode may have been frustrating for some players at the time of its release, it has become a cult classic among retro gaming enthusiasts and wrestling fans in recent years.
The game's availability on various digital platforms and online services has led to concerns about its age rating and suitability for younger players. The ESRB rating of "M" indicates that the game contains mature themes, violence, and mild language, which may not be suitable for all ages.
In conclusion, Nintendo NES Tag Team Wrestling is a classic professional wrestling video game that offers a unique blend of beat-em-up gameplay and simulation elements. While its age rating has been reevaluated over time due to its availability on digital platforms and online services, it remains a cult classic among retro gaming enthusiasts and wrestling fans.