WWE Wrestlemania XIX - GameCube

WWF, WWE, WCW, NWO, UFC - what does that say to you about wrestling games? 'There are too many of them?' That's one way of looking at it; how about 'people like them, let's make some more'. Hence, yet another wrestling game - WWE Wrestlemania XIX - offering you once again the chance to recreate all your favourite bouts of fake violence with a host of popular real life characters.

There are more than 40 WWE superstars starring in this latest title, with a 2003 roster that features the likes of Rey Mystero, Stone Cold Steve Austin, Hulk Hogan, and the Rock. Completely new character modelling brings them to life, resulting in much higher detailed wrestlers and even blood. As well as these real world stars, you can also create your own wrestler, choosing between a variety of settings that includes appearance, costume and moves.

Probably the most significant of new features in XIX is its new Story Mode, in which players embark on a quest to restore their favourite WWE superstar's status. This is achieved by undertaking 30 unique missions, across five different environments, each complete with narrative and cut-scenes. An assortment of other new game modes fill out the rest of the gameplay options, including Sweet Revenge, Challenge, ShopZone, and a brand new tutorial mode.

At the heart of the action lies what's known as an Enhanced Grappling Based Engine, which features strong and weak grapples, as well as offensive moves from various positions and grapples with extensive counters and reversals. Another new combat feature is Location Specific Damage, which means that players can now wear down their opponents by taking advantage of each Superstar's unique abilities and attributes.

As you may expect, Wrestlemania XIX brings the usual mix of tried-and-tested formula and enticing new features, to deliver a well rounded wrestling game with enough reasons to ditch your present game of choice and consider a new purchase.
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