PixlBit

Nice. My friends Austin and Brayden actually went to the most recent Wrestlemania, and my friend Wes is a big fan ... where as I haven't really paid attention since Smackdown! was on network TV in the heyday of The Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin (whose podcast I definitely need to check out now; sounds hilarious).

I was about to say the Breaking Benjamin in the background was distracting until I realized I was doing one of my random screenings of KSAU. Oops. lol 

I do like a few rasslin' games though, so I'll be sure to come back after my run and some family time (I left off at about 6:40). In the meantime, both my friend Austin and I are baffled by why this borderline unplayable GBA game he owns got such great reviews. It's called Fire Pro Wrestling and even on easy, it's just atrocious in my opinon and his. Neither of us can get anywhere, cause the wrestlers get tired and then there's just nothing you can do to come back in the exhibition matches we've played. Maybe it got good reviews cause the graphics are good for the handheld? Music is decent, too. The gameplay, though? 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDopuddh3Gg 

So, I can't speak much for the GBA version, but Fire Pro Wrestling is one of the most well-respected video game wrestling series in Japan. It's a true sim that gives a level of customization that even modern wrestling games can't top. The reason your guys get tired is because you aren't breathing. That's right...it's a wrestling game where stamina and momentum are actually vital parts of the gameplay.

We sold quite a few import copies of the game for PSX and Dreamcast at my store. I was blown away by the create a wrestler and referee (?!!) options. I think those are probably the best versions of the game. I know it continued into more modern consoles and a PS2 version came out here, but the best ones stayed in Japan.

I see. Maybe that's why, cause neither of us found the breathe button ... except there are only four or five buttons, and I recall using them all. I'll tell my friend that and see what happens. 

I think for my tastes I still won't like it though. Not a sim guy. 

Is that someone's microwave around the 1:19:30 mark?

I'm guessing that's Kane at the end talking about fire and such. Was Kane cooking something in someone's microwave. You guys may want to check on that, he sounds like a bit of a pyro. 

Happy Easter!

That was indeed Kane at the end. That's one of my favorite skits in wrestling. Having him recite his entire convoluted backstory is amazing and surreal.

And congratulations! You seem to be the only person that listened to the whole show! Big ups to you!

To be fair, I drifted in and out at times, cause I haven't paid attention to wrestling a lot lately, but it was definitely an interesting trip down memory lane and even got me watching a re-cap of Wrestlemania XXX. The Spoony One does not share your excitement, Julian. lol I watched the Undertaker/Lesnar match, and holy crap, everything looked SO MUCH BIGGER than when I used to watch. Cleaner too. Maybe that's just cause it was Wrestlemania though.

Ugg, I feel like a dick for my over-use of retarded. I need a better vocabulary xD

I can't believe that I made it through.  granted, I have nothing to add because I have no knowledge on the subject matter.

I know it was a niche episode. Hopefully you at least got a little bit of why we love wrestling so much, or are interested in giving one of the games a spin. I really do recommend WWE All Stars as a party game. Fun arcade style fighting.

Take this as you will, I found your episode to be more informative/interesting than the Retronauts episode on wrestling videogames.  Probably because you actually talked about wrestling and why you like it.  The fact that The Undertaker ended up ending his winning streak, so that he might be able to come back for REVENGE next year and then retire actually intrigues me.  I like the setup and would be curious to see if that is actually what happens.

I can't lie-- I had been avoiding this episode for weeks (obviously as I'm just now commenting).  However, I ended up enjoying this a lot more than expected.  I never really followed wrestling; I just knew about the super famous ones because they're impossible to ignore thanks to advertising and starring in movies and such.

But you guys actually made it interesting for someone like me who knows very little about the world of wrestling.  Good job guys.