WWE WrestleMania X8 (video game)
A GameCube wrestling game named after WrestleMania X8.
Released on June 10, 2002, WWE WrestleMania X8 is a professional wrestling game for the GameCube. It was developed by Yuke's and published by THQ. The title references the WrestleMania X8 pay-per-view event from March 17, 2002, at Toronto's Skydome. Although the box says "WWE," the game's internal content still uses WWF logos and references. This is because the company changed from WWF to WWE on May 6, 2002, due to a trademark dispute with the World Wide Fund for Nature.
Quick Facts
- Developer
- Yuke's
- Publisher
- THQ (WW); Yuke's (JP)
- Director
- Hirofumi Morino
- Designer
- Takumi Kon, Shinya Masuda, Shunsuke Katsumata
- Artist
- Brian Wanamaker
- Composer
- Tomoyuki Hamada, Satoshi Miyashita, Akira Yasumichi, Tenyuu Nakamura
- Platforms
- GameCube
- Released
- June 10, 2002 (NA); September 6, 2002 (JP); September 27, 2002 (EU); October 9, 2002 (AU)
Facts from the source article.
Gameplay
WWE WrestleMania X8 uses a simple grappling system where each wrestler has five front grapples, five rear grapples, and miscellaneous grapples including an evade and grapple that allows a wrestler to dodge and then perform a hold or throw. Color-coded meters track the competitors, and a pin becomes possible when a player's meter is fully red and the opponent's is fully blue. Counter moves are central to gameplay, with different buttons countering different maneuvers and enabling responses such as strikes and grapples. The game includes a wide selection of signature moves and unique entrances for all wrestlers. Various weapons are available, and different grapples can be performed with them. Match types include Standard, Hardcore, Table, Ladder, TLC, Battle Royal, Steel Cage, Hell in a Cell, and Ironman. Participants can be set for singles, tag team, handicap, Triple Threat, Fatal Four-Way, Battle Royal, and Royal Rumble matches. In Hell in a Cell, wrestlers can use unique grapples on the cell walls, climb to the roof, and throw an opponent through the roof to the mat. The game marks the WWE video game debuts of Booker T, Rob Van Dam, The Hurricane, and Lance Storm, and is the first appearance of Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair in a WWF/WWE game since the 16-bit WWF Royal Rumble. It is the only appearance for Scott Hall as an active WWE wrestler under the nWo gimmick. The Undertaker's entrance theme is "Rollin'", though Fred Durst is not included, and some former WCW wrestlers and The Hardy Boyz lack their proper entrance music.
Development
WWE WrestleMania X8 marked Yuke's debut as the developer for a Nintendo console, taking over from AKI Corporation. To capture the feel of AKI's earlier wrestling games rather than their own SmackDown series, Yuke's brought in several former AKI staff. The game also used the GameCube's superior graphics compared to the Nintendo 64. After Stone Cold Steve Austin walked out following the game's release, The Rock replaced him on the cover for PAL and later NTSC versions. The marketing campaign cost $3 million.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who directed WWE WrestleMania X8 (video game)?
WWE WrestleMania X8 was directed by Hirofumi Morino.
Who designed WWE WrestleMania X8 (video game)?
WWE WrestleMania X8 was designed by Takumi Kon, Shinya Masuda and Shunsuke Katsumata.
Who composed the music for WWE WrestleMania X8 (video game)?
The music for WWE WrestleMania X8 was composed by Tomoyuki Hamada, Satoshi Miyashita, Akira Yasumichi and Tenyuu Nakamura.
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