WWF No Mercy (video game)
The last AKI wrestling game for Nintendo 64.
WWF No Mercy is a professional wrestling video game released in 2000 by THQ for the Nintendo 64, based on the World Wrestling Federation and named after its annual event. Developed by Asmik Ace Entertainment and AKI Corporation, it is the final Nintendo 64 wrestling game from those companies. The title became one of the best-selling games for the console and is widely regarded as one of the finest wrestling games ever made.
Quick Facts
- Developer
- Asmik Ace Entertainment; AKI Corporation
- Publisher
- THQ
- Director
- Hideyuki Iwashita
- Designer
- Kenji Kimura
- Programmer
- Kudou Masaaki
- Composer
- Kouji Niikura
- Released
- November 14, 2000 (NA); December 15, 2000 (EU)
- Genre
- Fighting; Sports
Facts from the source article.
Gameplay
The game retains the mechanics of its predecessors, where players strike or grapple using button presses combined with directional inputs to perform different moves. The momentum system returns, with an Attitude meter that fills as players attack opponents; a full meter allows execution of a finishing maneuver, and higher momentum improves pinfall and submission success. The new Smackdown Mall lets players spend in-game currency earned through gameplay to unlock additional characters, arenas, moves, and costumes for the create-a-wrestler mode. Currency can be earned in Championship Mode, which offers seven story paths corresponding to each WWF championship, with branching storylines affected by player decisions and match outcomes. Survival mode also provides currency, challenging players to defeat as many opponents as possible without losing. Exhibition modes include various match types, including the newly added ladder match, and up to four players can compete simultaneously. New arenas and backstage areas allow brawling with weapons and environmental objects, marking the first and only AKI series game to feature backstage fighting. The create-a-wrestler mode is more extensive than before, with more moves, customizable body attributes, the ability to create female wrestlers, and options for ring attire, entrances, allies, rivals, and other attributes. Up to 18 original wrestlers can be saved, and players can also edit the existing in-game roster.
Development
The game was announced in early 2000, with a playable demo shown at that year's E3 event featuring wrestlers and the SmackDown! arena. A companion Game Boy Color title was announced, intended to let players use the Transfer Pak to import points earned in the handheld game for spending in the Nintendo 64 version's SmackDown Mall, and to include a special Championship Mode storyline path. This handheld game was cancelled, and the Transfer Pak features were dropped. After release, an issue with initial cartridges caused save data to be erased unpredictably. THQ initially recommended resetting the cartridge to factory defaults, then instituted a recall program allowing affected players to exchange their copy for a fixed one. Fixed copies, available only through the exchange program, are rare and often sell for hundreds of dollars. The second European version also removed visible blood.
Reception
Critics praised the gameplay and simple controls. GameSpot highlighted the wide variety of moves and finishing maneuvers, noting the ease of execution. GamePro described learning the controls as simple, and IGN called them easy to use. NextGen's Greg Orlando called it a 3D wrasslefest that eschews mercy as much as it embraces excellence. The improvements over WrestleMania 2000 were well received, with GamePro and GameRevolution calling No Mercy a revamp and upgrade. GameSpot and X-Play cited the Smackdown Mall and expanded character creation as highlights. Electronic Gaming Monthly noted that while WrestleMania 2000 was not much of an improvement over WCW/nWo Revenge, No Mercy looks and plays like a proper follow-up. Championship Mode was praised for its branching paths, with IGN's Blake Norton writing that it would keep players coming back for weeks. However, the mode was criticized for its writing; GameRevolution commented it was not even close to being as good as WWF writing, and EGM mentioned story lines could be deeper.
Legacy
WWF No Mercy was the final wrestling title from Asmik Ace and AKI on the Nintendo 64. Fans consider EA’s Def Jam Vendetta and Def Jam: Fight for NY, also AKI-developed, as spiritual successors. The game is often called one of the greatest wrestling games ever and the benchmark for later titles. IGN’s Rus Mclaughlin noted that it helped AKI cement their position as the new standard for wrestling games. In 2016, Jeremy Peeples of Hardcore Gamer said the game’s variety of moves still holds up and sometimes exceeds modern entries like WWE 2K16. IGN’s Mark Bozon stated that the No Mercy era gave many players their first truly deep wrestling experience and that no better American wrestling game exists, as it remains the most balanced and realistic fighter in the industry. Despite its age and newer releases, No Mercy keeps a strong cult following. Fans have created modifications adding new arenas, wrestlers, and promotions, and it is widely used on emulators. In 2020, director Hideyuki Iwashita (credited as “Geta”) became a consultant for AEW Fight Forever, a Yuke’s game released in 2023 by THQ Nordic that drew heavy inspiration from No Mercy. Later in 2023, WWE’s NXT brand held a premium live event called NXT No Mercy, and the cold open released the day before paid tribute to the video game.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who designed WWF No Mercy (video game)?
WWF No Mercy was designed by Kenji Kimura.
Who composed the music for WWF No Mercy (video game)?
The music for WWF No Mercy was composed by Kouji Niikura.
Is WWF No Mercy (video game) single-player or multiplayer?
WWF No Mercy offers single player and multiplayer play.
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