WWF Raw (1994 video game)

Gameplay

In Brawl mode, victory is achieved by draining the opponent's energy bar to zero, with no referees or counts. When the One Fall option is enabled, chokes and eye gouges are prohibited unless the referee is knocked down, which allows those attacks until the referee recovers. The match cannot end until the referee can count pin attempts or ring outs. If the referee is knocked down too many times, he leaves the ring and the match continues under Brawl rules. Applying certain holds to an opponent with no stamina causes them to give up, except in Royal Rumble matches.

A One-on-One singles match pits two wrestlers against each other, with One Fall, Brawl, and Tournament variations. One Fall matches include a referee and end by a three-count pinfall or a ten-count ring-out. Brawl matches have no referee, allowing unlimited time outside the ring and illegal moves; the first wrestler whose stamina is fully drained loses. In Tournament mode, a player must win a series of One Fall matches to earn the championship belt.

Tag Team matches consist of two teams of two wrestlers. A tired wrestler can tag in a partner, and a wrestler on the apron can grab an opponent near the ropes. One Fall, Brawl, and Tournament configurations are available. In standard tag team matches, an illegal wrestler in the ring for a full ten-count causes disqualification. Tag team Tournament mode requires one or two cooperative players to select two wrestlers and defeat the remaining roster in One Fall tag team matches for the tag team championship.

Version differences

The 32X version includes Kwang as a hidden wrestler, who uses Diesel's finisher, Bam Bam Bigelow's finisher, and Doink's mega move. This version adds extra moves and outside weapons, and alternates between commentators Vince McMahon/Jerry "The King" Lawler and Gorilla Monsoon/Stephanie Wiand, as well as alternating referees. Handheld ports have fewer wrestlers, omit Bedlam, Royal Rumble, and Raw Endurance match types, and wrestlers share the same move set except for signature moves with no mega moves; these versions run much slower. The Game Gear port exclusively features "Macho Man" Randy Savage and Crush.

Reception

Famitsu scored the Mega Drive version 19 out of 40. GamePro's Quick-Draw McGraw gave it a positive review, praising the selection of fighters, variety of moves, lack of slowdown, sound effects, and skill settings, but criticized that all wrestlers are rendered at the same height despite real-life differences. Next Generation gave the SNES version three stars out of five, noting that many aspects of pro wrestling remain unaddressed by WWF games. Quick-Draw McGraw of GamePro was more laudatory toward the SNES version, stating controls are more precise and graphics more detailed than the Genesis/Mega Drive version. GamePro's Air Hendrix dismissed the 32X version as identical to the Genesis version aside from minor graphical improvements. Electronic Gaming Monthly scored the 32X version 5.75 out of 10, criticizing poor control and overly difficult opponent AI. Next Generation rated the 32X version two stars out of five.