WWE Aftershock
A wrestling game released exclusively on the N-Gage in 2005.
WWE Aftershock, a wrestling title for the N-Gage, hit the market in 2005 as a console exclusive. Development began after an August 2004 announcement from Nokia, THQ, and WWE, though the launch date slipped from late 2004 to February 2005 before settling on March 21.
Players can choose from four main match types, plus Survival mode (facing multiple opponents at once), King of the Ring (a ladder-based tournament), and Tag Team matches. The roster features 12 WWE superstars, including John Cena, with two unlockable wrestlers: one earned by winning the King of the Ring, and another by participating in two-player contests. Bluetooth and the N-Gage Arena enable head-to-head play, though the AI controls two wrestlers in multiplayer King of the Ring. Combat includes strikes, grapples, and Irish whips, with submission holds possible after a takedown. Each character has four front and ground grapples, plus a signature move or hold, and every button maps to a single action. The action unfolds in a 3D arena, and wrestlers enter with their theme music.
Critical reception was mixed, as reflected by Metacritic’s “mixed or average” rating. GameSpot gave it a 5.3 out of 10, noting that being the only wrestling game on the N-Gage didn’t automatically make it a worthwhile purchase.
- Field
- Professional wrestling video game
- Platform
- N-Gage
- Release date
- March 21, 2005
- Publisher
- Nokia (in collaboration with THQ and WWE)
- Genre
- Fighting, wrestling
Lore & Background
WWE Aftershock was announced in August 2004 as a collaboration between Nokia, THQ, and WWE. Originally scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2004, the release was pushed to February 2005 and then to March 21, 2005. The game features four main match types and match options including Survival, King of the Ring, and Tag Team. It includes 12 WWE superstars, such as John Cena, with two wrestlers unlockable: one by winning the King of the Ring, and another by playing in two-player contests. The AI controls two wrestlers in multiplayer King of the Ring. Attacks include hits, grapples, and Irish whips, with submission holds available after a takedown. Each character has four front grapples and ground grapples, plus a signature move or hold. Every button is assigned one action, and wrestlers grapple in a 3D arena with entrance music.
Reader's Guide
WWE Aftershock is notable as the only wrestling game available on the N-Gage platform. Its significance lies in being a mobile wrestling title during a time when handheld gaming was expanding. The game received mixed or average reviews according to Metacritic, with GameSpot rating it 5.3 out of 10, noting that its exclusivity on the N-Gage did not automatically make it a good value. The game's legacy is tied to the N-Gage's niche market and the attempt to bring console-style wrestling to a portable device. It offered two-player contests through Bluetooth and the N-Gage Arena, a feature ahead of its time for mobile gaming. However, its limited roster of 12 superstars and mixed reception meant it did not achieve widespread acclaim. It remains a curiosity for collectors of wrestling and N-Gage games.
Did You Know?
- WWE Aftershock was released exclusively on the N-Gage in 2005.
- The game was announced by Nokia in collaboration with THQ and WWE in August 2004.
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