Post by Shadow Master on Nov 4, 2024 7:36:29 GMT
Excellent finds, melonbread! Judging from your last bit of writing, you've given me much to speculate on.
While it wasn't the first Wrestling video game ever released, Big Time Pro-Wrestling is often regarded as the first; as the title saw a major release in
arcades, and later home consoles three years later.
Apparently, both New Japan Pro-Wrestling and All Japan Pro-Wrestling supported Big Time Pro-Wrestling to some degree. It would be another decade
before either promotion would release their own official video games on the Super Famicom.
It's hard to speculate why New Japan or All Japan didn't jump on official licenses sooner. Arcade titles were a viable success overseas as well. Space Invaders
for example, even had it's own unfounded urban legend stating that the success of Invaders in Japan was largely responsible for the 100 yen shortage of
the late 1970's.
So, there was success for arcade titles in Japan. It's just the biggest promotions in the country were more interested in releasing board games and menko
cards in the early 80's.
On the subject of licensed Japanese Wrestling games, Dump Matsumoto was the first officially-endorsed title. Though, the story of Field Pro-Wrestling brings
to mind the inception of Konami's The Main Event; which attempted to procure a licensing deal with the WWF, yet was ultimately declined. Unaffected by WWF's
refusal, Konami decided to go ahead and release The Main Event anyway. Just this time with a roster of Wrestlers all under renamed aliases.
cards in the early 80's.
On the subject of licensed Japanese Wrestling games, Dump Matsumoto was the first officially-endorsed title. Though, the story of Field Pro-Wrestling brings
to mind the inception of Konami's The Main Event; which attempted to procure a licensing deal with the WWF, yet was ultimately declined. Unaffected by WWF's
refusal, Konami decided to go ahead and release The Main Event anyway. Just this time with a roster of Wrestlers all under renamed aliases.
