Post by Shadow Master on Mar 27, 2024 15:45:33 GMT
Monster Pro-Wrestling - Manual
Known in Japan as 'モンスタープロレス'
Developer: Ask Kodansha
Platform: PC Engine
Year: 1991
Pages: 13
In my quest to provide our community with as much obscure Wrestling content as possible, here's the complete manual for Japanese-exclusive
Monster Pro-Wrestling.
Released in 1991, Monster Pro-Wrestling was Japanese game developer ASK Kodansha's attempt at crafting a Pro-Wrestling title on the PC Engine.
Veering from other Japanese Wrestling titles at the time, the cast of Monster Pro-Wrestling are based on famous movie and mythological creatures.
Yet, underneath their garish appearances, many of the characters found within Monster Pro-Wrestling were also inspired by several real-life Wrestlers
, too.
Gameplay-wise, Monster Pro-Wrestling's turn-based style is reminiscent of WWF's Microleague Wrestling and Maniac Pro-Wrestling; another title that
Monster Pro-Wrestling.
Released in 1991, Monster Pro-Wrestling was Japanese game developer ASK Kodansha's attempt at crafting a Pro-Wrestling title on the PC Engine.
Veering from other Japanese Wrestling titles at the time, the cast of Monster Pro-Wrestling are based on famous movie and mythological creatures.
Yet, underneath their garish appearances, many of the characters found within Monster Pro-Wrestling were also inspired by several real-life Wrestlers
, too.
Gameplay-wise, Monster Pro-Wrestling's turn-based style is reminiscent of WWF's Microleague Wrestling and Maniac Pro-Wrestling; another title that
was released on the PC Engine.
Front and back cover of the game manual. The font itself used for the game's title reminds me of the classic Touhou Godzilla/Kaiju films of the 60's - 70's.
Pages 0 - 1: Handling instructions for the HU-Card cartridge, story and table of contents.
Pages 2 - 3: Controller input, starting the game & introductory gameplay (acquiring Power Points).
Pages 4 - 5: reading the battle menu screen, power gauge meter, and fighting points.
Page 6: gameplay tips continuing with mentions of skillpoints, powering up a character, etc.
Page 7: 'Monster Wrestling Legend'. A section dedicated to Monster Pro-Wrestling's player selection. The first four Wrestlers can be selected by the player.
The monsters are:
Killer Amazon - A character I feel is based on Amazon from Nintendo's 1986 title Pro-Wrestling (who in turn was based on Piranha Man from the Tiger Mask manga/anime).
Poison Man - A mushroom-headed monster that uses a toxic spore technique. Could be based on The Great Kabuki's usage of Poison Mist.
Macho Bull - This tattooed humanoid specimen bares a vague resemblance to that of Dory Funk Jr. skillset and appearance wise, in my opinion.
The Ninja - This masked warrior uses a moonsault as a finisher. Clearly based on The Great Muta.
Pages 8 - 9: character selection continued. This time, featuring Wrestlers only encountered in the game's story mode ...all of which can be unlocked
by holding RUN + Button I at the start menu.
Flyboy - If I were to guess, the next Wrestler 'Flyboy' is based on 1986 horror classic 'The Fly'.
Flyboy's finisher is the Backdrop. Flyboy also has a Brainbuster and Full Nelson at his disposal. I'm going to go with Jumbo Tsuruta;
as Tsuruta's finisher was a Bridging Backdrop, as well as Tsuruta being known as one of the most technical Wrestlers in Japan.
Deathbison - With a Lariat as a finisher, I believe Bison is based on Stan 'The Lariat' Hansen. Funny enough, in the unrelated Fire Pro
-Wrestling series, Stan Hansen's Fire Pro rename is 'Star Bison'.
Power Hibagon - Yeti creature Power Hibagon utilizes a Powerbomb as a finisher.
One of Power's signature attacks includes a Snow Press. At the time Genichiro Tenryu, Big Van Vader and Terry Gordy were known for
using Powerbombs. Though, Power looks the closest to Vader appearance-wise.
Gaiarock - Gaia's name literally translates to 'Earth Rock'. This golem-like mountain of a monster uses a Headbutt as a finisher.
I'm going to guess that Andre The Giant could have been an inspiration.
Guillotine Kid - is a Prey Mantis on steroids.
Guillotine's finisher is the Guillotine Drop - which is better known as the Leg Drop in the West. Since Guillotine is right next to Death Bison,
I'm going to go out on a limb here and say Guillotine could be based on Bruiser Brody.
Besides using a Diving Knee Drop as a finisher, Brody also incorporated a running Leg Drop of his own similar to Hulk Hogan's.
Chameleon Man - is a Reptilean nightmare that uses a Cobra Twist as a finisher.
This is a tough one; as the Cobra Twist is better known as the Cobra Clutch outside of Japan. Japanese legend Hiro Matsuda
popularized the move; with Wrestlers like Jumbo Tsuruta and Sgt. Slaughter adopting it later on.
Though, I'm drawing a blank here.
Dokromidro - is a zombie. The name Romidro sounds close to George Romero; a master filmmaker known for popularizing the zombie genre.
Doc's finisher is the Stomach Claw. Fritz Von Erich was known for using the Iron Claw, and Stomach Claw as well. Though, since the roster
tends to lean towards Japanese Wrestlers, Giant Baba was a long-time rival of Fritz's; to the point of adopting (as well as receiving) the
Stomach Claw himself.
El Dread - is based on the Karura (Garuda), a Japanese bird deity worshipped in Buddhist and Hindu religions.
El Dread's finisher is the Enzuigiri; a move innovated by Antonio Inoki. Who better to be a hidden boss than the most popular
Wrestler in Japan?
For whatever reason, the guide doesn't mention the characters Hellhound, Great Dead or Cyclops.
For whatever reason, the guide doesn't mention the characters Hellhound, Great Dead or Cyclops.
Pages 10 - 11 explain various attack cutscenes such as hits/strike attacks, submission holds, power and magic techniques.
I believe 'magic' techniques are supposed to be a monster's special abilities; such as Poison Man's Toxic Spore.
Pages 12 to 13 round out the manual with 2 player mode instructions and understanding the continue feature (save, load and password).
Closing thoughts:
The wacky character designs and over-the-top visuals of dismembering opponents (which predated Mortal Kombat, mind you), are a worth the price of admission alone.
Though, Monster's Turn-Based Wrestling system offers little in the way of strategy. Getting the upper hand over stronger computer opponent always feel like a roll of the
dice. More so, even losing matches awards players power points to make their monsters stronger; eventually leading the player to victory sooner or later.
With it's wall of Japanese text, Monster Pro-Wrestling was never released outside of Japan. While a few titles beyond of the realms of RPG used turn-based mechanics
in their gameplay, the majority of Wrestling titles continued to utilize good old fashioned arcade-style button mashing in their releases; leaving Monster Pro-Wrestling
to fall by the wayside.
Graphically, Monster Pro-Wrestling certainly looked leaps and bounds better than the Fire Pro-Wrestling series on PC Engine hardware. However, Monster's limited variety
of gameplay (and lack of a two player mode) variety failed to keep gamer's attention.
Graphically, Monster Pro-Wrestling certainly looked leaps and bounds better than the Fire Pro-Wrestling series on PC Engine hardware. However, Monster's limited variety
of gameplay (and lack of a two player mode) variety failed to keep gamer's attention.