Throwback Thursday: WrestleMania 2000

Today, I will be going in a different route in honor of "Throwback Thursday". While everyone puts "throwback" pictures on Instagram (some we don't need to see), I will go back down Memory Lane in terms of my favorite Video Games. For this installment of "Throwback Thursday", I will be spotlighting "WrestleMania 2000". During the Attitude Era, while WCW pushed the envelope on Nintendo 64 with "WCW/NWO World Tour" and "WCW/NWO Revenge", WWF raised the bar with "WrestleMania 2000". This was their first exclusive N64 game, with the same gameplay and graphics as their cross-promotion counterparts. This was also groundbreaking for the fact that, this was the very first WWF/E game under THQ. All around, this game was a major breakthrough for WWF, because it shattered the mold that they were stuck in for years with limited gigabyte games like RAW on Sega/SNES, the MK-like WrestleMania: Arcade, and of course WWF: Warzone along with WWF: Attitude. The controls were much more simple and easier to comprehend than on PS1. Gone were the days where you had to press multiple buttons at one time to do a finisher. If you didn't press them in the same sequence, you have to do it all over again. There were times where I would find myself looking back at someone's move list during the game just to remember the combination. Let me tell you, that it was frustrating. However, with WM 2000, you didn't have to use a strange combination of buttons at one time just to do a move. The grapples were much better, and during the match you could build up for the finisher. If you want to get there faster, just do more taunts. As a bonus, you could also STEAL your opponent's finisher. Competition forced WWF not only to raise their game in ratings, but also in games. What better time to innovate than during the highest point of creativity? (Attitude Era) Titantrons were also included, you could also edit wrestler attires, as well as a "Create A Wrestler" mode. This was a feature that separated them from WCW, because World Tour and Revenge did not have a feature where you could Create your very own Wrestler. You could also give your wrestler movesets and taunts, not only from WWF superstars, but stars from Revenge as well. The Royal Rumble and King of the Ring Tournament are both included as well. Another thing that set this game apart was the concept of defending titles in Exhibition Mode, something that had NEVER been done in WWF games before. In fact, wrestlers are expected to defend titles in Story Mode. The Roster was amazing as well, featuring the best of the best of that era, including their latest addition, Chris Jericho.

Overall, WrestleMania 2000 was a gamechanger (no pun intended), and a groundbreaker that was sorely needed. When they were called to change, they stepped up to the plate. This game will always be a CLASSIC, and that's the bottom line!