Ultimate Muscle on Gamecube - Overhyped or Underrated?

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Ultimate Muscle - Legends vs New Generation was a wrestling game developed by AKI corporation and released on Nintendo Gamecube. Based on the Ultimate Muscle anime (which itself came from the Kinnikuman mange and anime), this Gamecube release featured a very unique play style where over-the-top whacky wrestling moves take center-stage in lieu of traditional holds, grapples and submissions.
Ultimate Muscle - Legends vs New Generations and Galactic Wrestling for PS2 are both covered in this video. The PSP version of Galactic Wrestling also gets looked at along with many other Kinnikuman / M.U.S.C.L.E / Ultimate Muscle games that got released on a wide range of consoles.
00:00 - A brief introduction to Kinnikuman
03:44 - Ultimate Muscle on Gamecube
13:00 - Galactic Wrestling (PS2 and PSP)
16:12 - More Kinnikuman Games
20:53 - Final Thoughts / Credits

[@KiLLeRisMe100]

you know Samoa Joe got the Muscle Buster from the Kinniku Buster from the anime this game is based on.

[@HeadmasterAutobot]

Kinnikuman Muscle Grand Prix 2 comes highly recommended! It's essentially a distant sequel to this, with way more characters, far more diverse movelists, a unique "inner strength" subsystem, and much tighter fighting-game mechanics. There's a generous amount of Japanese tournament footage, an in-depth GameFAQ, and more in the PS2 port, so it's well worth the look.

[@BainesMkII]

While the original Kinnikuman started as a superhero comedy manga, it treats the later pro-wrestling really well. Even with its comedy, the wrestling itself is played seriously in all its absurd glory.

[@primusvsunicron1]

it began as a parody of Ultraman

[@connieworroll368]

yup I remember reading the manga from the beginning a while ago, and it started like a episodical silly Ultraman/Godzilla parody with a literal Abdullah the Butcher Kaiju and then eventually becomes a super early tournament arc style manga with some really fun deconstruction of wrestling tropes and becomes like a loveletter to the old stars of Japanese wrestling

[@MWE1013]

I remember playing "Galactic Wrestling: Featuring Ultimate Muscle" on the PS2! My favorite wrestler in that game was "Jeager"! It was all about that "RED RAIN OF PAIN"!!

[@xbox7077]

I know Checkmate may look soft but he's the real deal he's impervious to pain nothing really hurts him. In the anime he dislocated his knee just to get out of a submission hold.

[@lechatnoir3042]

To anyone who enjoyed Ultimate Muscle, read the original Kinnikuman manga (the original run is 387 chapters long) so you can fully enjoy the new anime coming out this year, which is based on the 2011 revival of the manga 💪

[@Biscuitdough]

And you can enjoy the game for only 387 dollars

[@lifeispain000]

Man, I said it on Twitter and I will say it here too, love how my favorite wrestling channel is covering a game from one of my favorite anime franchises Would love to see you check out Kinnikuman Muscle Grand Prix 2 on the PS2 eventually, amazing game Also, for anyone interested, the entire original series (from the 80s) has been fully fan translated in English and Spanish, and a new anime is coming out this year!

[@WrestlingBios]

Watch the video ;)

[@lifeispain000]

@@WrestlingBios glad you enjoyed them, man! The Grand Prix games are the hidden gems of the franchise's videogames imo Hope you enjoy the anime! There are a few changes from the manga, such as the goofier tone in later episodes while the manga is more serious (even though the characters are super silly lol), but I would say it's completely fine to watch it first Would be super cool to see you do a franchise review because it's something I think a lot of western wrestling fans like us would love to get to know better, but even if we don't get more Kinnikuman Bios content, just happy more people are finding out about it! Cheers from Brazil!

[@mracula1667]

I had a bunch of the MUSCLE figures when I was a kid. Never knew they made a game.

[@SoulforSale]

You can cash them in for their weight in gold these days

[@pissyp00pypants]

@@SoulforSale really?? I have about 5 of them I think laying around

[@HorrorHoundV]

I had this on my GameCube. I had a blast with it, but I had the benefit of having friends that knew the lore and explained it to me while we'd play. There are some Japanese exclusive titles that Bandai did after the Namco merger called Kinnikuman Grand Prix Max 1 and 2. Those had the fighting mechanics of Tekken with the grappling mechanics of AKI. Definitely an improvement over this game.

[@WrestlingBios]

Kinnikuman Grand Prix Max 1 and 2 are covered in this video briefly

[@HorrorHoundV]

@WrestlingBios Yup I saw that after I made my comment (so I feel a touch foolish). I'm glad you did get to check it out. One thing about those Grand Prix titles I loved were their Super Moves as well as the Humiliation Moves. Benkiman (the character that is a walking urinal with poo on top) has the funniest humiliation move.

[@Gamesta100]

My whole exposure to Ultimate Muscle was the anime which I saw some episodes on Cartoon Network. I didn't get to watch much but I absolutely loved what I did watch.

[@D3KaB1u3]

Never expected to see Kinnikuman on Wrestling Bios, Even more on the Eve of the New anime coming out, i was 13 when Ultimate Muscle adaptation premiered in Latin America, You should bring a bit more of this to the Channel

[@bloodedge1528]

You know, I've been wanting a PROPER review of the AKI-made Ultimate Muscle games for a long time.

[@MrEAW56]

Anime sux tho

[@luisalbertoarenasaraya4579]

​@@MrEAW56 Battle for the Throne was cool

[@D3KaB1u3]

@@luisalbertoarenasaraya4579 And even on the comedic portions of the other arcs had some dark moments, when Brokenman (Brocken Jr´s Father) was introduced and written off and some other details like Warsman´s true face, Ashuraman´s Arm Stealing gimmick, and other things. Ultimate Muscle on the other hand had some moments as well but relatively tame in the Anime, it gets really serious with Mantaro and his personal Challenge with his Power on the line, The Replacement challenge (where Jade/Jaeger and Scarface/Eskara are introduced) and the Choujin Tournament, the New Anime will focus again on Suguru taking off from the 2011 Manga and a trailer was released on Dec. 28th and looks promising so far

[@MrEAW56]

@@luisalbertoarenasaraya4579 I was joking lol and yeah it was lmao

[@biff1667]

Ah I remember those little plastic figures. I had no idea what they were from. Some of those looked awesome!

[@simplesimonhadapie]

Love your content man I never watched wrestling in the attitude era but love your take on both major federations and insight. The game stuff is equally great looking at these other games from your own nostalgia or just modern interest I just personally wish we could get a modern WWE game using all their licences but in tech os wrestlefest graphic style. I still love Quake from that game alone the big shouty sweaty beast he was

[@alexmacias2988]

Thank you for covering this series, they really are an acquired taste and super nostalgic for some of us. So much so that the game cube version wasnt enough that i hunted down a Namco System 256 to play this is in my Japanese candy cabinet arcade machines. So much fun!

[@AmazingGuy13]

I miss my GameCube

[@anti-liberal7167]

Amen

[@warlord1873]

No if you switched it in on a new tv friend I have mine and it looks terrible to upgrade I need to spend 100 pounds or more 😂

[@mattl2238]

For what it’s worth, Legends Versus New Generation was one of my favorite games growing up…I think what you’re missing is that its chaotic, fast paced style is perfect for couch co-op. That’s where the game really shined, just having matches for hours with your friends. The single player probably would get redundant after a while, but I feel like that’s more or less the case with any wrestling game.

[@sof5858]

Dik Dik Van Dik sounds like a newgen name on Football Manager.

[@Makoto03]

I loved watching Ultimate Muscle anime on saturday mornings from 4kids. I didn't know there was a game.

[@Ledluver]

Awh man, thanks for bringing up Muscle grand prix🤘that series is just a gem. I'm surprised Matt hasn't gone back to that game since it has a Canuck rep in Big Body.

[@gobblegobble7]

I remember having a Muscle Mountain toy back in the 80s.

[@TJFreeq]

I like pointing out reused animations when I see them. That Diamond Cutter came straight off the N64.

[@bigbossman2810]

There was a version released for the PS2 & it had more characters. While the graphics don't look as good as the version you covered, I enjoyed the Toy Collection mode. It made me feel young again, seeing all the M.U.S.C.L.E. figures I played with as a kid.

[@Alfred6009]

I really enjoy this game! I also enjoyed how you gave this game proper recognition, even though it wasn’t your cuppa tea! Wrestling Bios is my absolute favorite channel. Thank you for what you do!

[@Mewzard]

Fun note, Kinnikuman's getting a new anime this year based on the first arc of the 2011 revival of the original Kinnikuman run.

[@colletti914]

The over the top style moves are exactly how me and my cousins used to make our action figures wrestle 😅

[@timhickey80]

Mentioning the first two of those Def Jam games definitely makes me want to see you do a vid on those. From what I remember they were both super fun and easy to pick up for AKI wrestling players

[@WrestlingBios]

Already on the channel :) No one watched those videos!

[@timhickey80]

@@WrestlingBios oh snap, I musta blacked out for that one! Appreciate you man, ty for all the work you put into this channel and hope you had a good holidays.

[@WanArk86]

The "first generation" I believe introduced the "Nakama Power" roughly translated to the power of friendship.

[@jmandualblade2426]

So, I'm a fan of the Kinnikuman series. I started with "Ultimate Muscle" which after learning a bit about pro wrestling made me appreciate the references and nods to the WWE. I did start watching the Kinnikuman series but I've really got to finish it. That being said, I am a bit disappointed in the video games. A lot of which has been highlighted in this video in regards to the GBA, PS2, and Gamecube games. There things to like in the games however, there's also things to drag the games down. Part of the appeal of the anime is the silliness and banter from inside the ring and at ringside. Here's what I think should happen, I think another Ultimate Muscle game should be made with the current gen hardware, get as many of the original VAs or sound alikes as possible and make a wrestling RPG out of it. Cause, here's the kicker, sometimes the characters would find themselves in random matches outside of the official ring which would help this idea feel more like the series. But, this is just me spitballing, overall, I do wish we could get a proper "Ultimate Muscle" video that isn't middle of the road.

[@2Dee4ever]

Shout-out to all Kinnikuman fans! We need a new game!! P.S So many fighting game characters take inspiration from Kinnikuman!

[@dasdeke]

I remember these toys as a kid. I didn't know there was a Manga. This was kind of a fun little review. and yeah. Def Jam Fight for New York was my jam. Please do a review of that!!

[@ddw1210]

Thanks for sharing the info. Hope to see more wrestling based games covered here in the future.

[@MurakumoVance]

My first introduction to Ultimate Muscle was Saturday morning cartoons via "The Fox Box." At the time, I think "Power Rangers Lost Galaxy" was airing, along with "Digimon" season 2. I was either in the 3rd or 4th grade, and so I was captivated by most of the cartoons I saw on Saturday mornings. I've always had issues with Insomnia, so it sucked having to wake up so early on a Saturday morning, but I couldn't miss my cartoons! Ultimate Muscle appealed to me immediately. It was like Dragonball Z had a baby with WWF wrestling. I was hooked. It would be YEARS after that show's airing that I'd discover this video game. At that point, I was not even aware of the older content within the franchise. I had assumed it was all new on The Fox Box. My completion of the game led me to appreciate the franchise that much more. I already loved pretty much all the characters, and I was getting introduced to the older guys, which oddly seemed familiar to what the WWE games were doing at the time. Introducing the youth to wrestlers who had come long before us. Although I can admit that I'm looking at this game through the lens of nostalgia goggles, the intention to be a full on wrestling game wasn't the point.... The point was playing as your favorite characters and reliving the moments in the anime. Now that I'm older, my bar of expectations is much higher. I'm not satisfied with just being able to play as the show's heroes or villains. The character creation tool wasn't expansive enough, and it's equally frustrating to find that their no weapon, or weapon gimmick match types. Aki really had a chance to craft something incredible here, and instead they took nostalgia bait over anything. I really hate to speak so poorly of the game, cause teenage me really enjoyed it, but adult me would be demanding a refund on Steam.

[@lechatnoir3042]

If the new Kinnikuman anime ends up being popular, we may finally get a new Kinnikuman game...

[@chrisp4643]

I had such a blast with this game growing up. Each character had their own cool moves & finishers from the show, pretty fun customization for making wrestlers & what I like about this version is that you can play as Pandaman (for any One Piece fan out there)

[@TLOWNSU]

I loved this game growing up. And also, for everyone reading this comment you NEED to check out the Kinnikuman manga! The first bit is mainly just a spoof on Ultraman, but after I believe 26 chapters it really becomes like a love letter to wrestling in anime form. I will tell you some of the translations (especially the 2nd half of the Wrestle for the Throne Arc) are really piss poor though so keep that in mind.

[@jamesdjl4359]

Loved this show as a youngster. Still have a bunch of the trading cards and action figures.

[@joshua2814]

I have a bunch of the MUSCLE figures and really love them. I wish I had completed the collection back in the day when it was reasonable. I've got a handful of the manga and dabbled in the second cartoon series, but the only game I've played at all is the NES one.

[@TheJericho1123]

will you cover kaiju big battel (yes, spelled that way). it's people in weird kaiju costumes in a wrestling ring having a match, sometimes scale model buildings are in the ring.

[@OGMan316]

I really hope the reboot delivers a game similar to the Muscle Grand Prix duology or, the slimmest of chances, HD Remasters of them. Really cool to see one of my favorite wrestling content creators cover this series.

[@captainloser6237]

The PS2 expansion of this game (Galactic Wrestling) was my introduction to the series. It's a really solid game and I really enjoyed the anime as well

[@gunfighter009]

I'm so glad you enjoyed the GBA game, it was one of my favorite games growing up

[@dannystarkridesfixed]

Don’t think I knew about their games but am familiar with the franchise. Kept thinking it was Thursday and I was ready for RLTW and the usual time slot for when you upload came up an was like what’s up?!. Than saw this upload and it saying it was uploaded yesterday and was like D’oh, it’s only Wednesday!. Once I saw this. Guess I’ll have to wait impatiently for tomorrow morning’s upload haha. Just went back to work on Sunday after a 2 week break for Christmas ( work in a kitchen at a school so since the students were all gone. No need for use to be there too).

[@DeathRobotKailozo]

I’ve still got my original copy. Love this one!

[@em.4774]

YES!!!!! You're doing a Kinnikuman Game!!!!! You should try watching Ultimate Muscle! It's a great Anime Wrestling Show!!!!!

[@TheYugilicious]

This looks cool. Downloading it for my Odin Pro later if I can find it.

[@jacksmith-mu3ee]

No disrespect But checkmate is immune to pain . That's why he is famous in the ultimate muscle series. I think the story is he pushed himself so much that he doesn't feel pain no matter how much he is beaten.

[@mtbelley]

Kevin Mask, definite shout out to Kevin Nash, he also played Super Shredder in the second TMNT movie from the 90's.

[@JonySmith-bb4gx]

Son of Robin mask

[@benespinosa6725]

this game looks awesome lol how didn't I not discover this game especially since i bought a gamecube a few years ago awesome video.

[@davidguerrero4474]

Shout out the @TopHatGamingManChannel for maybe covering the arcade fighter as well!

[@FusedRage]

I had the PS2 version back in the day. Beat it 100% in a weekend and took it back to the store. lmao

[@Cheeselord83]

I LOVE this game. At first i didn't know about it because i was hoping for a more traditional wrestling game like the n64 ones but with over the top moves. Even though the gameplay style is more quick and arcadish I quickly grew to love it. This is a must for any gamecube party with friends.

[@razorblademask]

Absolutely loved this show. I had a GC but vould never find the UM game. Finally found it when i had a wii. Wasnt the same 🤣. But now i wanna watch the series all over again.

[@davidkaufman7979]

My brother and I had many m.u s.c.l.e. figures back in the mid 80s

[@j0nb0y5]

This is one of my favorite cartoons back in the day

[@djlune]

That's how I remember the character king muscle was from the NES game Tag Team M.U.S.C.L.E.S

[@123dan165]

Wrestlingbios I think you should talk about the cartoon series Mucha Lucha as well

[@dmitriymiretskiy717]

I remember watching kid muscle during Saturday morning cartoons and loving it

[@puparn93]

Ultimate Muscle was very popular when I was a kid. I've been thinking about getting this game.

[@imal25]

WILL SEE YOU ON THURSDAY FOR THE ALL NEW EPISODE OF RELIVING THE WAR RAW VS NITRO SO TIL THEN GOOD NIGHT AND TAKE CARE.

[@burnthetrolls5971]

God I wish I had a GameCube back in the day so I could play this game, I remember the show and loved it

[@malvark777]

Awesome video. Also, the anime will continue this year covering the continuation of the original story and characters, and I can't guarantee all of you that it will be pure unadulterated Kino

[@brianstancato3945]

Got an idea for a video for ya, you should make one of the best interview segments of all time.. This of course would include stuff from Scott Steiner and the infamous Booker T line as well as stuff from Sid and Warrior, but underrated would be British Bulldogs interview segment from his WCW PPV debut at SuperBrawl III... Id say do yourself a favor and go check it out!

[@ianmanalus5542]

I actually love the series even the anime version. Kinnikuman Generations known as Galactic Wrestling feat Ultimate Muscle from PS2 I actually played it and I have great fun of it. Also the alternate costume by pressing Square Button based on Anime Accurate or Manga Version.. Kinnikuman Muscle Generations is a PSP Port from Kinnikuman Generations and they include new characters like Kendaman(Based on Kendama Toy),Screw Kid(Based on Screws),and Kinnikuman Soldier/Ataru Kinniku(Kinnikuman's Brother in Scramble for the Throne) and they include the Tag Tournament Mountain Mode which it was Direct Based on Dream Tag Tournament Arc. Kinnikuman Muscle Grand Prix Series was more like a Fighting Game and Wrestling with some Combinations of Controls. And they included Benkiman(Based on Urinal Stalls),Stecase King(Based on Stereo Cassette),The Mountain(Based on Mountain and Judoka),Atlantis(Based on Fish Creature and the Name of the Fictional Island),Mr.Khamen,Springman(Based on Spring/Coil),Sneagator(Based on Alligator,Sneaker,& Dinosaur),Planetman(Based on Various Planets on his Part of the Body),Junkman(based on the Crusher both of his hands),& Barrierfree man from Nisei.. And yet I actually have a ton of gameplay video in my channel.. And yet I'm still waiting for Kinnikuman Perfect Origin Anime this Year!

[@ianmanalus5542]

And yet there are actually based on professional Wrestler.. Ramenman = Giant Baba Buffaloman = Bruiser Brody Robin Mask = Billy Robinson Neptuneman/Kenkaman = Hulk Hogan + Stan Hansen Big the Budo = Kendo Nagasaki

[@ferret19731]

This is 2 weeks after "Santa With Muscles" The torture you put yourself through for our entertainment is legendary!

[@CropCirclePictures]

Kinnikuman is amazing, my personal all time favorite anime/manga! Also, Ultimate Muscle FINALLY got an official complete blu-ray release last year in the west. Definitely pick it up for a goofy time!

[@88XavierC]

I always appreciate honesty your not trying to please people by lying and saying you love it. I never knew it was a anime or any of that but this game is definitely best played with a friend. I also agree that it's not a wrestling game without a doubt a fighting game, I myself prefer either of the Dej Jam games.

[@Fre4k4life]

This game was a hidden remake of the original MUSCLE NES game. Which in that aspect is amazing on so many levels comparing what it overhauled and improved from the original.

[@rdpruett88]

Sadly I never got to play the Ultimate Muscle games. Only seen reviews on Legends vs New Generation & Galactic Wrestling from X-Play around that generation of consoles Doubt that there's any plans of remastered games

[@AltimaMantoid]

Wait wait wait, THIS is what M.U.S.C.L.E. was from!? I remember those weird toys from when I was a kid! So cool to know their origins now!

[@s3studios597]

I played this way back in the day, but I remember nothing about it other than it exists and I played it. Hell, I only even remembered it because one of my dream games is an anime wrestling game with WWE 2K level creation (or basically just WWE 2K14, but anime) and I ws wondering if there were any anime wrestling games. It is a bit of a shame the game they aren't all that amazing, but maybe I could still have some fun with them. The fighting games, on ther other hand, I will definitely be checking out.

[@flowern6499]

My favorite characters are Kevin Mask and Checkmate!

[@djcactus]

I bought a gamecube last year modded it and this was one of the forst games i out on it. Utter chaos and i love it Used to have the pink figures as a kid as well. Had no idea what they were. The rice and cow song from intimate muscle still sticks in my head to this day

[@john-sp8jk]

Is the GameCube version of this game different from the PS2 version?🎮🕹️🎮

[@hankdewild9720]

Was that an official release of a sub titled anime for the original series?

[@michaelcarrig627]

This game's graphics hold up incredibly.

[@mysteriousbob]

I know barely anything about these games but as soon as I saw the Grand Prix select screen I was like "oh right THATS the one with Lenne Hardt in it".

[@bbuchmeier]

My brother an I enjoyed this game. Different combinations of tag teams gave different tag team specials.

[@Nobody18718]

I loved that game. One of my fav on the GC

[@deademcee]

Adam sessler just randomly going dik dik on old xplay episodes forever engrained in my brain 😅

[@shane7209]

I own this game as well. I have alot of fun playing it

[@elec8101]

Before Dragon Ball, there was Kinnikuman as the fighting shonen, along with Hokuto no Ken.

[@Squid9708]

I really ejoy your videos keep up the great work. Everytime i see a new vid i clikc right away lol

[@Rob-rx3jw]

I never heard of this game until now. Seems like something I would have enjoyed in my younger days.

[@PhyA52]

This game was just as deep as I needed it to be when it was released. Fun time and great experience.

[@dalesanteford7432]

I really enjoyed this game played with my best friend made my own character really enjoyed the figures growing up and the I had the PlayStation 2 Ultimate Muscle 2 couldn't stop playing the game and there's a lot of fun

[@songoku4174]

I loved that anime they need to remaster it

[@jwhite455528]

Had it for PS2 loved it

[@Blaiyan]

I have this game but never played it. Liked the show though (the one made in the 90s).

[@ralphso5567]

coincidently there will be a continuation of the anime this 2024. its been more than a decade

[@sixcooppop5262]

Please cover the Saturday Night Slam Master (Arcade) and series, this is in my opinion the greatest 2D wrestling game of all time.

[@supslumps1592]

Well how do you watch the original series ? I can’t find it

[@shenanitims4006]

Uh, I think you’re understating why Kinnikuman was/is so popular. You might not have had them on your side of the pond, but in the 80s, the MUSCLE action figure were HUGE. Anime and manga were unknown at that point (until the 90s it wasn’t available in the US), but for some reason, the toys were.

[@GamingArcane]

The power ups that get thrown in I believe are actually a throw back to the NES game.

[@EasyE3939]

Ultimate Muscle is like WWE All Stars if it had great, deeper gameplay and fantastic handcrafted move animations.

[@seanjohn14]

i love the psp version too ,same game play

[@tonyrockstizzle]

Used to watch the show on Foxbox.

[@scottyboi3759]

Going to Watch tye Anime series now after this video. The game looks fun and tye art style is cool

[@martinbabich1920]

Dik Dik Van Dik is indeed the actual name of that character

[@originalchristianvogt]

The Kevin Nash counterpart looks like Shredder while Nash played Super-Shredder in a TMNT movie. Coincidence?, i think not.

[@JonySmith-bb4gx]

It is . Kevin mask is son of Robin mask . Also a character in game

[@ChiefLightsOut]

Muscle was my first game I ever had dAmn I m old

[@NinjaTylerBlack]

SHOUT OUT TO DIK DIK VAN DIK

[@JonySmith-bb4gx]

The guy that never wins 😂