Looking back at WWE All Stars

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WWE All Stars, developed by THQ San Diego, was released in 2011for multiple consoles including Playstation 3, Xbox 360, Wii and Playstation 2. Handheld versions of the game were also released (the first and only WWE game on the Nintendo 3DS).
All Stars is a very big departure from other WWE games released during this era. THQ San Diego wanted to make a fighting game featuring characters and moves associated with WWE. Yukes had previously tried their own spin-off wrestling game (Legends of WrestleMania) in 2009 however the game wasn't met with praise due to it's limited moveset and questionable game mechanics; All Stars fixes these issues by using a completely new game engine with a bigger focus on combos, juggling and over-the-top signature moves.
At it's core WWE All Stars is all about 2 generations of pro wrestlers sharing 1 ring. Legends of the past including Hulk Hogan, Ultimate Warrior, Randy Savage and Bret Hart get to have matches with modern superstars (at the time) such as CM Punk, Triple H, Edge and The Miz. The single player "Fantasy Warfare" mode allowed players to decide who would win dream matches such as Steve Austin vs CM Punk, and players also had the ability to create own wrestlers in All Stars' creation suite. What was so special about WWE All Stars though was the gameplay, there was never a wrestling game like this before and still, to this day, it's very fun to play.

[@SANICRAWY2J]

We need a proper sequel to this game. This is genuinely one of the best wrestling games ever

[@SylentEcho]

But first a proper sequel to Wrestlefest

[@eddiew.4650]

@jabron.destoroyah The fact that Yukes could've given us an Allstars 2 with an AEW skin, yet chose not to is beyond me.

[@loboneiner1034]

​@@eddiew.4650it wasn't up to Yukes. They made what Omega and AEW wanted them to make.

[@eddiew.4650]

@@loboneiner1034 Omega should've stayed far away as possible considering he chose mini-games over a better creation suite and more modes. It seems like a huge slap in the face considering we know that Yukes could've done a whole lot better.

[@fernandosaker3667]

@@SylentEcho Both sequels would be more than welcome!

[@MrDrokkul]

One of the things I will never forget about this game is seeing Macho Man promoting it, and it felt good to see Randy re‐connected in some way with the WWF / WWE.

[@lancergt1000]

This game is the blueprint for a wrestling game that could be played competitively like a fighting game.

[@hotcoldman77]

Was literally about to say this. It would be played at EVO and the likes

[@DaxSports1]

100% This was the closest to a WWE Street fighter we ever got and it was pretty awesome.

[@mattrondeau2]

This game legit got a few of my friends into wrestling... This year. During a hangout, was my turn to pick a game so I put this one. They rolled their eyes at first, "ugh here comes Matt with his wrestling again". By the end of the hour they were cutting promos on each other and threatening to DDT each other. This game is glorious, wish they'd do another like it. ESPECIALLY after hearing what plans they had for the sequel

[@federicopanzonato4528]

Sounds like you have very cool friends 🙂

[@HiPHOPx87]

​@@federicopanzonato4528sounds like his freinds have a cool friend

[@phenom504]

WWE All Stars was incredible. It was so over the top which made it so much more fun to play

[@elec8101]

In an era where WWE games have firmly stuck in simulation territory, an arcade style wrestling game is a welcome addition. I loved this game for the sheer insanity, and satisfying gameplay... The only thing I don't like is that the DLC is not available anymore.

[@samuelmedina602]

I’m a simple man that simply wants this game to come back

[@qkomodo9098]

Can you imagine if this game got a sequel, especially with the modern roster than can have throwback costumes like Legend Killer Orton, Dashing Cody Rhodes, & Chosen One Drew McIntyre

[@samuelmedina602]

@@qkomodo9098 if this game had a true spirited sequel, it would’ve been amazing

[@DamanKingBear]

With abit more to it

[@TyrusSmokes]

Instead we got 2K Battlegrounds 😭

[@thebfg836]

That Cm punk Austin fantasy Warfare intro was awesome. I always loved the fact the game took old audio and had them talk smack to each other in videos. I agree with you on the online as i tried it when it came out and if you threw one punch they would combo you to death. Also Macho Man was doing promo for this game which was the last thing WWE related he did before his passing.

[@fernandosaker3667]

I like this cartoony style! In a way, wrestlers are kinda like "real-life comic book characters" (what with the colorful costumes, good vs. evil storylines, special moves and so on), so I think this style fits very well with the game. I also like this idea of "2 generations, 1 ring" - though I guess I'd prefer if this clash of generations was between the WWF Golden era and the Attitude era (since they were very different in style, as far as I know, so it would be interesting to see the contrast between the two rosters). Also, it wouldn't hurt to include some managers and some female wrestlers. Nevertheless, this game looks very interesting.

[@MrVariant]

Good call, luchadors especially.

[@fernandosaker3667]

@@MrVariant Exactly!

[@mysteriousbob]

If you didn't know, there's a small group within the Fighting Game Community that play this game competitively using Parsec. There's a tournament on YT I believe if you're curious in seeing the FGC play this game at high level.

[@Not_Brandino]

I'm actually very interested in this. Wrestling games being ran in the fgc was super rare back in the day.

[@k1anstation81]

Discord?

[@zoltanz288]

doesnt parsec lag as hell?

[@k1anstation81]

@@zoltanz288 it does

[@HorrorHoundV]

I remember having a blast testing the Wii and 3DS versions during my time at THQ. Good memories. Thanks for this!

[@mechaman7818]

As someone who never played this game, I can tell you these stylized graphics definitely age well. I got no nostalgia for it, and I still think it looks pretty good.

[@Terriblyawfulshows]

This game is the alternate universe where the vince mcmahon court case in the 90s never happened

[@mattb6369]

It was the last WWE game to have a Ps2 counterpart release, yep, even after Smackdown Vs. Raw 2011. It had the absolutely most EPIC hype packages for the Fantasy Warfare matches. Tapped back into the arcade days of the mid-'90s. Heck we actually had Hulk Hogan while he was at his busiest in TNA, Macho Man (WITH a promo he shot for this before passing) at a time when he and WWE didn't acknowledge each other, and even Ultimate Warrior before the road to peace with the company.

[@kilokay]

I still have this for Xbox 360. It’s an awesome game. I believe Sal Divita not only worked as a developer at Midway, but I believe he also portrayed the cyber ninja characters in MK3 such as Cyrax and Sektor and perhaps also Nightwolf.

[@bronysimpson3250]

Great review. All Stars truly is a classic. I played it on X Box 360 during the early 10's and had a blast with it, despite having sucked at it. Now I have the Wii version which I just got in the mail. Been meaning for years to get it. What I love about the create a character mode is that I was able to create Lincoln Loud.

[@joliecide]

2K seriously needs to release a definitive remaster of this game. With all characters.

[@jetblaksuit]

I'm a big fighting game fan and was really involved in the fighting game community when this game came out. I really wanted it to catch on just to have a new fighter to play. Its cool that it turned out so well, I never got the chance to play it myself. I'll have to try to find a copy.

[@Thebossstage1]

Shout out to the 3DS version of this game which included all DLC on the cartridge.

[@GroovyFlacko]

I know they aren’t the same game because the 2k games are grounded in reality, but if this game was a legit series with sequels it would dominate. A simple, over the top, arcade wrestler with a good amount of legendary wrestlers, signature moves, combos and unlock-able content. I remember when they first announced WWE battleground and I thought it would be a spiritual successor to this and LORD was I wrong😅 Hope someone somehow picks this series back up or remaster/re-release it because this is such gold!

[@dexenationgracey1979]

I loved All-Stars because it reminded me of those old Midway Games.

[@KingJeremy77]

I still have this game on PS3. I love the over the top look and gameplay of it.

[@korvus1248]

WWE All-stars, WWF Wrestlmania the Arcade Game, WWF Wrestlemania 2000 my fave 3 wrestling games. An then WCW/nWo Revenge too from WCW ❤

[@a27dub]

I’m the one who played 10 to 15 minutes of this game here and there. This vid makes me want to go back and master it. I still have it on the 360…

[@zaki2309]

It would be more fun if this Game has more Match types,Move sets, And good storyline

[@ghastlyanarchy1720]

Which would make for a great sequel.

[@eyeguydojima7131]

Happy Halloween, everybody! And thanks to Wrestling Bios for all of the hard work! I actually bought Day of Reckoning(along with a copy of Manhunt 2) because of your review, and newlegacy clips! Thanks for the dedication. It makes a lot of people really happy!

[@bigzachful]

This one along with Here comes the Pain, SVR 2006, and TNA Impact are the best

[@JakedaSnake123]

Not just one of the best wrestling games, but one of the best fighting games I’ve ever played, such a shame it never got a sequel, as an expanded version of this would be my favorite game of all time.

[@Kpr316]

I'd love a 20-30 minute video of you playing some wrestling games yourself. Cheers

[@Brunomgonzalez]

I never gave this game a try. I remember being 13 thinking "great the WWE is PG now and they're making little kid games." Funny thing is I begged my mom to buy me the all stars cups from 7-11 because of the cool holographic designs. I wish I gave it a chance but Saints Row 3 and Black ops had me locked in. Great video!

[@JustinTyme116]

This game was so much fun. I had it for the 3ds & I still have it for my 360. I just wish I had downloaded the dlcs before they were removed, but that was my fault. 😔

[@lightskinnedlarry728]

Fun fact, if you switch your Xbox or PlayStation to HONG KONG you can still get the dlc, I did it a few months back

[@willbrummer4018]

i love this game. i wish the proposed sequel Brawl was not cancelled. This to me is a spiritual successor to WWF Wrestlefest. it is so fun.

[@LuigiFan64]

They definitely did try to get some of the fighting game players for sure. A lot of fighting games came out in 2011 like Marvel vs Capcom 3, Super Street Fighter IV: Arcade Edition, Mortal Kombat 9. A lot of big hitters. Hell, this game got a Madcatz Fight Pad AND a fight stick. What a time.

[@DeaDGoD_XIV]

On my phone screen I can notice a small bit of difference between the upscaled and native in the 3DS capture, so I think you made a fair assessment about the smaller screen

[@theSHELFables]

Was not ready for that Gravel Pit remix at the start lol

[@accel5863]

It's a great day whenever a new Wrestling Bios vid appears in my feed

[@PhantomOverlordX2]

I remember getting this a few years after it was out, and loved it. So much fun.

[@michaelaburns734]

This game is really something unique. It's really fun gameplay it's fun. The fantasy play match-ups are cool ideas. I do have the Nintendo Wii version and it looks fine and plays fine.

[@beefgravystudios]

Personal favorite of mine. Controls were easy to pick up. Roster was brilliant. Wrestlers look & moves made it unique.

[@yumkaax2046]

One of my childhood games, I absolutely love it

[@jessewolak7294]

allright, ima need that mix in the opening because that was a bop

[@thetruej7872]

I never got to play WWE All-Stars but it really looks fun and The Fantasy Warfare was a pretty cool idea.

[@RudeBoyKyle94]

I remember seeing early footage of the game before it was released and thinking it wasn't gonna be a good game. Once I played it however I fell in love with it and really enjoyed it. It took me a while to realize the engine is actually based on the TNA Impact engine and if I recall correctly the PSP version had some of the Impact music still in the game somehow. I still play it every so often on my 3DS, which is the ultimate version of the game as it includes all the DLC, and some characters not included on any of the console versions. If they ever made an All Stars 2 with love and affection for the original, I'd pick it up in a heart beat it was a wonderful title that was easy to figure out, and had loads of potential to do more.

[@dsconce1]

Macho Man coming back was the reason I bought this game and I ended up getting hooked on it for a while.

[@Ash6777]

As over the top as All Stars was, I honestly had a blast with it and have played it constantly.

[@Caolan114]

I asked for an arcadey less simulated experience and they gave me... over the top muscles and rey mysterio flying 50 feet In the air but It's different If not a bit too simple.. my favorite part Is the legends and the expertly made promos sheamus vs ultimate warrior, hogan vs cena, punk vs stone cold We also have some cool content like the smackdown fist arena, the summerslam s arena, the purple undertaker, nwo hogan, 2006 cena, andre with the afro and so much more I only ever played this on 3DS though

[@KnightlyBrosGaming]

Sal Divita was the mocap actor for Nightwolf in Mortal Kombat 3!! So cool to see he worked on this game!

[@eye_wander]

This video made me go back and start rewatching newlegacyinc’s videos of WWE All-Stars.

[@DwayneIsKing]

I just wish there was more to the Dx and Undertaker story modes. The promos were absolutely dope but it seemed dry. Other than that. So much nostalgia for this game.

[@ced2k23]

Wwe allstars was my wrestling video game that I played and it was great.

[@bryin7]

I forgot all about this game! Im definitely gonna go find a copy. Great video!

[@deathwalker565]

I have this game on xbox 360, i loved this game as a kid and i found it again and bought it. Love this game, great memories

[@MrReese]

The jump in visual fidelity and quality from PS2/XBOX to PS3/X360 is absolutely crazy. These games still look great over a decade later.

[@extremeking425]

I remember going to Target after school with my friend back in early 2011 when I was 11 years old every single day just to play the demo of the game with Rey Mysterio and The Ultimate Warrior just because we couldn't afford a PS3 or the game. Thank goodness I have a job and make money of my own now.

[@benespinosa6725]

This game was awesome i remember buying this game a few years ago this game has an arcade feel to it which was missing from WWE video games since they went to a simulation style with the first smackdown vs raw game great video.

[@dannyrivera8300]

2k will never give up a proper sequel cause this was a thq game me and my brothers had a blast playing this

[@dadamnedbudda]

This was one of my first platinum trophies LOVED this game!

[@KingJadInfiniteHope]

for anybody who hasn’t played this game, or wasn’t around when this game came out, people HATED this game at first. I’ll never forget, getting this game when it first dropped and I loved it. I felt like I was the only one who did, but everyone else online hated it, they wish it was similar to Smackdown vs Raw, which I can’t blame because those games were great at the time.

[@calvinfolan1736]

Got around to this a bit late, not even a minute in but i have to say, Bios is killing it with the Gravel Pit/Smoke & Mirrors remix. I've a feeling this will be another top class video.

[@BlueMageWithSoulEdge]

To speak for the Wii: it moved at the same frame rate as PS3 and Xbox, at the cost of the graphics. It looks just a tad better than the 3DS. The reason why the game vanished was a combination of WWE not caring and the "journalist" condemning the game because it was different. It also suffered from the dreaded WWE game plan-- create promotion, sell game on all platforms for a quick buck, aggressively push DLC and kill support in a year and a half while promoting Raw/Smackdown games. That is also what happened to Battlegrounds. If this and Battlegrounds had cross-play then they both would have been bigger. The saddest fact about this game is there still haven't been a modding community to form, to at least host their own server.

[@averagejackmedia609]

I picked this game up on the 360 as a "ehh ehy not" and I was totally blown away by it. It felt like what was happening in your imagination when playing with action figures. Absolutely underrated gem of a wrestling game that came out of nowhere. Still own my copy. THIS is what battlegrounds should have been. THQnordic needs to get in contact with wwe and remake this game in 4k HDR it would pop on a oled display.

[@yogiselevate]

What I loved about All Stars is how you can intercept mid moves and double team with insane combos.

[@mbry1]

All Stars was the first wrestling game I ever played and what got me hooked on the WWE and other companies

[@supersoundwave2]

I'm so glad you covered this! All Stars is criminally underrated. So much attention to detail and fan service; I believe this is the only WWE game with 70s Andre and Macho King with his proper crown. The video packages were PPV quality, and the DLC was stellar (like Dusty and LOD). In my top 3 wrestling games of all time.

[@s3studios597]

One of my favorite games of all time.

[@randomquestionnnn2653]

I love your videos so good!! I hope you do WWF Wrestlemania 2000 eventually one of my favorite N64 games I’ve watched your WWF No mercy video and it caught my curiosity on your thoughts about that in depth. Have a good one!

[@jonnybHKG1989]

WWE All Stars should be ported digitally to modern console.

[@dustheg]

This was one of the first games I remember really waiting for each dlc pack to introduce new wrestlers to the roster and I was never disappointed. Even the free downloads like honky tonk man made for interesting play cause of how different each character were. Just a fun game all the way around

[@lb2.0.45]

I gotta play this again cause I too loved All Stars and wished we got a proper sequel.

[@Joecbg100]

If i recall, Sal Divita was the first Raiden in test promos for Mortal Kombat.....goes way back.

[@djkhemix]

I never played this at the time but I got it a couple of years ago during lockdown and gave it a go. I didn't like it that much but I didn't play it for long. This video has inspired me to try it again. I didn't realise there was this much depth to it. Thanks!

[@mikerotchitch6399]

Up until a few years back, my friend and I were the handicap tag champs in online mode on 360 🤣. One of my favourite wrestling games ever, as it has the DNA of a fighting game. And fighters are my favourite genre of games. As somebody else said in the comments the FGC do play this game in tournaments. Also Def Jam FFNY also

[@catlawyerwilldefendfortrea6038]

loved this so much! I wish wrestling games were fun again. And not boring simulated stuff

[@Jordanredux]

This game looks fun as hell

[@orinanime]

I love the exaggerated aesthetic and over the top gameplay. It reminds me of old school arcade style fighting and wrestling games. And the exaggerated proportions remind me of Hasbro wrestling toys. And the gameplay is like how i would play with my toys 30 years ago. This game is basically a recreation of playing wrestling as a kid, which is awesome!

[@tsedani]

This was a fun game. I had it for the 3ds. The only downside was there was no pinning.

[@Ian-Omega]

I never played this one but I dig the art style. It looks way more interesting than the more realistic games.

[@ryanm4074]

game was ahead of it's time and didnt get enough love

[@FPSpooky]

one of the few games i went out and brought the physical stragey guide for. i also remember getting a wwe rumblers two pack of r truth and cm punk with my pre order of the game

[@voicelessjackson6736]

I played all stars on 3ds, one of my favorites of all time

[@lamiatorchani7648]

We really need more arcade-style pro wrestling games

[@TEAMCHOPPER666]

Wow.... I must admit i have most of the wwe games but i did past up on this... After watching this... IM IN.... definitely going to be getting this... Keep up the Awesome work brother!!! 🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@loganroach4514]

My only issues with this game was lack of other arenas and the cutaway entrances

[@chillbest14]

Fire mix in the beginning

[@T-Bag13]

Sal was in MK games.

[@andrewmelville4570]

Always liked Smackdown vs Raw, however I agree All Stars was my favourite WWE game

[@MercurysEdge]

You did forget to mention that the 3ds version had all the dlc for free in game. Great review tho brotha! Always love them!

[@Ty-douken]

Just picked this up while watching the video, looks like this would've been great at the PS3 Cottage Weekend I recently had in September with a few friends, oh well next Time! Highly recommend Lies of P, it's on the short list for my personal GOTY.

[@chameleonhrt]

I remember playing this game online on the 360 back in the day. I ended up getting really good as Edge as he was a grappler and his finisher startup was the fastest. I had some really fun and memorable matches back then. I miss this game so much.

[@blacksawjohnnyhex310]

That Sheamus on the character select screen gave me nightmares lol was super creepy looking.

[@WrestlingCompilations]

I always had fun with this game

[@DjFIL007]

Agree, 100% this is the best arcade style WWE game ever released and one I still revisit occasionally. Wii version is actually quite good in my books, upscales very nicely with emulation, and supports classic control or gamecube control support (to avoid the waggle controls so common Wii ports)

[@johnytwotimes4072]

Loved this game, it introduced me to CM Punk for better or worse 😂

[@Cameron_611]

This game was so great that twelve years later…I still haven’t purchased it. 😑

[@morti8845]

My first wrestling game!

[@extremeking425]

If I could only play 3 wrestling games for the rest of my life it would have to be SvR 2006, WWE 2K14 and WWE All Stars.

[@ChaostheClown]

Is there an archive or playlist of the music you use? I love the remixes, kudos to you or whoever is making them!

[@danielfrongillo773]

Pretty sure he's said he does the music himself which just makes all his content even more impressive.

[@iamthurnis745]

as a kid i wanted simulation only and turned my nose up to this game and i was so wrong this game is so fun we need more of this in wrestling games

[@HootSr3611]

One of my favorite wrestling games along with n64 games and smackdown shut your mouth, still have it, the ps3 allstar pads and book love this game✌️

[@shoeprano27]

one of my favorites as well. almost like the arcades Super Wrestlemania. it's like the football game NFL Blitz of wrestling.