WWF WrestleFest - An Arcade Classic

Wrestling Bios Presents - WWF WrestleFest - An Arcade Classic
Before the WWE 2K franchise before the AKI THQ Classics, wrestling fans would travel to the arcades to get their wrestling fix. While the home consoles at the time had some fairly average WWF games ready to play, the best experience could be found at a WWF WrestleFest arcade cabinet. Still to this day, old school wrestling fans absolutely love this game.
Developed by Technos and released in 1991, WWF WrestleFest included wrestlers such as The Ultimate Warrior, Demolition, Hulk Hogan, Mr. Perfect and The Big Boss Man. Players could choose to either participate in a Royal Rumble match, or they could go through the Saturday Night's Main Event tag mode. The big characters look like they came right out of a Saturday morning cartoon show, and the game was an incredible amount of fun.
In this video from Wrestling Bios, we take a look at WWF WrestleFest in the arcades. We go over Techno's previous games, the wrestlers who were missing from the game, we look at both game modes, and we also take a look at the WrestleFest remake that was released.
#Wrestling #wrestlefest #wwe

[@WrestlingBios]

CORRECTION : Legion of Doom are not playable by having players 3 / 4 join in during the final match. The only way to play as L.O.D is via emulator cheat codes. Apologies for this!

[@jaydav6521]

You have got to do a video about the Mulkeys!

[@Toadstool4]

Try doing the doomsday device with them. If you don't stand in the extact perfect spot animal picks the guy up on his shoulders and game basically freezes until the clock runs out.

[@jbj7599]

@@jaydav6521 best jobber tag team! What team did they steal a victory from kzbin.info/www/bejne/gKHJgIOsr5ioh8U Found the match!

[@jaydav6521]

@@jbj7599 kzbin.info/www/bejne/q37Pf5ijjLJ_bq8 I remember watching that when it happened. Good stuff! Watch the Road Warriors vs Mulkeys. Wrestling bios this is serious. We want a Mulkeys video.

[@jaydav6521]

Here's a Mulkey taking a skull crushing finale from Lover boy Dennis. kzbin.info/www/bejne/h520lJSharV_o5o This video shows how the Mulkeys made champions look good while commentary put over a feud.

[@PinkStarburst717]

I wish arcades were still a thing man. Talk about a great friday or staurday night with friends.

[@inDaStreetzGaming]

I loved going to the arcade with my friends

[@PinkStarburst717]

@@toddsleezer3580 lol badass bro

[@michaelginger88]

Good old days will always be the best - with all the technology we have these days we’d think we’d be so happy! But life was natural and happier with less , less was more 💯

[@PinkStarburst717]

@@michaelginger88 True bro.

[@retrovin9269]

I don't think we realised how special that arcade experience was at the time. Good times ✌️

[@Larry]

Fun Fact: In WWF Superstars, Jim Duggan and Ted DiBiase are the exact same sprite, they're just re-coloured.

[@Krendall2]

Randy Savage also shares their body sprite. Hogan and Warrior share a different body sprite.

[@R_Cerr1988]

My earliest memories as a child was my grandparents taking me to the arcade to play for a few hours. I was so small, that I had to stand on a milk crate to be able to reach the controls. This game was magic....Every time I see this game, I think of my grandparents that have since passed many years ago.

[@jpayne3616]

So glad I grew up during the 80's and 90's. What a time for gaming and music.

[@porcupineinapettingzoo]

This brings back memories, I used to pick the big boss man, god I'm old!

[@b_side8669]

I used too pick hogan or warrior lol I’m 33 lmao 😂 I’m older then dirt lol

[@porcupineinapettingzoo]

@JASON CUTSHAW Didn't realise Viagra was a playable character!

[@22mugwuffin]

Big boss man was my go to character.

[@danski6694]

Big boss man’s finisher was the easiest to apply.

[@mvagusta]

You’re not alone

[@RetroR0bbie]

Visually this game is still impressive to this day

[@A-small-amount-of-peas]

I grew up in a small Welsh village in the 80's/90's and my saving grace before consoles came along was my local video rental store had an arcade with this game and my best friends mum ran the place and at the end of the day after closing the manager would give me and my buddy 50 free credits while he closed up. Awesome memories.

[@darrengordon-hill]

Cab office by my school. This, Street Fighter 1 and Outrun

[@PaulDavies4]

Most of the arcade industry was located in wales. In fact almost every cabinet was made at a company called kontoor in pyle and then exported to the usa and europe, thousands upon thousands of them. The artwork was done by wave designs in brynmenyn, bridgend. While all the distribution companies were and still located around bridgend and cardiff.

[@justafanofnerdculture7602]

Oh, the memories!! I can't even begin to think how many quarters that I pumped into this machine. I always marked out on seeing Jake "The Snake" executing the DDT and seeing actual wrestler intros!! Awesome, powerful nostalgia right here!

[@dl30wpb]

Yeah Warrior would fo his overhead press celebration or Hogan would do the ear thing to.pump up the crowd lol

[@GrassValleyGreg]

I LOVED this game. Sucks half the roster is dead...

[@w00df0rd]

Road Warrior Animal died at the end of September.☹

[@GrassValleyGreg]

@@w00df0rd yea... now the majority of the roster is gone

[@GroupConglomerate]

😢

[@OldAussieAds]

Who's left? DiBiase, Hogan and Jake?

[@GrassValleyGreg]

@@OldAussieAds Demolition Smash and Sgt Slaughter as well

[@michaelgraham9066]

I can still remember the first time I saw this game in the arcade on a family holiday and it blew my mind in my opinion this still holds up as one of the best wwf games ever made

[@dvon1097]

man i love home consoles but nothing beats the experience of playing an arcade cabinet with the lights, artwork and the giant screen.

[@RetroHabit82]

Should be title "The Greatest Arcade Wrestling Game Ever Invented"

[@blgdoesthings4122]

But... Thats wrong

[@StuUngar]

There was a lot of good arcades during this era. Street Fighter II, WWF Wrestlefest, X-Men, TNMT, Simpsons....

[@JohnnyDouchbag-nr5yf]

No you're wrong!

[@RetroHabit82]

@@JohnnyDouchbag-nr5yf Name a better Arcade wrestling title?

[@JohnnyDouchbag-nr5yf]

Lol...that's was supposed to go to blgdoesthings. I agree with u!

[@bigmarkdarula]

You could control the grapple moves based on the direction you used on the joystick- it was 100% controllable not random

[@LadellTurner]

Definitely! I played this game as a kid!

[@AneudiD78]

I must have spent my weight in quarters back in the late 80's and 90's. There was a sense of pride and bragging rights mastering these arcade classics in just a quarter, inserting your initials on top of the leader board. These arcades were also about social gatherings with your friends to hang out and that's what I miss the most.

[@jimmyj4m]

Even though wrestlefest was a great game the first arcade game WWF SUPERSTARS was one of the best games of all time! P.s even though I haven't watched wrestling for nearly 20 years (before it turned into some b rate soap opera) I cannot stop watching your videos! Keep up the amazing work mate 😎

[@RizRazee_DB]

Wrestlefest old version was much better than todays play stations WWE games.

[@MGSBigBoss77]

We know that, now tell us something we don't know!

[@RizRazee_DB]

@@MGSBigBoss77 the new version of WWE is not better than Wrestlefest retro arcade game.

[@frankiegeeyoung7177]

I have spent so much money on this game and would do it again. I want this arcade game and WWF Superstars

[@4everMatador]

Frankie Gee Young Get ya a Mame ;-)

[@ferox965]

Loved Superstars.

[@MrHetherton]

@@4everMatador Or a first generation xbox with coin ops

[@rossfrance6300]

download mame emulator

[@jodyfleming7135]

I have an original dedicated Superstars cabinet, and that thing is my baby. I have a Pandora’s box in a double dragon cabinet, and I play Wrestlefest in that everyday.

[@CynicallyObnoxious]

This was lit because they actually had finishing moves

[@Jamesamong007]

I consider the Fire Pro Wrestling games to be a spiritual successor to this game.

[@cocomonkeh]

the first firepro game came out in 89! been a huge fan since the saturn one

[@Krendall2]

Not really. Fire Pro is about wrestling simulation more than arcade-style action. Fire Pro is the successor to NES Pro Wrestling. In fact, the developer of Pro Wrestling was also a developer on the first Fire Pro.

[@kjuergens1985]

To me, the Zen-Nippon series on Super Famicom is a better successor; the same clunky-but-accurate sprites, accurate movesets, but switched from a button-masher to timing-based for a deeper experience at home.

[@354allday]

I got my ass whooped for spending most of the money playing this game instead buying correct amount of lunch meat and cheese at the store

[@north-philly-rome]

😂😂😂

[@FishBeeProductions]

I remember playing this at a laundry mat as a kid and being completely amazed at how awesome this game was!!!

[@danielmaurice7468]

Huh, I remember this arcade game. It's actually still playable at Joe's Playland in Salisbury MA.

[@MIDO2802]

You are making videos about other wrestling video games ! Amazing ! Thank you so much !

[@RossTheNinja]

If you picked earth quake you could do a submission and your finisher would take ages. Ideal for the rumble.

[@beansieb4619]

My local arcade used to have 2hr lock ins on one Sunday per month. Ten buck entry and they’d load up all the machines with stacks of credits. My and my buddies would always make a beeline for wrestlefest and spent most of the 2 hrs on it. Good times.

[@TheUsualSuspekt]

That awkward moment when you notice 5 people on the playable roster are dead. Six if you count unplayable.

[@Rocket1377]

Seven. Hawk and Animal are now both deceased. In 2003 and 2020, respectively.

[@hygrave2892]

I actually purchased the four player arcade cabinet back in the day from Tilt before it closed. I paid about 200$ all toll for it, had to replace the joysticks and whatnot. But 2 AM drunk free playing this at home was major memories. Putt-Putt Golf and Games, Tilt, and a few others were awesome times. A shame the arcades died off, there is nothing as good as wasting money on a Friday after school till your eyes bleed.

[@sdolman79]

Remember winning the Royal rumble with the warrior in a arcade in Blackpool in the early 90s.

[@ferox965]

I always used Earthquake or Jake the Snake.

[@Davidjon1946]

Lol im in that ionic photo shoot at 2:27 it was taken at wrestlemania 6 in toronto I'm the kid in the red sweatshirt with the Hulk Hogan bandana I remember the WWF photography crew up there taking many different photos from that section and angle told us to keep our eyes open sure nuff this photo has been on many things including the WWF Royal Rumble game for Super Nintendo and Sega Genesis very cool anyways cool Channel and greetings from Buffalo New York

[@AZMikeWar]

I discovered this game at a church camp when I was 11. Their rec room was set up with arcade games that were altered to have buttons that would add credits. It was hard for me to pull myself away from this game, and I always looked for it whenever I went to an arcade.

[@ultracartoonartist7635]

without question the greatest wwf game I played at the time. ljn should have taken notes..

[@ultracartoonartist7635]

super wrestle mania , royal rumble etc for SNES and Genesis was trying for this type of game.. not even close except for the grapple system.

[@CyberIce2000]

Damn I saw this on my recommends and thought it was being released.

[@jeste4187]

My boss saw me watching this and was going to yell at me but he saw wrestlefest and was instantly transported back to that time.

[@roadie62]

Thanks for taking me back to playing this game at the arcade. I've been waiting for years to see this classic game again at an arcade but never had the chance.

[@PeterZeeke]

lol Hacksaw Jim Duggans little "HOOOO" killed me!! XD

[@mr.y.mysterious.video1]

Always picked earthquake as his finisher was best

[@GaddGaming]

I remember as a kid I used to love going to the arcade and playing this. It was the best wrestling game for years

[@sembatocus9958]

Remember the early 90s playing in the bowling alley. I still play this regularly on my modded original xbox coinops7. This game is legendary!!

[@christiandornan1308]

Saturday Night Slam Masters (Muscle Bomber) is favorite 90's wrestling game. I did play WrestleFest in the arcade but games like Final Fight, Mercs, Street Fighter 2, Fatal Fury, Rainbow Islands and Ghouls and Ghosts got my attention more.

[@Purplegorillaz]

Should bring Arcades back..I’m sure in this time we live people will go just cause of the nostalgic feel..this game looks fun.

[@prostreetdino8266]

I have this same arcade along with others in my basement , still love playing it , been asked to sell it a hundred times ,

[@rexgamewell]

Yessssss.... We need the remake of this game.

[@lickkittysplit3871]

Put it on the Rasberry Pi.

[@joshfraley8019]

I used to play this game at a fun center as a kid and picked Crush. When I was 20, I downloaded Mame and played the game ever since.

[@ttmadness34]

Loved this game back in the day. Just recently bought one of these raspberry consoles. It just plugs into the tv and off you go. It has all the arcade games on it and all the old console games from the mega drive, SNES etc. My 6 year old lad loves the wrestlefest game, we have had a few battles on it lol.

[@MGSBigBoss77]

So you also have; "Wrestle War" for the Megadrive/Genesis to play right, am i correct?

[@north-philly-rome]

They should come out with it on PS4 and other game systems

[@harvestmich]

You just have to buy Fire Pro Wrestling!! Believe me you can make anyone on there and it has a deep fighting system

[@harvestmich]

@The artist Devil ok! I've never had an online match on there. I'll send you a friend request soon

[@funkychicken3808]

I remember this game really well. Putting my 20p in and romping. I always found LOD solid though. Takes me right back this one. I didnt play the newer versions and I'm glad judging from the crappy graphics. Always playeg Warrioir in Royal Rumble and him and Perfect as tag team. Happy days.

[@MacStoker]

i just left an interview on hannibal tv some bloke saying hes seen grey aliens...,...its hard enough being a wrestling fan explaining its not fake to mates without aliens getting in on the act lol.... im here in my safe space thank fook ;-)

[@superchargerboy5750]

You can get this game on the many MAME arcade joysticks now. I got one from Amazon for like $150 and it has this game and the first wwf arcade game with Andre and Dibiase

[@Kingslayer_au]

so glad i have this at home I can play it whenever i like :)

[@dorydeviance3774]

When I was a kid my friend swore up and down that WWF Royal Rumble for the Genises was a direct port of Wrestle Fest

[@Riz_]

Wow I remember hearing about Wrestle fest but never had an arcade close enough. First game I played was Wrestlemania for the Comadore Amiga, it was horrible but the memories. Thank you for this video, glad to see you are a gamer too.

[@Joolz1982]

Nice coverage did not know Superstars was same company that was also great. Love original Wrestlefest wish it was on all the consoles. I fact wish the consoles had an Arcade side in their store with this and other Arcade games.

[@dl30wpb]

I remember playing this at the arcade at the Mall... .. Choosing Hulk Hogan and Ultimate Warrior was OP lol

[@bunglechild]

hello misspent childhood nice to see you again.

[@robinwebb1503]

Superb video, very helpful and informative.

[@nymichael976]

There's a new wrestling game coming out next year called Retromania Wrestling that's going to look and play a lot like Wrestlefest

[@dxhbk1985]

Did you see it on rgt85 page

[@nymichael976]

@@dxhbk1985 yes I did

[@joshfraley8019]

I can't wait to play that game when it comes to the Nintendo Switch! It has some ECW legends like Tommy Dreamer, Stevie Richards and a few others.

[@north-philly-rome]

They trying to look like fire pro wrestling..an little bit

[@2texastornado]

I love this game to this very day. My favorite tag team is Earthquake and The Big Boss Man and The Ultimate Warrior and Hulk Hogan ❤❤❤

[@trelard]

I remember playing this back in the day with my mates up at a swimming pool in Craigavon. Was never very good at it myself, but it was good wee bit of craic.

[@sartana8616]

Best wrestling game of all time. I remember when i was a kid, when i didn't understand the difference between the power of arcades and the home consoles, i bought the Ljn wrestling games for Nes, believing they were the same of Superstars and Wrestlefest........What an ugly childhood.

[@crushthecrusher7134]

I love wwf wrestlefest I November play wrestlefest I was Little kid I still play this wrestling game online

[@king_torre_calchi2242]

Cool vid, I have a wrestlefest arcade, could have gave u footage

[@currychips]

Your narration has vastly improved. Very good.

[@nellemonde6341]

Oh I so remember this! Spending many an hour & dollar playing the arcade

[@rvd83]

Update to the Wrestlefest story. A game is currently being made called Retromania Wrestling by Retrosoft Studios. It started as a spiritual successor to Wrestlefest but Technos as licenced it as an official sequel. It has a combination of Indy and recognizable old names like Tommy Dreamer, Colt Cabana, the BWO, Zach Saber Jr, and the Road Warriors the only 2 from Wrestlefest to appear in the game. It's slated for a digital only July 2020 release on Steam, PS4, Xbox One, and Switch. You can go into Retromaniawrestling.com and you can find it on Twitter where it has a very active account that releases updates as the continue to work on the game. Obviously since it's not out yet I haven't played it but it looks amazing and I'm looking forward to the July release

[@note2owns]

Wrestle War was another one I used to play the hell out of. Back then it looked as real as a game could get...lol

[@thesolidsnakealpha]

Can you do a review of the Fire Pro wrestling series? Brilliant video BTW mate.

[@maxd6104]

I agree that is a most excellent idea.

[@og0812]

Loved that game, was so much fun at 13 yrs old!

[@francoispellerin4268]

I loved wrestlefest ! so many memories, dépaneur chez Nenette !

[@masterj4777]

This is way better than superstars!! And one of the best wrestling games ever!

[@jesterskully563]

Thank you so much for making this! You’re my new favorite channel

[@gregorynetus5557]

Best wrestling games ever.in queens ny arcade was eveerywhere.wrestlefest is the best.ultimate warrior is legendary.word up son

[@cmbtheambassador5773]

Ultimate Warrior's flying clothesline looked like it would decapitate somebody 🤣🤣🤣

[@besotoxicomusic]

This was the greatest wrestling game to exist until FirePro Wrestling, NJPW and Virtual Pro Wrestling existed.

[@besotoxicomusic]

Melanie L. I was too lazy to type Super FirePro X Premium. All the ones before that one were weak.

[@thetruebignasty6206]

I loved this game.spent quarter after quarter playing it!thanks for the great video! Fire pro wrestling is a current game to play if you want an updated version of this. Can even go to their site,and download several current and past guys to fill out your roster!

[@matthewseller3711]

I just want to add something to this if you search arcade dungeon then you might be able to pick up this arcade game in full. but some arcade machines (Not all but some) have interchangeable game cartages much like the Mega Drive and Nintendo.

[@c55411]

I use to love this game. Spent a lot of quarters on this game.

[@c55411]

Was worth it for me. 😂

[@michaelzoran]

The versions "re-released" are nothing like the original WWF Wrestlefest. I didn't waste buying the new version. They need to release an exact 100% copy for Xbox Live Arcade. If they did that I would be glad to buy it, especially if it was priced at $5 the way many of the Neo Geo classics are.

[@AcesnEights698]

I loved the look of Wrestlefest. I would have killed for a 16 bit port back in the day. I'll take the cartoony look over uncanny valley modern games any day.

[@Fatal1ty_v2_UK]

The 360 version of this never actually was rekeased. It was in pre order state on the XBLA for weeks, then was pulled for some reason

[@Yozora_Xion]

the first time i played this i was a little kid at busch gardens(florida) and i was using earthquake in the royal rumble mode.i couldn't figure out how to elimante hogan,which was the last character i needed to win

[@jasonvicary662]

I remember winning the royal rumble competition in Newcastle, my prize was a wrestler figurine of my choice, had to pick the guy I used to win, The Ultimate Warrior!!!

[@cavemandrew5565]

Pro tip. Backup as you punch the computer. When they fall, walk over and stomp. Back away. Repeat. Eventually when they fall, pick up by head and tie up. Big move. Repeat. Pick Million Dollar Man and Slaughter and use a submission. Easy win. Or Mr Perfect for quick pin.

[@nurseelliott4256]

I really like playing this game. I really like tag-teaming with Hulk and Warrior

[@RAMCO840]

Game makers need to make Wrestlefest 2 with more legendary wrestlers and maybe a create a wrestler mode in it too.

[@YG4Eva]

Soooo many quarters wasted at Celebration Station as kid on this arcade... Memories 👍🏾

[@lifeisoverated81]

They had this game in the Pizza Hut in my home town. The controls were always greasy af, but I played it every time I went there. I always picked Sgt. Slaughter.

[@IZZYZIGG]

I was almost always the Ultimate Warrior. Earthquake was fun too.

[@akvalues]

Great academic game. Hulkster and the warrior was a dream team

[@timomajere]

I remember back in early 90'sI would hook off high school and go to the arcade and we would have competitions with this game. It was NARC™ all the time until this game showed up in our community. I always chose Honky Tonk and Savage, because they had slightly longer ranged attacks that couldn't be countered( Honky's side kick and Savages flying clothesline) People would leave their quarters on the screen to indicate who was ' Up next'. I always wondered who did the voiceovers though.' I'll put you to sleep, with my million dollar dream!' by DiBiase sounded like Invader Zim sometimes. I So miss this game.

[@TheNeeklus]

Had this on my Amstrad 464! Great memories! Great video.

[@action802]

Those were the BEST ARCADE DAYS EVER!!

[@DEEDUBZ]

OHH yes I remember playing WWF Arcade games bashing the buttons, and majority of the times when I had no money, watching the A.I to see the wrestlers do their favourite and the Finishers

[@hooksncrosses3419]

I too was a Street Fighter 2 fan! Ken was my favourite character. I spent so much time playing all the different versions of it. Even now I dig out my old PSP and play Capcom classic.😂

[@johnathanpatterson2847]

One of the best present I ever got when I was around 5 my dad got me the NES WrestleMania game I'm not sure if it was wrestlefest or Superstars but it was the NES WrestleMania game man it was awesome this videos are making me think a lot about that possibly one of the best presents I think I've ever gotten love that game wish I still had it though not really sure where it is. I probably played that game so much that it was crazy I think the I think I stop playing it when my dad ended up getting me Mario Brothers 3 for my birthday when I was about six or seven

[@reman519]

I played this game when I was a kid it was great and I won on one quarter once in my life still love it 25 plus year later

[@WVSuspect]

Used to always play this game on holiday at the hotel I was staying at in Orlando when I was a kid

[@bradslade3722]

My background I’m from Newfoundland and you need to take a ferry from Nova Scotia to get to Newfoundland I remember this game being on the ferry when I was a kid spent the whole boat ride playing this game lol

[@SuperDarkMario]

Great channel with great content!

[@TheDannyc1982]

My local video shop had wrestlefest when I was a kid. Best wrestling game ever made even today.

[@nickm393]

Rick Rude was long gone from the WWF by the Spring of 1991, he had no chance of making into this game.

[@Rando1975]

Great change of pace video. LOVED this game in the arcade!