New Japan Pro Wrestling Kounin '95 Toukyou Doimu BATTLE7 (1995)
New Japan Pro Wrestling Kounin '95 Toukyou Doimu BATTLE7 (literally "New Japan Pro Wrestling Official '95 Battle7") is a professional wrestling simulation game developed by Varie and published by Varie for the Super Famicom, released on May 12, 1995. It is an official licensed game featuring wrestlers from the New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) promotion, and is a more arcade-style wrestling game compared to other simulations. Varie, known for their racing and sports games, brought their technical expertise to the wrestling genre, creating a game that was both fun and accessible.
Gameplay and Wrestling Mechanics
New Japan Pro Wrestling Kounin '95 is a wrestling simulation game where players choose from a roster of NJPW wrestlers, each with unique stats, moves, and signature techniques. The game features a simplified "grapple" system, with a focus on fast-paced action and easy-to-execute moves. The game also includes a "stamina" system, where wrestlers tire over time, affecting their performance. The game's controls are responsive, with button mapping for strikes, grapples, and submissions. The game's standout feature is its arcade-style presentation, with colorful, exaggerated character designs.
The game includes multiple modes, including an exhibition match, a tournament mode (where players compete for a championship), a league mode, and a two-player mode for competitive multiplayer. The game's visual style is colorful and cartoonish, with large, expressive wrestler sprites and authentic ring environments. The soundtrack features high-energy rock and electronic tracks that match the intensity of the matches.
New Japan Pro Wrestling Kounin '95 Toukyou Doimu BATTLE7 received positive reviews for its accessible gameplay and fun presentation, becoming a popular title among wrestling fans in Japan. It remains a solid entry in Varie's wrestling catalog and a fondly remembered game for its arcade-style approach.