It’s the legends of the sport, big and powerful, full of grunts and groans, and featuring some characteristic moves that haven’t been seen for a while.

Hulk Hogan (yep, he is still around) versus Jerry Lawlor, Jimmy “Superfly” Snuka versus Bret “The Hitman” Hart, or the Road Warriors versus anyone – they are all here. You want action, you want excitement, you want classic moves, Acclaim gives them to you with Legends of Wrestling for the GameCube.

This game will give you a readily accessible controller interface, but when stacked up to the graphical elements of other pro wrestling games, this is a game that is lacking in personality.

Don’t take that wrong – this is a solid game with well-rendered graphics, and it is a great throwback to the past of the sport (yes, wrestling is a sport – defy anyone to perform the intricate moves and sheer athleticism of those who participate and you will find a lot of injured ‘wanna-be’ jocks). What it comes down to though is if this game can compete with other console platform programs. Only on an average level.

Let’s talk about what the game offers …

There are several modes of play – exhibition (which sub-categorizes into versus matches, 3-way dance, and 4-way dance and tag team), career (you guide a wrestler through a season), and tournament. You can also create a legend (Ok, legendary status is earned, not given). However, the latter offers the most options and the most character this game has. Other options include settings for blood, managerial interference and difficulty.

You can also pick up and use a weapon – always a useful thing in professional wrestling.

The graphical elements are solid. Each character is over-the-top huge, with biceps the size of the Titanic, and a variety of moves that are executed, sometimes, to perfection. You can block the moves if you are quick enough with control elements. The animation is very good, though the environments all tend to look alike. There is also no grand entrance; none of the flashy introductions that WWF Raw offers. Load times, though, are much quicker.

The controller interface has been kept simple, with on-screen prompts to let players know how to kick out of a potential match-winning move. You will have to exercise your finger dexterity, though, to work out of it.

This is a game that relies on quick reflexes.

Legends of Wrestling is a nice program, but when stacked up against the competition, albeit on other platforms, it hardly emerges as ‘king of the ring.’ Still, GC users may find this a nice introduction to the sport, and it does revive the careers of those who gave the game a wonderful public persona.

This game is rated Teen for blood and violence.

Gameplay: 7.8
The action is smooth and inviting. Once you launch the game, everything works quite well.

Graphics: 7.8
This game, on a comparative level with other platform games, does not render the athletes quite as well. Still the animation is solid and diversity of moves makes it enjoyable.

Sound: 7
Just want one would expect, nothing special or unique but solid.

Difficulty: 7.5
There is a finite amount of moves until you progress. The game does well to let players access to the action, but the controls – screen-prompted – languish the overall ability to work fast.

Concept: 7
This has been done well before, and while this game gives players access to stars of the past, it doesn’t seem to be enough.

Multiplayer: 7
Just want one would expect. Going head-to-head is fine, but nothing exceptional.

Overall: 7
The graphics are fine, and the grunts and groans do well for the vehicle, but this game really can’t compete with other similar programs on different platforms. The return of the legendary stars that gave this sport its high profile is a nice touch. This game is solid, but not the best platform-wrestling program on the market.