While a lot has changed since that time, one thing remains the same: Nintendo fans are Nintendo fans, and THQ will not end their dedication to them.  That's why GameCube has WWE Day of Reckoning and its competitors don't.

Before we get down to business, a few things need to be said about the game.  First and foremost the gameplay is faster, more responsive, and as a result more entertaining than any other wrestler available for the 'Cube.

“Say Uncle!  Say Uncle!”

“Uncle!”

“Now say Aunt!  Say Aunt!”

Second: the easy-to-learn control scheme means you don't have to be a wrestling fanatic to get into the gameplay.  With 4-player matches going, just throw your friends a controller and tell them to press buttons.  They'll get the hang of it in seconds.  (On-screen icons alert you when a specific button should be pressed.  If you're being held, you may be told to press the A button rapidly to break free.  If your clothes are in danger of being ripped off, you may have to perform similarly difficult button mashing.  Be prepared to make your thumb become one with the controller.)

Third: this is minor in comparison to the gameplay, but WWE Day of Reckoning has a great soundtrack.  The WWE Forceable Entry soundtrack serves as the game's backbone.  New tracks from Tantric and Breaking Banjamin have been added to the mix.  Wrestling fans have no doubt heard most of this stuff before, and will appreciate the inclusion of them in the game.

Boxing and fighting games have various types of counter and reversal moves.  WWE Day of Reckoning has its own version called Momentum Shift.  Although some of you may think this is what happens to your stomach after eating at KFC, in actuality a Momentum Shift is a surprise move that's used as a last-minute attempt to turn the tide.  Each wrestler has a spirit meter, indicating their vital stats.  When it reaches "Danger" you're in deep trouble.  Press A+B to unleash your one and only Momentum Shift.  You only get one Momentum Shift per match, so don't expect this to be like those annoying sports where the score is always tied.  You may be superior at first, but that doesn't mean you're guaranteed to go home to the victor.

Got an important business meeting to attend or a class that your teacher says you just can't miss?  Forget about 'em.  You're going to need more than a few minutes to try out all of WWE Day of Reckoning many game modes.  They include: Hardcore, Ladder, TLC, Cage, Ironman, Hell in a Cell, and Bra & Panties.  Those are sub-modes within the Single, Tag-Team, Triple Threat (three wrestler three-for-all), Fatal 4 Way and Royal Rumble modes.  If you're looking for a trademark arena, don't worry – they're all here: Survivor Series, Armageddon, No Way Out, etc.

"Man, that bug crawled in deeper than I thought."

The create-a-wrestler mode is pretty slick.  You have more options at your finger tips than any other create-a-character mode I've experienced (with the exception of massively multiplayer RPGs.  The customization there can be limitless).  You can change the size, depth and shape of your wrestler's head, arms, chest, body – everything!  Before you get to any of that you have several pre-created heads and body types/attire to choose from.  You also have the option of adding a tattoo.  Choose a pre-made tattoo for a quick fix, or utilize the game's decent paint program and create your own.

I personally am not the type of gamer who would sit in front of the TV and tweak a character's appearance for hours on end.  I do however know several gamers who enjoy these kinds of features.  It's cool regardless of your preference, because you can never have enough content.  There's an exception to every rule, but in general, the more you offer gamers, the more likely they will be satisfied.

I am, however, the type of person who sits in front of a TV with several friends.  My mind isn't focused on the graphics or the music or any other variable: just the gameplay.  The gameplay being the tool that I use to kick the butt of my opponents.  You can't top a game that encourages you to do that for many hours without a break.

Gameplay: 8
Is this the day of reckoning, or the day of redemption?  Gamers haven't had too many good wrestling games these days, but that changes with WWE Day of Reckoning.  The number of play modes and wide differences between wrestlers are the primary reasons why gamers will take notice of this title.  The easy-to-use control scheme and less realistic gameplay are the reasons why WWE Day of Reckoning can be picked and played at any time.  So go on, pick it up.  Play it with your friends and turn off the clock.  With multiplayer matches like this you don't need to know what time it is.

Graphics: 8
The animation is good and the overall detail (clothing, skin tone, animated fans, etc.) is certainly noteworthy.

Sound: 8
Great rock music from some of the genre's best bands.

Difficulty: Medium

Concept: 7.4
The Momentum Shift is a cool addition, but this is hardly an innovative game.  Polished, but not innovative.

Multiplayer: 8
No online multiplayer (GameCube doesn't have an online service so what'd you expect), but the four-player same-screen battles are time-consuming enough to make up for that.  If this game were online, would wrestling fans ever have a reason to leave the house again?

Overall: 8
Button mashing for newbies, individual moves for the pros.  WWE Day of Reckoning has something for everyone, regardless of your wrestling preference.  The only requirement is that you like wrestling and/or wrestling video games.  If you like neither, would you even bother reading this review?