Game Info --------------------------------------------------- Developer: Capcom Publisher: Capcom Year of Release: 1993 Game Review & Impressions --------------------------------------------------- Wrestling has always had its fanbase, but by late 80s and early 90s, the likes of WWF and the whole theatricality and spectacle of the events really propelled the sport into the mainstream and beyond. Saturday Night Slam Masters, or Muscle Bomber in Japan, really tries to tap into the whole U.S. wrestling craze. Powered by Capcom's CPS1 arcade hardware, SNSLM brings the delights of muscular, oily men slapping the bejesus out of each other in the squared circle. The cast of characters is as diverse and outlandish as you'd expect, and there's even a star turn by Mike Haggar, one of the main characters from Final Fight, presumably in the days before he exchanged his spandex pants for the mayoral chains of office. Having deposited a coin, players get to choose from two different modes: a series of one-on-one competitions, or two-on-two matches where all four fighters occupy the ring at once. Those looking for an easier time of things should pick the latter, while the real challenge lies in the one-on-one matches. Regardless of mode chosen, players must then choose which wrestler they want to fight in the championship bouts. Each character has their own set of kicks, grapples and super moves, most of which involve grappling with the opponent. Inputting the appropriate stick movements and button presses will execute a range of suplexes, slams and piledrivers, while the defender attempts to break out of the grapple in similar fashion. In the time-honoured tradition of wrestling, It's possible to climb on top of the turnbuckles to flying kicks, catapult yourself off the side ropes, or even climb out the ring and beat each other senseless with chairs, bottles, or a metal bucket. Now, this might all sound good in theory, but I have to admit that I found the whole experience to be rather boring. Executing some of the moves, particularly the super-specials, is incredibly difficult. I think I only managed to execute Haggar's spinning piledriver a couple of times during the entire time, and that was using an analogue stick! It doesn't help that the CPU player usually wins clinches, and it has an uncanny knack of countering any attack from the turnbuckles. If I'm being brutally honest, I think this is one of the weaker CPS1 games in Capcom's roster. It might be more fun against a human opponent, but the single player mode left me rather cold. Saturday Night Slam Masters looks and sounds great, and being able to play as Haggar is a really nice touch, but there are far better Capcom brawlers available. Information & Trivia --------------------------------------------------- Video Notes --------------------------------------------------- Related Longplays & Videos --------------------------------------------------- Chapters ---------------------------------------------------

• published: 20 Mar 2022
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