On November 14, 2000, developers Asmik Ace Entertainment and AKI Corporation, along with publisher THQ, launch what many wrestling fans say is the best wrestling videogame ever. WWF No Mercy.

Since then, there have been few bright spots such as WWE SmackDown! Shut your Mouth, and WWE SmackDown! Here Comes the Pain, but titles like No Mercy or WCW/nWo Revenge remain in people’s minds when it comes to wrestling Video Games.

The years go by, WCW is dead and bought out by WWE. The WWE SmackDown! vs. RAW then make their rounds and are quite good, but come to the sogenannten AKI Games no longer really approach the hype.

Almost 22 years later, a game completely based on the original version of the AKI engine was born.

Sam Vallely, founding Father and Lead Developer of HYPERFOCUS Games wanted to fulfill his dream of the perfect wrestling videogame, which has been driving him for almost a decade.

The project needs money for the final push. Sam takes the opportunity of crowdfounding.

After a few days, the goal of £ 17,000 is reached and the triumph continues. At the end of the day, the total is no less than £61,801 in just 30 days, a sum that opens new doors. This is not due to the collaboration with Hal Haney, who brings his own wrestling characters into the game, as well as the passion of the entire team.

UPW SHOWCASE Shows Where the Journey is Headed

Fast forward 5 months and endless hours of work later, Hyperfocus Games presents on August 26. 2023 a showcase of UPW, which creates a real hype around probably the most important wrestling video game project since the Announcement of The Wrestling Code (another wrestling videogame, which is not from the hand of a big development company).

The showcase trailer excellently shows the popular AKI style, but in a new guise. Through the concept drawings of Hal Haney, the 3D models in the game will appear in a cartoonish style, giving the game its own distinctive look.

The arena simply shows very well where UPW differs from other current games, the unique style. The vibe of the 80s is simply captured to perfection and transported into the game.

New 3D models of Americana, Bruno Barbosa, Rave Kid, Gorudensai, Betty Bulldozer, Brutala Gore, Fireheart, Sir Oliver Buckingham and “Blue Collar” Bill Dollar were also introduced. Plus some CAW (create-a-wrestler) Features like, change your Size (changing body measurements), Attire Items and the changing of the color layers. More Features will be shown soon.

More so-called Free AGENTS find their way into the game

Legends and current Superstar will become available through the DLC Pack (Free Agent DLC) offer later in UPW. Quote from the official UPW website: “Our unique payment model will see your cash go DIRECTLY to the wrestlers you choose to support, so every penny spent acts as a “thank you” for all their contributions.”

Here is a summary of the Free Agents that are available for purchase in DLC packages.

The available Legends: Chris Candido, Bryan Clark (as Adam Bomb, WRATH & in his Kronik attires), Blue Meanie, Demolition Ax & Smash (also as The Masked Superstar & Krusher Kruschev), “The Enforcer” Arn Anderson, Nova, Francine, Louie Spicolli, Al Snow, 2 Cold Scorpio, Gangrel, Kanyon (also as Mortis), Crowbar, Buff Bagwell, Bull Nakano, Glacier, Brother Devon, The Sandman, Hayabusa, Dynamite Kid, Tito Santana, Powers of Pain (Warlord & The Barbarian), “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan, Jake “The Snake” Roberts & “Mr. Wonderful” Paul Orndorff. As for the newer generation, Matt Cardona & Warhorse come into the Game.

With Ultra Pro Wrestling, the independent developer team around Sam Vallely is moving in the right direction and shows early enthusiasm.

If the course is maintained, we can expect possibly the best wrestling videogame of all time in 2024! You can be curious about everything that comes and follows.

If you want to support UPW you can do so via Patreon. https://www.patreon.com/ultraprowrestling/posts

There will be behind-the-scenes sneak peeks via Patreon, previews of new 3D models, reveals, and more.

Anyone who is interested and would like to learn more about Ultra Pro Wrestling is welcome to visit the website. https://www.ultraprowrestling.com/

UPW will be released later in 2024 and will be available for the following platforms (Nintendo Switch, PS4/5, Xbox Series S and X, and PC).

-Lenny Wrestling

*Photo courtesy of Patreon Page from UPW