TNA Impact! (PlayStation 2, 2008)

Okay this review will be short like the game. The game smooth to play. The controls are easy and the play
is really fun. It's easy for me to sit and play this game for an hour or more without getting bored. But it's not great!
You only start out with a handful of the game's full roster and have to earn the rest which is fine. Makes it a goal.
But there aren't even that many playable characters on the game anyway. Seriously!! Maybe half TNA's real roster.
Yeah I know, it's their FIRST game ever. It looks nice, but nothing like the current WWE games. This looks
more like "SmackDown! Here Comes the Pain" from back in the day. STILL GOOD though. Still fun and looks decent.
You play the game as Suicide. If you don't know who he is, go to TNA's official web site and check the roster.
You go from the big times, to getting jumped by LAX, amnesia, stuck in Mexico, getting to the American indie scene,
a try out for TNA, signing with TNA and so on. I'm not a master of this game, I can't do all the moves and to be
honest I can't do the finishers, running dives out of the ring or even irish whip without it being accedental. But it's fun!!

All in all this game IS worth having for TNA fans not expecting current WWE graphics, and it's worth buying if it's
less than $5 (I got mine for $2). If you want graphics, get a WWE game. If you want TONS of wrestlers then get
Fire Pro Wrestling Returns for PS2, but if you want TNA stars with TNA matches then this game is for you!!

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Professional wrestling is a sport that hasn't always gotten a lot of respect in the video game community. Most classic wrestling titles were just glorified beat-'em-ups, with limited control schemes and little to distinguish one wrestler from another. In Japan, where wrestling is the national pastime, games featured intricate controls and detailed create-a-wrestler modes even back then, such as the Super Fire Pro series which remains popular to this day. American wrestling fans had to wait until WWF No Mercy on the N64 and the Smackdown series on the Playstation to get good games with depth and replay value, and the SvR series has offered new features each year even if some of them weren't as warmly received. Sadly, TNA Impact is a step backwards, which is even more sad due to the potential it had to be a great first offering for a non-WWE product.

First off, the good... The graphics are top notch for the PS2, and minus a few animation glitches the moves are smooth and slick. Most of the controls are very simplistic but also feature a fairly smooth and simple reversal system that flows nicely into counter moves. The cutscenes are amusing and feature voice acting (by Low-Ki no less) for the main character.

Now for the not-so-good... there are very few moves per character adn few situations to execute moves, and the controls that are not so simplistic are almost counter-intuitive. Using finishers is similarly dull and boring, and there don't seem to be any top-rope finishers, or any moves other than "standing facing front". Although a good portion of the TNA roster is present, you unlock more by competing in a large number of pointless cookie-cutter gauntlet matches, which initially only unlocks some crappy fictional jobbers. The six-sided ring is a novelty that tends to make running and top-rope moves more difficult than they should be, and the lack of any formal rules means that weapons are always in play and every match essentially goes the same way.

The biggest flaw in the game however, is the create-a-wrestler mode. Or perhaps I should say, the lack of one, since it was apparently decided at the last minute to remove it from the PS2 version and only leave it for the Xbox 360 and PS3. Of course, they didn't bother to even change the dialogue in the story mode where you are introduced to your locker room where you can "change your appearance", leading to much confusion.

Overall, the gameplay is lackluster without being completely awful, and if the engine were to be polished up and more slots for moves added, it could turn into a decent wrestling franchise. The reversal system is actually very good, but the capacity for finishers in other positions is sorely needed. The game really feels as though it was rushed. The character models are good, the music is spot on, and the shortened ring entrances and quicker load times are definitely a plus. However, the glitches in walking and running animation, the unenthusiastic AI, and the lack of a create-a-wrestler mode make the story mode an exercise in drudgery to sit through. If you can find this in a discount bin around the $5 mark, it's still worth playing a few times against your friends if only to get all the cool moves missing from Smackdown vs. Raw and get inspiration for making the TNA guys in it.

Rating: 3/10, with an honorable mention for the reversals

The following is my opinions on this game. 1. The story mode is only for suicide when it could be for other wrestlers too. 2. The knockouts aren't even in the game which sucks. 3. There is no create a wrestler mode. 4. There is no create a belt mode. 5. The entrances are too short. 6. There are several TNA wrestlers missing from the game.

This is a pretty good game since it is the first game from TNA, but in order for it to be an excellent game, they need to make another one and this time add all of the current stars and knockouts and make the story mode usable for all roster/knockouts.

I bought this for my sons. They are young game lovers and always looking for a new game to play. Its easy to figure out and they both love it! Thanks for a great deal as well. i love a great deal considering the economy! Will be back soon!

My son is a fan of all types of wrestling, so I decided to do something nice for him. Thanks for having the product and for your prompt service.

Item shipped pretty fast, received item within 3 days, sealed and in excellent condition!! Would be more than happy to purchase from seller again!!
Thanks!

i love this game it has all the legends i dislike nothing about it i bought it to try it out must have for wresling fans

Really good game. Only bad things, not easy to learn if your used to the wwe games. And the story mode is short. But being TNA's first game they did very well. Recommended for any TNA fan.

I LOVE HOW GREAT IT IS AND I LOVE SUICIDE THE CHARACTER
THE GAME ROCKS I WILL PLAY THE GAME FOREVER

good game has all the TNA superstars, career mode, create a wrestler, all types of matches, all finishing moves of the TNA superstars

This is real fun to play with or without friends. Storylines are real cool. Only thing is the 2nd edition of this game comes with a bonus disc. But I'm not complaining. I bought it factory sealed. By the way to Kurt Angle ans his fans...YOU SUCK! YOU SUCK!

i love wrestling.i grew up watching this stuff.this is a great game.great game for all wrestling fans.what else can i say.wrestling rules.

I don't like it has only 1 control setting
the graphics aren't up to par
smack down vs raw is still a better buy for the money

I enjoyed playing this game at a friends house.I am very happy to have purchased my own copy,being an avid fan of TNA,I rate this an excellent game.The graphics and overall design of the game is incredible.I highly recommend this game to any wrestling fan.

wow finally a tna video game! Me and my son love wrestling wwe and tna!! This is really cool. great matches

My kids also own Smackdown vs Raw. The graphics on TNA are far better. much more clarity. The price is awesome

I will luvvvvvvvvv it. I have been trying to get it since it came out!!!!!!
I think it will be the funnest game in any wrestling game. I just luvvvvvvvvv wrestling.

It was purchased as a Xmas present for my son. I'm assuming he's enjoying it as I've not heard otherwise.

My review is about the game not why I decided to buy it.

So anyways, for TNA's first game, it was decent. Just lots of problems. Entrances are short, limited moves and basiclly every wrestler has the same move aside from finishers, not enough matches (you can possible be bored of this game in days) story mode was a bit stupid, too many non wrestlers and those non wrestlers could have been gone for more TNA superstars, and training mode isn't that helpful.

The positives in the game are the graphics are ok and thats it.

So if you are use to a smackdown vs raw type of game you'll probably hate this game.

It was just what I wanted Thanks!My grandson suggested I shop on ebay for it.this is his wish book shoppimg in ebay

Product came exactly as stated.
It arrived very fast.
I am very satisfied.
Would buy from this person again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

THE SHIPPING TOOK LONGER THAN LISTED AND I HAD TO EMAIL THE SELLER, BUT RECEIVED WITHIN (2)DAYS AFTER EMAIL WAS SENT. RECEIVED WHAT WAS ORDERED AND SATISFIED.

Was TNA Impact worth the wait? Does it live up to the hype? To answer both questions i would have to say yes. TNA Impact has a certain feel that WWE games have not had lately. I was sad to find that you can't create your own wrestler but, the movement seems better to me than WWE SVR. TNA Impact is not as advanced as WWE SVR but, TNA Impact has a better roster and graphics and is a very good first attempt at gaming.
So, would i recommend TNA Impact? Yes! The WWE Smackdown vs Raw series i buy to collect but, TNA Impact i bought to play.