Backyard Wrestling: Don't Try This at Home
Bury this one in the backyard…
by Susie Vee

PLATFORM: PS2, XBX

PUBLISHER: Eidos

DEVELOPER: Paradox

GENRE: Sports

ESRB: Mature

We were initially looking forward to Backyard Wrestling – not because we’ve big fans of this somewhat bizarre social trend – but because the demo of the game we saw at E3 just looked like fun. Unlike normal “pro” wrestling games – which we wouldn’t go near with a 10-foot pole – the backyard variety didn’t seem to take itself too seriously, and included plenty of tough but somewhat trashy female characters.

But in execution, the game is more frustrating than fun. Wonky controls, repetitive button-mashing and brain dead AI all sap this potentially interesting game of any real depth.

We did like the fake TV-show wraparound story, with its Jerry-Springer-style host. And the levels themselves are nicely designed. There’s a truck stop, white trash backyard, strip club, etc., but most of the levels play largely the same. Gameplay is mostly button-mashing and trying to get the upper hand on your opponent. The AI is fairly fast-paced, so you’ll have to try and get the first shot in, or you could just be pummeled into submission.

The character models are rough, to say the least, and the close-ups that start and close each match are positively fright-inducing. But at least the characters are varied, even if every female wrestler comes off as, well, a dumb, skanky wrestling babe. As an added bonus, you can eventually unlock the Shaggy 2 Dope and Violent J from jokey rap band Insane Clown Posse. One second thought, that might not be much of a bonus.

Overall, Backyard Wrestling is a poor choice for girl gamers – unless they happen to be major fans of the genre (as if). While there are plenty of female characters, they clearly were designed for teenage boys who are too young to order Girls Gone Wild DVDs.