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WWE Wrestlemania XIX Review - Gamecube

It's the biggest event in wrestling today. The Grand Final of professional wrestling. Wrestlemania has made legends, and will continue to do so for many years to come. But where's the career mode, one might ask? GameBiz takes a good look at GameCube's latest wrestling game which competes with WWE Smackdown: Here Comes the Pain and WWE Raw 2 on the PS2 and Xbox respectively. Does the Cube version have anything on the other two? Read on to find out.

Gameplay

Wrestlemania XIX is a nice little package of fun that will keep any wrestling fan occupied for many hours. Featuring all new wrestlers such as Brock Lesnar, Goldberg, and John Cena (these wrestlers weren't in Wrestlemania X8), and up-to-date entrances, Wrestlemania XIX will bring your GameCube to the reality of the WWE today. Exhibition mode brings back all your favourite quick matches including the infamous Hell in a Cell, and the TLC match: No that's not Tender Loving Care - that's Tables, Ladders & Chairs!

Instead of Career mode, THQ have done something a little different with this game and created something called "Revenge" mode. In Revenge mode, you get kicked out of the WWE and have to fight your way back in with the help of Stephanie McMahon by ruining Vince's plans for Wrestlemania XIX. It's an adventure of beating the hell out of builders-laborers, and bouncers - so tighten your shoe-laces, because it's not going to be easy. A major part of Revenge mode is knocking the opponents off of things. Whether it be a dock, a ship, a multi-story car park, or even the 2nd story of a shopping center.

If you're intent on beating Revenge mode, it will have to be done efficiently too. There are weapons everywhere, and no referee; Revenge mode is pure chaos. Once you reach the final round of each area of Revenge, you battle a boss in one way or another. These bosses are not current professional wrestlers, and most people are most likely unfamiliar with whom exactly they are, but nevertheless, they are bonus characters so why complain! Once you beat the mission that they're in, they are then usable in Exhibition mode. Also, you'll notice as you beat the missions you earn some nice cash. Check out the WWE Store where you'll find Stacey Keibler who will happily sell you any goods that you're interested in with the dough that you've earned.

Included also in the main game modes is the classic King of The Ring. In this you can choose between a single or a tag tournament, and whether you want the world belt or the WWE belt. 16 men, only 1 gets to face the champ. You have the option of watching the AI battle it out, or you can handily skip their matches. Also, at (continued next page)