The last wrestling games I played (and enjoyed) were the AKI games (Revenge, WM2k, and No Mercy). I tried the SmackDown series soon after & was turned off immediately.

So I've got a Wii now, and was thinking about WWE12. How is the grapple system compared to the AKI games & what controller would you recommend? I am (admittedly) a stick-in-the-mud...I don't like steep learning curves, and I prefer what I'm already familiar with.

Any feedback?

I've got WWE '12 for the PS3, but I haven't played it in awhile so my memory is going to be fuzzy for the controls.

Striking is a single button, modified by pressing a movement direction. Irish Whip is its own button. Grappling can be modified by pressing a direction or opponent being groggy. Within a grapple you can target specific limbs now, switch to a different grapple stance, execute submissions by holding the grapple button...

Basically, the grapple system has become a confusing mess unless you've played it for awhile.

The last AKI game I've played was WCW/NWO Revenge and I can't really compare the two. Striking is similar, but holding the button doesn't change the attack, direction does (or pressing the button by itself in sequence for the combination strikes). And grapples are in states, i.e. Grapple button to initiate followed by grapple button to perform move.

There's no block button, instead there are counter buttons for strike and grapple moves, both of which are pressed to counter Specials/Finisher moves.

Also, just realized that considering it's on the Wii, none of my experience with the PS3 version probably helps out. :(

Maybe not in terms of a good controller, but I'm sure the grapple system is pretty much across-the-board. You were a help! I'll even +1 you for effort!

I've finished the game many times. It shares some similarities with AKI's work, but it's pretty different. You have dozens of moves and have different sorts of tie ups on foes mapped to the right stick if I remember correctly. It's playable, but different. There is a learning curve but you'll fit right in, I think.

You also get to play WWE Universe which is this sort of season mode that runs forever. You get to create rivalries, do run-ins, turn guys from faces to heel, etc.

There is also the Road to Wrestlemania bit which is a story mode that runs through three acts. Sheamus, Triple H, and your Created Wrestler.

Decent character list, but since I don't follow WWE, I don't know like a good 90% of the guys. The only reason why I got the game is because of Demolition. Also has a few WCW stages since the story mode focuses on WCW.

WWE '12 has a pretty stagnated create tool that is carried over from previous games. If it's your first time, you'll see plenty to like with it.

Also, there is no online competition here. The last WWE game on the Wii with online play is SVR 2009. It is also the last one with Wii motion controls.

As far as best controller to go for: Classic Controller of course.

As soon as I heard that Demolition was going to appear, I just had to grab the game. Nevermind that I have no clue who the wrestlers are. Demolition, Legion of Doom/Road Warriors. SOLD!

By the way, The Rock is included in the Wii version on disc. On the HD consoles, he's a DLC character and he's marked as DLC on the Wii version of the game. BUT, he's unlockable with no downloads required.

Also, I misremembered. The grapple system is based on the arrow you hold down. Then you can flick the right stick for additional grapple hold options.

As long as its not a difficult system to learn. Oh, and can I re-map the buttons if I desire? I still kinda sorta remember the No Mercy grapple system.

The system isn't complicated but it's definitely not the same. You cannot remap the controls. It should control pretty similarly to its HD console versions.

I find SVR 2009 easier to learn, but that's because it's super easy there with limited controls.

12 is alright if you get into universe mode. Not as polished graphic wise as the HD versions, but as your only option, it's worth it.

Universe mode is good except for the bugs and stuff. You can only edit the stats of the created wrestlers in Universe mode. Every time you edit a created wrestler in the edit mode, if you have stats that are less than 60 or 70, I think... the default value, the game puts the stats back to that number. Cumbersome if you are creating those expendable extras for your story mode.

Also, I'd like to be able to customize things and set the proper information like if it's a #1 contenders match. Everything that happens is manual in that if you want it to be a #1 contenders match, you just play the match as is and change the title match accordingly.

Injuries also get annoying... I had one ongoing storyline that almost got ruined when the wrestler getting the big push got sidelined.

Has anyone really figured out how to unlock Demolition? I tried a dozen times before just downloading a save with them.

Story mode is cumbersome to use. It requires you to hunker down and construct everything. Rewards are good if you get something decent, but it requires so much time to get it to work.

I enjoy the universe mode, as it is a big step towards a one-time purchase game for people not concerned with modern rosters.

My wishlist for the mode in future titles includes:

1) The ability to have custom PPV load screens.

2) Let the user book a card in advance, without having to play the changed match at that time.

3) After a match, at the end of the victory/story cutscene, have the game automatically prompt you to either continue to the next match or return to the card.

4) Allow the user to set up #1 contenders matches, decide when an injured superstar returns, and more interference options to set up storylines.

5) Allow the user to book a feud's end.

6) Allow for unified titles, and have the old belts transfer to new champions.

7) For the love of god, let us vacate titles! I am sick of giving Vince Mcmahon every spare title!

8) Allow the user to delete a match. Just tonight for some reason the game changed the Raw Elimination Chamber match to a tag team match, and I accidentally played it, and had to just have the Smackdown EC on the PPV. Annoying, since Punk, my Raw Champ, needs a new storyline.

9) Allow the user to add/remove ANY show, with ANY roster parameters. (Superstars, I am looking at YOU!)

10) Allow the user to set up a "minor league" show ala NXT, where wrestlers of a certain momentum level or lower would compete.

11) Have a section tracking top feuds, and a notes section. I constantly forget my major storylines, since i only play casually.

When the mode works the way it is supposed to, you get a mix of planned sequences, and neat semi-random OMG moments. The best sequence I saw yet was:

Sheamus and Mark Henry are feuding. Cody Rhodes is also feuding with Sheamus. Cody attacks Sheamus during his entrance, allowing Henry to brutalize Sheamus outside the ring before the bell. Mark Henry gets the easy win once the match starts, which includes interference from the crowd by Ted DiBiase.

After the match, Cody does a run-in on the barely able to stand Sheamus, but Henry runs back in to make the save. Henry and Sheamus square off, and shake hands. The feud was AUTOMATICALLY ended by the game (I didn't think it did that!), and I then booked a tag match between Sheamus/Henry and Rhodes/DiBiase, gaining a new storyline in the process. It would be so easy for the mode to fix its problems, but I fear WWE will nerf it on purpose to limit replay.

As far as minor league goes, I'm pretty sure that Superstars serves as that although it has no champions.

I would like the Universe cutscenes to give players the chance of deciding what actions the wrestlers do, like giving you a chance to press a button to make a wrestler reconcile with the winner of the match to turn baby face. All this is handled by the game and doesn't give you power to decide on storylines, etc.

Hey ChaunceyK,

I dunno if you are a sim nut, but you should definitely take a look at WWE All-Stars. It's a little more ludicrous and embellished than the simmy stuff you've mentioned, but I think the way attacks are chained and the tight focus is reminiscent of those N64 classics. This is a pretty fair review of it. I played the PS3 version at a buddy's and loved it. The standard gamepad scheme worked well, so I guess I would recommend a classic controller pro if the Wii version supports that.

Played this one as well. This game is basically a reskinned arcade-tuned version of TNA Impact. I'm pretty sure the game uses the same engine and are likely from the same Midway developers. It's not bad, but to me it doesn't compare to the N64 classics at all.

If you want a throw back to the old N64 classics, I'd be putting these games:
* WWE Day of Reckoning 1 & 2
* Ultimate Muscle Legends vs New Generation
* Wrestle Kingdom

Almost a year to the day, but I've decided to try Day of Reckoning...I had a chance to play it and I think I could really enjoy it. Is there any way to play it with the standard Wii controllers (the stick-like ones) rather than the classic (the ones that looked like N64 and PS)?