RetroMania Wrestling was released in early-2021, with the promise of taking players back to the gameplay of classic arcade wrestling titles. The game is a sequel to 1991's WWFWrestleFest, which is still considered to be one of the greatest wrestling games of all time. RetroMania doesn't disappoint and succeeds in its goal of putting a modern spin on the classic formula.
Although RetroMania's reception from fans has been positive, some are struggling to win matches, as the game isn't very transparent when it comes to teaching players key mechanics. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, as discovering new moves and gameplay mechanics was part of the charm of old-school arcade games. Still, it's always handy to know a few winning strategies, so here are eight tips for winning matches.
8 Build Momentum
Building momentum is undoubtedly the most important tip for RetroMania as it's a functionality that almost the entire gameplay structure is built around. The momentum bar is split into three specific categories, which players will need to keep an eye on throughout the game, as certain moves can only be performed once a specific category is reached. Weak Move can be used for the first bar, then Medium Move for the second, and finally Strong Move for the third. Sticking to this pattern is essential, as players will be hit with a "Low Momentum" message and be reversed if they jump the gun.
7 Understand The Grappling Mechanic
Like momentum, grappling is one of the game's key mechanics, so it's definitely worth learning. It can sometimes feel random as to who comes out of a grapple the victor, though there is a formula behind it that will give players a great chance of winning every lock up.
When wrestlers lock up, they will simultaneously stomp one foot onto the ground. This animation isn't just for aesthetics, as it's also a clue as to when to initiate a move; whoever presses a move button closest to when the characters' feet touch the ground will win the grapple.
6 Use Finishers
Finishing moves are one of the most well-known and beloved aspects of professional wrestling. Not only do they tend to look spectacular by they also end matches more often than not. This is no different in RetroMania, where finishers are the best way to weaken an opponent.
However, performing finishers is easier said than done in RetroMania, as unlike most games with a "one-button fits all" approach, RetroMania's finishers are performed in numerous different ways depending on the chosen character. The button commands for each character currently aren't listed in-game, so many players won't even realize that the moves are possible. Thankfully, the moves can be found online, so players can be ready to finish the match when their momentum bar fills.
5 Utilize Reversals
Much like finishers, reversals are an essential mechanics in RetorMania that the game doesn't instruct players how to perform them. Thankfully, performing a reversal isn't too tricky, and it will vastly improve players' chances in a match once they get into the habit of utilizing the mechanic.
To perform a reversal, players need to correctly guess what move their opponent will perform on them. So, if players find themselves in a headlock and think their opponent will make a Weak Move, they should press the Weak Move button; if they guess correctly, they will reverse the move. Consequently, it's important to key an eye on the opponent's momentum bar to have a better idea of what moves they're likely to perform.
4 Don't Overuse Pins
Considering that pins are the most common way for a wrestling match to end, it may seem counterintuitive to use them sparingly. However, there is a good reason for doing this in RetroMania as the opponent will often get straight back onto their feet if they kick out of the pin, handing some momentum straight back to them. Moreover, in a tag match, the opponent on the outside will quickly come in to try and break up the pinfall, so players should ensure that their opponent is close to their corner before pinning an opponent's shoulders to the mat.
3 Utilize The Environment
Although RetroMania encourages players to spend most of the match contesting grapples in-ring like it was during wrestling's golden era of the 80s, there are multiple ways to gain an advantage using environmental weapons.
Not only do most arenas conveniently leave chairs around ringside, but it's also possible to throw opponents into the bars during a steel cage match by pressing the Run button when the opponent is in a headlock. It's important not to press a directional button while doing this, otherwise, an Irish Whip will be performed.
2 Don't Ignore Your Tag Team Partner
Tag team matches are a prominent part of RetroMania's Story Mode, so it's worth familiarizing yourself with a few winning strategies. For starters, it's a good idea to make tags frequently, as red health bar damage can be regained if players successfully tag their partner before it disappears; players will always control the character who's in the ring, so they don't need to worry about missing out on the action. It's also a good idea to use double team moves whenever possible, as they can deal significant damage to an opponent.
1 If All Else Fails, Go For The Count-Out Victory
Winning via count-out in a wrestling game is an age-old trick like picking the smallest character in a shooting game, such as Oddjob from GoldenEye 007. The cheap victory can be achieved by leaving an opponent outside of the ring as the referee reaches a 20-count, which is surprisingly quicker than a WWE 2K 10 count.
In an age of Dave Meltzer star ratings and wrestling crowds with high expectations, cheap count-out victories are rarely seen today. Thankfully, the in-game crowd and in-game Meltzer (yes, seriously) will be happy to let it slide.