Publisher: Data East
Year: 1986
Genre: Fighting
I’ve long held that pro wrestling games would be more realistic if instead of inputting attack combos, each player had to input a “cooperation combo” to perform the moves in such a way that it looks realistic and no one gets seriously hurt. Sure it might not be quite as entertaining as a frantic button-mashing fest, but it would more accurately mirror real professional wrestling. In the case of this game, however, such a system would almost certainly be more entertaining. Frankly, it would be hard-pressed to be less entertaining.
![A promising title screen that in no way prepares you for the garbage lurking just beneath.](https://www.everynesgame.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Tag-Team-Wrestling-U_001-1.png)
The game has one game mechanic – you punch your opponent. Then, you input a direction and your wrestleman does a move based on that. Back and forth like this until someone can pin someone. There is nothing more to this game, and nothing interesting happens the entire time.
![The aforementioned garbage.](https://www.everynesgame.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Tag-Team-Wrestling-U_003-1.png)
John’s Rating: 1.0 out of 5.0. This entire game – 100% of it – boils down to who punches who first. Positioning is largely irrelevant. The presence of a tag partner in no way changes the dynamic. Moves don’t have different chances of success or allow varied escapes. It’s just punch, lock, lather, rinse, repeat.