:Fire Pro Wrestling

Unlike many other pro wrestling games, most games in the Fire Pro Wrestling series are not licensed by any major professional wrestling promotion, but feature likenesses of real-life wrestlers under different names. Games in the series generally utilize 2-D sprite-based graphics, with some later games incorporating 3-D graphical elements. The spin-off series King of Colosseum features polygonal 3-D graphics.

The Fire Pro Wrestling series of games distinguish themselves from other wrestling games by combining several unique features. One feature is the focus on a timing-based grappling control system. The grappling control system encourages the use of complex strategy, built on working up to using increasingly powerful moves on the player's opponent. The timing-based system also stands in contrast to the button-mashing tactics with which most 2-D wrestling gamers are familiar.

Another feature of Fire Pro Wrestling games is the inclusion of a large roster of playable wrestlers and fighters from different promotions located around the world. The wrestlers and promotions are renamed from their real-life counterparts to avoid issues with copyright, and represent many different styles of professional wrestling: North American WWE style sports-entertainment, Mexican lucha-libre, various styles of Japanese puroresu: athletic junior-heavyweight style, realistic strong-style, women's joshi wrestling, and violent hardcore wrestling, as well as different styles of other combat sports.

A variety of match types are available in the Fire Pro Wrestling series of games, with flexible settings for the rules within each match. This complements the variety of wrestlers available as playable characters. Different match types include conventional singles and tag-team wrestling matches, extreme hardcore matches such as the "Landmine Death Match" or "Electric Barbed Wire Cage Match", and various types of combat sports matches.

Another distinguishing feature of the Fire Pro Wrestling games, particularly the later games in the series, is the inclusion of an extensive and highly detailed wrestler creation and edit mode. The edit mode of Fire Pro Wrestling games allows players to build game characters with a high level of attention to detail. Appearance characteristics, such as clothing and ring attire, and physical build, head and facial features, can be customized for a created wrestler. A detailed set of wrestling and fighting moves, drawn from the large pool of moves contained in each game, can also be assigned to a created wrestler. The edit mode also allows players to make detailed changes to the CPU logic of an edited wrestler, making it possible for a skilled creator to create a wrestler that behaves very much like his real-life counterpart, even when controlled by the computer.

Later titles in the series allowed for customization of other aspects of professional wrestling, including changing the design of the ring mat and apron, creating customized championship belts, and creation and editing of referees. The detailed character creation and edit mode of the Fire Pro Wrestling games became an influential feature that was eventually added to other wrestling and sports games.

The combination of features included in Fire Pro Wrestling games allows players to create "dream matchups" between wrestlers from different promotions, or different eras in the history of professional wrestling, as well as matches between real-life wrestlers and fighters, fictional characters and non-wrestling athletes and celebrities.

Beginning with the first title in the series from Human Entertainment, Fire Pro Wrestling Combination Tag for PC Engine in 1989, the Fire Pro Wrestling series eventually produced editions of games for many systems, notably the Super Famicom, Sega Saturn, Game Boy Advance, Dreamcast and the PlayStation 2. Human also released a wrestling game outside of the series in 1989 for Game Boy. Titled Pro Wrestling in its native Japan, it was released internationally as HAL Wrestling. Most of the titles in the Fire Pro Wrestling series have been released exclusively in Japan, although some of the games have seen releases in North America.

The series became popular in Japan, but did not see an official international release until after Spike took over the franchise in 2000. Early games in the series were popular outside Japan with import gamers, and at least one game, Super Fire Pro Wrestling X Premium for Super Famicom, received an unofficial fan translation through video game console emulators. Fire Pro Wrestling A for the Game Boy Advance was released internationally as Fire Pro Wrestling in 2001, and was one of the titles initially available when the Game Boy Advance was launched in Japan and North America. Four editions of the game have received official English translations: Fire Pro Wrestling (2001) and Fire Pro Wrestling 2 (2002) for the GBA, Fire Pro Wrestling Returns for PS2 (2007), and Fire Pro Wrestling World for the Steam PC platform (2017) and PS4 (2018).

A 3-D avatar-based version of Fire Pro Wrestling for the Xbox 360 was released in 2012. In hopes of appealing to a more casual audience, the developers decided on debuting a new gameplay engine that would use a button-mashing minigame system to perform moves, and not using the well-reviewed timing elements from previous versions of the game.

Spike Chunsoft developed another installment,{{cite web|url=http://gematsu.com/2017/02/spike-chunsoft-launches-pro-wrestling-teaser-website|title=Spike Chunsoft launches 'Pro Wrestling' teaser website|date=24 February 2017|publisher=gematsu.com|access-date=January 5, 2018}} titled Fire Pro Wrestling World, returning the series to its roots, in terms of graphical presentation and gameplay mechanics. Also, the new game was the first in the series to incorporate online multiplayer gameplay on the PC via Steam and the PlayStation 4 console.{{cite web|url=http://www.dualshockers.com/2017/03/02/fire-pro-wrestling-return|title=Fire Pro Wrestling Returns to PS4 and PC With Fire Pro Wrestling World|publisher=dualshockers.com|access-date=January 5, 2018|archive-date=March 19, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170319124228/http://www.dualshockers.com/2017/03/02/fire-pro-wrestling-return/|url-status=dead}} Fire Pro Wrestling World was released on Steam for the PC platform in 2017.{{cite web|url=https://www.destructoid.com/fire-pro-wrestling-world-leaves-steam-early-access/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240110020855/https://www.destructoid.com/fire-pro-wrestling-world-leaves-steam-early-access/ |archive-date=January 10, 2024 |title=Fire Pro Wrestling World leaves Steam Early Access |last=Moyse |first=Chris |work=Destructoid |date=December 19, 2017 |access-date=April 28, 2018}} The PlayStation 4 version was released in 2018. The game was licensed by New Japan Pro-Wrestling, making Fire Pro Wrestling World the first title in the series to be licensed by the promotion,{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/brianmazique/2018/06/30/fire-pro-wrestling-world-ps4-release-date-announced-with-njpw-roster/#6f54397c2601|title=Fire Pro Wrestling World PS4 Release Date Announced With NJPW Roster|work=forbes.com|access-date=September 6, 2018}} and the first NJPW-licensed game in over eleven years.

{{see also|List of Fire Pro Wrestling games}}

{{Video game titles|

{{Video game titles/item

|article=Fire Pro Wrestling Combination Tag

|title=Fire Pro Wrestling Combination Tag

|date={{vgrelease|JP|June 22, 1989 (PCE)
March 13, 2007 (VC)}}

|release=PC Engine
Virtual Console

|notes= * Known in Japan as {{lang|ja|ファイヤープロレスリング　コンビネーションタッグ}}.

}}

{{Video game titles/item

|article= Fire Pro Wrestling 2nd Bout

|title= Fire Pro Wrestling 2nd Bout

|date= {{vgrelease|JP|August 30, 1991 (PCE)
May 27, 2008 (VC)}}

|release= PC Engine
Virtual Console

|notes= * Known in Japan as {{lang|ja|ファイヤープロレスリング　2nd BOUT}}.

}}

{{Video game titles/item

|article= Super Fire Pro Wrestling

|title= Super Fire Pro Wrestling

|date= {{vgrelease|JP|December 20, 1991}}

|release= Super Famicom

|notes= * Known in Japan as {{lang|ja|スーパーファイヤープロレスリング}}.

}}

{{Video game titles/item

|article= Thunder Pro Wrestling Retsuden

|title= Thunder Pro Wrestling Retsuden

|date= {{vgrelease|JP|March 27, 1992}}

|release= Sega Mega Drive

|notes= * Known in Japan as {{lang|ja|サンダープロレスリング列伝}}.

}}

{{Video game titles/item

|article=

|title= Fire Pro Wrestling 3: Legend Bout

|date= {{vgrelease|JP|November 13, 1992 (PCE)
December 24, 2008 (VC)}}

|release=PC Engine
Virtual Console

|notes= * Known in Japan as {{lang|ja|ファイヤープロレスリング3　レジェンドバウト}}.

}}

{{Video game titles/item

|article=

|title= Super Fire Pro Wrestling 2

|date= {{vgrelease|JP|December 25, 1992}}

|release= Super Famicom

|notes= * Known in Japan as {{lang|ja|スーパーファイヤープロレスリング2}}.

}}

{{Video game titles/item

|article= Super Fire Pro Wrestling 3 Final Bout

|title= Super Fire Pro Wrestling 3 Final Bout

|date= {{vgrelease|JP|December 29, 1993}}

|release= Super Famicom

|notes= * Known in Japan as {{lang|ja|スーパーファイヤープロレスリング3　ファイナルバウト}}.

• A simplified version of the game known as Super Fire Pro Wrestling 3 Easy Type ({{lang|ja|スーパーファイヤープロレスリング3　EASY TYPE}}) was released for the Super Famicom on February 4, 1994.

}}

{{Video game titles/item

|article=

|title= Fire Pro Women: All Star Dream Slam

|date= {{vgrelease|JP|July 22, 1994}}

|release= Super Famicom

|notes= * Known in Japan as {{lang|ja|ファイプロ女子　オールスタードリームスラム}}.

• Officially licensed by All Japan Women's Pro-Wrestling.

}}

{{Video game titles/item

|article= Super Fire Pro Wrestling Special

|title= Super Fire Pro Wrestling Special

|date= {{vgrelease|JP|December 22, 1994}}

|release= Super Famicom

|notes= * Known in Japan as {{lang|ja|スーパーファイヤープロレスリング　スペシャル}}.

}}

{{Video game titles/item

|article= Fire Pro Gaiden: Blazing Tornado

|title= Blazing Tornado

|date= {{vgrelease|JP|1994}}

|release= Arcade

|notes= * Known in Japan as {{lang|ja|ブレイジングトルネード}}.

• A version of the game was released for the Sega Saturn on August 25, 1995 as Fire Pro Another Story: Blazing Tornado ( {{lang|ja|ファイプロ外伝　ブレイジングトルネード}}, "Fai-Puro Gaiden Blazing Tornado" in Japan).

}}

{{Video game titles/item

|article=

|title= Wrestling Universe: Fire Pro Women: Dome Super Female Big Battle: All Japan Women VS J.W.P.

|date= {{vgrelease|JP|February 3, 1995}}

|release= PC Engine (ARCADE CD-ROM²)

|notes= * Known in Japan as {{lang|ja|ファイプロ女子　憧夢超女大戦　全女　VS　JWP}}.

• Officially licensed by All Japan Women's Pro-Wrestling & J.W.P. (Japan Women's Pro-Wrestling).

}}

{{Video game titles/item

|article= Super Fire Pro Wrestling: Queen's Special

|title= Super Fire Pro Wrestling: Queen's Special

|date= {{vgrelease|JP|June 30, 1995}}

|release= Super Famicom

|notes= * Known in Japan as {{lang|ja|スーパーファイヤープロレスリング　クイーンズスペシャル}}.

• Officially licensed by All Japan Women's Pro-Wrestling.

}}

{{Video game titles/item

|article=

|title= Super Fire Pro Wrestling X

|date= {{vgrelease|JP|December 2, 1995}}

|release= Super Famicom

|notes= * Known in Japan as {{lang|ja|スーパーファイヤープロレスリングX}}.

}}

{{Video game titles/item

|article= Fire Pro Wrestling: Iron Slam '96

|title= Fire Pro Wrestling: Iron Slam '96

|date= {{vgrelease|JP|March 15, 1996}}

|release= PlayStation

|notes= * Known in Japan as {{lang|ja|ファイヤープロレスリング　アイアンスラム’96}}.

}}

{{Video game titles/item

|article= Super Fire Pro Wrestling X Premium

|title= Super Fire Pro Wrestling X Premium

|date= {{vgrelease|JP|March 29, 1996}}

|release= Super Famicom

|notes= * Known in Japan as {{lang|ja|スーパーファイヤープロレスリングX　プレミアム}}.

}}

{{Video game titles/item

|article= Fire Pro Wrestling S: 6 Men Scramble

|title= Fire Prowrestling S: 6Men Scramble

|date= {{vgrelease|JP|December 27, 1996}}

|release= Sega Saturn

|notes= * Known in Japan as {{lang|ja|ファイヤープロレスリングS　6メン・スクランブル}}.

}}

{{Video game titles/item

|article=

|title= Fire Pro Wrestling G

|date= {{vgrelease|JP|June 24, 1999 (PS1)
February 25, 2009 (PSN)}}

|release= PlayStation
PlayStation Network

|notes= * Known in Japan as {{lang|ja|ファイヤープロレスリングG}}.

• The final Human Entertainment released Fire Pro Wrestling game.

}}

}}

{{Video game titles|

{{Video game titles/item

|article=

|title= Fire Pro Wrestling for WonderSwan

|date= {{vgrelease|JP|August 31, 2000}}

|release= WonderSwan

|notes= *Known in Japan as {{lang|ja|ファイヤープロレスリング for WonderSwan}}

}}

{{Video game titles/item

|article=

|title= Fire Pro Wrestling i

|date= {{vgrelease|JP|January 22, 2001}}

|release= i-mode

|notes= * Known in Japan as {{lang|ja|ファイヤープロレスリングi}}.

}}

{{Video game titles/item

|article=

|title= Fire Pro Wrestling D

|date= {{vgrelease|JP|March 1, 2001}}

|release= Dreamcast

|notes= * Known in Japan as {{lang|ja|ファイヤープロレスリングD}}.

}}

{{Video game titles/item

|article= Fire Pro Wrestling (2001 video game)

|title= Fire Pro Wrestling

|date= {{vgrelease|JP|March 21, 2001|NA|June 10, 2001}}

|release= Game Boy Advance

|notes= * Known in Japan as {{lang|ja|ファイヤープロレスリングA}}.

}}

{{Video game titles/item

|article=

|title= Fire Pro Wrestling J

|date= {{vgrelease|JP|February 4, 2002}}

|release= J-PHONE

|notes= * Known in Japan as {{lang|ja|ファイヤープロレスリングJ}}.

}}

{{Video game titles/item

|article= Fire Pro Wrestling 2

|title= Fire Pro Wrestling 2

|date= {{vgrelease|JP|July 19, 2002|NA|October 23, 2002}}

|release= Game Boy Advance

|notes= * Known in Japan as {{lang|ja|ファイナルファイヤープロレスリング～夢の団体運営!～}}.

}}

{{Video game titles/item

|article=

|title= Fire Pro Wrestling Z

|date= {{vgrelease|JP|June 5, 2003}}

|release= PlayStation 2

|notes= * Known in Japan as {{lang|ja|ファイヤープロレスリングZ}}.

}}

{{Video game titles/item

|article= Fire Pro Wrestling Returns

|title= Fire Pro Wrestling Returns

|date= {{vgrelease|JP|September 15, 2005|NA|November 13, 2007
April 23, 2013 (PSN)}}

|release= PlayStation 2
PlayStation Network (Direct port of PS2 version to PlayStation 3)

|notes= * Known in Japan as {{lang|ja|ファイプロ・リターンズ}}.

}}

{{Video game titles/item

|article=

|title= Fire Pro Wrestling in Mobage

|date= {{vgrelease|JP|November 12, 2011}}

|release= Mobage

|notes= * Known in Japan as {{lang|ja|ファイヤープロレスリング in Mobage}}.

• Social network game.{{Cite web|url=http://battle-news.com/news/2011/11/000831.php|title = バトル・ニュース｜ニュース｜あのモバゲーがプロレス界にも参戦!?プロレスゲームの金字塔『ファイヤープロレスリング』がMobageで復活!}}

}}

{{Video game titles/item

|article= Fire Pro Wrestling (2012 video game)

|title= Fire Pro Wrestling

|date= {{vgrelease|WW|September 21, 2012}}

|release= Xbox 360

|notes= * Published by Microsoft Studios.

• Xbox Live Arcade release.[https://web.archive.org/web/20100921125755/http://xbox360.ign.com/objects/086/086584.html IGN]

}}

{{Video game titles/item

|article= Fire Pro Wrestling World

|title= Fire Pro Wrestling World

|date= Steam: {{vgrelease|WW|December 18, 2017}} PS4: {{vgrelease|JPN|August 8, 2018|NA|August 28, 2018|EU|September 28, 2018}}

|release= Steam
PlayStation 4

|notes= * Known in Japan as {{lang|ja|ファイアープロレスリングワールド}}.

• First Fire Pro Wrestling title to be officially licensed by New Japan Pro-Wrestling and World Wonder Ring Stardom.
• Steam Beta release on July 10, 2017.

}}

}}

{{Video game titles|

{{Video game titles/item

|article=

|title= HAL Wrestling

|date= {{vgrelease|JP|September 14, 1990|NA|December 1990}}

|release=Game Boy

|notes= * Known in Japan as {{lang|ja|プロレス}}.

}}

{{Video game titles/item

|article=

|title= All Japan Pro Wrestling: Soul of Champion

|date= {{vgrelease|JP|April 8, 1999}}

|release= PlayStation

|notes= * Known in Japan as {{lang|ja|全日本プロレス~王者の魂~}}.

• Officially licensed by All Japan Pro Wrestling.}}

{{Video game titles/item

|article=

|title= King of Colosseum (Red) New Japan x All Japan x Pancrase Disc

|date= {{vgrelease|JP|December 19, 2002}}

|release= PlayStation 2

|notes= * Known in Japan as {{lang|ja|キング オブ コロシアム（赤） ～新日本×全日本×パンクラス ディスク～}}.

• Officially licensed by New Japan-Pro Wrestling, All Japan Pro Wrestling and Pancrase.}}

{{Video game titles/item

|article=

|title= King of Colosseum (Green) ~NOAH x Zero-One Disc~

|date= {{vgrelease|JP|March 6, 2003}}

|release= PlayStation 2

|notes= * Known in Japan as {{lang|ja|キング オブ コロシアム（緑） ～ノア×ZERO-ONE ディスク～}}.

• Officially licensed by Pro Wrestling NOAH and Pro Wrestling Zero-One.}}

{{Video game titles/item

|article= King of Colosseum II

|title= King of Colosseum II

|date= {{vgrelease|JP|September 9, 2004}}

|release= PlayStation 2

|notes= * Known in Japan as {{lang|ja|キング オブ コロシアムII}}.

}}

}}

• List of licensed wrestling video games
• List of fighting games

{{reflist}}

• {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120724124314/http://www.spike-online.net/firepro/fphp_files/fire_pro_top/fire_pro_top.html |date=July 24, 2012 |title=Official website}}

{{Kadokawa Dwango}}

{{Fire Pro Wrestling}}

Category:Human Entertainment games

Category:Kadokawa Corporation franchises

Category:Professional wrestling games

Category:Video game franchises introduced in 1989

Category:Video games developed in Japan