Ultimate Muscle: Legends vs. New Generation
{{short description|2002 video game}}
{{Infobox video game
|title = Ultimate Muscle:
Legends vs. New Generation
|image = Ultimate Muscle Legends vs New Generation Cover.png
|caption = North American GameCube cover art
|developer = AKI Corporation
|publisher = Bandai
|genre = Fighting
|released = {{vgrelease|JP|November 22, 2002|NA|June 5, 2003}}
|platforms = GameCube
|modes = Single-player and multiplayer
}}
Ultimate Muscle: Legends vs. New Generation, known in Japan as {{nihongo|Kinnikuman Nisei New Generation vs. Legends|キン肉マンII世 新世代超人VS伝説超人}}, is a wrestling video game based on the anime and manga, Ultimate Muscle. It was developed in Japan by AKI Corporation and released in Japan (in 2002) and North America (in 2003) only on the GameCube. It spawned two new expansions: Galactic Wrestling: Featuring Ultimate Muscle, released only on PlayStation 2 in 2004, and {{nihongo|Kinnikuman Muscle Generations|キン肉マン マッスルジェネレーションズ}}, released in Japan on February 2, 2006 for the PlayStation Portable. This article contains explanations on the PlayStation 2 and PSP versions as well. In this game, the Choujins from the Kinnikuman (Legends) reappear via 3D Polygon and compete against the Nisei Choujins (New Generation) in their younger bodies.{{Citation needed|date=August 2015}}
Series
Kinnikuman Nisei: New Generation vs. Legends / Ultimate Muscle: Legends vs. New Generation (GameCube; November 22, 2002 (Japan), June 5, 2003 (U.S.); Bandai)
:The first in the series, the characters are presented with cel-shaded animation, looking almost identical to their manga counterparts.
Kinnikuman Generations / Galactic Wrestling: Featuring Ultimate Muscle (PlayStation 2; April 22, 2004 (Japan), June 30, 2004 (U.S.); Bandai)
:An expansion of "Ultimate Muscle: Legends vs. New Generation", it was released on the 25th anniversary of Kinnikuman. The Story Mode and Choujin Creation Mode from the first game are removed. The game features tag matches and additional characters. The slow loading time and Toshio Furukawa's portrayal of Kinnikuman (replacing Akira Kamiya from the first game) caused the game to be a disappointment for many fans.
:Advertising Slogan: {{nihongo|Stand Up! Kinnikuman Generations!!|立ち上がれ!キン肉マン世代(ジェネレーションズ)よ!!|Tachiagare! Kinnikuman Jenereeshonzu yo!!}}
Kinnikuman Muscle Generations (PlayStation Portable; February 23, 2006; Bandai)
:An expansion of "Galactic Wrestling", it contains more characters and Story Modes. Akira Kamiya returns as the voice of Kinnikuman. Tag Team names from the Ultimate Choujin Tag Arc are used.
Reception
{{Video game reviews
| MC = 77/100{{cite web | url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/ultimate-muscle-legends-vs-new-generation/critic-reviews/?platform=gamecube | title=Ultimate Muscle: Legends vs New Generation for GameCube Reviews | website=Metacritic | publisher=CBS Interactive | access-date=March 22, 2014 | archive-date=February 5, 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150205010943/http://www.metacritic.com/game/gamecube/ultimate-muscle-legends-vs-new-generation | url-status=live}}
| EGM = 7.83/10{{cite magazine | author=EGM staff | url=http://www.egmmag.com/article2/0,4364,1257782,00.asp | title=Ultimate Muscle: Legends vs. New Generation | magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly | publisher=Ziff Davis | issue=168 | date=July 2003 | page=112 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040123200848/http://www.egmmag.com/article2/0,4364,1257782,00.asp | archive-date=January 23, 2004 | url-status=dead | access-date=February 24, 2016}}
| Fam = 27/40{{cite magazine | url=https://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_h_title&title_id=9920&redirect=no | title=キン肉マンII世 新世代超人VS伝説超人 [ゲームキューブ] | language=ja | magazine=Famitsu | publisher=Enterbrain | access-date=February 23, 2020}}
| GI = 7.5/10{{cite magazine | last=Leeper | first=Justin | url=http://www.gameinformer.com/Games/Review/200307/R03.0807.1704.03601.htm | title=Ultimate Muscle: Legends vs. New Generation | magazine=Game Informer | publisher=GameStop | issue=123 | date=July 2003 | page=110 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051118152851/http://www.gameinformer.com/Games/Review/200307/R03.0807.1704.03601.htm | archive-date=November 18, 2005 | url-status=dead | access-date=February 24, 2016}}
| GamePro = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite magazine | author=Star Dingo | date=June 4, 2003 | url=http://www.gamepro.com/nintendo/gamecube/games/reviews/29623.shtml | title=Ultimate Muscle: Legends vs. New Generation Review for GameCube on GamePro.com | magazine=GamePro | publisher=IDG Entertainment | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041222024308/http://www.gamepro.com/nintendo/gamecube/games/reviews/29623.shtml | archive-date=December 22, 2004 | url-status=dead | access-date=February 24, 2016}}
| GSpot = 8/10{{cite web | last=Navarro | first=Alex | date=June 2, 2003 | url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/ultimate-muscle-legends-vs-new-generation-review/1900-6029319/ | title=Ultimate Muscle: Legends vs. New Generation Review | website=GameSpot | publisher=CBS Interactive | access-date=February 24, 2016 | archive-date=September 1, 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140901093152/http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/ultimate-muscle-legends-vs-new-generation-review/1900-6029319/ | url-status=live}}
| GSpy = {{Rating|3|5}}{{cite web | last=Padilla | first=Raymond | date=June 20, 2003 | url=http://cube.gamespy.com/gamecube/ultimate-muscle-legends-vs-new-generation/5889p1.html | title=GameSpy: Ultimate Muscle: Legends vs. New Generation | website=GameSpy | publisher=IGN Entertainment | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051202045229/http://cube.gamespy.com/gamecube/ultimate-muscle-legends-vs-new-generation/5889p1.html | archive-date=December 2, 2005 | url-status=dead | access-date=February 24, 2016}}
| IGN = 7.8/10{{cite web | last=Casamassina | first=Matt | date=June 5, 2003 | url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/06/06/ultimate-muscle-legends-vs-new-generation | title=Ultimate Muscle: Legends vs. New Generation | website=IGN | publisher=Ziff Davis | access-date=February 24, 2016 | archive-date=December 10, 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191210000436/https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/06/06/ultimate-muscle-legends-vs-new-generation | url-status=live}}
| NP = 3.2/5{{cite magazine | title=Ultimate Muscle: Legends vs. New Generation | magazine=Nintendo Power | publisher=Nintendo of America | volume=170 | date=July–August 2003 | page=145}}
| XPlay = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite web | last=Speer | first=Justin | date=August 19, 2003 | url=http://www.techtv.com/xplay/reviews/story/0,24330,3494398,00.html | title='Ultimate Muscle: Legends vs. New Generation' (GCN) Review | website=X-Play | publisher=TechTV | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030820041859/http://www.techtv.com/xplay/reviews/story/0,24330,3494398,00.html | archive-date=August 20, 2003 | url-status=dead | access-date=February 24, 2016}}
| rev1 = Maxim
| rev1Score = 4/10{{cite magazine | last=Steinberg | first=Scott | date=June 4, 2003 | url=http://www.maximonline.com/entertainment/reviews/review_games_5844.html | title=Ultimate Muscle: Legends vs. New Generation | magazine=Maxim | publisher=Biglari Holdings | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030813235804/http://www.maximonline.com/entertainment/reviews/review_games_5844.html | archive-date=August 13, 2003 | url-status=dead | access-date=February 24, 2016}}
| rev2 = The Village Voice
| rev2Score = 8/10{{cite news | last=Catucci | first=Nick | date=June 17, 2003 | url=https://www.villagevoice.com/2003/06/17/macho-men/ | title=Macho Men | newspaper=The Village Voice | publisher=Village Voice, LLC | access-date=February 23, 2020 | archive-date=February 23, 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200223185807/https://www.villagevoice.com/2003/06/17/macho-men/ | url-status=live}}
}}
The game received "generally favorable reviews" according to video game review aggregator Metacritic. In Japan, Famitsu gave it a score of 27 out of 40.
The editors of GameSpot named Ultimate Muscle the best GameCube game of June 2003,{{cite web | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040206065536/http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/gotm/070203/index.html | url=http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/gotm/070203/index.html | title=GameSpot{{'}}s Month in Review: June 2003 | author=((The Editors of GameSpot)) | date=July 2, 2003 | work=GameSpot | archive-date=February 6, 2004 | url-status=dead}} and nominated the title for their 2003 "Best Game No One Played" award, which ultimately went to Amplitude.{{cite web | author=GameSpot staff | url=http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/bestof2003/day3_15.html | title=Best and Worst of 2003: Best Game No One Played | website=GameSpot | publisher=CNET | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040718033722/http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/bestof2003/day3_15.html | archive-date=July 18, 2004 | url-status=dead | access-date=February 23, 2020}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{Portal|Video games}}
- [http://www.bandaigames.channel.or.jp/list/kinnikumanII/ Kinnikuman Nisei New Generation vs. Legends from Bandai]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20070315015545/http://www.aki.co.jp/ Aki Corporation]
- {{moby game|id=/gamecube/ultimate-muscle-legends-vs-new-generation}}
{{Kinnikuman}}
Category:Professional wrestling games
Category:Video games developed in Japan
Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games
{{fighting-videogame-stub}}