With the announcement of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) canceling WWE 2K21 after a disastrous WWE 2K20 release has put a spotlight on the wrestling video game genre. Yet, when you look at current and upcoming wrestling-themed video games, this may be the best time to be a fan of wrestling at large and not just WWE. It’s definitely a good time to be a fan of wrestling gaming as a plethora of projects are in the works.
Virtual Basement is working on a currently untitled 3D next-generation wrestling game, but they aren’t the ones deserving of attention. While often going unmentioned by wrestling media in the United States, the beloved Fire Pro Wrestling series is marching forward strongly, especially after signing licensing deals with New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) and World Wonder Ring Stardom (Stardom).
RetroMania Wrestling is developing an arcade wrestling game, featuring independent and retired wrestlers from the United States. While famed wrestling management sim Total Extreme Warfare is set to release the middle of next month.
Virtual Basement offers something different with a 3D modeling approach and an expected release on the Playstation 5 next-generation console. The company has been able to draw buzz due to the ‘roster announcements’ on Twitter featuring those from several known promotions around the world.
NOW IN THE NEWEST @VirtualBasement GAME
MR. ALL NIGHT LONG
RICH SWANNAND
BLOODY ÜNDEAD BRIDE
SÜ YÜNG pic.twitter.com/vuL34LCJWy— s ü y ü n g (@realsuyung) March 31, 2020
IT’S OFFICIAL!
I’m going to be a playable character on the upcoming @VirtualBasement 3D Wrestling game!
Can’t wait to play as me and kick all the other wrestlers asses 🤨 pic.twitter.com/ZF8RZkGzvL
— 𝐊𝐈𝐋𝐋𝐄𝐑 𝐊𝐄𝐋𝐋𝐘 (@Kelly_WP) March 23, 2020
https://twitter.com/Shazza_McKenzie/status/1241502488596852736?s=20
Extremely happy to announce that @THE_GNB_ will be DEEEEEEP inside the tag team division for @VirtualBasement
👉🏾👌🏻🎮 pic.twitter.com/UiBrUIt6ck— GNB (@THE_GNB_) April 25, 2020
Well I guess it’s finally official! I am joining the @VirtualBasement roster for video games! That’s 2 games!! Heck yea! Make sure to get me y’all! Super excited! pic.twitter.com/qGgN9NXkPZ
— Jeff Cobb (@RealJeffCobb) April 13, 2020
Also announced are: O’Shay Edwards, Leo St. Giovanni, Jonathan Greshman, Kongo Kong, Caprice Coleman, Fallah Bahh, Matt Sydal, Jason Cade, Matt Taven, Brian Cage, and others. Virtual Basement is drawing all 3D models by hand to capture the most realistic presentation of the wrestlers as possible.
The company says they aim to have 60 wrestlers available at the release of the game and promise to make others available through DLC. While details are scarce, the title looks to be an ambitious effort to fill in what has been a stale 3D wrestling gaming market over the past decade.
The most appealing aspect of the game thus far is that it won’t be restricted to a single promotion, something that has made the Fire Pro series a fan favorite for over 30 years. If Virtual Basement can balance having a large roster and not charging absurdly high fees for DLC they have a great opportunity to build a similarly long-lasting wrestling franchise.
It may be to their benefit to reach out to performers in Japan and Mexico to bring international fans to the table. Now is the perfect time for Virtual Basement to gain a foothold in the 3D wrestling market, and they may be on their way to hitting a home run.
Yukes and All Elite Wrestling (AEW) are looking to jump into the market shortly, but it’s yet to be known what to expect from either title. It’s likely an AEW game will only feature talent under contract — limiting the game slightly for those who want to play within the larger wrestling landscape.
There’s isn’t a release date for the game as of yet, but with wrestlers signed to contracts it seems highly likely that something will come of Virtual Basement’s vision.
