The Big Pro Wrestling! (set 1)

Technos Japan’s The Big Pro Wrestling! arrived in arcades in December of 1983, marking their debut as a game developer. This two-player sports title puts you and a partner in the ring against opponents with distinct wrestling styles. Players control their chosen grapplers using an eight-way joystick to execute moves like punches, kicks, throws, and suplexes, aiming to pin your rivals for victory. The gameplay focuses on tag-team action – strategically swapping wrestlers in and out of the match is key to success. Matches unfold with a straightforward presentation, focusing on wrestling mechanics rather than elaborate stage design or complex narrative elements. This early title helped lay groundwork for future Technos Japan games, including later entries in their wrestling series. Outside of Japan, The Big Pro Wrestling! was known as Tag Team Wrestling. A character from this game, Sunny, would make a cameo appearance years later in Double Dragon 3 - The Rosetta Stone, demonstrating the influence of this initial offering on Technos Japan's creative output.