Virtual Pro Wrestling 2: Oudou Keishou

Virtual Pro Wrestling 2: Oudou Keishou stands out as a hallmark of wrestling games, exclusively launching in Japan. Translating to "Royal Road Succession," the title refers to the immersive career mode that engrains players in the world of professional wrestling. Developed by AKI Corporation, this game layers enhancements over its predecessors, setting the stage for innovations that would later appear in WWF No Mercy. Featuring the All Japan Pro Wrestling license, the game showcases 21 real wrestlers from the promotion, while cleverly weaving in characters from other organizations, albeit under alternate names and appearances enforced by copyright. With a staggering roster of 98 wrestlers—23 of which require unlocking—and 16 customizable character slots, players can push the total roster to an impressive 114, making it the most expansive offering from AKI. Unique gameplay mechanics, including an intricate edit mode and an MMA-inspired grappling system, elevate the experience, even if some features wouldn’t carry over into WWF No Mercy.