The Xbox 360 version of the game was temporarily recalled in Japan due to it not saving properly to the system's hard drive. A release event planned for the following two days after its release was cancelled.[1]
Wrestle Kingdom uses a modified engine seen in previous Yuke's games, the WWE Day of Reckoning series. While not as simulation-based as its Japanese contemporaries, it is also not as frantic and arcade-like as its American counterparts.
Wrestle Kingdom has the basic wrestling video game matches, including singles, tag teams, triple threats, fatal four ways, and battle royals. No specialty matches are featured.
The defining mode in Wrestle Kingdom is the Drama mode. In this mode, players must create a wrestler and train under one of the top stars from each promotion. As they go, they must train to improve their stats. This is the only way to unlock more moves.
Towards the end, the player will pick from a list of promotional titles or tournaments, such as the G1 Climax. Depending on which the player selects, they can unlock certain wrestlers and unlock their trainer's move set.
Wrestle Kingdom received generally positive reviews. Alfred Alfonso, writing for American website IGN, enjoyed the PS2 version of the game, praising the Drama mode and graphics, but criticized the length of the loading times.[3]
