Plus, you can spice up the fights with the copious match types. As with most wrestling games, the matches tend to drag on much longer than I'd prefer, but at least the slowly building action usually climaxes with some stunning exchanges. The GameCube controller performs wonderfully-holds and throws are a breeze to pull off and changing targets with the C-stick is simple. In fact, X8 has the best gameplay of any recent wrestling title.

Sure, X8 still has all the pyrotechnic hullabaloo and slick presentation of a WWE broadcast, but underneath all that jazz, you'll find a complex system of holds and reversals that would please Greco-Roman grapplers. It's great to play a wrestling game that actually simulates the strategic, grab-oriented sport of wrestling. You'll also find all of the entrance tunes, TitanTron video reels and wrestler entrances that you'd expect from the leader in 'sports entertainment.' In addition to old-fashioned normal matches, you can tackle zany ones like Cage, Ladder, Table and the ever-popular Hell in a Cell matches. Developer Yuke's has also meticulously re-created the recent Wrestlemania X8 event sets along with seven other official arenas. Of course, you can also tailor your own champ using the Create-A-Superstar mode. The game's roster swells with 42 larger-than-life WWE superstars, including past WCW, nWo and ECW members. Wrestlemania X8 carries on the tradition of grapple-based gameplay, making full use of a wide array of holds, throws, reversals and submission moves.

Surprisingly, THQ has decided to keep this dichotomy alive in the next generation.

It's really a case of bruised apples and reamed oranges, as each style of play is fun in its own way. The Sony-bound games offered flashier, fighting-game-style combat. Traditionally, the N64 titles featured more strategic, grapple-heavy bouts. If you've been into 'rasslin games for a few years now, you're probably aware of the differences between THQ's Nintendo 64 WWF titles and its SmackDown! series for PlayStation.

Download wwe wrestlemania x8