Rumble Roses XX is the ultimate tease that doesn't put out on a first date. by Vaughn Smith

April 5, 2006 - Okay I get it already. Gamers seem to enjoy scantily clad women beating each other up. Yukes, whom you might remember from such games as WWE Smackdown (the series) teams up with Konami to deliver the sequel to the PS2 original. Yukes long development history with WWE wrestling titles could have easily assured the games success, but many of the elements that make the Smackdown series what it is, didn't make the cut. In essence what we're left with is a voyeuristic experience which seems to exist only for the benefit of looking up some virtual wrestling chick's skirt. Of course this will most likely be enough for some of you. But remember what I said: Rumble Roses XX is the ultimate tease.

I have to admit that the older I get, the harder it is to review these kinds of games. Due to the incessant panty and thong shots, delivered at premium camera angles for your viewing pleasure, the gameplay is completely lost in the shuffle of virtual butts and breasts being thrust in your face. I have nothing against the female form; I love it, but enough is enough. That being said, if I was 12 years old I'm sure I'd be all over this game, telling my parents "Nah, it's like Pac-Man...with wrestling. It's a video game, what could be bad about it?"

To take the concept even further, gamers will be able to play "dress up" with the wrestlers, decking them out in various "barely there" wardrobes and even pose them and take pix of them. You can even play God and adjust their body dimensions. You know what I'm talking about, don't you? I'm making it sound seedier than it is and we must remember that the Japanese really get off on this stuff. In fact, I predict that if and when we ever see video game porn, it will have Konami's name on it if their extras in Rumble Roses, MGS3: Subsistence and Metal Gear Ac!d 2 games are any indication.

Puerile entertainment aside, Rumble Roses XX does actually stand on its own two feet in regards to gameplay. In their defense, Yukes wasn't intending to create Smackdown with scantily-clad wrestling chicks as they'd obviously be capable of that without trying too hard. At first you will find the wrestling engine rather thin, especially if you're used to Smackdown. However as you progress the nuances of the game will reveal themselves and give way to a more enjoyable experience. I'd suggest playing it here and there and avoid the marathon gaming sessions as a way to wring more entertainment value out of it. Some gamers will become turned off with the game and despise it for it's lack of overall depth, but there is more here than originally meets the eye (pun intended). Nothing much has been added in the move from the PS2 to the Xbox 360 in terms of beefing up the fighting engine and that's definitely a knock against it.

One of the ways in which the game elongates the play value, either intentionally or unintentionally, is that it lacks any real direction. You'll never really be sure as to how to unlock anything or even what methods have to be adhered to, to unlock a title match. In that sense, there is a lot of experimentation - which will either annoy the crap out of you or spur you on to crack the mystery. If you've played the original game you will be happy to know that all of the girls return, however the hilariously bizarre story mode has been axed in favor of the aforementioned mysterious wrestling events, in which you'll wander aimlessly around in your pursuit of a title match. I was quite dismayed to see that Yukes decided to scrap the story mode from RRXX as it was one of those "so bad it was good" kind of things. You might feel elated not to have to endure some of the bad acting and ridiculous premises set up in the last game.

If bouncing breasts and crotch shots in high definition are your thing, Rumble Roses XX will give you an extremely high ROI (return on investment). As mentioned, the game was designed to go out of its way to give you the best camera angles when it comes to sneaking a peak. Visually the game doesn't quite impress like Team Ninja's DOA4 or EA's Fight Night Round 3, but the fluid animation and brilliant character models look fantastic.

Where DOA4 was on par with Ninja Gaiden in terms of difficulty in places, RRXX isn't nearly as frustrating. It really has to be placed into the genre of "novelty game" much like DOAXVB, because it's really more about unlocking the goodies then it really is about wrestling in my opinion. As many of the matches won't give you too much trouble, you'll get more out of the game when you play against other humans. Playing online however isn't recommended until Konami patches it. It's like playing Call Of Duty 2 online, while wearing thongs.

If you're an adolescent boy who is able to play this game without fear of being reprimanded by mom and dad, you'll most likely think this is a gift from the gaming gods. I'd definitely argue with you on that point. As it stands, it's another Xbox 360 title which is always a good thing; that it features scantily clad babes who actually proceed to wear less and less as the game progresses will have some calling Rumble Roses XX the best game ever made. It's fun if you want to see women fight in various states of undress, but if you're looking for some really good wrestling action, stick with the sweaty brutes in Yukes more popular and polished SmackDown! series.

Features:

• The first and only all-female wrestling experience for the Xbox 360™
• New gameplay modes: Tag Team, Battle Royal, Elimination and more
• New moves: A wider variety of moves and combinations offer a more realistic wresting experience
• Online gameplay: Compete online as a team or go head-to-head
• Choose from more than 20 wrestlers each with a variety of costume changes, and new moves
• Developed in conjunction with Yuke's Entertainment - the undisputed champion of wrestling game development

If there ever was a game that would appeal to the carnal urges of that familiar lonely, male gamer stereotype, Rumble Roses was that game. Taking cue from Dead or Alive: Extreme Volleyball, the folks over at Yuke's created a game based on women's wrestling, very endowed women's wrestling.

Rumble Roses was definitely fit to appeal to most male gamer's fantasies. You were able to choose from the naughty school girl, the sexy teacher or even a mean dominatrix. Each model jiggled in the right places and looked exactly like the plastic image of beauty most people hold today.

Deemed a poor ploy to gain a few bucks from the male dominated gaming demographic by using a sexually charged and scantily clad concept, most people were surprised when they found out the game was actually fun! The smooth and fluid controls made for an easy to pick up gaming experience. The female-only roster was fairly deep as well with each girl having a light and dark persona and different move sets per persona. There really wasn't a technical reason to not enjoy the game.

Fast forward to… well now, as Konami has announced that Rumble Roses will make its debut on the Xbox 360. Ahh, Next-Gen Jigglies.

Yuke's won't be straying too far from the Rumble Roses path in the Next-Gen arena. All the same old wrestlers will return along with some new faces to boast a 20 wrestler roster. Some added features will include online play over Xbox Live, as well as more multiplayer features. Tag team modes seem to be the hot setup in Rumble Roses XX, as the game's teaser trailer focused mostly on the tag team aspect.

I am a bit confused though, as the graphics for the Next-Gen trailer looked as though they were built on Current-Gen software. Hopefully this means that the graphics will only improve for RR: XX.

With the 360's 7 wireless controllers, Rumble Roses XX is bound to be a cornerstone in the Xbox 360's multiplayer foundation. If the controls aren't tweaked too much, we can expect and incredibly fun Next-Gen wrestling game, and it doesn't hurt that the virtual girls look virtually gorgeous.

Keep your eyes open for more Rumble Roses XX action right here at Cheat Code Central.