TNA iMPACT!

TNA Wrestling (short for Total Nonstop Action) has been growing leaps and bounds since its inception six years ago, hosting Pay Per View events and airing the popular weekly show TNA iMPACT! On Spike TV. Now, Midway is gearing up to release the first video game to be based on the organization, TNA iMPACT! A preview build was on display at Midway’s Gamers Day event in Las Vegas, and the game does a fine job of showcasing the style of TNA and its wrestling roster. Fans of wrestling games should keep an eye out for this one.

The big feature on display for Midway’s TNA iMPACT is the Ultimate X, which is the end-all-be-all match in TNA Wrestling. In this mode, the wrestlers will have to fight for a big red “X” that’s suspended above the ring by some ropes. They’ll each have to rip each other down to the ground in order to keep their opponent from scoring the victory, wearing them away in the ring to keep them in check. As the player, you’ll have to first climb the turnbuckle and then tap the B Button to shimmy your way across. Of course, you’re opponent will be trying to rip you down, so you’ll have to be fast and patient in order to win.

Once you get to the X, a minigame ensues that has you trying to line up a slider a certain amount of times in order to pull down the X and win the match. You’ll still have to contend with your opponent, who will be doing whatever he can to take you down.

Graphically, the game was very impressive, with great looking character models who represent their real-life doppelgangers accurately. The animations look pretty good, and the framerate is very solid, staying at a smooth 60 frames per second throughout.

TNA iMPACT is shaping up to be a game that fans of TNA and wrestling games on the whole will likely enjoy. The controls are pretty easy to pick up and play, and the new Ultimate X mode is a blast to play. Look for TNA iMPACT to hit this fall.