Lucha Libre AAA Heroes of the Ring

In the world of Mexican wrestling, there is nothing more important to a “luchador” than his mask.  It’s his calling card, his identity and his masculinity. The loss of a mask is the ultimate defrocking, resulting in a shameful period of fighting unmasked.  Many luchadores feel so humiliated from the loss, they abandon their previous identity, and start a new one.

So it’s no surprise that the first order of business at Konami’s E3 presentation of Lucha Libre AAA: Heroes del Ring, was the creation of our luchador, and his mask.  Mask customization options are ridiculously varied with patterns, colors, and even external adornments, like horns and spikes.  We built a white mask with blazing red flames and four devil horns jutting out of the temples.

This representation is a loving homage to Lucha Libre Mexican wrestling, and it captures the sport’s over-the-top antics.  Much of the game is presented en Espanol, and Latino authenticity runs throughout the game.  In all, 30 of the top luchadores in Mexico’s premiere wrestling federation are in the game.

Each luchador’s success is impacted less by his in-ring moves, and more by affinity with fans. Popularity is earned through taunts, outlandish moves, and the unleashing of spine-snapping punishment. As your popularity meter grows, new and increasingly over-the-top grappling moves become available to your Luchador.  Pulling off these moves will further ingratiate your luchador to the fans, and your popularity will continue to expand.

With an onslaught of Mixed Marshall Arts games on the horizon, Konami is hoping some fighting fans will eschew deep simulation for this highly approachable title.  The game mechanics are straightforward, and even after a pitcher of margaritas, four people can pick up controllers and start body slamming hapless opponents.

Much of the action happens outside of the ring, where your luchadors will find the common tools of the trade, like tables waiting to be shattered, and folding chairs to be wielded as bludgeons.

Daring luchadores will choose to compete in mask events. Losing a mask event has the dire consequence of forfeiting your mask for the next three matches—a far less severe penalty than the three-year penalty suffered by actual luchadores.

Submissions, escapes, and pins are all performed with button mashing exercises, which may become tedious, but it underscores Lucha Libre’s dedication to approachability. Some graphic glitches were apparent, and the animations doesn’t mesh from grapple to grapple as smoothly as other fighters.

Lucha Libre AAA: Heroes del Ring supports four players, both on and offline.  Multiplayer includes 1-on-3 and 2-on-2 matches.  It will ship for PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, and PSP on August 10th.