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TNA Impact! (video game)

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TNA Impact!
NTSC Cover art featuring (clockwise from middle) Kurt Angle, Samoa Joe, Booker T, AJ Styles, and Sting
DevelopersMidway Studios Los Angeles
Point of View (PS2)
PublisherMidway Games
DirectorSal DiVita
DesignerMark Turmell
ProgrammerBrock Feldman
ArtistPaul Interrante
ComposerDale Oliver
EngineUnreal Engine 3 (PS3/Xbox 360)
Platforms
ReleasePlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
  • NA: September 9, 2008
  • PAL: September 12, 2008
Wii
  • NA: September 16, 2008
  • PAL: October 3, 2008
GenreSports[1]
ModesSingle-player, multiplayer

TNA Impact! (stylized as TNA iMPACT!) is a professional wrestling video game based on the Total Nonstop Action Wrestling promotion, developed by Midway Studios Los Angeles, and published by Midway Games in September 2008.[2]

Although the game sold 1.5 million units,[3] financial issues at Midway Games prevented the planned development and release of a sequel.

The game was ported to Nintendo DS and PlayStation Portable (PSP) handset consoles in June 2010 by SouthPeak Games under the title TNA Impact!: Cross The Line.[4]

Gameplay

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Jeff Jarrett drops an elbow on Sting.

TNA Impact! is geared towards a quick-paced, high-impact style of play, with lower emphasis on submission maneuvers. It supports up to four players at once, with online capabilities (which includes tournaments) standing at one-on-one.[5][6][7] However, online play is restricted to the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions.[8] Scans of the wrestlers were used in place of hand-painted textures to include small details, like skin texture and scars.[9] Finishers are accessed by building up the "Impact!" meter. There is also a damage indicator that shows the condition of wrestlers. The game also features minigames for escaping pin attempts and submissions.[8]

TNA's signature match, Ultimate X, is a playable match type, alongside the more standard Singles, Tag team and Fatal Four Way matches.[5][7][10][11] Submission and Falls Count Anywhere matches are also included.[11] Eight different venues—including TNA's main home: Florida's Impact! Zone, and arenas set in Japan, Mexico, England, Las Vegas, and locations designed to evoke the independent circuit feel—are available to house matches, with the Impact! Zone having an increased ringside area and hot spots for player interaction.[7][8][9] Liverpool Olympia is also a playable arena.[12]

The story mode's main character is a wrestler named Suicide. During every iMPACT! episode after the August 2008 version, the words "whoissuicide.com" flashed on the screen for less than a second. On the website, it shows Suicide is being taken from the game to real life television.[13] At the Final Resolution pay-per-view in December 2008, Suicide first appeared on TNA programming.[14] At Destination X 2009, Suicide participated in his debut match in TNA, which was an Ultimate X match, and then became the new X Division Champion.

Development

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After various negotiations with Electronic Arts[citation needed] and Rockstar Games,[15] TNA signed a multi-year agreement with Midway Games in November 2005.[16] Midway announced their intentions to release Impact!, the first game in TNA's history, for each of the seventh generation consoles, which were released in 2008.

Several TNA wrestlers were involved in the production. The self described "hardcore gamers" Samoa Joe and A.J. Styles both participated in meetings with Midway staff to brainstorm gameplay ideas, and Joe, Styles, Christopher Daniels, Senshi, Sonjay Dutt, and Jeff Jarrett were all a part of the motion capture sessions.[5][17] During the October 2006 tapings of the weekly TNA Impact! program, members of the TNA roster were "scanned" for the game, and audio samples of the Impact! Zone crowd were recorded.[18] The Liverpool Olympia was used for reference photos to inspire the unlockable 'London' venue in the game.[citation needed]

Other features

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Classic TNA highlight matches were featured in the video game as TNA Extras, with two matches being filmed as Midway Games exclusive matches. These matches were a Knockouts Gauntlet Match and a Six Way X Division Match.

Downloadable content (DLC)

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Midway introduced downloadable content which enabled the player to expand the game, making TNA Impact! the first professional wrestling video game in history to offer this service.

The first downloadable content was in the form of new wrestlers that the player could add to the game, these being Curry Man and Petey Williams. These were bought for 100 Microsoft points from the Xbox Live Marketplace, and as an extra gift, the player could download Mike Tenay for free.[19] This feature was only available for Xbox 360 and started on November 6, 2008, but the content was initially glitched and made Curry Man emerge as Christopher Daniels in his entrance and Petey Williams emerge as A.J. Styles and have the model of Senshi in the ring. These glitches were later fixed.

Don West and Afro Thunder were also exclusive to the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions through style points.[20]

Reception

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TNA Impact! received "mixed or average" reviews, while the Wii version received "generally unfavorable" reviews, according to review aggregator Metacritic.[25][26][27][28]

The game was praised for its realistic graphics and simple control scheme, but criticized for its limited and repetitive movesets, poor entrances, lack of championship belts, and inconsistent AI.[44][53] GameSpot was generally positive to the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360,[33] and PlayStation 2 versions.[32]

As of February 2009, TNA iMPACT! had shipped approximately 1.5 million units.[citation needed]

Mobile tie-in

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In 2008, Longtail Studios created the game TNA Wrestling for Verizon Wireless mobile devices to coincide with this release. The game was re-released in 2009 for iOS.

In 2011, Namco Networks released TNA Wrestling Impact! for mobile devices.

Cancelled sequel

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Midway Games originally announced a sequel, but it was later cancelled after Midway Games filed for bankruptcy in February 2009.[54][55] In July 2009, Time Warner (through its subsidiary Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment) purchased the majority of Midway. The TNA license was not included with the purchase.[56] Later in September, TNA president Dixie Carter said that TNA was looking for a new video game partner.[57] In November, SouthPeak Games acquired Midway Games' TNA video game license in its quarterly report.[58] The company later published TNA Impact!: Cross the Line for Nintendo DS and PSP, releasing it in June 2010.[59] The game was basically the same as the 2008 release, with the addition of several new characters and the removal of older ones, such as Christian Cage who departed TNA in 2008.

See also

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References

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  1. 1 2 Noble, McKinley (September 18, 2008). "TNA Impact! (X360)". GamePro. IDG Entertainment. Archived from the original on September 22, 2008.
  2. ↑ "Midway Announces Diverse And High-Powered Lineup For 2007 E3 Business & Media Summit". Midway Games. July 9, 2007. Archived from the original on July 12, 2007. Retrieved June 15, 2022.
  3. ↑ "Indiantelevision.com's interview with TNA Entertainment president Dixie Carter". IndianTelevision.com. September 15, 2009. Archived from the original on September 23, 2009. Retrieved June 15, 2022.
  4. ↑ "TNA Impact! Cross the Line". IGN. Retrieved 2026-07-18.
  5. 1 2 3 Banks, Bill (October 12, 2007). "New Footage Of The TNA Video Game!". TNA Wrestling. Archived from the original on October 13, 2007. Retrieved October 12, 2007.
  6. ↑ Lane, Scot (April 18, 2008). "TNA iMPACT! Midway Gamers' Day 2008 Interview" (Video). GameSpot. Red Ventures. Archived from the original on July 22, 2023. Retrieved June 15, 2022.
  7. 1 2 3 WUVideo (April 13, 2008). "TNA iMPACT: Exclusive Features". YouTube. Google. Archived from the original on June 15, 2022. Retrieved June 15, 2022.
  8. 1 2 3 Ekberg, Brian (October 13, 2007). "TNA iMPACT! Hands-On [date mislabeled as "October 15, 2007"]". GameSpot. Red Ventures. Archived from the original on October 19, 2007. Retrieved June 15, 2022.
  9. 1 2 Lane, Scot (October 14, 2007). "TNA iMPACT! Interview 2" (Video). GameSpot. Red Ventures. Archived from the original on June 15, 2022. Retrieved June 15, 2022.
  10. ↑ Regan, Mike (March 30, 2008). "TNA Impact Detailed Hands On Impressions". Gaming Ring. Archived from the original on April 1, 2008. Retrieved April 2, 2008.
  11. 1 2 Regan, Mike (April 1, 2008). "New TNA Impact Information". Gaming Ring. Archived from the original on October 12, 2008. Retrieved August 24, 2008.
  12. ↑ Jones, Neal (March 1, 2008). "Interview Recap — Traci Brooks". In Your Head Wrestling. Archived from the original on March 11, 2008. Retrieved March 1, 2008.
  13. ↑ "Who Is Suicide?". Who Is Suicide?. Archived from the original on August 31, 2008. Retrieved June 15, 2022.
  14. ↑ Johnson, Mike (December 8, 2008). "TNA UPDATES ON AL SNOW, SUICIDE, SPIN CYCLE AND MORE". PWInsider. Archived from the original on July 22, 2023. Retrieved June 15, 2022.
  15. ↑ Robinson, Jon (October 25, 2005). "Mr. Robinson's Neighborhood". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on June 15, 2022. Retrieved June 15, 2022.
  16. ↑ Martin, Adam (November 7, 2005). "Midway Games issues press release on TNA video game, Rhino, D'Amore". WrestleView.com. Archived from the original on January 10, 2009. Retrieved August 24, 2008.
  17. ↑ Sinclair, Brendan (June 7, 2006). "TNA Wrestling updates game debut". GameSpot. Red Ventures. Archived from the original on June 15, 2022. Retrieved June 15, 2022.
  18. ↑ Flannagan, Jay (October 25, 2006). "A Busy Day At The Impact! Tapings, Midway Games At the Tapings, More". WrestleView.com. Archived from the original on December 29, 2008. Retrieved August 24, 2008.
  19. ↑ "Midway To Release Curry Man & Petey Williams As Downloadable Characters For TNA Impact Next Week". Wrestling News World. Gray Internet Technologies, LLC. October 31, 2008. Archived from the original on November 3, 2008. Retrieved June 15, 2022.
  20. ↑ "Game Over Online ~ TNA Impact!". www.game-over.com. Retrieved 2026-07-16.
  21. ↑ "TNA iMPACT! - PS2". GameRankings. Archived from the original on 2008-09-18. Retrieved 2008-09-18.
  22. ↑ "TNA iMPACT! - PS3". GameRankings. Archived from the original on 2008-09-18. Retrieved 2008-09-18.
  23. ↑ "TNA iMPACT! - WII". GameRankings. Archived from the original on 2008-09-18. Retrieved 2008-09-18.
  24. ↑ "TNA iMPACT! - X360". GameRankings. Archived from the original on 2008-09-18. Retrieved 2008-09-18.
  25. 1 2 "TNA iMPACT! for PlayStation 2 Reviews". Metacritic. Red Ventures. Archived from the original on 2019-05-06. Retrieved 2019-05-10.
  26. 1 2 "TNA iMPACT! for PlayStation 3 Reviews". Metacritic. Red Ventures. Archived from the original on June 15, 2022. Retrieved June 15, 2022.
  27. 1 2 "TNA iMPACT! for Wii Reviews". Metacritic. Red Ventures. Archived from the original on 2019-02-16. Retrieved 2019-05-07.
  28. 1 2 "TNA iMPACT! for Xbox 360 Reviews". Metacritic. Red Ventures. Archived from the original on June 15, 2022. Retrieved June 15, 2022.
  29. ↑ Whitehead, Dan (October 30, 2008). "Xbox 360 Roundup". Eurogamer. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on June 16, 2022. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
  30. 1 2 Reeves, Ben (November 2008). "TNA Impact! Review (PS3, X360)". Game Informer. No. 187. GameStop. Archived from the original on September 28, 2008. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
  31. ↑ Tan, Nicholas (October 6, 2008). "TNA iMPACT! Review (X360)". GameRevolution. CraveOnline. Archived from the original on September 7, 2015. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
  32. 1 2 Watters, Chris (September 12, 2008). "TNA iMPACT! Review (PS2)". GameSpot. Red Ventures. Archived from the original on May 2, 2019. Retrieved May 2, 2019.
  33. 1 2 3 Watters, Chris (September 10, 2008). "TNA iMPACT! Review (PS3, X360)". GameSpot. Red Ventures. Archived from the original on May 2, 2019. Retrieved May 2, 2019.
  34. ↑ Villoria, Gerald (September 15, 2008). "GameSpy: TNA iMPACT! (PS2)". GameSpy. IGN Entertainment. Archived from the original on November 17, 2022. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
  35. 1 2 Villoria, Gerald (September 12, 2008). "GameSpy: TNA iMPACT! (PS3, X360)". GameSpy. IGN Entertainment. Archived from the original on September 13, 2008. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
  36. ↑ Villoria, Gerald (September 17, 2008). "GameSpy: TNA iMPACT! (Wii)". GameSpy. IGN Entertainment. Archived from the original on July 22, 2023. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
  37. ↑ "TNA: iMPACT! [sic] (PS3)". GameTrailers. Viacom. September 30, 2008. Archived from the original on October 5, 2008. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
  38. ↑ Romano, Natalie (October 3, 2008). "TNA iMPACT! - PS3 - Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on October 6, 2008. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
  39. ↑ Bedigian, Louis (September 22, 2008). "TNA iMPACT! - 360 - Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on September 25, 2008. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
  40. ↑ Gerstmann, Jeff (September 12, 2008). "TNA iMPACT! Review (X360)". Giant Bomb. Red Ventures. Archived from the original on June 16, 2022. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
  41. ↑ Miller, Greg (September 9, 2008). "TNA Impact! Review (PS2)". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on August 9, 2019. Retrieved August 9, 2019.
  42. ↑ Miller, Greg (September 8, 2008). "TNA Impact! Review (PS3)". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on August 9, 2019. Retrieved August 9, 2019.
  43. ↑ Miller, Greg (September 16, 2008). "TNA Impact! Review (Wii)". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on June 15, 2022. Retrieved June 15, 2022.
  44. 1 2 Miller, Greg (September 8, 2008). "TNA Impact! Review (X360)". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on August 9, 2019. Retrieved August 9, 2019.
  45. ↑ "TNA Impact!". Nintendo Power. Vol. 235. Future US. December 2008. p. 94.
  46. ↑ Dyer, Mitch (September 11, 2008). "TNA iMPACT!". Official Xbox Magazine. Future US. Archived from the original on September 13, 2008. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
  47. ↑ "Review: TNA Impact! (PS3)". PlayStation: The Official Magazine. No. 13. Future plc. December 2008. p. 91.
  48. ↑ Campbell, Mike (September 16, 2008). "TNA iMPACT! (PS2) Review". 411Mania. Archived from the original on September 18, 2008. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
  49. ↑ Robbins, Drew (September 28, 2008). "TNA Impact! (PS2) Review". 411Mania. Archived from the original on September 29, 2008. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
  50. ↑ Robbins, Derek (October 27, 2008). "TNA Impact (PS3) Review". 411Mania. Archived from the original on October 28, 2008. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
  51. ↑ Lansdell, Chris (October 8, 2008). "TNA Impact! (Xbox 360) Review". 411Mania. Archived from the original on October 9, 2008. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
  52. ↑ Mastrapa, Gus (September 29, 2008). "TNA Impact! (X360)". The A.V. Club. G/O Media. Archived from the original on October 2, 2008. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
  53. ↑ DesertEagle (September 11, 2008). "An Upset by the Upstart: TNA Impact! Reviewed". Tech-Gaming. Archived from the original on September 14, 2008. Retrieved September 19, 2008.
  54. ↑ "TNA iMPACT! 2 (Game)". Giant Bomb. Red Ventures. Archived from the original on 2019-08-16. Retrieved 2019-08-16.
  55. ↑ "IGN story: Midway files for bankruptcy". Uk.xbox360.ign.com. 12 February 2009. Archived from the original on 2012-03-12. Retrieved 2013-01-06.
  56. ↑ Wong, Wailin (July 1, 2009). "Court OKs Midway Games $33M asset sale to Warner Bros". Chicago Tribune. Tribune Publishing. Archived from the original on July 2, 2009. Retrieved September 21, 2009.
  57. ↑ Caldwell, James (September 15, 2009). "TNA News: TNA expected to announce new video game partner soon". Pro Wrestling Torch. TDH Communications Inc. Archived from the original on June 16, 2022. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
  58. ↑ McWhertor, Michael (November 12, 2009). "Southpeak Grabs TNA From Midway's Bankruptcy Sale". Kotaku. G/O Media. Archived from the original on August 16, 2019. Retrieved August 29, 2019.
  59. ↑ Gilbert, Ben (December 1, 2009). "SouthPeak publishing TNA Impact! on handhelds 'later this Winter'". Engadget (Joystiq). Yahoo. Archived from the original on December 5, 2009. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
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