WWE WrestleMania 21

XXI is certainly more polished than previous installments, sporting better voice work (Randy Orton ain't just phoning it in, anymore) and cleaner graphics. We especially enjoyed the Create-A-Fighter feature.

A satisfying scrap that'll keep you mashing buttons, if for nothing else than to see Stacy Keibler in her bitmapped bra and pixel panties.

Does not really offer anything new, except improved graphics and a new storyline. That is not enough, really, but wrestling fans will probably still like the game. [Aug. 05]

I think despite the shortcomings with this title it does a good job of providing some entertainment and fun and at the end of the day this is what counts.

Wrestlemania 21's outrageously flawed A.I. and emphatically clunky control integration sully an otherwise outstanding display of wrestling prowess.

Inconsistencies such as the out-of-date player roster (why are Jazz and Nidia still there, yet characters like Heidenreich, William Regal and Torrie Wilson aren't), the fact that only four wrestlers are ever allowed on screen at once (why not six, or eight?), and that the list of unlockable legends is limited to say the least (no Hulk Hogan!) [Official UK Xbox Magazine]

THQ's new development team really put the polish on the games visuals and sound, but failed to polish up the final product.

Like previous efforts, WrestleMania 21 has some nice eye candy in the ways of character modeling and mo-capped animations, but it ultimately fails where it counts the most...in gameplay.

The franchise is clearly in need of an overhaul to address those core gameplay frustrations. [June 2005, p.76]

It might suck WWE die-hards in with its slick, true-to-form presentation, but they'll be quickly turned away by the clunky gameplay and repetitive nature of the game itself.

The game, while pretty, really took a nose dive in the gameplay department. Looks can't save a crappy game, and that is proven once again here.

"SmackDown" owners will laugh at the lack of options, but WWE Wrestlemania 21 is still the best grappler on Xbox. [GamesMaster]

While it's apparent that Studio Gigante toiled away long nights to perfect character realism, it's equally obvious that perfecting the remaining chunk of the game didn't keep them quite as occupied.

WM21 is a polished turd, it looks amazing and plays like sh.t.

Wrestlemania 21 had the potential to be so much more, but ultimately all those little niggly things that are forgivable on their own add up to nothing more than a slightly above average grappler.

It'd be great if the career mode had more storylines or branches to foster a return to the career mode every now and then. As it is, the game is more visually and aurally impressive than engaging playwise.

Even with the smooth online matches, motion-captured animations, and detailed entrance segments, the game quickly reveals itself as all glitz and little substance, not to mention the serious A.I. problems.

Studio Gigante's take on Wrestlemania is fraught with bugs, glitches and options that appear in the manual but aren't anywhere to be found in the game itself (auto targetting system).

Perhaps if it had been delayed to iron out the bugs, Wrestlemania 21 could have been a champion. [June 2005, p.132]

I am disappointed to say that the online play is at the top of the list for much needed rework. The online should have been one of the best areas in the game, but instead turned out to be sloppy.

Wrestling fans may find some enjoyment here, but for others, your best bet is to dig out that N64 and play the brilliant WWF No Mercy - the game that Wrestlemania tried so hard to be.

Surely not pushing the Xbox anywhere near to its limits and it fails to capture the essence of WWE, feeling outdated and sluggish to play. Best avoid this one until a real next-gen wrestler comes along.

Not even the flashy visuals can help THQ's latest from its sluggish action, dull story mode and lagging online play.

Be sure you're Live before even thinking about playing. [June 2005, p.88]

But pick up the controller and this one hits the mat hard...and I mrean very hard. [June 2005, p.106]

Probably a good blast if you're playing your mates after the pub has shut and the choices are limited.

While it gets better as you persevere, the game overall isn't as strong as we would have liked.

Those not specifically into wrestling should find some other game because this one is a "game only a fan could love."

A mixed bag of greatness, and blandness.

Numerous bugs, glitches, and polish issues drag this game down and leave it feeling like a textbook rush job.

In the ranks of Xbox wrestling games, let alone all-time wrestling games, this one ranks quite low, mainly because of its poor execution and obvious lack of polish.

Ultimately a shallow, clunky, near-broken mess of a game.

The biggest issue for me was the AI. I'm telling you it seems like the AI took one too many chairs to the head.

One of the most poorly executed wrestling games in recent memory.

Xbox Live gives the game a little justice, but the offline mode could be 100 times more elaborate and involving that it is which is quite a shame, considering how much we were hyping it up and awaiting its arrival.

I never thought I would say this, but Wrestlemania 21 is worse than both RAW and RAW 2, a feat that is extremely hard to accomplish honestly. Don't even rent this game, it's not worth it.

The gameplay in Wrestlemania XXI is lousy, with unresponsive controls, boneheaded AI, and frustrating hit-detection issues, making the game absolutely no fun to play.

I'm also a bit unclear how the A.I. got as bad as it did with Wrestlemania XXI. I'm not sure if THQ was under the impression that Xbox players needed that much help with wrestling games, but that is the only explanation I can come up with.

Even the game's menus and overall presentation offend.

I don't know whether Studio Gigante isn't capable of developing a good wrestling game, or if the new engine is flawed. Whatever the reason, this game is Grade A, 100% jabroni.

Atrocious collision detection, clipping, stupid AI, horrible end of match transitioning, and an annoying Career Mode are just a few of this game's numerous flaws.

Wrestling fans will be disappointed by the vagueness of the controls, while Streetfighter types have far more fast-moving titles to choose from. An interesting failure.

A frustrating and deeply flawed experience from start to finish.

It may be the best-looking wrestling game to date, but the action is too linear and, before too long, predictable and repetitive.

Yes it's simple and probably meant for kids, and you can get a small amount of fun out of Wrestlemania 21 for a relatively short period of time, but behind the shiny superstars it has a pork pie for a brain. That's the most positive thing we can say, sadly.

It's a very crippled and undesirable game, but not so bad as to make it completely without merit. In fact, my friends still enjoy playing it even after we've suffered through all its slings and arrows.