Ultimate Muscle: Legends vs. New Generation

Ultimate Muscle: Legends vs. New Generation, known in Japan as Kinnikuman Nisei New Generation vs. Legends (キン肉マンII世 新世代超人VS伝説超人), is a wrestling video game based on the anime and manga, Ultimate Muscle. It was developed in Japan by AKI Corporation and released in Japan (in 2002) and North America (in 2003) only on the GameCube. It spawned two new expansions: Galactic Wrestling: Featuring Ultimate Muscle, released only on PlayStation 2 in 2004, and Kinnikuman Muscle Generations (キン肉マン マッスルジェネレーションズ), released in Japan on February 2, 2006 for the PlayStation Portable. This article contains explanations on the PlayStation 2 and PSP versions as well. In this game, the Choujins from the Kinnikuman (Legends) reappear via 3D Polygon and compete against the Nisei Choujins (New Generation) in their younger bodies.[citation needed]

Ultimate Muscle:
Legends vs. New Generation
North American GameCube cover art
Developer(s)AKI Corporation
Publisher(s)Bandai
Platform(s)GameCube
Release
  • JP: November 22, 2002
  • NA: June 5, 2003
Genre(s)Fighting
Mode(s)Single-player and multiplayer

Series

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Kinnikuman Nisei: New Generation vs. Legends / Ultimate Muscle: Legends vs. New Generation (GameCube; November 22, 2002 (Japan), June 5, 2003 (U.S.); Bandai)

The first in the series. The characters are presented with cel-shaded animation, looking almost identical to their manga counterparts.

Kinnikuman Generations / Galactic Wrestling: Featuring Ultimate Muscle (PlayStation 2; April 22, 2004 (Japan), June 30, 2004 (U.S.); Bandai)

An expansion of "Ultimate Muscle: Legends vs. New Generation", it was released on the 25th anniversary of Kinnikuman. The Story Mode and Choujin Creation Mode from the first game are removed. The game features tag matches and additional characters. The slow loading time and Toshio Furukawa's portrayal of Kinnikuman (replacing Akira Kamiya from the first game) caused the game to be a disappointment for many fans.
Advertising Slogan: Stand Up! Kinnikuman Generations!! (立ち上がれ!キン肉マン世代(ジェネレーションズ)よ!!, Tachiagare! Kinnikuman Jenereeshonzu yo!!)

Kinnikuman Muscle Generations (PlayStation Portable; February 23, 2006; Bandai)

An expansion of "Galactic Wrestling", it contains more characters and Story Modes. Akira Kamiya returns as the voice of Kinnikuman. Tag Team names from the Ultimate Choujin Tag Arc are used.

Reception

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The game received "generally favorable reviews" according to video game review aggregator Metacritic.[1] In Japan, Famitsu gave it a score of 27 out of 40.[3]

The editors of GameSpot named Ultimate Muscle the best GameCube game of June 2003,[14] and nominated the title for their 2003 "Best Game No One Played" award, which ultimately went to Amplitude.[15]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Ultimate Muscle: Legends vs New Generation for GameCube Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on February 5, 2015. Retrieved March 22, 2014.
  2. ^ EGM staff (July 2003). "Ultimate Muscle: Legends vs. New Generation". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 168. Ziff Davis. p. 112. Archived from the original on January 23, 2004. Retrieved February 24, 2016.
  3. ^ a b "キン肉マンII世 新世代超人VS伝説超人 [ゲームキューブ]". Famitsu (in Japanese). Enterbrain. Retrieved February 23, 2020.
  4. ^ Leeper, Justin (July 2003). "Ultimate Muscle: Legends vs. New Generation". Game Informer. No. 123. GameStop. p. 110. Archived from the original on November 18, 2005. Retrieved February 24, 2016.
  5. ^ Star Dingo (June 4, 2003). "Ultimate Muscle: Legends vs. New Generation Review for GameCube on GamePro.com". GamePro. IDG Entertainment. Archived from the original on December 22, 2004. Retrieved February 24, 2016.
  6. ^ Navarro, Alex (June 2, 2003). "Ultimate Muscle: Legends vs. New Generation Review". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on September 1, 2014. Retrieved February 24, 2016.
  7. ^ Padilla, Raymond (June 20, 2003). "GameSpy: Ultimate Muscle: Legends vs. New Generation". GameSpy. IGN Entertainment. Archived from the original on December 2, 2005. Retrieved February 24, 2016.
  8. ^ McElfish, Carlos (June 17, 2003). "Ultimate Muscle: The Kinnikuman – Legends vs. New Generation [sic] – GC – Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on February 14, 2009. Retrieved February 24, 2016.
  9. ^ Casamassina, Matt (June 5, 2003). "Ultimate Muscle: Legends vs. New Generation". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on December 10, 2019. Retrieved February 24, 2016.
  10. ^ "Ultimate Muscle: Legends vs. New Generation". Nintendo Power. Vol. 170. Nintendo of America. July–August 2003. p. 145.
  11. ^ Speer, Justin (August 19, 2003). "'Ultimate Muscle: Legends vs. New Generation' (GCN) Review". X-Play. TechTV. Archived from the original on August 20, 2003. Retrieved February 24, 2016.
  12. ^ Steinberg, Scott (June 4, 2003). "Ultimate Muscle: Legends vs. New Generation". Maxim. Biglari Holdings. Archived from the original on August 13, 2003. Retrieved February 24, 2016.
  13. ^ Catucci, Nick (June 17, 2003). "Macho Men". The Village Voice. Village Voice, LLC. Archived from the original on February 23, 2020. Retrieved February 23, 2020.
  14. ^ The Editors of GameSpot (July 2, 2003). "GameSpot's Month in Review: June 2003". GameSpot. Archived from the original on February 6, 2004.
  15. ^ GameSpot staff. "Best and Worst of 2003: Best Game No One Played". GameSpot. CNET. Archived from the original on July 18, 2004. Retrieved February 23, 2020.
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