Games

TNA Impact

Publisher: Midway

Platform: Reviewed on 360, also available on PS3, PS2, Wii

Price: From £16.99

Certificate: 15

Cross the line and step into the Impact Zone!

Get ready for something different in the way of console video gaming, Midway's interpretation of TV's 'TNA Impact'.

That's right, it's time to take the spandex out of the closet again and dress up like a superhero. But in this game the ring is hexagonal and the real life inspiration taking from an entirely different TV show about the wrestling and personal lives of a completely separate cast of brawlers.

Luckily this is all good, with TNA's roster of characters currently featuring some rather remarkable talent and all the key stars - with the exception of Mick Foley, who has only recently joined the crew - are here.

From faces any fan of the sport will recognise, including Sting to Kurt Angle, to younger and often more exciting wrestlers such as the high flying A J Styles and the almighty Samoa Joe, all the talent is here.

The performers' moves sets are replicated with impressive accuracy and can be pulled off easily thanks to a simple control system that mimics that of the opposing WWE game and other perhaps dated wrestling-esque games such as 'Def Jam: Fight For NY'.

Sadly this is not the only thing 'TNA Impact' inherits from its predecessors. The action is fast and furious but it is never quiet as clean and concise as the fighting found in beat'em up games from the 'Streetfighter 2' genre.

As a result the contact between characters, or even between characters and objects or walls here looks and feels disjointed on occasion. But luckily the pleasing character illustration and addictive gameplay in both single and online modes gloss over the majority of the hole made by this flaw.

An accurate yet amusing campaign mode is another plus. Rather than having you play a young new wrestler you are set up to start as a former champion. But to give any more away would be criminal.

It's clear that Midway have made the very most of this license and learnt from other wrestling games so they can build a firm title to kick start a tie-in franchise.

To fans of the genre and those who like a good long fight against a friend this game will be pure dynamite. And to your unbiased gamer this can be more than enjoyable too. Things may well get monotonous with prolonged play, but excess is not always the way.

So head to the store if you've seen the show and like it, or have a younger relative into all this wrestling malarkey and if not consider taking a look anyway. A few hours spent in the six-sided circle could well be worth it.