WCW Nitro

Ports for Nintendo 64 and Microsoft Windows were released later in 1998 and 1999 with the updated roster featured in Thunder. Reviews for WCW Nitro were mixed, with many critics concluding that though the game is considerably flawed, it was better than most of the few wrestling video games out at the time and would therefore appeal to fans of the sport.

• Title — WCW Nitro • Developer — Inland Productions • Publisher — THQ • Producer — Mike Cihak • Designer — Mike Cihak D. Scott Williamson Arnie Boedecker • Composer — Mike Cihak Matt Scott • Platforms — * PlayStation • Microsoft Windows • Nintendo 64 • Released — PlayStation'Microsoft Windows November 30, 1998Nintendo 64February 9, 1999 • Genre — Sports • Modes — Single-player, multiplayer

• Illustration — Diamond Dallas Page performs his finisher the "Diamond Cutter" on Lex Luger. Moves are performed by inputting various button combinations. Each wrestler shares a repertoire of wrestling moves and possesses several of their own signature moves. Modes of play include singles and tag team matches for one or two players, as well as a one-player tournament mode, where the player must defeat a number of wrestlers to be crowned champion. There are initially 16 playable characters (each featuring a video introduction), with 48 others that can be unlocked, either by playing through the tournament mode with various wrestlers or by using a cheat code. Some of these secret characters are WCW wrestlers or personalities, while others are fictional characters or THQ staff. Versions for the Nintendo 64 and Microsoft Windows were released in 1999 and 2000 featuring the updated roster from the game's sequel Thunder. The Nintendo 64 version does not have any full motion video. The Microsoft Windows version has the selection screen videos and an intro video, but no wrestler entrance videos. However, the Microsoft Windows version does support network play via TCP/IP.

Mike Cihak, president of the game's developer, Inland Productions, claimed during development that The game was ready for release by the end of 1997, but publisher THQ delayed it until 1998 because their game WCW vs. the World was still selling well and they did not want to create their own competition. Inland Productions released screenshots for a Nintendo 64 version shortly after the PlayStation version's release, but said a publisher for this version had not yet been secured. Ultimately THQ would publish this version as well.