With the exception of a simple street fighting mode, the bulk of the gameplay focuses on matches which take place in various locales. Matches can be between individual wrestlers, between tag teams of two wrestlers each, or between a wrestler, and a team (a more difficult handicap match).
Matches are won either through pinning an opponent or forcing the opponent to tap out with a submission move. Players can break free of these through rapid button presses, although as wrestlers suffer more damage (both overall, and to specific body parts), this becomes more difficult.
The general game mechanics involve striking, and grappling with foes to inflict damage upon different body parts. As successful strikes, and grapples are performed, players fill a finishing move gauge which can be expended to activate special moves. Attacks can also be countered with the correct timing, resulting in humiliation for the opposing character. When humiliation builds up to a certain level, wrestlers become vulnerable to special "H-Moves", which have a high probability of inflicting a knockout.[2] Other special moves activated via the filled gauges include "Killer Moves", and "Lethal Moves", which differ for each wrestler.
Rumble Roses XX supports online Xbox Live gameplay for up to four players, playing as a team or against each other. The online content also allowed the player to upload or download images from the game's photo shoot mode.
A wide array of character customization options are available from within the Customization Mode. These include various unlockable costumes, and swimsuits, as well as adjustable sliders which can be used to increase or decrease body, and muscle attributes.
The game also includes a Tag Team mode where two players can partake in a tag match. Whenever two specific wrestlers are teamed up, they will have their own special team intro, team name, tag-out sequence, Special Double X move, and a special victory pose. There are only three characters in the game that don't have a team partner, Yasha, Becky, and Evil Rose.
Plot
Unlike the previous game in the series, Rumble Roses XX does not have a story mode.[3]
Development
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The animations for Rumble Roses XX were created with a mixture of traditional animation, and motion-capture.[3] In an interview for Kotaku at the 2005 Tokyo Game Show, producer Akari Uchida said: "For this game, we've done a lot of motion capture, and rendered individual motions for every character. No two characters will be moving the same way".[4]
Uchida also said that they wanted to develop a game for the original Xbox, but the decision was made to develop for the 360 upon learning of its superior technical abilities.[3]
To promote the game, three of its theme songs were made available for karaoke at Joy Sound starting on April 10, 2006.[5][6] Reiko Hinomoto, and her alter ego Rowdy Reiko were included as guest characters in Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence.
Rumble Roses XX received "mixed" reviews according to video game review aggregatorMetacritic.[8] In Japan, Famitsu gave it a score of one nine, two eights, and one seven for a total of 32 out of 40.[11]
Although the game was generally unpopular in North America, it was relatively well received in Japan, and rereleased in a Platinum Collection edition.[22] It was the fifth best selling Xbox 360 title in Japan from the console's launch in December 2005 to June 2006.[unreliable source?] By December 2007, the game had dropped to 18th place in Japanese sales.[23]
The character Reiko Hinomoto came in fourth place in a poll that asked 1,500 Japanese gamers to name their favorite Xbox 360 heroine.[24]
Overall Reception:
Critical Reception: Rumble Roses XX received mixed reviews upon its release. While the game was praised for its graphics and character models, it was also heavily criticized for its shallow gameplay and focus on fan service over substantive content. Critics noted that the game catered to a niche audience, prioritizing visual appeal over deep or innovative mechanics.
Graphics and Presentation: The graphics were one of the most praised aspects of Rumble Roses XX. The character models were detailed and well-animated, taking full advantage of the Xbox 360's hardware capabilities at the time. The game’s visual presentation, including the wrestling arenas and special effects, was considered high quality. However, the game’s emphasis on sexualized character designs and provocative costumes was a point of contention, with some reviewers finding it excessive and detracting from the overall experience.
Gameplay: The gameplay of Rumble Roses XX was generally seen as lacking in depth. While the wrestling mechanics were functional, they were considered simplistic compared to other wrestling games available at the time, such as the WWE SmackDown vs. Raw series. The game featured various modes, including standard wrestling matches, tag team matches, and a "Queen’s Match" with specific rule sets, but these modes did not significantly vary the core experience. Critics noted that the game did not introduce many new features compared to its predecessor, and the fighting system felt repetitive.
Content and Replay Value: One of the major criticisms of Rumble Roses XX was its limited content. While there were multiple characters and outfits to unlock, the lack of a substantial story mode or career progression made the game feel repetitive after a while. The emphasis on unlocking costumes and alternate personas for the characters added some replay value, but this was often seen as more of a superficial feature rather than a meaningful addition to gameplay.
Ratings:
Magazine and Review Scores:
IGN gave the game a score of 5.7/10, criticizing its shallow gameplay and lack of content, while acknowledging the high-quality graphics and character models.
GameSpot rated it 6.0/10, describing it as a game with decent wrestling mechanics but too focused on fan service and lacking in depth.
1UP was more critical, giving the game a C- rating and expressing disappointment in its gameplay, suggesting it would only appeal to a very specific audience.
Player Reception: Among players, Rumble Roses XX garnered a mixed response. Fans of the original appreciated the improved graphics and expanded roster, but many were disappointed by the lack of innovation and the overly sexualized focus. Some players enjoyed the game as a guilty pleasure, particularly those who were drawn to the game’s unique character designs and the lighter, less serious take on wrestling.
Legacy:
Rumble Roses XX is remembered as a niche title that appeals primarily to fans of the series and those interested in its fan service elements. It did not achieve widespread acclaim or commercial success, and its lack of depth and content prevented it from being a serious competitor in the wrestling game genre.
The game is often cited as an example of how visual appeal can sometimes be prioritized over gameplay mechanics, and it is referenced in discussions about games that heavily focus on fan service.
Future
In 2006, a pachislot game inspired by the original Rumble Roses game was released. In 2008, a machine based on Rumble Roses XX was released, with a third original machine entitled Rumble Roses 3D being released in 2012.[25]
Konami Mobile developed, and released Java spin-off, Rumble Roses: Sexy Pinball, for mobile devices in the United States in September 2006.