Fans of classic wrestling games know the Aki Corporation quite well, as it has developed some of the most time-tested and enjoyable wrestling games ever. Though most revered for its work on the Nintendo 64, Aki has seen a kind of rebirth in 2003--it has released not one, but two major entries into the wrestling market. The first, Def Jam Vendetta, disregarded standard wrestling licenses and featured a roster of Def Jam recording artists engaging in back-alley street fights. The latest game in Aki's legacy is Ultimate Muscle: Legends vs. New Generation, a game based on the popular Ultimate Muscle cartoon series currently airing on the Fox network. Published by Bandai, Ultimate Muscle is a departure of sorts for Aki, since sim-based gameplay mechanics are nowhere to be found in the game and have been replaced by a blistering pace and frenzied style of action that make for a crazy, yet enjoyable, gameplay experience.

Ultimate Muscle is based on the Fox network cartoon series.

If you're unfamiliar with the premise of the Ultimate Muscle cartoon series, it essentially follows the adventures of a group of superhero wrestlers who fight supervillain wrestlers in a series of battles within an intergalactic wrestling federation called the Muscle League. Imagine, if you will, Vince McMahon taking control of the Dragon Ball Z universe, and you've got the gist of what Ultimate Muscle is all about. Ultimate Muscle: Legends vs. New Generation combines 20 characters from both the new and legend generations of the Muscle League, including such mainstays as Kid Muscle, Terry Kenyon, Wally Tusket, Checkmate, Dik Dik Van Dik, Kevin Mask, Jeager, King Muscle, Sunshine, Ramenman, Buffaloman, Terryman, Brocken Jr., and Robin Mask. There are actually 30 playable characters in Ultimate Muscle, though the remaining 10 are made up of fictional recruit characters that aren't actually on the show.

Ultimate Muscle controls very similarly to other Aki games, but, since the majority of standard wrestling mechanics simply don't apply in this game, there are some key differences. You'll still have the normal weak and strong striking and grappling buttons, but you'll perform maneuvers such as throws to the ropes and top-rope moves in a completely different way. Throwing an opponent off the ropes now requires you to press both the grapple and striking buttons simultaneously, which will cause your character to drop-kick or head-butt your opponent off the ropes. Additionally, a jump button has been implemented to replace top-rope maneuvers. Jump attacks can be performed in a number of ways. For instance, simply jumping up and pressing the analog stick in the direction of your opponent, while pressing a strike or grapple button, will make you perform a simple aerial version of the respective move. However, you can also jump onto the ring ropes to gain more altitude and cover a greater distance across the ring. Pressing the jump button in conjunction with the grapple button sends your adversary helplessly into the air, allowing you to jump up and attack him on the way down.

At its core, Ultimate Muscle is a fast-paced arcade fighting game.

Special moves and power-ups are also a key factor in Ultimate Muscle's gameplay. Each character in the game has a range of special moves that can be executed as you fill your special meter. Special meters will fill bit by bit as matches progress, either because of moves you perform or because of attacks performed against you. To perform special attacks, hold down the L and/or R trigger while pressing the required button for the level of attack your special meter is at. There are three levels of special attack: Level-one attacks are strong strikes, level-two attacks are powerful grappling attacks, and level-three attacks are ultimate attacks that are so crazy and ludicrous they warrant their own anime-inspired cutscenes, which really are an absolute riot to watch. There are also a number of unique power-ups that can be acquired during a match. These power-ups come from either your tag-team partner or ring second (essentially, your manager), and they can vary from life bar and special meter boosts, to traps for your opponents that either slow them down greatly or injure them. Both the special moves and power-ups are very cool and provide some variety to the otherwise straightforward gameplay.

The most notable and surprising difference in Ultimate Muscle's gameplay, however, is its difficulty. Ultimate Muscle is, at its core, an arcade fighting game, and it maintains an extremely brisk pace. This speed, coupled with some extremely tough opponent AI, will require you to pay rapt attention at all times, because, quite simply, your opponent will absolutely destroy you if you aren't constantly one step ahead. Timing is also a huge factor in mastering Ultimate Muscle, since mistiming your attacks by even the slightest margin can easily lead to lengthy barrages from your opponents.