Chances are, unless you're a die-hard fan of Japanese pro wrestling, you've never heard of the Fire ProWrestling series. However, the Fire Pro franchise has been around longer than you might think--since the days of the 16-bit systems, Fire Pro games have found their way to many different consoles, including the Super Nintendo, Sega Saturn, TurboGrafx-16, PlayStation, Dreamcast, and Game Boy Advance. The games have always been about a fast-paced style of play, 2D sprite-based graphics, and a staggeringly deep list of available modes and characters. As time and technology have progressed, little has changed in the realm of the Fire Pro series, and frankly, the series is quickly becoming obsolete when compared with the numerous 3D offerings available in the wrestling game market. Fire ProWrestling Z, the latest game in the series is, unsurprisingly, the last, according to Spike, the developer of the game; and if, in fact, Fire ProWrestling Z is the final chapter in the long-running series, it is a truly fitting end to one of the greatest franchises in wrestling game history.

The Fire ProWrestling series has been around since the 16-bit days.

Unlike conventional wrestling games, and even most unconventional wrestling games, Fire ProWrestling Z features no specific license whatsoever. Instead, thanks to the slightly more relaxed copyright laws of Japan, the game features a host of wrestlers from "fake" leagues that are, in actuality, based on real wrestlers, shoot fighters, and leagues from around the world. Real-life Japanese leagues featured in the game include New Japan Pro, All Japan Pro, Noah, Zero-One, Toryumon, Big Japan, Michinoku Pro, Pride, and K-1, and the game also includes the Mexican AAA league and a US league that vaguely resembles the new NWA-TNA promotion. Each league and character has a slightly changed name, so, for instance, All Japan Pro Wrestling would instead be Olive Japan Pro Wrestling, and the wrestler Ultimo Dragon is actually referred to as Azteca Dragon.

The Wrestlers and leagues in the games are based on real-life counterparts, but their names are fake to avoid copyright infringement.

Each game in the Fire Pro series has used essentially the same control scheme, and Fire Pro Z is no different. Each wrestler has three attacks, represented on the PlayStation 2 controller by the square, X, and circle buttons respectively. Each attack button by itself performs a strike with a varying degree of damage. The Fire Pro games also employ a unique grappling system; rather than just using a grapple button, you perform a grapple by coming into direct contact with your opponent while moving around the ring. When you make contact, the grappling animation will immediately start, and your task will be to press one of the three attack buttons, along with a direction on the D pad, at the precisely correct moment to perform your move. The timing on this is absolutely brutal, and even on the easiest difficulty level, most players should find it very challenging at first.

In addition to attacking, you can run, which is done with the triangle button. When you press it, your wrestler will run in whatever direction you press on the D pad. However, if you press it during a grapple, you can toss your opponent into the ropes or into the corner, setting him up for a more powerful attack. You can also perform various submission and ground attacks by hitting the various attack buttons either at the head or foot of your downed opponent, and you can also pin your opponent for the three count.