Fire Pro Wrestling

Fire Pro Wrestling is a long-running professional wrestling video game series originated from Japan, started in 1989 by Human Entertainment and recently continued by Spike Co. Ltd.

Overview
Beginning with Fire Pro Wrestling Combination Tag in 1989, the Fire Pro Wrestling series became popular in Japan, but did not see an international release until after Spike took over the franchise; Fire Pro Wrestling A was released internationally as Fire Pro Wrestling in 2001.

The series distinguishes itself from other wrestling games by focusing on timing and complex strategy as opposed to the button-mashing tactics with which most 2D wrestling gamers are familiar. It become popular with importers, and at least one game, Super Fire Pro Wrestling X Premium, received an unofficial fan translation with "Fire Pro Returns" having one in the works as well.

The series also introduced female wrestlers long before they appeared in North American games, totaling three games with women's wrestling only.

While North American games all made their passage to 3D polygonal models as 32-bit consoles arrived, Fire Pro Wrestling still relies on 2D sprites for the characters in the ring. Spike also has another wrestling game series in full 3D, King of Colosseum.

Human also released a wrestling game outside the Fire Pro series in 1989 for Game Boy. Titled Pro Wrestling in its native Japan, it was released internationally as HAL Wrestling.

Games
As there was no official English title in most cases, a close translation is given.

There was also a card game called Fire Pro Wrestling Card Bout