Note 1: This cartridge was played on a retroUSB AVS console, outputting in 720p. The console was connected to a 65-inch HD-tv.

Game: Toukon Club (‘Toukon’ approximates to ‘Fighting Spirit’ in Japanese).

Genre: Wrestling

Company: Jaleco

Players: 1 or 2 players VS.

Release Year: 1992 (Japan only)

Saving: A password system saves your stats and how many wrestlers you’ve defeated*. However, this is only on the first round of matches. After beating the game, you’ll receive a final password to defend your title against each competitor – this time, it’s do or die – lose even once, and it’s Game Over! You’ll retain all the stats you obtained previously, but you won’t be able to raise them further. No passwords or rematches on the 2nd go-around! Do you have what it takes to win seven in a row and be a true fighting champion?!

Language barrier? No. The wrestlers’ names and the short opening menu are in Japanese, but the Options and numerous other things are in English. There is an English-translated romhack out there on the internet as well.

Story: In Toukon Club, the JWA (Jaleco Pro-Wrestling Association) is holding a tournament to determine who’s the toughest in the business! The winner will be awarded the JWA Championship Trophy!

Gameplay: Choose from among 8 different pro-wrestlers, and participate in a series of one-on-one matches on your way to the JWA Championship Trophy! Upon defeating the last opponent, you’ll need to wrestle each opponent once more to defend your title!

Options: You can select the time limit from 5 minutes, 10 minutes, or ‘Free,’ which means no limit.

Training Mode: If you enter the code 3708-4871, you can enter a ‘Training Mode’ to practice with your chosen wrestler.

2 Player Mode: In 2 player mode, after picking your wrestler, you and a friend will customize him by adding a certain number of points to his Power, Stamina, and Speed stats. Then, the fight is on!

Control: B punches. A kicks. The type of punch or kick thrown is often dependent on how close you are to your opponent. Getting in close to your opponent and pressing a button will result in a grapple. From the grapple position, you can do several things. You can whip (send running) your opponent (left or right + B), or issue several wrestling moves like piledrivers, hip tosses, body slams, etc. by pressing up or down plus either A or B. When your ‘Anger Meter is full and you are in a a grapple, pressing A + B + Down executes your wrestler’s finishing move, which is unique to each wrestler. Tapping Toward, Toward makes your wrestler run, and you can press A or B while running to execute a clothesline, knee lift, etc. Also, if your opponent is on the mat outside the ring, you can perform a dive, plancha, etc. to hit them on the outside by pressing down + A or B. You climb back in the ring by pressing Up + B. Pressing A while your opponent is down will execute a ground attack, like an elbow drop or leg drop. Pressing B covers him for the pin. Pressing A + B and wriggling the control pad will help you kickout of pin attempts.

RPG elements in a wrestling game? Yes! One of the best features of Toukon Club is the ability to ‘level up’ your wrestler after each successful bout. Each wrestler begins the game with a specific amount of Power (how much their moves hurt the opponent), Stamina (how long they can hold out in a match before getting pinned), and Speed (how quickly they move). You’ll get ‘extra points’ after each match that you get to apply to your wrestler’s stats, however you like!

Meters: You have a ‘Strength Meter’ and an ‘Anger Meter’ in Toukon Club. Your Strength Meter depletes as you receive attacks from your opponent, although it gradually replenishes if you manage to avoid taking damage. When it’s depleted, you can’t perform certain moves temporarily, so it’s best to avoid your opponent during this time! Your Anger Meter’ increases as you take damage. When it is full, your character will move faster and have ‘anger clouds’ above his head. If you grapple with your opponent during this time, you can execute your finisher! *Note – both you and your opponent can kick out of pin attempts, even if your Strength Meter is completely empty – it may take several attempts before you get the 3-count! Also, how quickly you kick out of a pin (or your opponent kicks out of your pin) gives you a clue as to how well you’re doing. Quick kick out? You’ve got plenty of damage left to take. Long two count? You’re nearly finished, so take the offensive!

Winning matches: In order to win a match, you need to first try to pepper your opponent with running attacks to deplete his Strength Meter. Doing this will better help you win grapples later on. Using ground attacks (pressing A when he’s down) is great for depleting his meter as well! It’s harder to win grapples at the beginning of matches, so remember this and try to use strike attacks first!

Quirks: (1) You and your opponent begin the match outside of the ring. If you’re quick, you can run and attack your opponent before he climbs in the ring! (2) You can continue attacking your opponent (for about 5 seconds) even after either of you gets the pinfall! Use this time to take out some needed frustration if he beats you in a close match!

Wrestlers: These are the English-translated names of each wrestler (from the manual), as well as their nicknames/monikers.

The Flame Fighter – Anton Inoue (looks like Antonio Inoki)

The Wooden Statue – Great Shohei (looks like Giant Baba)

The Superman of Steal – Iron Lips (looks like Hulk Hogan)

The Brown Devil – Abraham the Bloody (looks like Abdullah The Butcher)

The Dark Warrior – Black Barbarian (looks like Road Warrior Animal)

The Ring Artist – General Gegeben (looks like…Guile from Street Fighter II?)

The Mat’s Eagle – Dollar Mascarado (looks like Mil Mascaras)

The History of Fighting – Lee Hantao (looks like Killer Kahn)

The Southern Gentleman’s Opinion and Letter Grade: A+ The music, sound effects, graphics, gameplay, and overall fun factor on this Famicom wrestling game make for a phenomenal experience! It took me a few matches to get the hang of things, but once I did, I couldn’t put it down!

The game has an interesting feature where the ring ‘rotates’ from time to time when you throw your opponent across the ring; it’s generally well-executed and adds to the uniqueness of the game.

The wrestler’s themselves have a ton of personality, and while they do share some of the same moves, each one is different enough to warrant playthroughs with each and will require different strategies for victory.

Toukon Club definitely qualifies as a ‘hidden gem’ for the Famicom!

God Bless! Proverbs 3:6