The TNA Impact video game was a huge project that excited wrestling fans when released in 2008. WCW and ECW ending meant that no other major wrestling promotions would have video games outside of WWE. There were some independent games with talents outside of WWE, but this represented something more.Today’s excitement for the upcoming AEW video game shows just how pivotal games like this are in the industry. TNA had a fascinating roster with big names like Sting, Christian Cage and Kurt Angle on the roster. However, it was the first time that new stars like AJ Styles, Samoa Joe and the Motor City Machine Guns were on a roster. The game didn’t find much success, but there were plenty of interesting tidbits about it.
8 TNA Negotiated With Three Major Companies
The video game industry provided more options for companies like TNA looking to get into the sports genre. Midway Games ended up signing a deal to create TNA’s video game with a multi-year contract offer.
EA Sports and Rockstar Games were the other major video game brands in discussion with TNA. The move to Spike TV sort of validated TNA as a respected entity and it showed with the negotiations. There was a time when three major companies believed TNA would make them big money.
7 Ultimate X Stipulation Was In Game
One of the more interesting things about a wrestling game is seeing what kind of match stipulations are added. WWE benefits from having unique scenarios like Hell in a Cell, Elimination Chamber, TLC matches and plenty of other options for variety.
TNA didn’t have many match stipulations that different from WWE, so they had to be strategic. The Ultimate X match was the most interesting choice to pick in the game. Climbing to the ropes just turned into a button mashing game, which is always fun in the right scenario.
6 Sold 1.5 Million Units
The success of WWE often comes from the projects outside of the ring. TNA tried to find the same level of results from the video game project. It was a huge boost to add the extra income and benefiting from the solid sales.
The TNA game sold a total of 1.5 million units, which has both positive and negative reactions. Midway Games had hoped for a bigger profit, but it still is an impressive number. An AEW game selling that many units today would be viewed positively.
5 Had International Venues
TNA primarily had their early television shows and PPVs take place in the Impact Zone in Orlando, Florida. However, they still wanted to add more variety with a couple more venues to choose from for the matches.
Other countries like Japan, Mexico and England were the settings if fans wanted a change of pace. TNA also added Las Vegas as a second United States location since they had a television taping there. The venues provided a nice option to change things up when playing different matches.
4 Suicide Character Originated In Game
The most memorable thing about the TNA video game was the introduction of the Suicide character. TNA wanted to have a unique story mode with the buyer playing as a completely new character starting off in TNA under a mask.
The Suicide gimmick was a bit out there with a lack of creativity, but TNA wanted to bring it to television. Suicide has been on television on and off for years with the character returning at various points today. Frankie Kazarian, Christopher Daniels, TJ Perkins and other have been under the Suicide mask.
3 Kevin Nash Was Involved In Story Mode
Suicide’s story in the TNA video game saw him interacting with other wrestlers backstage before having to score victories in the ring to continue the story. Kevin Nash was a fixture in the game with many locker room scenes offering advice.
The story features Suicide having to eventually stand up to the untrustworthy Nash. TNA utilized the star power of Nash for the video game, even though he wasn’t a main event player on the television show at the time. Nash certainly added a fun dynamic for the rest of the game.
2 TNA Wrestlers Worked On Game Production
The news of TNA getting their video game delighted many of the younger stars who grew up on wrestling video games. TNA allowed AJ Styles and Samoa Joe to be part of the meetings with Midway Games to give their input as avid gamers.
Talents like Joe, Styles, Christopher Daniels, Senshi, Sonjay Dutt and Jeff Jarrett were involved in the motion capture sessions to add the moves to the game. TNA made sure that their talents had fun in the process of development.
1 A Sequel Was Announced Before Plans Changed
The original deal with Midway Games saw both sides expecting to work together for many years. Midway announced that a sequel would make for the TNA video game shortly into its release. The assumption was they would make a new game every few years.
However, that announcement turned out to be for nothing as plans changed. Times Warner purchased the majority of Midway and canceled all approved projects. TNA never got another game, and their overall brand took a decline. Dixie Carter claimed they were trying to find a new video game partner, but it ended up being their one and early release.