Acclaim Entertainment, the iconic publisher behind classics such as Mortal Kombat and NBA Jam, has been relaunched after over two decades. With WWE Hall of Fame wrestler Jeff Jarrett serving on its advisory board, the company now aims to support independent developers and breathe new life into its classic franchises.
Jarrett, who brings more than three decades of experience in sports entertainment and gaming, remarked, “Resurrecting Acclaim is an opportunity to impart the same degree of passion and love to a new generation, and I’m excited to be involved.”
The revitalized Acclaim plans to provide indie studios with essential resources, including funding, marketing, and public relations support, to help bring their creative visions to a broad audience.
Leading this initiative is CEO Alex Josef, a games industry veteran with over two decades of experience in marketing and publishing. Josef expressed enthusiasm about the relaunch, stating, “It’s an absolute honor and pleasure to be leading the charge in bringing Acclaim back to the forefront of the games industry.”
Acclaim’s strategy includes not only supporting new original intellectual properties but also seeking opportunities to reboot some of its classic titles. While specific game announcements are yet to be made, the company has hinted at exciting projects in the pipeline, with plans to release its first game later this year.
The return of Acclaim Entertainment signals a promising development for the gaming industry, offering both nostalgic revivals and fresh opportunities for indie developers.
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Acclaimed Wrestling Games
Acclaim Entertainment had a notable history in the development and publication of professional wrestling video games, spanning multiple wrestling promotions and eras. Here’s a brief overview:
WWF Games
Acclaim began its relationship with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) in 1988, debuting with WWF WrestleMania. Over the years, Acclaim released several WWF titles, including WWF War Zone (1998), which introduced groundbreaking features like the “Create-A-Wrestler” mode. However, Acclaim struggled to compete with THQ’s highly successful WCW games during the late 1990s, and WWE eventually left Acclaim for THQ.
ECW Games
After losing the WWF license, Acclaim pivoted to Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW). It released ECW Hardcore Revolution (2000) and ECW Anarchy Rulz (2000). These games were essentially re-skinned versions of WWF Attitude but were notable for their ‘extreme’ content and Mature rating.
Legends of Wrestling Series
After ECW went bankrupt, Acclaim developed the Legends of Wrestling series, starting with the first title in 2001. This series focused on iconic wrestlers from various eras and promotions rather than contemporary rosters. It included features like video interviews with legends and expanded rosters across sequels like Legends of Wrestling II (2002). Despite its nostalgic appeal, the series did not achieve significant commercial success.
