Ultimate Muscle is a new franchise derived from the M.U.S.C.L.E. brand released by Bandai in the 80s. Ultimate Muscle follows the story of Kid Muscle, the son of King Muscle from the original series. King Muscle thwarted evil villains attempt to take over the planet back in the day. But now a new set of villains have appeared and so have a new generation of wrestlers to take them on.

There are a ton of modes in UM. Players can start in story mode, play two player tag or non tag battles, three or four player battles, and a tournament mode. On top of that players can create a character or unlock pics of UM toys. There are 14 characters in the initial line-up and 6 unlockable characters. The roster also includes 10 recruit characters created by fans of the series. Each wrestler is as crazy as the next - Pyramid is a giant shape-shifting block, Mr. French is a frog wrestler, and Coconutman is a plump fighter with a coconut for a head.

The UM gameplay system is simple enough for kids but packs enough punch for wrestle fans. The A button is used to attack, B is used to block, Y is grapple, and X is jump. You could use this basic control map to play and have a good time. But there's plenty more beneath the surface. The A button also acts as a grapple reversal, B becomes a dash when the character is moving and is used to counter attack. The X button can reverse a toss to the air in your favor. The typical wrestling staple moves are also included - jump attack, jump grapple, jump off the ropes, and toss opponents against the ring.

Fans of the series will be relieved to know that the over-the-top specials from the show can be pulled off in the game. Each character's special arsenal of super attacks can be done via a power meter. The meter will build as you attack or get beat up repeatedly. The power meter has three levels. The first two levels of super moves are a more powerful attack and grapple, while the third level is the finishing move. When you pull off the finishing move the match turns into a cutscene where your opponent is pummeled beyond oblivion.

When you think of an Ultimate Muscle game, you want an all-out brawl, and UM delivers big time. The multiplayer modes really shine, with two to four player simultaneous play. The two player tag and non tag battles with a friend are very cool, but the 4-player battle royal takes the cake - crazy, fast action where you can beat up three of your closest friends.

The UM cartoon is a mix of comedy and melodrama that the game captures very nicely. The characters are all cel-shaded to capture the look of the series. The shading works for the most part, but the thick, dark lines used to detail the characters are a little off from the cartoon's actual look. Still, the cel-shading, superb animation, and rock-solid 60 frames per second make the title an eye-catcher.

The upbeat tunes fit the intensity of each match and the sound is very good with wrestling commentary and characters using voices from the TV series. You haven't lived until you hear Kid Muscle screaming out "Kinniku Buster" as head butts into the back of an opponent.

Ultimate Muscle is a top-notch wrestling title on the GC. The characters all have tons of personality, the gameplay is great, and there are enough modes to keep players pummeling till the end.