WCW Backstage Assault's graphics are decent, but not incredible by any means. From a distance everything looks good, but as the camera zooms in, textures appear very pixelated. Player models also seem a bit awkward looking, but the wrestling areas are quite well laid out and full of interactive elements.

And of course, no wresting title is complete without commentary from the announcers. Tony Schovone and Bobby 'The Brain' Heenan fill your ears with all you want to hear. Sound fx are also well done as you will hear every bone-crushing blow.

I believe that WCW Backstage Assault is the first of its kind. A wresting game that never takes place in any wrestling rings! All of the gameplay elements take place behind the scenes of the stage, in areas such as bathrooms, locker rooms, and a parking garage. Within each level lie various weapons ranging from trash cans, boxes, and pipe wrenches. You can even score a 2x4, wave it in a fire and turn it into a torch, then use your flaming weapon to light your opponent on fire!!! Modes of play include Regular, First Blood, and Human Torch matches, as well as the Hardcore Challenge (where you will have to unlock tons of wrestlers, weapons, and venues).

Find whatever you can use to destroy your opponent. If you can't find a weapon, smash some crates to reveal one. Of course, you can always resort to your bare hands and open up a can of whoop-ass on everyone you face. WCW Backstage Assault contains over 50 wrestlers (most have to be unlocked) ranging from stars like Kevin Nash and Goldberg, to women such as Major Guns and security officer Doug Dellinger. If you want, you can also create a superstar of your own.

If you think you'll miss wrestling in the ring, Backstage Assault has various objects that correspond to ring components. You can use the tires as ropes and sling your opponent against them. You can climb onto boxes, trucks, and other things and jump from them as you would a turnbuckle. And of course, you can perform any of your favorite wrestling moves at any time. Any way you look at it, WCW Backstage Assault has a surprisingly huge amount of funfactor to it.

WCW Backstage Assault has 3 difficulty levels, and you will need go through all of them to unlock all of the elements of the game. Each level of difficulty is categorized such that you will actually be going for a new championship belt each time you up the level of your competition. Of course, beatin' up your bud is where the fun is really at, and difficulty will depend upon human skill levels.

Like any wrestling title, the basic premise of Backstage Assault is to kick the crap outta your opponent. Unlike any other, this time you never step foot into the ring. Using weapons is completely legal (and to your advantage) as you roam the backstage areas of WCW. Although there are basically 4 full pages of moves listed in the instruction book. Thier layout is easy enough to get used to and you shouldn't have too hard of a time learning the basics. WCW Backstage Assault is a very entertaining game, and with all of the wrestling titles out there, this one lends a unique approach to the already popular genre. PS2: The PlayStation 2 doesn't really seem to do a whole lot for WCW Backstage Assault. Graphics seem to be the same and load times sure aren't faster, as sometimes you have to wait almost too long to see your wrestlers appear on screen when choosing your superstar.