# Virtual Pro-Wrestling 2 freem Edition – Manual

Manual for game version 2019/02/22; updated February 19, 2019

## Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Requirements
3. Patching the ROM
4. Changelog
5. Controller Setup
6. Recommended Edits
7. Navigating the Menus
8. Playing the Game
9. Arenas and Title Belts
10. Edit Mode
11. Save Data
12. Errata
13. Known Issues
14. Questions and Answers
15. Credits

## Introduction

Virtual Pro-Wrestling 2 freem Edition is a ROM hack of AKI Corporation's Virtual Pro-Wrestling 2, with a number of the default wrestlers swapped out for other wrestlers (mostly from other AKI wrestling games). You can kind of think of it as a "best of" the AKI games, though I'd rather have every character from the first eight VPW games implemented before I can say that. :)

Since this is a ROM hack, it will work on original hardware, as well as N64 emulators. This isn't exactly the first ROM hack of an AKI game... S.K. Stylez and Zoinkity did an English translation of VPW2, which also runs on original hardware. WldFb used some ROM hacks for a WWF No Mercy hack named "Back 2 Basics". I can't recall if that hack used emulator plugin texture replacement or not, however...

Also of note is the VPW2 freem Edition Character Guide, which provides details on all of the wrestlers in the hack.

### Changes from Original Game

Changes in VPW2 freem Edition include the following:

- Replaced various wrestlers with wrestlers from other AKI wrestling games.
- Replaced a small amount of wrestlers with new wrestlers who haven't been in an AKI game before.
- The game starts out fully unlocked; nothing is hidden.
- Increased amount of points available for changing offensive and defensive parameters.
- A bunch of graphical changes. This includes the user interface, wrestler costume textures, as well as some arenas.

### General Notes

This game is not licensed by AKI Corporation, Asmik Ace, Nintendo, or any of the featured wrestling organizations and wrestlers. For that reason, I request that you do not sell reproduction cartridges of this hack. Making a reproduction for personal use is OK, but the use of a re-flashable cart is recommended, since this hack will be updated in the future.

Some screenshots in the manual are from previous development versions, and may look different in the current release. This will be fixed in due time, since it is anticipated that things will change further.

### Notes on the 2019/02/22 Release

The most important thing to note is that this is (still) a work in progress release. Not everything will be 100% perfect or complete. Furthermore, the original game does not give me a lot of choice when it comes to replacing certain costume items. For example, there are only three available Elbow Pad designs. The amount of items that can be replaced is a large part of why some wrestlers don't have 100% accurate costumes yet.

Another thing to note is that this hack will accept Controller Pak saves from Virtual Pro-Wrestling 2 (game code NA2J). Much like the release from January 28, 2019, this is intentional. This gives you a chance to import your edit wrestlers and belts from your original VPW2 cartridge and/or save file. Future versions of the hack will save Controller Pak data to a unique, non-VPW2 file. I will attempt to notify people well in advance when this happens via updates to the website, manual, and changelog.

There is no known date for the Controller Pak changeover, but it is more likely to happen when all of the costume items are finalized.

## Requirements

In order to play this game, you will need the following:

- A Virtual Pro-Wrestling 2 ROM image in Z64 format.
- If your VPW2 ROM is not in Z64 format, you will need a conversion tool.
- The xdelta patcher, or a program capable of applying xdelta patches. Recommended front-ends include:
  - Windows: xdelta UI
  - Mac OS X/macOS: MultiPatch
  - Android: UniPatcher
- A way to play the game. This can be one of:
  - Nintendo 64 emulator (Project64, cen64, MAME, etc.)
  - Nintendo 64 backup device (Z64, V64, CD64...)
  - Nintendo 64 flash cart (64drive recommended, but Everdrive 64 will also work)

This game is not currently supported on PAL systems. If you manage to bypass the PAL lock, you will find that the game has not been 50fps optimized whatsoever. I don't believe anyone has looked into or documented what changes were made between NTSC and PAL regions of AKI games yet...

## Patching the ROM

The patch is provided in xdelta format, and is meant to be patched to an unmodified Virtual Pro-Wrestling 2 ROM in Z64 format. If your ROM is in a different format, you will need a tool to convert it. DO NOT apply this patch to the S.K. Stylez English translation. It will not work.

### Converting ROMs

In case you do not have a Z64 format ROM, you will need to convert it. This is NOT as simple as changing the file extension, as the byte order is different between various formats.

Tools that can be used to convert ROMs to the correct format:

- uCON64 and the frontend (multiple platforms)
- Tool64 (Windows only)

#### uCON64 (frontend)

The easiest way to use uCON64 is the uCON64 frontend program. This needs to be downloaded separately from the regular uCON64 download and put in the same directory.

Go to the N64 tab, and in the Conversion section, change the "ROM to" drop-down box to "Z64", then hit the "Convert" button. Select your VPW2 ROM and press "OK". The frontend will show a log of the conversion process, and the converted ROM should be in the same directory as the frontend executable.

#### uCON64 (command line)

Some people prefer to use the command line instead. Others don't really have a choice in the matter...

`ucon64 --z64 path_to_rom.v64` (or `.n64` if your ROM has that extension.)

#### Tool64

Tool64 is a bit more user-friendly than uCON64, even with the frontend. However, the terminology used in the "Change Byte Order" menu might be confusing when all I've done is tell you to "convert to Z64 format". Instead of worrying, just choose "Big Endian" after highlighting your VPW2 ROM.

#### Mobile

I do not know of any solutions for changing N64 ROM formats on mobile platforms (e.g. Android). The above programs only run on a computer.

### Base ROM information:

- Product Code: NA2J
- ROM size: 32.0 MB (33,554,432 bytes)
- MD5 hash: `90002501777e3237739f5ed9b0e349e2`
- SHA-1 hash: `82dd25a044689eab57ab362fe10c0da6388c217a`

### Patched ROM information:

- Product Code: NVFE
- ROM size: 32.0 MB (33,554,432 bytes)
- MD5 hash: `3a8204e725c48e689a17a08b18bc2665`
- SHA-1 hash: `795cc21ca6e99409fd457e903c0d2c3bec35f5f0`

Every time an update is released, you will have to re-patch the base VPW2 ROM.

### Game Save Type

Please do not skip this portion of the manual. If you skip it, it's likely the game won't actually save anything. When in doubt, try to find the settings that unhacked Virtual Pro-Wrestling 2 uses and use those.

#### 64drive (Normal Usage)

Until the menu is updated with information for VPW2 freem Edition, pick the 256K SRAM option.

#### Everdrive64

These instructions from BlueCanti should enable saving:

"On your everdrive 64 directory, click 'ED64' and there should be a txt file called '`save.db`'. Click on it and on the bottom type '`VF=3`' without the quotations, save document and try that, it should save data on the cart from now on."

#### Older Backup Devices (V64, Z64, CD64, etc.)

It's been so long since I've used them that I don't know if there's anything special you need other than a cartridge with 256K SRAM.

#### Emulators

Typically, N64 emulators are able to detect what save type is being used on their own. Some N64 emulators require you to manually set the save type and provide the filename for saving/loading data. Consult your emulator's documentation for more information.

#### 64drive (USB Loader)

Most people should never have to do this, but just in case, `-s 3` sets the save type to SRAM 256K. You'll have to mess with the loading and dumping commands to save and load data, however... I haven't done this yet, so there's no information I can give you.

## Changelog

Only the abridged changes for the current version are shown here. To see the full changelog, please view `changelog.txt` in the `docs` directory.

2019/02/22 (February 22, 2019)

### General Update Notes

This is the first update after the initial 2019/01/28 preview release. There seems to be a warm reception to the hack, which makes me happy. Thank you.

This is a "minor" update, the bulk of which is dedicated to costume changes. There have been some changes to wrestler moves, parameters, and logic as well.

### Default Costume Updates

In order for the Default Costume changes to show up in an existing save file, please reset the Costume data for the following characters in Edit Mode:

Wrestler | Costume(s)
--- | ---
Kane | 1, 2
Tiger Mask | 2, 3
Sting | All
Raven | 2, 3, 4
Goldberg | All
Hulk Hogan | 2, 4
HHH | 2, 4
X-Pac | 2
Road Warriors | All
Rey Mysterio Jr. | 1, 2, 3
Dan Severn | 1
Antonio Inoki | 1
Scott Hall | 1, 3
Jyushin Liger | 1, 2
Great Muta | 1, 2
Volk Han | 2, 3
DDP | 4
AJ Styles | 1, 2, 4
Satoshi Kojima | 1, 2
Scott Steiner | 3
Chris Benoit | 3
Bret Hart | 3, 4
Randy Savage | 3
Terry Funk | 4
Steven/William Regal | 1, 2
Samoa Joe | All
Spider-Man | 1, 3, 4
Rick Steiner | 2
Chris Jericho | 2
Eddie Guerrero | All
Ken Shamrock | 1
Mitsuharu Misawa | 3
Undertaker | 1, 2, 4

### Wrestler Data Updates

This section contains changes to moves, parameters, and logic for the default wrestlers. You do not need to do anything to access these changes.

### Moves

A few words on "de-duplicating" grapples:

In the original AKI games, wrestlers often had the same move for back grapple on both the solo button press and button press with direction pad. This also manifests itself with ports of wrestlers from World Tour, VPW64, and Revenge, where the Left/Right grapple slots are the same as the no direction grapple.

In VPW2 freem Edition, this is seen as something to be fixed.

Where possible, moves that "fit" the wrestler are used. However, since this update in particular is being done in a relatively short time frame, 100% accuracy can not be claimed for all changes made.

#### 0103 - Hulk Hogan

Back grapple de-duplication. There's been some discussion about giving Hogan better Front and Back Grapple Special moves, since his current ones suck. So far, no changes have been made on that front.

Move Slot | Old Move | New Move
--- | --- | ---
Back Weak Grapple A+Direction | Backdrop | Side Buster
Back Weak Grapple B | Back Rake | Elbow to Back
Back Strong Grapple A | School Boy | Sleeperhold
Back Strong Grapple B | Torture Abdominal Stretch | Enzui Lariat

#### 0305 - Bret Hart

The low blow is more for a heel Bret Hart, and most people tend to remember Bret as a face in WWF... The high angle/flipping dropkick was also suggested, but the Lariat was chosen instead. Some back grapple moves were also de-duplicated.

Move Slot | Old Move | New Move
--- | --- | ---
Ducking Strike | Low Blow | Lariat
Back Weak Grapple A+Direction | High Angle Backdrop | Bulldog
Back Weak Grapple B+Direction | Elbow to Back | Atomic Drop
Back Strong Grapple A | Forward Rolling Pin | Sleeperhold

#### 0402 - Chris Benoit

Back grapple de-duplication. Jackknife Powerbomb is a stand-in for Wild Bomb.

Move Slot | Old Move | New Move
--- | --- | ---
Front Special Grapple | Fisherman Suplex | Jackknife Powerbomb
Back Weak Grapple A | High Angle Backdrop | Knee Crusher
Back Weak Grapple B | Pendulum Backbreaker | Elbow to Back
Back Strong Grapple A+Direction | Reverse Facebuster | Dragon Suplex
Back Strong Grapple B+Direction | German Suplex | Release German Suplex

#### 0503 - Tajiri

Some edits from freem.

Move Slot | Old Move | New Move
--- | --- | ---
Ducking Strike | 裏拳 | Leg Sweep
Springboard (Standing) | Springboard Dropkick | Springboard Missile Dropkick
Springboard (Grounded) | None | Springboard Tope Atomico

#### 0504 - Steven/William Regal

Updated with some suggestions from KWG/Saga, and some other edits from freem.

Move Slot | Old Move | New Move
--- | --- | ---
Front Weak Grapple A+Left/Right | European Uppercut | Headlock Punch
Front Weak Grapple B+Left/Right | Headlock Takedown | Gutwrench Suplex
Front Strong Grapple A+Left/Right | Exploder | Exploder
Front Strong Grapple B+Left/Right | Arm Trap Suplex | Tiger Driver Whip
Back Weak Grapple A+Direction | Backdrop | Knee Crusher
Back Weak Grapple B | Pendulum Backbreaker | Elbow to Back
Back Strong Grapple A+Direction | Abdominal Stretch | Chickenwing Facelock
Back Strong Grapple B+Direction | German Suplex | Dragon Suplex
Downed Legs Submission (Face Up) | STF | Half Boston Crab
Sitting Legs Submission (Face Up) | Boston Crab | STF
Sitting Legs Submission (Face Down) | Bow and Arrow Hold | Knee Stomp

#### 0508 - Cactus Jack

Cactus Jack had some residual Dragon Kid leftovers in his moves. Since things were being changed anyways, some back grapple moves were de-duplicated as well.

Move Slot | Old Move | New Move
--- | --- | ---
Back Weak Grapple A+Direction | Backdrop | School Boy
Back Weak Grapple B+Direction | Elbow to Back | Back Rake
Back Strong Grapple A+Direction | Side Buster | Pendulum Backbreaker
Back Strong Grapple B+Direction | Atomic Drop | Enzui Lariat
Corner Special Grapple | Dragonrana | Superplex
Running Evasion | Cartwheel | Roll

#### 0604 - Kane

Kane has a more fitting back special, and some back grapple moves were de-duplicated.

Move Slot | Old Move | New Move
--- | --- | ---
Back Weak Grapple A | Side Buster | Side Backdrop
Back Weak Grapple B | Knee Crusher | Elbow to Back
Back Strong Grapple A+Direction | Sleeperhold | Torture Abdominal Stretch
Back Special Grapple | Reverse Facebuster | Swinging Side Buster

#### 0701 - HHH

KWG/Saga suggested some edits for accuracy purposes.

Move Slot | Old Move | New Move
--- | --- | ---
Top Rope to Standing | Jumping Knee Attack | Double Axe Handle
Top Rope to Standing Outside | Jumping Knee Attack | Double Axe Handle

#### 0801 - John Cena

Updated with a suggestion from multiple people.

Move Slot | Old Move | New Move
--- | --- | ---
Front Special Grapple | Death Valley-style Facebuster | Death Valley Driver

#### 0802 - Brock Lesnar

Updated with a suggestion from multiple people.

Move Slot | Old Move | New Move
--- | --- | ---
Front Special Grapple | Hawaiian Crusher | Death Valley-style Facebuster

#### 0803 - Samoa Joe

Updated with suggestions from KWG/Saga and rey.

Move Slot | Old Move | New Move
--- | --- | ---
Front Special Grapple | STO | Cradle DDT
Corner Special Grapple | None | Top Rope Fisherman's Buster
Running Tope A+Direction | Tope Suicida | Elbow Suicida

#### 0806 - Spider-Man

The Octopus Hold/Manjigatame was a suggestion from others; everything else was freem.

Move Slot | Old Move | New Move
--- | --- | ---
Front Weak Grapple B | Shoulder Thrusts | Flying Headscissors
Back Strong Grapple B | Reverse DDT | High Angle Backdrop
Back Strong Grapple B+Direction | High Angle Backdrop | Manjigatame
Back Special Grapple | Japanese Leg Roll Clutch | Delfin Rana
Corner Special Grapple | Top Rope Dragonsteiner | Diving Rolling Neckbreaker Drop

### Parameters

ID4 | Wrestler | Parameter | Old Value | New Value | Notes
--- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ---
010A | Goldberg | Walk Speed | Normal | Fast | Matches WCW/nWo Revenge
010C | Rikidozan | Walk Speed | Normal | Fast | Matches Virtual Pro-Wrestling 64
0409 | Dynamite Kid | Walk Speed | Normal | Fast | Matches Virtual Pro-Wrestling 64
040A | L.A. Park | Walk Speed | Normal | Fast | Matches WCW/nWo Revenge
0606 | Booker T | Walk Speed | Normal | Fast | Matches WCW/nWo Revenge
0209 | Dan Severn | Bloody Spirit Recovery | Normal | Fast |
0502 | Sabu | Bloody Spirit Recovery | Normal | Fast |
0802 | Brock Lesnar | Bloody Spirit Recovery | Normal | Slow |
0803 | Samoa Joe | Bloody Spirit Recovery | Normal | Slow |
0503 | Tajiri | Jumping Distance | Normal | Long |
0503 | Tajiri | Bloody Spirit Recovery | Normal | Fast |
0806 | Spider-Man | Offense: Body | 2 | 3 |

### Logic

Most of the characters in this section had their AI/Logic values ported from WWF No Mercy, with the exception of The Rock.

#### Chris Benoit

Category | Old Value | New Value
--- | --- | ---
Standing Opponent Early | Striking | Grappling
Downed Opponent Early | Pick Up | Submission
Downed Opponent Late | Submission | Flying
Attack Strategy | Balanced | new
Offensive Balance | Balanced | new
Outside Strategy | Aggressive | Calm

#### Dean Malenko

Category | Old Value | New Value
--- | --- | ---
Downed Opponent Early | Pick Up | Submission
Finisher | Corner Special ??? | Down Face Up Leg Submission Texas Cloverleaf
Attack Strategy | Balanced | Grapples
Offensive Balance | Balanced | Attack
Outside Strategy | Calm | Normal

#### Perry Saturn

Category | Old Value | New Value
--- | --- | ---
Downed Opponent Early | Striking | Submission
Downed Opponent Late | Submission | Pick Up
Offensive Balance | Balanced | Defend
Strike Reaction | Normal | Slow
Grapple Reaction | Normal | Slow

#### Eddie Guerrero

Category | Old Value | New Value
--- | --- | ---
Standing Opponent Early | Striking | Grappling
Downed Opponent Early | Pick Up | Striking
Downed Opponent Late | Flying | Pick Up
Finisher | Front Special | Corner Special
Attack Strategy | Balanced | Grapples
Offensive Balance | Balanced | Attack
Strike Reaction | Normal | Fast
Grapple Reaction | Normal | Slow
Outside Strategy | Flying | Aggressive
Appeal | Normal | Often

#### Tazz

Category | Old Value | New Value
--- | --- | ---
Attack Strategy | Balanced | Grapples
Offense Balance | Balanced | Attack

#### Kurt Angle

This one was tough, because in recent years, Kurt Angle tends to finish matches with the Ankle/Angle Lock, but WWF No Mercy has him using the Olympic/Angle Slam... ...which hasn't yet been ported into this hack. I left it as the Ankle Lock for now.

Category | Old Value | New Value
--- | --- | ---
Standing Opponent Early | Striking | Grappling
Downed Opponent Early | Pick Up | Submission
Attack Strategy | Balanced | Grapples
Strike Reaction | Normal | Slow
Grapple Reaction | Normal | Slow
Appeal | Normal | Often

#### The Rock

Swapping out the People's Elbow setup for the Rock Bottom as finisher.

Category | Old Value | New Value
--- | --- | ---
Finisher | Down Head Face Up Submission People's Elbow Setup | Front Special Grapple Rock Bottom

#### Daniel Bryan

Swapping finisher spots at KWG/Saga's suggestion.

Category | Old Value | New Value
--- | --- | ---
Finisher | Front Special Grapple Butterfly Lock | Down Face Down Head Submission Nagata Lock 2

### Changelog Items

(Due to its length, the "[Default Costumes] Various fixes/updates to default costume data" is not included in the manual. Please view `changelog.txt` for the full details of costume changes.)

- [Bugfix] Shootfighter "ground and pound" submissions no longer count as two eliminations during Battle Royals. (original fix by WldFb)
- [Translation] Implemented various translation fixes from brick9mm.
- [Faces] New faces added:
  - 23 – Satoru Sayama (by freem)
  - 96 – Ricochet (by KWG/Saga)
  - 97 – Kota Ibushi (by freem)
  - 98 – Naomichi Marufuji (by KWG/Saga)
  - 99 – KENTA/Hideo Itami (by freem)
  - 101 – Steve Corino (by freem)
  - 102 – Lou Thesz (by RagDas)
- [Faces] Some faces were updated or outright replaced:
  - 25 – Katsuyori Shibata (updated by freem)
  - 34 – Bret Hart (new texture by KWG/Saga)
  - 40 – Sabu (updated by freem)
  - 41 – Raven (updated by freem)
  - 43 – Steven/William Regal (new texture by KWG/Saga)
  - 52 – AJ Styles (updated by freem)
  - 55 – Kurt Angle (updated by freem)
  - 63 – John Cena (new texture by KWG/Saga)
  - 70 – Goldberg (new texture by KWG/Saga)
  - 73 – Booker T (new texture by KWG/Saga)
  - 92 – Shinsuke Nakamura (fixed by KWG/Saga)
  - 93 – Kenny Omega (fixed by KWG/Saga)
  - 94 – Dusty Rhodes (new texture by KWG/Saga)
- [Faces] Future face slot assignments made:
  - 100 – Bam Bam Bigelow
  - 103 – Ted DiBiase
  7 free face slots remain, and more than 7 candidates remain.
- [Costume Items] New costume items added:
  - Ring Attire A5 – Razor Ramon (new texture by freem)
  - Ring Attire A14 ‐ Macho Man (new texture by freem)
  - Ring Attire A24 ‐ KENTA (new texture by freem)
  - Ring Attire C18 ‐ Sting 1 (WCW/nWo Revenge port)
  - Ring Attire C19 ‐ Sting 2 (WCW/nWo Revenge port)
  - Ring Attire C21 ‐ Rey Jr. 2 (WCW/nWo Revenge port)
  - Ring Attire E2 – Steiners 2 (WCW/nWo Revenge port)
  - Ring Attire F13 – Spider-Man (ported by RagDas)
  - Upper Body B15 – Rey Jr. 2 (WCW/nWo Revenge port)
  - Tattoo 12 – Undertaker (WrestleMania 2000 port)
  - Face Paint 3 – nWo Muta (new texture by RagDas)
  - Face Accessory 13 – Headband (adapted from WCW/nWo Revenge by freem)
  - Mask 07 – Pegasus (new texture by freem)
- [Costume Items] Future costume item slot assignments made:
  - Face Accessory 6 – Bam Bam Bigelow Head Tattoo
  - Ring Attire C11 – Road Warriors
  - Tattoo 9 – Goldberg
  - Entrance Attire D5 – ??? (to be revealed in the future)
- [Costume Items] Hart Sunglasses moved from Face Accessory 13 to 14.
- [Faces] Fixed transparent pixels in the faces of Perry Saturn, Kevin Nash, Hulk Hogan, and Rick Steiner.
- [Masks] Rey Mysterio Jr. mask updated:
  - Chin area now exposed.
  - Aligned front and side designs.
- [Masks] L.A. Park mask updated:
  - Added side and back designs.
  - Added temporary neck texture.
- [Masks] Great Sasuke mask updated with wing and kanji on the sides.
- [Costume Items] Fixed some items which ahad odd interactions with tattoos:
  - Ring Attire E5 (Tazz); some detail in the back logo was sacrificed.
  - Ring Attire F11 (AKI man)
  - Upper Attire B18 (nWo Shirt)
- [Costume Items] Fixed issue with Upper Attire A12 (Bret Hart) involving stomach showing a white texture when combined with tattoos... Tattoos still don't appear.
- [Costume Items] Changed the back of the Kobashi flame trunks texture.
- [Costume Items] Managed to fight the alignment issues on the Tiger Mask 2 trunks. Still needs some work, but better than before.
- [Costume Items] Updated Face Accessory 28 to match Sting's WCW/nWo Revenge facepaint.
- [Costume Items] Default colors (0,0) changed for the following items:
  - Ring Attire C11 (*Road Warriors)
  - Ring Attire C13 (Hang Time!!)
  - Ring Attire C15 (Sting 1)
  - Ring Attire C19 (Sting 2)
  - Ring Attire C20 (Black Tiger)
  - Ring Attire C24 (Benoit (No Mercy))
  - Ring Attire C26 (Ultimo Dragon)
  - Ring Attire C27 (TAKA)
  - Ring Attire C32 (Lightning Tights)
  - Ring Attire C33 (Striped)
  - Ring Attire D16 (Crazy Joker)
- [Masks] Default colors (0,0,0,0) changed for these masks:
  - 06 – Great Sasuke
  - 07 – Pegasus
  - 08 – L.A. Park
  - 10 – Darkness Muta
  - 11 – Tiger Mask 1
  - 17 – Tiger Mask 2
  - 18 – Spider-Man
- [Masks] Spider-Man's neck texture now mirrors properly. (One of those things you'd probably only notice if you looked closely.)
- [Game UI] Made "Replay" and "Demo" text slightly taller.
- [Manual] Added instructions for converting ROMs to Z64 format.
- [Arenas] Added banner to balcony in AKI Hall.
- [Arenas] Updated outside corner floor texture in AKI Hall.
- [Game UI] Translated every big in-game message except the round numbers.
- [Game UI]
- [Misc.] Some unfinished work in progress material slipped in. See if you can find it all!

## Controller Setup

If you're playing this hack on original hardware, the controls should be easy to get used to. But if you're playing this on an emulator instead, you might not have access to an N64 controller. Luckily, the VPW series started out on PlayStation, so it's possible to make a decent default control mapping for most modern controllers.

Action | N64 | Playstation | Xbox
--- | --- | --- | ---
Movement | D-Pad | D-Pad | D-Pad
Grapple | A button | X button | A button
Strike | B button | Circle button | B button
Run/Dash | C-Down button | Triangle button | Y button
Ring Interaction | C-Up button | Square button | X button
Block | R button | R1 button | RB button
Dodge | L button | L1 button | LB button
Switch Focus | C-Right button | R2 button | Right trigger
Flip | C-Left button | L2 button | Left trigger
Does (mostly) nothing | Z button | Select button | Back button

Make sure to map the Control Stick to one of the controller's analog sticks, so you can taunt and use Specials.

p.s. Press Z + C-Down while in a Battle Royal to switch control from human to computer and vice versa.
Just don't do this during a normal match as a second/manager and leave it on...

## Recommended Edits

Once the game is up and running, there are a few changes you should make in the Edit Mode before continuing. The reason these changes need to be done manually is due to the way VPW2 handles default names.

- Mitsuharu Misawa, costume 3
  - Change Long Name to "Tiger Mask 2"
  - Change Short Name to "TM2"
- Kevin Nash, costume 3
  - Change Long and Short Names to "Diesel"
- Scott Hall, costume 3
  - Change Long Name to "Razor Ramon"
  - Change Short Name to "Razor"
- "Road Warrior", costumes 1 and 2
  - Change Long and Short Names to "Hawk"
- "Road Warrior", costumes 3 and 4
  - Change Long and Short Names to "Animal"
- Kensuke Sasaki, costume 3
  - Change Long Name to "Power Warrior"
  - Change Short Name to "Power"
- Chris Benoit, costume 3
  - Change Long Name to "Wild Pegasus"
  - Change Short Name to "Pegasus"
- Eddy Guerrero, costume 3
  - Change Long Name to "Black Tiger 2"
  - Change Short Name to "BT2"
- X-Pac, costume 3
  - Change Long Name to "1-2-3 Kid"
  - Change Short Name to "123 Kid"
- Jumbo Tsuruta, costume 3
  - Change Long Name to "Dr. Frank"
  - Change Short Name to "Frank"
- "Andre Giant", costume 3
  - Change Long Name to "Giant Machine"
  - Change Short Name to "Machine"
- Atsushi Onita, costume 3
  - Change Long Name to "Great Nita"
  - Change Short Name to "Nita"
- Tiger Mask, costume 2
  - Change Long Name to "Tiger King"
- Tiger Mask, costume 3
  - Change Long Name to "S. Sayama"
  - Change Short Name to "Sayama"

### Default Costume Updates

In order to see the updated default costumes, you will need to either reset your save file (not recommended), or manually go to each wrestler with changes and reset the costumes (tedious, but you get to keep the other data). The list of wrestlers who need to be reset with each update is included in the changelog.

## Navigating the Menus

After getting through the first few screens, you're greeted with the Main Menu:

### Exhibition

Here, you're free to fight in whatever match you want. Five match types are available: Singles Match (1v1), Tag Match (2v2), 3 Way Match (1v1v1), Battle Royal, and Elimination.

#### Singles Match

A match between two wrestlers. In this mode, you can fight under traditional pro-wrestling rules, or a set of mixed martial arts rules.

#### Wrestling Rules

Rules for regular wrestling matches consist of the following options:

- Time Limit – Set the time limit for the match.
- Outside – "On" enables outside count. "Off" disables outside count.
  "Lumberjack" forces wrestlers to re-enter the ring when knocked outside.
  "Anywhere" allows for pins and submissions to count on the outside.
- Pinfall – Enable or disable pinfall victories.
- Submission – Enable or disable submission victories.
- TKO – Enable or disable winning via TKO.
- Rope Break – When turned on, pins and submissions will be broken up if the wrestler gets to the ropes.
- Quick Match – Matches can end really fast if this is enabled.
- Blood – Enable or disable blood. The "Referee Stop" option is more like a "Second Blood" match, not to be confused with "First Blood" in other AKI gamees.
- Time-Out Judgment – Determine if a winner can be picked as time runs out. Judging criteria are 1) remaining physical power and 2) number of hits landed.
- Interference – Determine if people will interfere in the match. Has no effect if both wrestlers have seconds/managers.
- Change Title on Ring Out – Only appears when a title belt is wagered. If turned on, the title can change hands via count-out.

#### Martial Arts Rules

The ruleset for Martial Arts matches is as follows:

- Time Limit – Set the time limit for the match. If Rounds are enabled, this is the length of each round instead.
- Rounds – Set how many rounds the match will take.
- Points – Define the number of starting points.
- Rope Escape – Determine how many points will be deducted when escaping submission holds.
- Down – Determine how many points will be deducted if the fighter is knocked down.
- Suplex – Determine how many points will be deducted if the fighter gets suplexed/thrown.
- Submission – Enable or disable submission victories.
- Quick Match – Same as the Wrestling Rules version above.
- Blood – Same as the Wrestling Rules version above.
- Gong Save – If enabled, Down counts can be stopped by the round ending. (Might also be known as the "Saved by the Bell" rule.)
- Time-Out Judgment – Determine if a winner can be picked as time expires.
  For points-based systems, the winner is the fighter with the most points.
  Without the scoring system, or in case of a tie, the judging criteria are 1) remaining physical power and 2) number of hits landed.

#### Tag Match

A match between two teams of two wrestlers.

#### Tag Match Rules

The rules of a Tag Match are similar to Wrestling rules in Singles Matches. The major difference is the "Tag Cut Time" option, which determines how long wrestlers are able to stay in the ring after coming in. This can also be set to "No Touch" for a Tornado Tag Match.

#### 3 Way Match

A match with three wrestlers fighting each other. The first person to win a fall wins the match.

#### 3 Way Match Rules

The rules for 3 Way Matches are essentially the same as a Single Match held under Wrestling rules.

#### Battle Royal

There are two types of Battle Royal matches: Random and Team Battle. Random is easy to set up; just pick the number of wrestlers, the first four participants, set the rules, and you're ready to go.

Team Battle, on the other hand, begins with setting the number of members on each team.

Notice: Please do not give this screen psychopathic input.

#### Battle Royal Rules

For the most part, the Battle Royal rules consist of common options. Only the major differences from other modes will be explained.

- Time Limit – Forced to "No Limit".
- Outside – "Loss" means a wrestler is eliminated when they are removed from the ring. "Anywhere" and "Off" act as they do in other matches.

#### Elimination

Two teams of up to five wrestlers each fight until one side defeats the other. Probably better known in non-Japanese regions as the "WCW vs. nWo" mode of WCW vs. nWo World Tour, but without the roster limitations.

#### Elimination Setup

After selecting the number of wrestlers per team, and the wrestlers on each team, you are given the option to re-arrange the team's orders. Lower numbers will wrestle first, compared to higher numbers. Select a slot using the D-Pad, then press the A button to begin swapping. Choose the destination slot in the same way, and press the A button to swap. Once you are finished, choose "Accept".

### Challenge

In the original version of Virtual Pro-Wrestling 2, this mode was called "王道継承", which roughly translates to "Royal Road Succession". Other (earlier) names for the mode include "All Japan Mode" (based on an unused texture leftover in the ROM) and "Champion Road" (from Asmik's website, circa 2000). That mode had you run through a year of All Japan Pro-Wrestling's schedule, with all the fun that goes along with it. It was used as the primary way to unlock items (mainly wrestlers), but in a hack where everything is unlocked by default, it lacks purpose.

There are no confirmed plans for the Challenge mode at this time.

### League

League mode allows you to hold a round robin league with 3 to 16 wrestlers (or tag teams).

Points are given based on the result of the match:

- Win (○) – 2 points
- Draw (△) – 1 point
- Loss (×) – 0 points

#### League Setup

First, select the number of wrestlers (or teams) participating in the league. After picking the wrestlers, you are given the option to re-order the participants, as well as toggle the control between human and computer.

### Tournament

Tournament mode allows you to hold a single-elimination tournament with 3 to 16 wrestlers (or tag teams).

#### Tournament Setup

Setting up a tournament involves picking the number of participants, then selecting them. Once all wrestlers have been selected, you are given the option to re-order the brackets, as well as set player or computer control.

### Event

The Event portion of the game lets you run a card of matches, to either watch or play. It's known as "Pay Per View" in the WWF AKI games, as well as S.K. Stylez's VPW2 English translation. In the unhacked version of VPW2, this mode played a small role in unlocking items. It's left in VPW2 freem Edition for fun, and because I don't see a good reason to remove it.

#### Setup

When creating a new event, the setup screen will appear. You can set the event's name, date, start time, and the arena where it will be held.

2019/01/28 Note: Translating the Event Time portion is a pain, since the item definitions also include a variable spacing amount.
In the meantime, please read "時" as "Hour" and "分" as "Minute".

#### Booking Matches

Once the setup has completed, you are able to set up all the matches that will appear on the card.

Note: Any Battle Royal will be fixed to 40 wrestlers in random order.

2019/01/28 Note: The blank item is meant to have text that reads "New Program". However, both S.K. Styles and myself have run into an issue where it isn't displayed.

#### Running the Event

After finalizing the card, you are able to run through the event. A small introduction will play, followed by the event card screen.

You can either watch or play the match, or if you don't want to do either of those, you can let the computer simulate the result via the "Skip Match" button.

### Ranking

Ranking mode tracks win/loss statistics for up to 16 profiles, and ranks all participants accordingly. (On a personal note, I've never really used this mode, nor do I know about people who use it. Please let me know if you actually use Ranking mode and want to see it stay in the hack.)

### Edit Mode

Edit Mode was introduced by Human Entertainment in Fire Pro Wrestling 3: Legend Bout on the PC Engine. Pro wrestling games would never be the same again. The Edit Mode is further explained in its own chapter.

### Options

Various options can be changed in this menu.

#### Difficulty

The difficulties available are: Beginner, Easy, Normal, Hard, Expert.

#### Spirit Meter

Toggle the display of the Spirit Meter (as well as the Combo Meter).

#### Referee

Toggle the display of an animated referee. The referee only appears in Singles matches.

Name | Preview | Notes
--- | --- | ---
Off | N/A | Disable referee display.
Wada Kyohei |  | Will be replaced by Tiger Hattori in a future version.
Dandy K |  | Bowtie man. (Fun fact: Sprites are based off Earl Hebner's from WrestleMania 2000, or possibly the other way around.)
Johnny H |  | Counts slower than the other referees.

#### Quick Replay

Toggle the use of a three-angle replay for powerful moves. I recommend turning this off, but I'm not going to force you to.

#### Match Color

A unique option only found in VPW64 and VPW2. You can turn the match into a monochrome broadcast. However, the Spirit and Combo Meters still retain their color.

### Sound Options

Sound-related options live in this sub-menu.

- Sound Output – Choose between Stereo and Monaural output.
- Match BGM – Select from one of six tracks, use a random selection, or disable the match music.
- BGM Volume – Choose how loud the match BGM volume will be.

### Controller Setup

This section allows you to change the game controls. Navigate to the control you want to change, and press the desired button. If you want to reset any changes, choose "Default".

The only controls that cannot be remapped are the D-Pad, the Control Stick, and the Z and Start buttons.

### Data Menu

The Data Menu contains functionality related to wrestlers and belts. If you're looking to use the Controller Pak for something, this is the place to go.

#### Belt

In this section, you can view, move, and delete any created title belts.

#### Wrestler Data

The Wrestler Data section allows you to view Edit Wrestler data on both the cartridge and the Controller Pak. Wrestlers can be moved or copied between the Controller Pak and cartridge.

#### Wrestler Records

The game keeps track of win/loss/draw records, which can be viewed in this section. The list can be sorted by Group, number of Matches, number of Wins, and Win Percentage.

#### Exhibition Matches

The game also keeps track of the results of the last 25 matches played in Exhibition mode for Singles, Tag, and 3 Way matches.

### Mic Appeal

Unique to Virtual Pro-Wrestling 2 is the ability to say things before and after a match. In this menu, you can modify each phrase. Each phrase is split into two parts. The left side is the first line displayed, while the right side is the second line.

You can set which lines are used by each wrestler in the Profile portion of Edit Mode. Then, by holding one of the C buttons at the end of your character's (or team's) introduction, or after the match is over, your character will say their lines.

## Playing the Game

This section assumes that you are using the default controls.

### VPW2 for Revenge/WM2K/No Mercy Veterans

Virtual Pro-Wrestling 2 plays similar to the other AKI wrestling games. If you have experience with WCW vs. nWo - World Tour, WCW/nWo Revenge, WWF WrestleMania 2000, or WWF No Mercy, then playing VPW2 (freem Edition or not) will be easy.

Important differences include the following:

- Running Grapples. VPW2 was the first game in the series to include running grapples. However, unlike No Mercy, running corner grapples don't exist. There is a text string in VPW2 referencing running corner grapples, so it appears to have been planned...
- Combo System. While it was absent from the WWF games, WCW/nWo Revenge and Virtual Pro-Wrestling 64 included a combo system for certain characters. This system exists in VPW2 as well. Perform a strong grapple and press B to start the combo sequence.
- Shootfighting. Unique to VPW2 is the shootfighter type, which changes how grapples work. The short/weak grapple contains strong moves, while a strong/long grapple performs a takedown. When a takedown is successful, or if the fighter has "Mount" for Mount Type, you are able to use various strikes and a single grapple (armbar when opponent is face up, rear naked choke when opponent is face down).
- Second Level Special (known as "Maximum" in this hack). Once per match, you can taunt while having Special to get the second level Special. You must let the taunt finish on its own; you can't cancel the animation and get the second level Special.

### VPW2 for Everyone Else

If you don't have experience with a previous AKI Corporation wrestling game, the above section may look a little daunting. The good news is that the core gameplay is simple. The following section is not a complete overview of the game, but should be enough to get you started.

#### Movement

Move your character around with the D-Pad. The C-Down button makes your character run. During a run, you can press the R button to evade (roll or cartwheel), or the L button to go around the other wrestler. Press the C-Up button while holding towards the ring to enter/exit.

#### Striking

By default, the B button is used to throw strikes, such as kicks and punches. The B button can be tapped (Weak Strike) or held (Strong Strike) to produce different strikes. You can hold a direction on the D-Pad for another strike variation. There is also a strike done by holding down the A and B buttons for a second.

#### Grappling

There are two main types of grapples. The Weak Grapple is performed by tapping the A button. The Strong Grapple is performed by holding the A button down for a second or two. Once the grapple connects, you can press the A or B button, along with holding a direction, to perform a move. To throw a wrestler, hold the D-Pad in the direction you want them to go, then press the C-Down button. Not all wrestlers can be thrown, however. When in a front grapple, pressing the L button will transition into a back grapple. If you wish to break a grapple without doing a move, press the R button.

#### Ground Moves

Various strikes can be done with the B button, including running strikes. Submissions and other holds are performed with the A button, depending on how the opponent is facing, as well as if they're fully down or half down (sitting/on knees).

#### Flying

Hold the D-Pad direction of the corner you'd like to climb, then press and hold the C-Down button to either run towards it or climb it (depending on how close you are). Upon reaching the top rope, you have a few choices. To perform a move, let go of any and all buttons. To stay on the top for a little bit, hold the A button. You are also able to taunt if you move the Control Stick (maximum of two taunts). Pressing the R button will cause you to dismount from the top rope without performing a move.

Other flying move situations include planchas (hold direction to outside and press the A button), running dives (hold A when running in the ring while the opponent is outside), apron dives (same controls as the plancha, but while on the ring apron), and running apron dives (get on the apron, press C-Down, then press the A button).

#### Blocking and Reversals

To Block, hold the R button. Reversing strikes involves pressing the R button at the right time. You can move backwards with the L button; pressing it at the right time during an opponent's grapple attempt can cause you to block it.

#### Combo/"Fighting" Style

If a wrestler has "Fighting" listed on their profile, the Strong Grapple B button moves are replaced with a Combo system. Five strikes are available in a combo, and all are accessed with the combination of the B button and a direction on the D-Pad. You can also end the combo early by using a Grapple move.

#### Shootfighting Style

If a wrestler has "Shooting" listed on their profile, then the Weak Grapple B button moves are replaced with the Combo system. On top of that, Strong Grapples produce takedowns, which act similar to the Combo system.

## Arenas and Title Belts

This section covers the five available arenas to fight in, as well as the belt designs you can choose from when creating a custom title.

### Arenas

#### Nippon Budokan

The Budokan has largely stayed the same as the original game. The major difference is that the ring mat and skirt emulate the mid-1990s All Japan-Pro Wrestling two-tone look. Future versions of the hack may provide a better two-tone effect, but for the January 28, 2019 release, this is what you get.

#### Dome/???

This slot originally holds the "TKO Dome" (Tokyo Dome) without a ramp. There are plans to replace this arena with another one, but the target has not been finalized. (As of this writing, it's looking to be a generic USA-style arena, possibly partially sourced from WWF WrestleMania 2000 and/or WWF No Mercy.)

#### AKI Hall

AKI Hall is based off of Korakuen Hall. The ring mat and skirt design is adapted from the AKI ring in one of the Ultimate Muscle games.

One preview screenshot of VPW2 shows a banner hung in the balcony that is not used in the final version of the game, but remained in the ROM:

The banner reads "EWAプロレス!", or "EWA Pro Wrestling!" in English.
(EWA, full name "Empire Wrestling Association", was the name of the AJPW-like faction in Virtual Pro-Wrestling 64.)
A similar (yet different) banner has been added in the 2019/02/22 version.

#### Kawasaki Stadium

Kawasaki Stadium, in the context of VPW2, is most famous for being previewed with a daytime setting:

In the final version of the game, Kawasaki is set at night. Originally, I had planned to recreate the daytime version, but realized that AKI probably changed it for a decent reason... (I'm assuming it has to do with the Battle Royal entrances.) Kawasaki is still set at night in this hack, but the ring mat and skirt have been replaced with a FMW-inspired design.
(Probably a little too close for Legal to approve, though...)

#### Dome Road

"Dome Road" is the Tokyo Dome with a ramp leading to the ring. As this design was meant to emulate mid-to-late 1990s New Japan Pro-Wrestling, the ring mat and skirt textures have been changed to match. (Yes, the "V.P.W." logo is upside-down from how it's meant to be.)

Pictured below is the original render of the Tokyo Dome with ramp from AKI's website. If you look closely, you'll notice the All Japan Pro Wrestling logo was already in place. Also shown are red and blue floor textures, which go unused in the final game, but remain in the ROM.

### Title Belts

When creating a custom title, there are many belt designs you can choose from.

Currently, all belts have a mirrored texture. In the future, belts may become unmirrored (and redesigned to take advantage of this).

Name | Preview | Notes
--- | --- | ---
PWF Heavyweight Championship |  | original VPW2 belt
NWA International Heavyweight Championship |  | original VPW2 belt
NWA United National Championship |  | original VPW2 belt
All-Asia Tag Team Championship |  | original VPW2 belt
Chainplate |  | designed by freem
IWGP Junior Heavyweight |  | original VPW2 belt
Ring |  | designed by freem
IWGP Heavyweight Tag |  | original VPW2 belt
Sport Accolade |  | adapted/designed by freem
Octaglobe |  | designed by freem
King of Pancrase |  | original VPW2 belt
Old NWA International Heavyweight Championship |  | original VPW2 belt
UFC Ultimate Ultimate |  | original VPW2 belt
NWA Heavyweight Championship "Domed Globe" design |  | original VPW2 belt
WCW "Big Gold Belt" |  | ported/adapted from WCW/nWo Revenge
nWo "Big Gold Belt" |  | ported/adapted from WCW/nWo Revenge
WWF Winged Eagle |  | converted/adapted by freem
NEVER Openweight Championship |  | converted/adapted by freem
Universe/Saturn |  | designed by freem
PborgcrateZ |  | adapted/designed by freem
Diplomats/Unofficial VRTLPROS Championship |  | adapted/designed by freem
Triple Crown |  | original VPW2 belt
Double Tag |  | original VPW2 belt

## Edit Mode

Everyone loves Edit Mode, the place where you can change details of the in-game wrestlers, or come up with new wrestlers. Selecting a wrestler brings up the following menu:

While on the main wrestler edit menu, you can use the C-Left and C-Right buttons to switch the active costume. This also works with the top L and R buttons.

### Profile

The Profile section allows you to define a wrestler's basic data.

- Long Name – The wrestler's name, or as much of it as you can fit.
- Short Name – Short version of the wrestler name. 7 characters.
- Height – Set the wrestler's height (in centimeters).
- Weight – Set the wrestler's weight (in kilograms).
- Voice A – Select the voice sample typically used for attacks.
- Voice B – Select the voice sample typically used for taunts.
- Music – Select the wrestler's theme music.
- Name Call – Select the name the ring announcer will use during introductions.

#### Mic Appeal

The Mic Appeal menu allows you to assign the phrases to the four C buttons. To assign a slot, select it with the D-Pad and press the desired C button. The phrases can be edited in the "Mic Appeal" section of the Options menu.

### Costume

In the main portion of the Costume menu, put the cursor on "Head" and press left or right on the D-Pad to switch your wrestler between masked and unmasked.

#### Head/Mask

The Head (or Mask) section lets you change all the details that go into the wrestler's head design.

#### Costume

The Costume section covers the main costume items, as well as the body type, entrance costume, and entrance weapon.

#### Others

This section contains gloves, wristbands, elbow pads, knee pads, and boots/shoes. Elbow and knee pads can be copied from one side to the other with the C-Left button.

### Moves

The wrestler's available moves can be changed here. The moves are split up into various categories, with an "All Moves" option for showing the entire list.

Upon selecting a category, you will be shown the list of moves.

- D-Pad Up/Down – Move cursor one space.
- C-Up/C-Down – Page up/down.
- A Button – Select slot, select move.
- B Button – Cancel.
- Start Button – Accept changes and go back.
- C-Left Button – Preview selected move.
- C-Right Button – Toggle move as favorite (not possible to manually set for all slots...)
- L Button – Toggle KO
- R Button – Toggle Blood
- Z Button – During move preview, slows down animations.

### Parameters

The Parameters portion of Edit Mode lets you set various wrestler properties.

Left Column items:

- Fighting Style – Set the wrestler's fighting style.
- Weight Class – Set the wrestler's weight class. Setting this to Super Heavyweight will cause other wrestlers to have a harder time performing certain moves.
- Reversal Style – Determine the reversal style used for most moves.
- Mount Type – Determines what action is taken when pressing the Ducking button (L button by default) near a downed opponent.
  Pinfall goes for a pinfall, while Mount goes to a mounted position.
- Ring Entry – Set the animation used when entering/exiting the ring.
- Recovery Rate – Set how fast the wrestler's stamina recovers.
- Bloody Spirit Recovery – Set the spirit recovery rate when bleeding.
- Corner Climb – Determines how the wrestler climbs the corner: Normal (climbing) or Jump.
- Weapon Use – Determine how often the wrestler tries to get weapons on the outside.

Right Column items:

- Stance – Set the wrestler's idle stance. In this hack, "Woman" stance is actually the old boxing stance from World Tour/VPW64.
- Walk Speed – Set how fast the wrestler walks.
- Hammer Throw – Determine if the wrestler can throw and be thrown.
- Submission Skills – Set the skill level for applying and getting out of submission holds.
- Leapfrog Style – Set the leapfrog style. (Press the L button when an opponent is running at you to perform, if not set to "None".)
- Bleeding – Determine how easily the wrestler will bleed.
- Downed Recovery – Set the recovery rate when downed.
- Jumping Distance – Determine how far the wrestler can fly.
- Preferred Weapon – Set the wrestler's favorite weapon.

#### Offensive and Defensive Parameters

The "Offense" and "Defense" buttons on the Parameters menu open up separate menus that let you assign the offensive and defensive values for various move types. The five categories are Head, Body, Arms, Legs, and Flying.

Unlike the original VPW2, you are given 25 points to spend, meaning you can make a character with all 5s.

#### Rivals/Second

The Rivals/Second portion of the Parameters menu allows you to choose your manager/second/valet, along with up to three rivals.

The rivals only appear when Interference is enabled in the options. If both wrestlers have a second/manager, the rivals will not appear. Rival 1 shows up most of the time, Rival 2 shows up about half of the time, and Rival 3 shows up about one fourth of the time. If any option is set to "None", the computer will randomly pick a wrestler to interfere.

The manager/second always uses the fourth costume.

### Logic

The Logic section controls the computer's playing style when using a specific wrestler. It has only ever made an official appearance in Virtual Pro-Wrestling 2, but it is accessible in WrestleMania 2000 via a GameShark code.

#### Main Style (MISSING)

In WrestleMania 2000, an extra option was available at the top of the menu, which allowed you to choose the wrestler's general style. The presence of help text for this option in Virtual Pro-Wrestling 2 means AKI considered letting players change it at one time. However, the option is absent from the final version...

I would love to bring this back in a future version of the hack, but I have not looked into the details yet.

#### Strategy Versus Standing Opponent

This section determines how the computer will attack when their opponent is standing. This can be set for both Early and Late match.

- Striking – Perform striking moves.
- Grappling – Perform grappling moves.
- Flying – Perform flying moves.

#### Strategy Versus Downed Opponent

This section determines how the computer will attack when their opponent is downed. This can be set for both Early and Late match.

- Striking – Perform ground strikes.
- Submission – Perform ground submissions.
- Flying – Perform flying moves.
- Pick Up – Pick the opponent up. Logic continues from "Strategy Versus Standing Opponent" section.

#### Finishing Move

The Finishing Move is the primary move the wrestler uses to win matches.

#### Attack Strategy

The Attack Strategy determines the balance between striking and grappling.

- Mainly Striking – Primarily strikes, rarely grapples.
- Striking – Prefers strikes, grapples less than Balanced.
- Balanced – Balanced between strikes and grapples.
- Grapples – Prefers grapples, strikes less than Balanced.
- Mainly Grapples – Primarily grapples, rarely strikes.

#### Offensive Balance

Offensive Balance controls the balance between attacking and defending.

- Mainly Attack – Primarily attacks the opponent.
- Attack – More likely to attack than Balanced.
- Balanced – Attacks and defends equally.
- Defend – More likely to defend than Balanced.
- Mainly Defend – Primarily defends themself.

#### Strike Reaction

Strike Reaction determines how well the wrestler will react to an opponent's strike. This manifests itself in the frequency of strike reversals. "Fast", "Normal", and "Slow" are the available options.

#### Grapple Reaction

Grapple Reaction determines how well the wrestler will react to an opponent's grapple attempts. This manifests itself in the frequency of grapple reversals. "Fast", "Normal", and "Slow" are the available options.

#### Outside Strategy

The Outside Strategy option controls how the wrestler deals with opponents outside of the ring.

- Calm – Prefers to get back into the ring quickly.
- Normal – "Typical" outside behavior (might hang around for a short while, then get back in).
- Aggressive – Likes fighting on the outside, but not as much as Maniacal.
- Maniacal – Prefers to fight on the outside, throws people out of the ring, uses weapons often.
- Flying – Prefers using flying moves (e.g. planchas, dives).

#### Appeal

Controls how often your wrestler taunts. The three available choices are "Often", "Normal", and "None". If "None" is selected, the wrestler will not taunt when controlled by the computer, except to activate Special.

### Clone from Fighter

This option lets you clone data from one of the fighters in the game.

Upon selecting the option, you will be presented with the game's roster. Select a wrestler to copy data from using the A button, or press the B button to cancel.

After selecting a wrestler, you are able to pick and choose specific portions of the wrestler data to copy. This includes the Profile, Mask/Costume, Moves, Parameters, and Logic data. Choose "Accept" to make the changes.

### Reset to Default

If you want to revert a wrestler back to the factory default data, you can use this option. Each of the five categories (Profile, Mask/Costume, Moves, Parameters, and Logic) can be toggled, except for non-edit wrestlers (who can only have the Profile and Mask/Costume reset).

When the hack is updated, you will need to use this option to get the updated costumes.

## Save Data

Back in 2000, when Virtual Pro-Wrestling 2 was released, your options were limited in terms of sharing save data with others. Typically, you'd just go over to your friend's house with a Controller Pak. There were options for dumping save data to PC, including the DexDrive, but these devices may be hard to come by nowadays. (Not to mention the device drivers coming on a 3.5" floppy disk and the device's 9-pin serial connector...)

In 2019, it's simpler to just dump data from an emulator or flash cart and upload it to the Internet. However, some care has to be taken when transferring data between emulators and the real console.

### Controller Pak

Controller Pak saves allow you to transfer up to 16 Edit Wrestlers and 8 Belts. The Virtual Pro-Wrestling 2 save takes 29 pages on the Controller Pak. Currently, VPW2 freem Edition uses the same data as regular VPW2, so you can transfer your existing characters and belts.

#### Flashcarts

The 64drive is capable of backing up the Controller Pak contents through the main menu. Please consult the 64drive manual for more information on using this feature.

I am unsure of what support the Everdrive64 has for dealing with Controller Pak saves, as I only own a 64drive.

#### Emulators

Emulators tend to store Controller Pak data in `.mpk` files. Please conslt your emulator's documentation for more information.

### Game Save

The game save data itself (which includes changes made to the default wrestlers, as well as match records and other saved items) can also be shared with others.

#### Flashcarts

Flashcarts, such as the 64drive and Everdrive64, give the save file the same base name as the ROM it belongs to. If your VPW2 freem Edition rom is named `vpw2freem.z64`, for example, the save will be named `vpw2freem.sra`.

#### Emulators

Some emulators use the ROM's internal name (in our case, "`VPW2 freem`") for the save file. Other emulators may use the ROM's filename, internal game code ("NVFE"), or you may even have to declare the save file name when loading the emulator. The file extension may differ between emulators; I've seen `.sra` and `.srm` so far.

When converting save files from emulators to flashcarts (64drive, Everdrive64) and vice versa, you will need to byteswap the save data (using the same instructions given in the Patching section, but selecting the save file instead). Some emulators may not require this; full details are not yet known.

## Errata

Virtual Pro-Wrestling 2 (even without hacks) has a few bugs that you should be aware of when playing. These may or may not be fixed in future versions of this hack.

### Battle Royal Shootfighter Elimination Bug

There is a somewhat major bug in Battle Royal matches related to a Shootfighter's ability to win a match/eliminate a wrestler via repeated ground pounding. When you eliminate a wrestler via this method, the elimination counts twice.

This can cause various unintended and unwanted behavior, including the computer sending out a default-looking character that has already been "eliminated". If this happens, you have no choice but to restart or quit the match, as this wrestler can not be eliminated.

WldFb successfully fixed this via a GameShark code:

D110C76C 3442
8110C76E 0000

This bugfix has been applied for the 2019/02/22 version.

A patch for the original VPW2 ROM that fixes this issue will be made available in the future for those who do not want the other changes made in VPW2 freem Edition.

### White Screen Freeze when Controlling the Manager

If you end a 1 on 1 match with a player controlling a manager, the game will freeze on a white screen. Only VPW2 has this problem. Doing the same thing in Revenge, WM2K, or No Mercy won't crash the game.

The cause of this problem has not been found, and therefore, no fix is currently known.

### Battle Royal Team Setup Glitch

This bug exists in WrestleMania 2000, VPW2, and WWF No Mercy. Select a Team Battle Royal/Royal Rumble, and continue to the screen where you allocate the number of wrestlers per team. This glitch seems easiest to perform with four controllers, but may be possible with less. Hold left on the D-Pad of each controller, then hold right once you reach 1 wrestler. If done correctly, you will be able to add wrestlers past the usual limit. After the limit is passed in-match, the game will freeze, since it is trying to introduce a wrestler that hasn't been loaded?

As this glitch exists in multiple games, I have no plans on fixing it at the moment.

### Non-Serious Bugs

These bugs are not related to gameplay, and as a result, are less serious. They are included for informational purposes.

#### "???" Height/Weight does not show on Wrestler Selection

Hilariously enough, I only noticed this in 2018... Instead of showing "???" for a height or weight, the wrestler selection menu will show the maximum value plus an amount equivalent to the "???" value (for weight, this is 301kg; height starts at 251 (first "???") and goes up to 253 (last "???")).

#### Nagata Lock Typos in Results Screen

Due to a simple typo, the move names for the Nagata Lock and Nagata Lock II show up as "&207ローク" and "&207ロークⅡ" if used to win a match. This has been fixed in VPW2 freem Edition, at the cost of the roman numeral 2... That particular error comes from VPW Studio not knowing how to handle the 'Ⅱ' character.

#### Inconsistent Color Selection Wrapping Behavior

If you have a color modifier on and you move past color 0 to the left, it will reset. passing 31 to the right will keep it. This doesn't happen in WrestleMania 2000 (cursor can't wrap) or No Mercy (wrapping works perfectly).

#### Edit Mode: Turnbuckle Stolen Special changes when changing Turnbuckle Strong Grapple B

This is another recent (December 2018) discovery... When you change the move in the Turnbuckle Strong Grapple B slot, the Turnbuckle Stolen Special slot changes. This is most likely unintended, especially since the move index is not corrected for the additional moves in the Turnbuckle Special/Stolen Special slots.

## Known Issues

Unlike the "Errata" section, this section covers known issues with the freem Edition hack only.

### "New Program" text missing in Event mode

Not sure why this happens. Also occurs in the S.K. Stylez VPW2 English translation.

### Texture mapping is inaccurate on some costume items

Most visibly manifests itself with the old Yuji Nagata trunks from Revenge, but can also be seen in the incomplete Tiger Mask 2 pants. This is due to changes made to models between WCW/nWo Revenge and Virtual Pro-Wrestling 2. If the models in question were changed to make the Revenge textures look correct, all of the native VPW2 textures would change as well, messing them up... The perils of porting.

### Tattoos don't work on certain items

A few costume items still have issues with tattoos. Two costumes in particular are the Kurt Angle singlet and the Bret Hart tanktop. The issues arise due to how VPW2 expects transparency to work for these items. While the Bret Hart top is in a better state than it was in the 2019/01/28 version, the tattoos still do not show up.

### Facial hair palettes

Due to how the game handles facial hair palettes, a number of wrestlers are not able to have their proper facial hair. This includes Hulk Hogan and Scott Steiner.

### Facepaint and face accessory palettes

Another set of face-related palette issues happens with the facepaint and accessory layers. This is the reason that Dr. Frank's facepaint was changed to white, along with Rick Steiner's headgear being a different color.

### Women's run stance is still in game

Despite changing the animation data for the Women's stance, the game special cases a running animation. This has not yet been worked around.

### Missing moves

There's no Angle/Olympic Slam or Tazmission yet (as well as other moves that haven't been in an AKI wrestling game before). Porting and creating moves has been low on my priority list, as it's not as "easy" as the Gameshark way of doing things.

### Missing polygon/model hacks

Again, this is one of the things that ended up being low priority when it came to making a preview release. Wrestlers who need model hacks include L.A. Park (mask) and Raven ("skirt"). Part of the problem with this is creating different versions of the models for the different possible head and body types.

### Missing Voice Edits

Really, it's just the one (Macho Man). I haven't decided which voice is going to get replaced yet, nor does VPW Studio support changing the audio yet. (Yes, other tools can be used, but I'd like VPW Studio to support it eventually.)

## Questions and Answers

Only a few questions have come in during development so far, so I can't really call them "Frequently Asked Questions".

Questions regarding specific characters and the overall character selection process can be found in the Character Guide. The two character-related questions in this section are general enough to be in the main manual.

### Can you send me a patched or unpatched ROM?

These questions were in the original FAQ, but removed before release. Clearly that was the wrong move.

No, I will not send you a patched ROM or unpatched base ROM.

### Why Virtual Pro-Wrestling 2? Why not WWF No Mercy?

This largely boils down to personal preference, plus Virtual Pro-Wrestling 2 containing features that the other AKI wrestling games don't. Specifically, I appreciate the depth of having three fighting styles (Wrestling, Martial Arts/"Fighting", and Shootfighting). I will concede that No Mercy's weapon system is the best, the "Losing It" state is interesting, and that the ground Special move slots are a good addition.

### Where are the women at?

The only known way to get women into Virtual Pro-Wrestling 2 is to import their model wholesale. Since I prefer a solution that lets you properly edit the women characters, a la No Mercy, this was not a good compromise.

### Where's Joe Bruiser/Eric Bischoff (WCW/nWo Revenge version)/Andy Hug/(insert boxer or kickboxer here)?

I still haven't determined if VPW2 contains code for the Boxing and/or Kickboxing styles. I'm of the opinion that the ability to have Boxing and Kickboxing styles in the early N64 games was a result of a different moveset data format... The later games seem more rigid in their setup by comparison. Otherwise, you'd better believe a slot would be reserved for Joe Bruiser.

### Why aren't there more theme songs?

Unlike WrestleMania 2000 and No Mercy, there are only a few themes in VPW2. Also unlike those two games, the theme songs in VPW2 use a higher sampling rate. In order to fit more songs in, I would have to 1) Lower the sampling rate of the existing songs and 2) Figure out where the song list is stored, make the edits, etc.

Small note: theme songs allow for varying wait times in the locker room. Let Giant Baba's theme play out during his entrance to see.

### Why isn't Yoshinari Ogawa's theme song replaced with someone else's?

Some of this is explained in the answer to the previous question, but there's slightly more to it than that. A number of wrestlers should have their theme in the game, but with only one slot open, picking it is tough. As mentioned above, the waiting time is theme-dependent, and I haven't exactly figured out where those values are.

Some wrestler theme songs are very dependent on waiting times (e.g. Minoru Suzuki "Kaze Ni Nare", Katsuyori Shibata "Takeover") and I'm too much of a perfectionist to just wing it, even for a preview release. (Yes, even with all of the corners I've cut to get this preview release out on time.)

### What are you going to do with Challenge Mode?

I'm not sure yet.

### What will be done with Ranking Mode?

I'm not sure about this either; I don't even know of anyone who uses this mode. The Help text for Ranking states "I want my SRAM back", and in an ideal world, I would reclaim the space for storing more Edit Wrestlers. However, it's easier said than done.

Even if I do remove Ranking Mode, I'll have to edit the main menu to not include it, unless it's replaced with some other main menu option.

### Will anything be done about the Records feature?

A long while ago, I was asked if I could remove the Records feature (presumably so the space it takes up could be used for more Edit Wrestlers)... I have no idea how to go about doing this, either.

### The kanji for the "Front Hair" item is clearly "Bangs". Why didn't you translate it like that?

"Front Hair" is the terminology used in WWF WrestleMania 2000 and WWF No Mercy. I'm using that term in this hack for consistency's sake...at least, for the item category. I gave in and changed the item descriptions to "Bangs" in the 2019/02/22 release.

### Can you add other wrestlers?

No, all 98 default wrestler slots are taken. Adding other wrestlers would require re-pointing the ROM, and I really don't want to do that without a full disassembly of the game.

### Are there going to be other stages added?

Unfortunately, it's not that simple to import a stage into VPW2, since there are so few slots. Here are the known "stage" items in VPW2:

- Locker Room – Used in every arena but Dome Road.
- Dome Road Entrance Ramp – Used in Dome Road arena.
- Locker Room with Fire – Only used in introduction sequence.
- Virtual Pro-Wrestling 2 Ramp – Only used in introduction and credits sequences.

So on top of there not being enough stages in the first place, you only get two choices when it comes to "real" stages. It's not happening without a lot of work, and that's work I don't care to do at the moment.

If actual arenas were implied instead, you only get five slots there, and much like changing the stages, a lot of work is required to add new arenas.

## Credits

Extended credits are available in `credits.txt` in the `docs` folder.

### Project Lead

freem

### Hacking

freem

### Tools

freem (VPW Studio)
S.K. Stylez (Animation Editor, Move Porter, etc.)
Zoinkity ("offsetter", "Midwaydec", "generic.py")

### Technical Assistance

S.K. Stylez (VPW2 English translation, used as reference)
WldFb (Various value and address finding; a large help)

Various other hackers I can't remember at the moment (Essentially, most everyone in the AKI wrestling game hacking scene.)

### Translations

freem
brick9mm

### Wrestler Data

freem
RagDas
BeBetterGamer

### Menu and UI Textures

freem

### New Face Textures

freem
RagDas
KWG/Saga
G.M. Spectre
Keson (Sabu from Showdown 64 used as a base)

### New Mask Textures

freem
RagDas

### New Outfit Textures

freem
RagDas

### New Arena Textures

freem

### New Belt Textures

freem

### Special Thanks

brick9mm
C-Drive
DJKM
fullMETAL
Geta-san
Han Zo Mon
Lord Mo
Phil Parent
ProwresHero
RagDas
S.K. Stylez
WldFb
Zoinkity
AKI Corporation YOU ARE #1