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             _______ __               ______  
            |    ___|__|.----.-----. |   __ \.----.-----.
            |    ___|  ||   _|  -__| |    __/|   _|  _  |
            |___|   |__||__| |_____| |___|   |__| |_____|       
                                              
         ________                    __   __ __              
        |  |  |  |.----.-----.-----.|  |_|  |__|.-----.-----.
        |  |  |  ||   _|  -__|__ --||   _|  |  ||     |  _  |
        |________||__| |_____|_____||____|__|__||__|__|___  |
                                                      |_____|

                   (  .      )
               )           (              )
                   .  '   .   '  .  '  .
                 (    , )       (.   )  (   ',    )
                  .' ) ( . )    ,  ( ,     )   ( .
               ). , ( .   (  ) ( , ')  .' (  ,    )
              (_,) . ), ) _) _,')  (, ) '. )  ,. (' )jgs
=====================================================================

   Version: 0.5
   12/07/01
   Janus Operative
   janus79057@hotmail.com
   AIM: Janus182

=====================================================================


 Table of Contents

   1. Introduction
   2. Controls
   3. Game Tips
   4. Game Modes
   5. Questions
   6. Extras
   7. Conclusion
 

=====================================================================
      1. Introduction
=====================================================================

Fire Pro Wrestling Ace for the GameBoy Advance is the second game in 
the Fire Pro series to be released outside of Japan. And that's quite 
monumental in itself; as the only other game was released a while ago 
on a older console. The game is a great wrestling game with loads of 
characters and an accurate game engine that depicts various different 
wrestling styles from shootfighting to Japanese deathmatches. It also 
features a more American style of wrestling, concentrating on showing 
off and entertaining the fans. The game features around 200 wrestlers 
from the various styles and organisations. Though the characters have 
fictional names because the game doesn't have an official license. 
This means that you have to fight as Steve Majors instead of the WWF 
wrestler Steve Austin, etc. The differences between the real wrestler 
and the fake version are easy to spot though and you can change them 
to their real life personas in the games huge edit mode. Overall FPW 
is a great wrestling/fighting game to own. An essential launch game 
to get if you're a fan of the sport.

It can be very hard though, and the complex controls mean a gamer 
with a short attention span is likely to get bored. Which is where my 
FAQ comes in. It is designed to help you beat the wrestlers you come 
across, whether they are big, small, brawlers or submission experts. 
I'll help you knock them down for the count, or submission depending 
on your preference. The FAQ also covers some of the modes and match 
types that you come across in FPW. What this FAQ doesn't include is a 
movelist as there are far too many wrestlers to list all their moves 
in this guide. However, I am working on a zip file that contains this 
guide and movelists for every wrestler - organised by federation. It 
will work a bit like Ken Gifford's M.C Kids zip file, though not as 
huge - if CJayC accepts it, that is. 


=====================================================================
      2. Controls
=====================================================================

Seeing as the manual for FPW is very accurate and helpful this part 
is made up mostly of the instructions written in there. It isn't 
completely copied though, I have written some addition comments where 
needed. And this section _is_ needed because the controls can be hard 
to grasp and not everyone reads the manual. 


  STANDING CONTROLS

     Control Pad:  Move the wrestler.

     B Button:     Weak attack.

     A Button:     Medium attack.

     A&B Buttons:  Strong attack.

     R Button:     Run; use with control pad.

     L Button:     Breathe.

     Select:       Taunt.


  FRONT GRAPPLE
   The wrestlers grapple automatically when they are close to each 
   other. However you must be quick to get your move in.

     B Button:     Weak moves.
                                        
     A Button:     Medium moves.

     A&B Buttons:  Strong moves.
    
    NOTE: To perform different moves press one of the above button
    combinations with a direction on the control pad.
     
     R Button:     Whip opponent into the ropes.

     L Button:     Headlock opponent.


  BACK GRAPPLE
   This works the same as the front grapple; just walk close to an 
   opponent and be quick to get the move in. The above NOTE also 
   applies to the back grapple.

     B Button:     Weak move.

     A Button:     Medium move.

     A&B Buttons:  Strong move.

     R Button:     Throw.


  OPPONENT ON MAT
   
     B Button - Near Head:  Pull opponent to feet.
              - Near Feet:  Pull opponent to feet.
              - In Middle:  Roll opponent.

     A Button - Near Head:  Move on upper body.
              - Near Feet:  Move on lower torso.

     A&B Buttons:  Attack opponent with ground moves.

     Select:       Taunt.

     L Button:     Drags opponent around the ring.


  RUNNING CONTROLS

     Control Pad:  Changing direction halts the wrestler.

     B Button:     Weak attack. When opponent has been thrown into 
                   the corner by a hammer throw this is used as a 
                   diagonal attack.

     A Button:     Strong attack.
     

These are the basic controls that should get you through most of the 
game, though in the manual are some counter moves you may want to 
look up - countering isn't too much of problem if you don't go for 
the big moves right off the bat though. Bad timing can also lead to a 
counter move. Most of the second part of the grappling sub section 
(below) applies to counter moves too. 


=====================================================================
      3. Game Tips
=====================================================================

This is the meat of the guide - a collection of strategies and tips 
that will help you in Fire Pro Wrestling. As with the previous 
section, the manual helps out a great deal and some of this section 
features tips that are also in the manual. Though I've tried to 
explain them in greater detail and there are only a small number of 
tips that I used from the book. The majority of this section is made 
up of my own thoughts and opinions. This section is split up into the 
following parts.

          I. Grappling
         II. Breathing
        III. The Body
         IV. Misc. Tips

---------------------------------------------------------------------
          I. Grappling
---------------------------------------------------------------------

Pulling off grappling moves is heavily reliant on the timing of your 
button presses. The wrestlers will lock arms when they get close to 
each other. Then as soon as their arms meet press the buttons. It 
helps to keep your fingers over the buttons you want - so you have to 
know what move you are going to do then when the arms touch each 
other press down. If you did it correctly you should pull the move 
off, and have the advantage. But it only takes the smallest of 
margins - either too early or too late to press the buttons and your 
opponent will get the move. However, if you manage to get the move in 
the opponent may still counter it. Which is why it is best to start 
with weak attacks (B Button moves) and work your way up to strong 
attacks (A&B Button moves) over the course of the match. But don't go 
by the timer. Go by your control of the match (e.g. if it is late 
into the match but your opponent has had the advantage for ages don't 
try a strong move. Try weaker moves to try and regain some control).


---------------------------------------------------------------------
         II. Breathing
---------------------------------------------------------------------

One of the most important aspects in Fire Pro Wrestling is the 
breathing of your wrestler. And although that sounds like common 
sense it is surprisingly easy to forget timely breathing when you are 
caught up the match. When this happens the bout effectively becomes a 
handicap match because your lack of oxygen intake wears you down and 
you'll start to weaken. So every now and then press the L Button - 
and hold it down if you have the time. It's obviously not a good idea 
to do this in the heat of the action. But if you have a few seconds 
to spare - you are on your own outside of the ring, you are on the 
opposite side of the ring, in between attacks, etc. - it is advisable 
to breathe.


---------------------------------------------------------------------
        III. The Body
---------------------------------------------------------------------

The body is a fairly strategic thing in FPW, and correctly planning 
your moves so that you concentrate on one specific area can give you 
an advantage. For instance if you work on the neck of an opponent and 
hit him with several piledrivers his neck will weaken and a knockout 
becomes more likely. The effect of multiple attacks to certain body 
parts varies, and a detailed list of the effects is listed on page 32 
of the manual. While singling out a body part can have its advantages 
don't get too predictable. And that applies for any situation. Mix 
and match your moves so the opponent has less of an idea about what 
you are going to do next. 


---------------------------------------------------------------------
         IV. Misc. Tips
---------------------------------------------------------------------

The following are some tips that don't really fall into to any 
individual category or aren't big enough to warrant an entire 
section. However there are a lot of general tips so this section is 
quite large, well larger than the above sections anyway. Which is why 
I bullet pointed the list and gave each point a subheading of sorts.

 o  Play to your strengths
    If you are a submissions expert and you are facing a highflying 
    wrestler then you are going to try to slow your opponent down 
    with lot of submissions attacks. What you won't do is try to 
    match style for style and go for highflying attacks. As the 
    opponent will be much quicker and more adept at the wrestling 
    style. This applies to all wrestlers. Use the abilities of your 
    fighter's style to counteract the abilities of your opponents 
    style, don't try to match them.

 o  Pinning
    There is no outright pinning button in Fire Pro Wrestling. 
    Although the most common button press is A&B by the downed torso 
    of your opponent. To find out for sure what your pin is and how 
    to do it go to the edit menu and select wrestler models. Go to 
    your wrestler and press A. Now look at the moves of your wrestler 
    and find the pinning move. You'll now know what it is and how to 
    do it.

 o  Corner attacks
    Although I don't tend to rely on corner attacks too much, they 
    can be useful of you want to inflict a greater amount of pain on 
    an opponent. The only downside, and quite a major one, is that 
    you leave yourself open to reversals and missing the target. If 
    you are playing with a quick wrestler it can be a good idea to 
    use highflying/quick corner post attacks. But a big lumbering 
    giant shouldn't climb the post too often.

 o  Too hard?
    If you are finding Fire Pro Wrestling too hard set the computer 
    difficulty level to 1 on the "com level" option before starting a 
    match. This difficulty level is pathetically easy so once you win 
    a match move it up a notch. Carry on in this manner - moving the 
    level up one every time you master that level until you reach 8, 
    9 or 10. You won't reach this level over night but with a bit of 
    practise you'll be a FPW master!

 o  Counters
    In the manual are some counter moves you may want to look up - 
    countering isn't too much of problem if you don't go for the big 
    moves right off the bat though. Bad timing can also lead to a 
    counter move, especially when you perform a grapple from behind 
    and mess the timing up. Most of the second part of the grappling 
    sub section (above) applies to counter moves too. And yes, I did 
    write this in the last part of the control section but I'm sure 
    some of you missed that =)

 o  Test of strength
    The test of strength sometimes occurs when you both are accurate 
    with the timing of your move in a grapple, I think. To win this 
    test and regain the advantage tap left and right as fast as 
    possible. You'll either snap out of the move and be back to a 
    neutral position opposite the opponent or pull off a move.    

 
=====================================================================
      4. Game Modes
=====================================================================

This section covers all of the main game modes in Fire Pro Wrestling 
with the exception of the Audience Mode. The section is ordered like 
the main menu with the exhibition modes coming first and survival 
match last. If you have anything to add to my brief rundown of the 
different modes  and remember the main tips re in the game tips 
section  email me at <janus79057@hotmail.com> or contact me on AIM  
Janus182.


 Normal
   From the main exhibition mode menu you can select four options: 
   normal, deathmatch, gruesome and battle royal. Normal is 
   essentially the option that covers all of them  it just takes you 
   a little longer to configure each setting. However it is also the 
   gateway to the tag and handicap modes and tips on those modes will 
   follow  shortly. The only other option available nowhere else is 
   the "american" option setting. It is an option that allows you to 
   play in a conventional ring with no other gimmicks like cages. So 
   all the game tips should apply to this mode.

 Deathmatch
   Deathmatches are matches that take place in an electric cage with 
   explosives littered around the ring. After a set time the 
   explosives blow up. So what you are looking at is a regular ring 
   and match with an electric cage and a time limit added on. 
   Basically all the extra tips you should need is to stay away from 
   the cage, if you didn't know already... And try to end the match 
   before the whole thing goes up. However if this isn't possible 
   you'll have to try to pick yourself up and carry on. Don't restart 
   with the same plan you had before though  both of you will be 
   damaged. So it is best to start back with weaker/medium attacks 
   and work your way quickly to strong attacks. Don't rush it too 
   much though.
  
 Gruesome
   The gruesome style - submission only wins and octagon rings 
   (hehehe) is really shootfighting, and a damn good shootfighting 
   mode too. As well as a submission only wins a knockout can decide 
   the match. Which means that it is best to use the natural 
   shootfighters for this match rather than wrestlers from the 
   American federations and lightheavywieght ranks. Though there are 
   some exceptions though, most notably Ken Shamrock. However, it is 
   best to use the wrestlers from the BLADE division  the Fire Pro 
   equivalent to PRIDE. These wrestlers are natural shootfighters, 
   with lots of submissions, holds and knockout blows (I did it 
   again) and you'll rarely see them powerbombing a opponent.

 Battle Royal
   The battle royal is a four way fight where you must beat the 
   opponents either by the normal ways or by knocking them over the 
   ropes. Knocking them over the ropes is best achieved when the 
   opponent has been weakened and you are attacking them by the 
   ropes. The normal battle royal rules are somewhat easier to fight 
   under. And the double team tag moves apply to the mode. A list of 
   tag match controls are on page 27 of the manual. However here 
   isn't much point in interfering with any attempts by your 
   opponents to eliminate another opponent. It's best not to look out 
   for others and just look after yourself in battle royals.

 Multiplayer
   The two main multiplayer modes in the game aside from the battle 
   royal are the handicap and tag matches. There isn't a lot to say 
   about either of the multiplayer modes other than win. Okay, maybe 
   a bit more than that... Read page 27 in the manual and grasp all 
   of the moves as they come in handy in the match. Be especially 
   sure to use double team moves and cut plays. As they can be all 
   the difference in the pace of a tag match or handicap match. 
   Though if you're facing two opponents I think you know what to do. 
   Hit and run! Also watch out for when the enemies perform cut plays 
   as they can have a huge impact on turning a match around.

 Survival
   Fighting a continuous series of matches is quite hard. So it's 
   best to fight as strong wrestlers who can use their strength and 
   ability with more powerful attacks. As these wrestlers can try to 
   squash their way through as many of the first matches as possible 
   before they start to slow. However it is important to bide your 
   time and look for openings in your enemies defence if you're at 
   the end of the match when you're slow and tired. Having said that, 
   submission experts are also good for this mode. They can keep slow 
   you enemy down so you don't have to perform many big attacks to 
   down them. 


=====================================================================
      5: Questions
=====================================================================

This section is currently empty! But if you have any questions email 
me at Janus79057@hotmail.com or contact me via AOL instant messenger, 
my screen name is Janus182. I'll answer you with an email or an 
instant message and include the question and answer in this guide for 
the benefit of others. So get contacting!


=====================================================================
      6. Extras
=====================================================================

As with most of this guide - bar the top half - this section is 
rather empty. But I'll update it with a few interesting and helpful 
cheats and observations in the future. If you have any cheats or 
observations about Fire Pro Wrestling contact me via the methods 
listed in the first paragraph of the questions section.

--- All Hidden Wrestlers
--> Choose the name edit option from the edit wrestler mode and enter 
    the nickname as ALL, then enter the first name as STYLE and CLEAR 
    for last name. Turn exchange off and leave middle blank. Now go 
    to the audience mode and start or load a game. Overwrite any data 
    if you have too, then exit the mode. All the secret wrestlers 
    should be saved and stored on the cart.


=====================================================================
      7. Conclusion
=====================================================================

This FAQ is a work in progress. If you need to contact me for 
whatever reason, you can do so through email  janus79057@hotmail.com 
or through AIM  Janus182. 


 Version 0.5
  The exhibition section has been changed to the game modes section. 
  And as far as I'm concerned everything up to and including that 
  mode is fairly complete. However I welcome contributions for the 
  sections past the game modes section. And the FAQ is now halfway 
  complete. The next update should feature a huge section on audience 
  mode and hopefully some more content to the Q and A and extras 
  section  bringing the guide up to a full dot.
   Current Completion Status (estimated)  50%

 Version 0.2
  I added a section on the exhibition mode  covering the types of 
  matches, rules and tips for each type of match. I also removed the 
  big ugly header and started the questions section. Next update 
  should feature a section about multiplayer matches (battle royals, 
  etc.) and some survival match tips, possibly...
   Current Completion Status (estimated)  40%

 Version 0.1
  A very incomplete version of the guide. But most of the game tips 
  section is present and that is the main focus of the guide. I will 
  update very shortly with the rest of the guide. 
   Current Completion Status (estimated)  30%


 Thanks to...
   o  Chained Angel for correcting an error
   o  CJayC for hosting my guides
 

=====================================================================
    Legal Information
=====================================================================

This document and everything in it is copyright 2001 Janus Operative. 
It can be printed out and used for personal uses but it may not be 
used for financial gain, this includes publishing it in a magazine, 
on a website, etc. without prior consent from me. If you do take the 
guide without my permission you will be open to legal action. 
Likewise, if you take any information from my guide - e.g. take 
chunks of the walkthrough and copy it into your guide - you will be 
open to legal action. At some point in the near future I'll allow the 
guide to be hosted on other sites, but at the moment the only site 
that may host this guide is GameFAQs. 


=====================================================================
