When I first loaded up Super Ace 88, I immediately noticed something remarkable about its roster system. The game features over 200 current and past wrestling talents, which frankly blew me away with its sheer scale. Having reviewed wrestling games for nearly a decade, I can confidently say this represents one of the most comprehensive rosters I've ever encountered in a wrestling title. What's particularly impressive is how the developers have managed to include almost every significant name you'd expect, with the understandable exception of those tied up in real-world contractual issues or those unfortunately erased from wrestling's occasionally problematic history. This attention to detail creates an incredibly immersive experience that truly honors the sport's legacy.

Now, let's talk about the elephant in the room - the missing contemporary stars. I'll be completely honest here: the absence of CM Punk initially felt like a significant gap in an otherwise stellar lineup. Given Punk's massive influence and current prominence, his exclusion from the base game struck me as particularly noticeable. From my perspective, having followed wrestling game development patterns for years, this appears to be a classic case of timing issues during the development cycle rather than intentional omission. The developers have confirmed Punk will arrive as DLC, which honestly feels like a misstep to me. Someone of his caliber and importance to the current wrestling landscape should really come through a free update rather than paid additional content. This decision might not sit well with the community, and I tend to agree with that sentiment.

The situation with Naomi and Jade Cargill feels somewhat different to me. While I'd love to see them in the base game, their potential inclusion as DLC characters aligns more reasonably with established patterns we've seen in previous WWE game DLC packages. Having tracked wrestling game DLC trends since 2015, I've noticed that contemporary stars joining a brand late in development often follow this path. What makes Super Ace 88's approach interesting is how they're handling these timing challenges while maintaining a roster that already exceeds 200 characters. That's an impressive number by any measure, especially when you consider that most major wrestling games typically launch with 150-180 characters.

What truly sets Super Ace 88 apart in my experience is how the developers have balanced this massive roster with genuinely innovative gameplay mechanics. The winning strategies I've developed through extensive playtesting involve understanding character-specific bonus features that actually feel meaningful rather than just cosmetic additions. For instance, certain legacy characters have special movesets that, when properly utilized, can dramatically shift match momentum. I've found that mastering these nuances is crucial for competitive play, particularly in online matches where strategic depth separates casual players from serious competitors.

The bonus feature system deserves special attention because it's implemented more thoughtfully than in many recent wrestling games I've played. Rather than simply offering statistical boosts, these features integrate naturally with each character's wrestling style and history. After playing approximately 80 hours across different game modes, I've noticed that these bonuses actually influence viable strategies rather than just providing flat advantages. This creates a more dynamic experience where player skill and strategic adaptation matter more than simply selecting the most powerful character.

From a technical perspective, the game's performance with such an extensive roster is remarkably stable. Having tested numerous wrestling titles that struggled with far fewer characters, I'm genuinely impressed by how smoothly Super Ace 88 handles character transitions and loading times. The development team clearly invested significant resources into optimization, which pays dividends during extended play sessions. This technical polish combined with the strategic depth creates an experience that respects both casual fans and competitive players.

If I have one significant criticism beyond the DLC approach for certain key figures, it would be the initial learning curve for new players. The sheer volume of characters and their unique attributes can feel overwhelming during the first 10-15 hours of gameplay. However, I found that this initial complexity ultimately contributes to the game's longevity once you push through that early adjustment period. The developers have included some helpful tutorial systems, though I would have preferred more guided onboarding for players unfamiliar with wrestling game conventions.

Looking at the broader landscape of wrestling games, Super Ace 88 represents a notable evolution in how developers approach roster composition and character significance. The decision to include over 200 wrestlers while maintaining individual character depth sets a new standard for the genre. While the handling of certain contemporary stars through DLC rather than free updates may prove controversial among dedicated fans, the overall package delivers an experience that both honors wrestling history and provides compelling strategic gameplay. Having spent considerable time with both casual and competitive aspects of the game, I believe it successfully balances accessibility with depth in ways that should satisfy most wrestling game enthusiasts, even if the approach to certain missing stars continues to generate discussion within the community.