If you’ve ever dreamed of stepping into a ring with legends like Macho Man Randy Savage and the British Bulldog—or even some quirky original characters—then All Time Wrestling: All or Nothing might just be your next game night knockout. Designed by Mohamed Al Qadi and Jad Yammine and brought to life by Cation Arts, this board game throws you into a madcap brawl where a ridiculously wealthy wrestling fanatic from the future uses time travel to pit icons from across time against one another. Whether you’re a seasoned pro wrestling aficionado or someone who just enjoys a good board game challenge, this title has a little bit of something for everyone.
Overview For the ’90s kids who grew up on the old WWF (yep, the one before its name got tangled in trademark disputes) and even for those of us who opted for our Power Rangers fix instead, the nostalgic pull of professional wrestling is hard to beat. All Time Wrestling: All or Nothing taps into that cultural phenomenon by blending resource management with every bit of the high-stakes, press-your-luck action you’d expect from a cage match. At an MSRP of $85 USD with gameplay for 1-4 players, ages 9 and up, and sessions clocking in between a quick 20 minutes to a more drawn-out 40 minutes, it’s perfectly sized for those intense head-to-head bouts and spontaneous bar game sessions.
Gameplay & Mechanics Think of this game as a strategic dance where you need to both manage your stamina and card hand while going full throttle with your attacks. During each bout, players use “initiative” to play cards and roll dice for damage. Every successful move amps up your Momentum Track, simulating that electrifying crowd reaction—basically, the more hype, the better your chances to stack bonuses and land heavy hits. The real kicker is the “press your luck” element: you’re constantly faced with that gut-wrenching decision of whether to push forward and risk depleting your resources or pull back to regroup for the next assault. This push-and-pull dynamic makes each match feel as unpredictable as a Royal Rumble, keeping you on your toes as you plan when to strike or when to hold back.
Card Mechanics & Visual Flair Now, let’s talk about the cards—because here’s where the game both shines and slightly slips up. Each wrestler, whether a timeless legend or an ATW original, comes with a unique set of abilities, health, and stamina that adds a refreshing layer of variety to every match. The artwork on these cards is vibrant and full of wrestling theatrics, showcasing everything from epic German suplexes to daring jabs. However, the game opts for a heavy reliance on symbols and icons over plain text, which, while meant to keep things sleek, can occasionally feel like trying to read a wrestler’s tattoos in poor lighting. Sure, I never had a massive decoding crisis, but I did find myself squinting at some cards where similar artwork clashed with different stat details. A bit of an opaque overlay might have saved me a few moments of ring-side confusion!
Game Modes & Variants One of the magic ingredients of All Time Wrestling is its menu of game modes. The standard 1v1 matches pack a serious punch with strategic play, but if you’re looking to mix it up, you can jump into a tag-team-style 2v2 mode, a thrilling cage match variant, or even a solo campaign mode where you gradually build up your wrestler’s abilities. Fair warning: while the solo mode is well-automated, I found myself more drawn to the high tension of playing head-to-head with a buddy. The tag mode, complete with special partner abilities and tag-ins that keep the combos flowing, adds an extra slice of dynamic gameplay—though sometimes it feels like more bench time than ring time when you’re waiting for your turn to shine.
Expansions & Community For those who want to extend the fun, the creators at Cation Arts are rolling out cool expansions that seamlessly plug into the main game. Recent additions bring in iconic names like Sgt. Slaughter and the Junkyard Dog, plus new modes tailored for four-player free-for-alls and three-player “Triple Threat” matchups. It’s like they’re not just building a board game; they’re crafting an entire wrestling universe that continues to evolve with fresh challenges and charge-up moments.
Final Thoughts All Time Wrestling: All or Nothing delivers a fascinating blend of strategy, timing, and wrestling flair that makes even the most casual board game player want to step into the ring. It’s a game that manages to capture the chaotic spirit of professional wrestling—every high-energy move, every moment of doubt, all culminating in that satisfying pin. Whether you’re a die-hard wrestling fan or just someone in search of a fast-paced, brilliantly designed game that you can play at home or even bring out at a bar, this title is a must-try. And honestly, who wouldn’t want to see the system reimagined with a Power Rangers or Dragon Ball Z twist?
With its engaging mechanics, tactical decision-making, and plenty of room for humorous wrestling theatrics, All Time Wrestling: All or Nothing is a love letter to the wild history of wrestling, wrapped up in a board game that’s as dramatic as it is accessible.
Source: This article was inspired by content from Ign . All images belong to their respective owners.