![American Gladiators [Model SNS-AA-USA] screenshot](images/game/62718_2.png "American Gladiators [Model SNS-AA-USA]")
American Gladiators © 1993 GameTek.
American Gladiators is a sports-action title based on the hit television program of the same name. The game tasks players with competing in a series of grueling physical events—such as "The Joust," "Powerball," and Wall—to ultimately face off against the show's professional gladiators in "The Eliminator" obstacle course.
Description from Back cover:
Television's most innovative sporting event, AMERICAN GLADIATORS is now bigger than life in this all-new Sega Genesis version. All the action, drama, and competitiveness are here from the hit television show that plays "like a video game come to life." Six events including: THE WALL, THE JOUST, THE ASSAULT, ATLASPHERE, POWERBALL and THE ELIMINATOR, all captured with incredible detail. NITRO, ICE, LASER, THUNDER, GOLD, TURBO, ZAP, LACE, BLAZE and GEMINI are here and ready to psyche you out of your game.
![Goodies for American Gladiators [Model SNS-AA-USA]](images/covermini160/62718_1.jpg)
GAME ID: SNS-AA-USA
Released in April 1993 in the USA.
Adaptation of Physical Spectacle:
The game is an early example of attempting to recreate complex, real-world physical maneuvers—like swinging from ropes or climbing sheer walls—on the SNES. It is often cited as a "cult classic" for its awkward but charming attempts to replicate the high-energy, campy aesthetic of the 90s TV phenomenon.
The Eliminator Legacy:
The final event, "The Eliminator," became the benchmark for the game's difficulty. Many players found that mastering the momentum-based controls required to pass the conveyor belts and vertical wall segments was one of the steepest learning curves in the early SNES sports library.
Multiplayer Focus:
Like the TV show, the game was built with local multiplayer as its primary focus. It was designed to be played in tournament-style versus sessions, making it a frequent rental for home gaming parties, despite the game's often criticized, clunky control responsiveness compared to more polished sports titles.