Similar to arcade fighting games, Super Sumo Wrestling 2002 offers a variety of gameplay modes: tournament, exhibition, demo, and VS. In tournament mode, you first create your own sumo wrestler by setting speed, weight, strength, and "rage" ratings. The tournament consists of three big "rounds", each of which has fifteen matches. At the end of each round, you gain access to a new, secret character to use in the next round. The controls (keyboard or joystick) are easy to learn, mostly because the action involves simply moving the wrestler around and repeatedly pressing the attack button.

One of the things that make Super Sumo Wrestling 2002 enjoyable is the different personalities of the wrestlers. You will hear taunts and cries as you play. The fact that each wrestler has different attributes also adds a nice, albeit minimal, layer of strategy. The game is also a lot of fun in the two-player simultaneous mode, if you don’t mind the match being over very quickly.

Overall, Super Sumo Wrestling 2002 is a polished, immensely entertaining, and rather unique freeware gem that is well worth your time, whether or not you are familiar with Japan’s national sport. Two thumbs up, way up!