3 Count Bout (1993), known as Fire Suplex in Japan, was SNK’s entry into wrestling via the Neo Geo hardware. Leveraging the system’s graphical prowess, it featured large, detailed sprites and smooth animation, making each piledriver, suplex, and slam feel impactful. The roster included a variety of wrestling archetypes—from lucha-inspired high-flyers to heavyweight bruisers—each with flashy signature moves.

Gameplay mixed traditional grappling with fighting-game sensibilities. Complex inputs, akin to SNK’s fighting series, allowed special techniques, giving the game a steeper learning curve than most wrestling titles of the time. Matches could spill outside the ring, with weapons and hardcore-style chaos reflecting early ‘90s wrestling’s wild side. Victory conditions included pins, submissions, and even knockouts, broadening strategic options.

Though never as celebrated as Fire Pro or WrestleFest, 3 Count Bout’s presentation remains striking. The Neo Geo’s hardware enabled arcade-quality visuals at home, while the hybrid of fighting-game mechanics with wrestling rules was a bold experiment. Today, it’s remembered as an ambitious cult entry that blended genres and showcased SNK’s flair for spectacle.