Shin Nihon Pro Wrestling: Toukon Road Brave Spirits (1998) was NJPW’s first foray onto the Nintendo 64, preceding Toukon Road 2. It introduced fans to polygonal 3D representations of their favorite stars, from Hashimoto to Nagata, and laid the groundwork for future NJPW titles on the platform.

Gameplay focused on timing-based grappling and realistic pacing, consistent with the Toukon series’ ethos. Matches felt slower than AKI’s games but emphasized authenticity, requiring players to build momentum before attempting big finishers. Presentation included NJPW arenas, entrance sequences, and commentary-style elements, adding to immersion.

As the debut of NJPW on N64, Brave Spirits holds historical importance. While rough around the edges compared to its sequels, it marked a key step in adapting puroresu to new hardware and set the stage for more refined entries.