When I first booted up Super Gems3, I'll admit I approached it with cautious optimism. Having played numerous wrestling games over the years, I've seen plenty of titles promise revolutionary features only to deliver recycled mechanics with a fresh coat of paint. But within my first hour of diving into Super Gems3's extensive match type collection, I realized this wasn't just another entry in the genre—it was something special. The developers have masterfully resurrected several gimmick-heavy match types that haven't been seen together in a wrestling game in nearly a decade, creating what I believe might be the most complete wrestling experience available today.
What truly sets Super Gems3 apart from its competitors is how these returning match types integrate with the game's broader ecosystem. The ambulance match, for instance, requires players to strategically weaken their opponent near the ambulance before attempting the final sequence that sends them to virtual medical care. Through my testing, I found that successfully executing an ambulance finish requires maintaining at least 85% damage on your opponent while positioning yourself within 15 feet of the vehicle's open doors. The casket match operates similarly but introduces the psychological element of the slowly closing lid, which creates this wonderful tension that builds throughout the match. These aren't just cosmetic variations—they fundamentally change how you approach each encounter, forcing you to adapt your strategy beyond the standard pinfall or submission victory conditions.
Now, I have to confess my personal favorite: the special referee match. This mode alone has provided some of my most memorable gaming moments this year. There's something uniquely thrilling about having the power to make fast counts for your chosen wrestler while slow-counting your opponents, or even turning a blind eye to blatant rule-breaking. In my multiplayer sessions, we've had friendships temporarily shattered over particularly egregious referee bias. Just last week, my friend Mark was seconds away from victory when I, as the special referee, suddenly called a completely imaginary low-blow violation against him, allowing his opponent to steal the win. The resulting voice chat explosion was absolutely priceless. This mode exemplifies what makes Super Gems3 special—it understands that wrestling games at their best are as much about creating stories with friends as they are about competition.
Where these match types truly shine is in the game's longer-tailed modes and online PvP environments. In the career mode's third season, I found myself consistently utilizing these special matches to break up the potential monotony of exhibition matches. The game's algorithm seems to recognize this too, scheduling approximately one gimmick match for every six standard matches in the later stages of career mode. Online, the difference is even more pronounced. Based on my tracking of 50 random online matches, roughly 72% of players opt for gimmick matches when given the choice. The gauntlet match, in particular, has emerged as a community favorite for ranked play, likely because it tests a player's endurance against multiple opponents in succession, providing a more comprehensive demonstration of skill.
The ambulance and casket matches specifically have seen significant mechanical improvements from their previous iterations in older games. The physics surrounding the ambulance doors, for example, now account for weight differentials between wrestlers—a 280-pound powerhouse can slam those doors with noticeably more force than a 180-pound technical wrestler. These subtle details might escape casual observation, but they contribute to a more authentic feeling experience. I've spent probably 25 hours across these two match types alone, and I'm still discovering new interactions and possibilities.
While I appreciate all the returning match types, I'll be honest—the gauntlet match doesn't excite me as much as the others. It essentially functions as a survival mode where you face multiple opponents consecutively, with your health carrying over between fights. The problem I've encountered is that the difficulty scaling feels inconsistent; sometimes you'll face five moderately challenging opponents, other times you'll get three easy matches followed by an absolute powerhouse that obliterates your already-depleted health bar. My win rate in this mode sits at around 35%, compared to 65% in standard matches, suggesting it might need some balancing patches in future updates.
What's remarkable is how these varied match types have extended Super Gems3's lifespan for me and many in the community. Whereas most wrestling games begin to feel repetitive after 40-50 hours, the strategic diversity offered by these special matches has kept me engaged for over 120 hours and counting. The development team understood that in an era where player retention is crucial, providing multiple pathways to enjoyment isn't just a luxury—it's essential. They've created a game that respects your intelligence as a player while still delivering the over-the-top spectacle that makes professional wrestling so entertaining in the first place.
Looking at the broader landscape of wrestling games, Super Gems3 has effectively raised the bar for what players should expect from the genre. The inclusion of these match types—not as paid DLC but as part of the core experience—shows a commitment to value that's become increasingly rare. As someone who's played every major wrestling release since 2005, I can confidently say that no other game in the last seven years has offered this breadth of match variety right out of the gate. The careful attention to each mode's unique mechanics demonstrates a development philosophy centered on player agency and creative expression rather than simply checking boxes on a feature list.
As I reflect on my time with Super Gems3, what stands out isn't any single match type or mechanic, but how cohesively everything works together to create those spontaneous, memorable moments that you'll be telling your friends about for weeks. The game understands that at its heart, wrestling is about drama and storytelling, and these special match types serve as perfect vehicles for both. Whether you're a competitive player looking to test your skills in varied environments or someone who just wants to create chaotic fun with friends, Super Gems3 delivers an experience that feels both comprehensive and endlessly entertaining. In a genre that has often played it safe, this game boldly embraces wrestling's eccentric spirit, and we're all better off for it.