Backstage Assault is vastly different from other games of its genre. Previous wrestling games such as WWF SmackDown! and WCW Mayhem featured backstage areas as auxiliary fighting locations. Backstage Assault took the concept further by removing the ring entirely and having all action take place backstage. Even though there is no ring, fights are still conducted like regular wrestling matches. Players can win by pinfall, forcing them to give up using a submission hold, or by knock out. Players can reduce their opponent's resistance by reducing their stamina through successful moves and attacks. As gameplay is limited to only two characters, all matches are one-vs-one with no possibility of outside interference or tag team matches. The game takes place in an arena with seven connecting levels, having fourteen rooms in total. While a match begins in one room, it may end anywhere the players can access. They may visit other rooms if the door is open. Each room is littered with objects that may be used as weapons. There are also other hazards that cause damage if a player runs or falls into them. Players can improvised advanced attacks that normally require a ring in certain areas, e.g. climbing to higher areas in order to perform diving attacks. Performing a string of successful attacks and counters increases a player's momentum. Gaining full momentum will restore some stamina and allow you to perform a finishing move for a limited time. The primary gameplay mode is called Hardcore Challenge. It consists of winning matches against random opponents until you can challenge the champion. The number and calibre of opponents will depend on which title you choose. You cannot defend the titles you win. Players will earn points based on their performances to try and record a high score. Losing to the same opponent twice ends your campaign. Progress in this mode unlocks additional wrestlers, levels and moves for create-a-wrestler mode. Hardcore Gauntlet has the player go through seven matches without being able to save your progress. A single loss or leavingthe mode ends your run. While there are no titles, the players can still earn high scores. Exhibition mode allows up to two players to play matches with unlocked levels and characters without emphasis on scoring points. It has three match types. 'Normal' is self-explanatory. 'First Blood' matches are won by causing your opponent to bleed, and can only be played on one-player mode with the 'Realism' option turned on. 'Human Torch' matches are won by setting an opponent on fire, and can only be played in two-player mode.
Roster
All of the characters are onscreen personalities who appeared on WCW programming while the game was in development. More than half need to be unlocked through gameplay. Each one has four attires with some requiring them to be unlocked by winning a title with that wrestler. Create-A-Wrestler mode allows players to edit an attire of any in-game character or six pre-set examples in order to design their own wrestlers for game play.
Reception
Daniel Erickson reviewed the PlayStation version of the game for Next Generation, rating it two stars out of five, and stated that "It's a poor title but the potential gives us hope for the franchise's future." WCW Backstage Assault received "generally unfavourable" reviews, according to review aggregatorMetacritic.
