Hulk Hogan's Mobile Gaming Legacy

• Hulk Hogan passed away recently after a wrestling career spanning nearly four decades.
• The legendary superstar also made his mark in the mobile gaming world on multiple occasions.
• While a divisive personality, his prominence is unquestionable—let's explore his history.

The wrestling world and beyond has been reflecting on the legacy of Terry Bolea, famously known as Hulk Hogan, following his passing. Was he a flawed individual but an exceptional wrestler? Or has his complex legacy been exaggerated? Regardless of your stance, Hulk Hogan undeniably transformed professional wrestling forever.

Indeed, the Hulkster was a nearly constant presence in wrestling for close to forty years. His footprint in mobile gaming was similarly significant. Always eager to promote his brand, Bolea appeared in numerous game releases over the years.

So, in our own small tribute, we're honoring the Hulkster's memory by revisiting the times he appeared on the handheld devices of wrestling fans!

Hulkamania Wrestling

By the late 2000s, Hulk Hogan found himself at a curious juncture. After his career zenith in the 90s with the NWO in the then-upstart WCW—a move that revived his fading star—his focus had shifted more toward reality television than the ring.

It was somewhat unexpected, then, to see Hogan collaborate with Gameloft (yes, that Gameloft) on Hulkamania Wrestling. This isometric beat-'em-up featured Hogan taking on a roster of opponents inspired by wrestlers like Rey Mysterio and The Undertaker.

While it fit Hogan's brand to battle rising stars as he dominated the competition, Gameloft delivered a surprisingly compelling wrestling experience. Considering the limitations of the Java mobile platform, Hulkamania Wrestling had its own unique appeal.

TNA Wrestling iMPACT!

After WCW dissolved in 2001, the wrestling landscape lacked a credible mainstream alternative to the WWE (then WWF). Many organizations tried, but none could match Vince McMahon's powerful mix of star power and production scale. TNA, however, gave it a formidable effort.

By 2011, Hogan was two years into his tenure with TNA. Despite backstage power struggles, he was arguably the biggest name at the company. It's no surprise, then, that he was featured prominently in TNA's own push into mobile gaming.

A slightly lower-polygon adaptation of the console game TNA Impact!, iMPACT for mobile still showcased a roster of top talent like Samoa Joe and Jeff Hardy. As for Hogan's reception? Given his backstage influence and increasingly improbable victories over younger competitors, he wasn't always a fan favorite:

"—this isn't The Hulkster in his '80s WWE glory: this is a bald man with terrible facial hair."

As one of our writers bluntly noted at the time—ouch. Nevertheless, TNA Wrestling iMPACT! was surprisingly solid. Another notch in Hogan's belt, if partly due to TNA's underrated roster supporting the aging legend.

Crazy Taxi: City Rush

By 2014, Hogan had mellowed somewhat. Settling into the role of wrestling's elder statesman, he sought to expand his presence beyond cameo appearances. Thus, Hogan's iconic red-and-yellow attire made its way into Crazy Taxi: City Rush.

Hogan appeared as a playable character, maneuvering his own souped-up taxi through traffic. The game even hosted a special Hulkamania-themed event to promote the crossover, complete with real-world contests for signed merchandise!

WWE Immortals

Wrestlers are often called modern-day gladiators. What better way to amplify their personas than to turn them into literal demigods? WWE Immortals gave superstars a mythical overhaul.

In our view, WWE Immortals was a hidden gem. Developed by NetherRealm Studios, creators of Mortal Kombat, it had great potential. Sadly, it never received a broader release or visual upgrades to fully realize its superhero-style fantasy.

From available evidence, Hogan was slated to join "Macho Man" Randy Savage as a playable character. However, as many know, the following year Hogan became entangled in a controversy that sidelined him for several years. Yet, like Teflon, nothing seemed to stick to the Hulkster permanently…

WWE Champions & WWE Mayhem

By 2018, Hogan was back in the WWE's good graces, having made some attempts to atone for the actions that led to his exile. While no longer headlining events, he made frequent appearances as a commentator, presenter, and promoter.

With his reputation rehabilitated, it was time to restore the superstar to the spotlight. Since then, Hogan has been a staple in major mobile titles like WWE Champions and WWE Mayhem (even featuring in the trailer), alternating between his classic red-and-yellow "babyface" gear and his edgier black-and-white NWO attire.

Whatever one may say about Terry Bolea, his skill in cultivating a personal brand and building stardom beyond wrestling—with mixed outcomes—arguably paved the way for the modern superstar. Ric Flair may have been the superior technical wrestler, Stone Cold Steve Austin a bigger box-office draw, and John Cena a hero to more children, but Hogan's impact, for better or worse, cemented him as a pivotal figure in wrestling history.