WWE SmackDown VS RAW 2009 Video Game Review

Submitted By James Walsh on 11/28/08

THQ has the distinction of making some of the best and most popular professional wrestling games in history. From the WCW/nWo Wolr Tour and Revenge engine which became the WWE WrestleMania 2000 and No Mercy engine when THQ joined up with the WWE Those would be the best. The most popular would have to be the SmackDown! games which we've been enjoying for the past better part of a decade. It is surprising to me to check out the old SmackDown! games and then to pop in the latest, SmackDown! VS RAW 2009. The graphics, audio, interaction, video, and match variety has changed and grown so much. But, through it all, the engine remains the same. One thing that has changed is the tag team settings on SVR09. SVR09 features more interactive tag team moves that devastate opponents. Whereas in the past, double-team moves were reserved mostly to tag ins and tag outs during tag matches, there is a simple grapple system for multi players that makes many of the moves you'd see on WWE TV during tag team matches come to life. This adds new fun to the tag matches and new dimensions to triple threat and fatal 4 way matches to name just a few. There are many fun options to play on this version of SVR09 including the story mode which has really grown. I offer you this warning as an avid gamer and wrestling fanatic... Watch the clock while playing the story mode! It is possible to miss a whole night of sleep because you got lost in the game and forgot that you have work in the morning! The roster, though now out of date, is much closer to up to date than last years game was. And, I'd venture to say the selection of talent in this game exceeds last years. The talent in this game is diverse and offers fans the opportunity to play as some of the best wrestling superstars we've seen in years. Of course, John Cena and Triple H are likely the most selected stars. But, characters like Lance Cade,despite being let go by the WWE before the release of this game, really breathe a breath of fresh air into the game engine with a strong move set and a genuine ability to be someone other than the norm and still have the skills to compete. The negatives? First, I once had a Hell in a Cell match on a prior THQ video game release featuring "Hollywood" Hulk Hogan against Trish Stratus. The Hulkster gave Trish a solid shot between the eyes on the top of the cage causing her to topple from the very top of the structure and straight through the unforgiving announcers table below. I thought, "THAT WAS AWESOME!" That was, until I started to climb down the cage and was dismayed by what happened. Now, I know Hulk Hogan isn't exactly Rey Mysterio speed wise and might be a little slower to climb down a cage than some. But, I refuse to believe that if the Hulkster had clocked Trish Stratus between the eyes and she did take the Foley bump off the top of a Hell in a Cell that no matter how cautious Hulk was climbing off the cage, Trish Stratus would still be knocked out below. Nope! She was up and ready to boot me off the side of the cage! I'll have whatever it is she ate for breakfast that morning! Since that time, SD! games have basically made it so when you are tossed off the top of the cage, you're knocked out for a good period of time. But, in SVR09, the down time after a massive HIAC bump is reduced to reasonably short. I know we live in a "now, now now" society but I also like the believability of knowing I've just damn near killed my fellow man in the name of entertainment. There's something shallow about tossing someone off the HIAC and them going undamaged... It is like Nancy Sinatra in Playboy 30 years after her hit song... It is like, yeah she's naked but who gives a .... Another negative, which might be a positive in some people's eyes, is how much like last years game this one is. Sure, there are differences. But, for the most part, SVR09 is the same fun we've been having for the past several years. Obviously SVR09 is an updated and souped up version of the previous releases. Maybe I'm alone in hoping each year will somehow be closer to the No Mercy engine thinking that if you doctor up the SVR engine, it will start to resemble it. But, I don't think it ever will. Overall? Overall, SVR09 is a fun wrestling game with a loaded roster and lots of new moves and features not found on any other SmackDown! game before it. But, it also is very much alike the previous releases. Therefore, I'll give the game a 7.5 out of 10. It is fun, I'm glad I have it. And, I'll likely pick away at it throughout the year. But, it doesn't blow my socks off the way the original SmackDown! game did or, especially, how No Mercy did. :: DISCUSS THIS POST ON THE FORUMS! :: SEE MICKIE JAMES & THE DIVAS NUDE! :: BUY WRESTLING DVD'S THROUGH OUR STORE! :: GO BACK TO THE HOME PAGE WRESTLING EPICENTER STORE IS OPEN! THE HOTTEST WRESTLING DVD'S ARE NOW AVAILABLE! We've got hundreds of pro wrestling DVD's at your fingertips! All your favorite stars such as Hulk Hogan, Kurt Angle, Sting, Ric Flair, Bruiser Brody, "Macho Man" Randy Savage, Harley Race, Andre the Giant, Dynamite Kid, Davey Boy Smith, Bret "The Hitman" Hart, Booker T, & countless others! We've also got the Divas! Raw and extreme footage of Candice Michelle, Beulah McGillicutty, Gorgeous George, Tylene Buck, Francine, Christy Hemme, Dawn Marie, Madusa, and the rest of your favorite sexy divas! We even have got official WWE merchandise! All this can be yours in the Wrestling Epicenter Store! CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE STORE! 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