WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw 2006 (PSP) - Review

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High:

This title has great game play options, exclusive content, and great graphics so like its console counterpart this game is most likely the best Wrestling game of all time.

Low:

Lack of sound during regular game play, but considering this is the only real drawback of the game this is a great title.

The fighting game genre has had its great moments in 2005 but when it comes to the PSP the genre wasn’t exactly well represented. Therefore, when THQ announced they’d bring a portable version of the recent WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw 2006, you can bet this fighting fan couldn’t wait to get into the ring. So, PSP owners, it’s time to take all your vitamins, bring on the pain and see what the Rock is cooking … trust me, you will love it.

It’s remarkable how some handheld games are able to bring all the elements from the console version and SmackDown! vs. Raw 2006 is one of those games. What makes it more remarkable, though, is the fact that the console game was filled to the brim with many match types, a nice variety of game modes, multiplayer and even tosses in some handheld exclusives. The WWE lineup of grapplers is impressive so if you’re a fan of Triple H, The Undertaker or Chris Benoit you’re in luck. Really, nothing is left out so if you love the WWE Divas you’ll have your hands full with the Fulfill Your Fantasy mode complete with fluffy pillows and three costumes (nurse, French maid or schoolgirl).

This year’s main attraction is the game’s Season Mode as well as the General Manager mode. In Season Mode, you’ll take your favorite WWE wrestler (or your created one) and take him through a full WWE season filled with the usual WWE rivalries and unlikely alliances. In the beginning, you’ll take part in a match that has you going up against Triple H with Rick Flair by his side. As you claim your victory, however, the backstabber that is Triple H and his pal Rick decide to unfairly attack you to the point that they leave you a twisted mess on the mat. Swearing to get them both back you make alliances with familiar faces and make new enemies along the way in a season that’s pure fan service and quite possible the best Season mode found in any SmackDown! game.

Then there’s the new General Manager mode that has you playing the role of a GM as you take control of either SmackDown! or Raw decisions as you take care of everything from budgets, signing Superstars, creating events or even creating rivalries. It’s a great mode that gives you a peek into what goes into the production of an event but if that doesn’t catch your interest there’s always Exhibition Mode. It is here that you can play through any match type and there are plenty of returning favorites (like Ladder, Slobber Knocker or Hell in a Cell). Then again there are new additions like the Buried Alive match that has you stuffing your opponent into a coffin and slamming the door shut on him. You can even throw a backstage brawl. There’s even the Create A Championship that allows you to create your own championship title bout or a tag team championship match complete with your own set of rules.

Speaking of creation modes, the Create-A-Superstar is back as well as the ability to create a move-set, your own stable and a much better entrance. The creation modes allow much freedom and you’ll have a stable filled with unique wrestlers you’ll be able to use in any match type or event. The bad news is that using created characters in any event results in the longest load time you’ll ever encounter in a PSP game. In fact, the game is plagued by lengthy load times but none is more annoying than the ones involving your created wrestler. The good news, though, is that you can import your creations to your PS2 version of the game.

Here’s more good news, the PSP version gets an exclusive Arcade Mode that is composed of a good trivia game called Game Show (with an assortment of interesting questions and mystery voice clips), a Poker mini-game and a rather strange mini-game called Eugene Airplane Race (where you guide what looks like a drunken Eugene as he attempts to make his way onto the ring while avoiding hazards). Of the three, the Poker game is the best and it has you playing an excellent game of Texas Hold ‘Em against any of your favorite Superstars. The game even adds various types of bluffs and you earn points good for unlocking extras.

As far as the game’s controls are concerned, the PSP handles them beautifully. The basic controls make it easy to pull off Irish whips, striking attacks as well as submission moves. Because each Superstar has his or her own unique moves and you won’t be struggling with the controls trying to find them. Of course the more complex moves can be a bit tricky but the game’s instruction manual does point them out for you. The opponent AI this year is also handled as excellently as the controls. Wrestlers now tire out, leaving you rapidly pressing the Select button to recover. Really, just about the only negative aspect of the game is the load times.

Visually, SmackDown! vs. Raw 2006 looks amazing. It’s as faithful to the gorgeous console game in almost every way including how well it renders the WWE Superstars and even your created character. There’s some clipping but its not excessive but the real graphical glitches come in the form of overly pixilated crowds and the occasional camera twitch that makes the ropes look like they’re constantly quaking. Then again these problems are swallowed whole by the game’s ability to display natural character movement that makes each blow or clothes line look exceptionally brutal.

Sound-wise the game cuts a few of the tunes you’ll hear in the PS2 version but still leaves out a large number of licensed tunes as well as each Superstar’s theme music. The ring announcer still introduces each grappler to the ring and you’ll hear from the two commentators during Season mode’s cutscenes but not during the matches. You’ll even hear the voices of familiar WWE Superstars. Then again the game loses the voice work altogether for text dialogue. There’s some great ring sounds, though, and you can even hear the fans go wild or cheer on their favorite grappler.

WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw 2006 is everything we ever wanted in a WWE wrestling game and despite its very few problems this one stands out as a solid grappling game fans will love to take on the go. This one manages to cram in all the essential game modes found in the PS2 game as well as look and play like the console version so with that said you really must buy this game if you like wrestling or are looking for a great fighting game for your PSP.

Reviewed By:EG Admin Reviewed On: Sun, 01 January 2006 09:40:31

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