WWE Smackdown vs Raw 2009
- Bring wrestling excitement to the PlayStation 3 with WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2009
- Includes a large roster of WWE superstars
- Enhanced Tag Team matches include new double team moves and finishers
- Create-A-Superstar mode lets you customize your own wrestler
- Road to Wrestlemania mode offers deep and compelling story line
The Number One fighting game franchise in the world is back on the PlayStation 3 with WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2009, giving wrestling fans the definitive simulation of the WWE experience. The latest version brings enhanced graphics, new matches, a huge roster of wrestlers, and more to keep WWE fans excited for a long time to come. .caption { font-family: Verdana, Helvetica neue, Arial, serif; font-size: 10px; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; } ul.indent { list-style: inside disc; text-in
Rating: 
(out of 94 reviews)
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Review by Steven Stewart for WWE Smackdown vs Raw 2009
Rating:
The Smackdown game series since about Here Comes the Pain has been on a downward spiral. Many loyal fans of the series abandoning it because they felt like THQ were putting the minimal effort into the game, simply because they knew it would sell. In many ways they were justified for turning their back on the series as it gave THQ the wake up call they needed. This game seems like one of the very first games in the series that a hell of a lot of effort was put into it. With a massive roster, an easy to use yet detailed controlling system and a beefed up tag system this game was bound to be a success. First off THQ needs to reassure the abandoning fans that this is a very different game from the originals. One way in doing that is giving them one thing the fans have always wanted, a “create a finisher” mode. The very notion that you can now create your own finisher is something that the fans think will make a massive difference to such a game. Anyway, the modes are going to be discussed in a minute but in a nutshell this game is really good.
The Roster: This contains over 60 wrestlers, none of them legends but the sheer size of the roster itself is enough to allow you to effectively use the newly updated tag team system. The real gem for this particular installment is the announcement that in order to keep the rosters from becoming out dated, THQ are going to finally utilise the Playstation Network by allowing downloadable content. This will not only feature wrestlers but will allow other additions such as possible new storylines or looks for current superstars to match what is going on in TV land. The first announcement of the DLC is although there is not yet a date, superstars Evan Bourne and Ted DiBiase Jr. are confirmed to be a part of it along with a few other little things.
Game Modes: In exchange for the previous installments WWE 24/7 mode, we’re now given Road to Wrestlemania and Career Mode. Road to Wrestlemania is essentially a shortened Season Mode starting from around the Royal Rumble and is tailor made for specific superstars. A drawback to this is that you can only play as either Triple H, CM Punk, Undertaker, John Cena, Chris Jericho or Batista & Rey Mysterio as part of a co-op RTW play. There’s also a career mode which is basically a never ending thing with no story, it’s just fight to earn a shot at a title, win, then fight for another title. You can do that with anyone.
There’s also the new Create A Finisher which I haven’t tried yet but will get around to eventually. I’ve never really been fan of the create a wrestler things so if you really want to know then I’d check out other reviews.
To wrap it up in 4 simple words? I Love This Game. It’s fun, it’s easy and it’s packed. The only problem is that when I’ve managed to complete all the RTW’s I can imagine becoming quite un-interested with it until we get the DLC anyway. Hopefully along with new superstars, THQ will be able to give us new RTW storylines and arenas to keep us occupied with the DLC until the next installment. This type of thing will also allow THQ to give us a lot more to the game with constant updates instead of trying to put as much on the disc as possible before release date.
I’m also praying that trophies will follow eventually although it’s looking doubtful for this particular installment. I would highly recommend this to anyone and everyone who’s a fan of wrestling.
Review by Michael Gammell for WWE Smackdown vs Raw 2009
Rating:
I was skeptical about getting this after SVR 2008 was so bad in terms of match varieties, but this game is great. There still isn’t a lot of variation in moves from wrestler to wrestler, but they have all the finishing moves down and it’s fun to move the Wii remote to do the moves.
The big improvement this year is not one, but two career-type modes. Road to Wrestlemania is a lot of fun with customized storylines. It’s fairly short (spans 3-4 months) and you can only choose from 6 wrestlers, but it really is cool to see new original storylines. In the other career mode (actually called “Career Mode,”) you can be anyone and it’s much longer. I haven’t played the “Career Mode” much yet, but it looks like it will be just as much fun as the Road to Wrestlemania. It’s nothing like the lame Main Event mode they had last year, but it does seem to be much more match-driven than story-line-driven. Road to Wrestlemania is the other way around.
Finally, they included much more match types than last year. These include: TLC, tables, ladder, hell in a cell, royal rumble, back stage brawl (which is kinda lame cause it can be really short), and falls count anywhere, among others.
Review by Eric Paddock for WWE Smackdown vs Raw 2009
Rating:
I’ve been playing the WWE Smackdown vs Raw games since they came out. While I really enjoy this game, there are a few glitches that have annoyed me.
Pro’s:
- Great Graphics! It’s hard to image this is on a portable game system
- Fast load times – Thank you! (this has been my complaint in the past)
- Huge selection of wrestlers (but lackibg legends)
- Create a finisher! (Wow – this was a blast to do!)
Let-downs:
- Physics – A lightweight should not be able to toss around the Big Show like he’s 150 pounds (but it happens)
- No fighting in the Fan Area (if there is, I haven’t found it)
- Not every wrestler available of the Road to Wrestlemania (this is the only segment with a story line)
- Career mode – No story line, just matches…bit of a let down
I’ve enjoyed playing this game for the last few days, but I just keep thinking that something’s missing (like Hulk Hogan). Now, the important question, “Do I recommend it?” Sure why not? It’s improved on a few areas, and it’s still a lot of fun, but it does feel like it’s lacking something…..
Review by Thomas A. Zulli for WWE Smackdown vs Raw 2009
Rating:
Now Ive played every Smackdown (vs Raw) game ever and the first Raw game and I have to say this is the best game Ive ever played. Sure it has its faults:
-No Buried alive match
-PSP version doesnt have Downloadable content like PS3 and X-Box360
-Nor the Highlight reel
-Graphics are still average for the psp
-A couple of glitches
-The so called create a finisher is still great but is also has limits like you cant create a high flying move or a submission hold
-No create a belt
But the game has a lot of great stuff:
-Inferno match
-Improved storymode (called Road to wrestlemania)
-More wrestlers that havent been released (with the exception of a few who were wrestled after the game came out)
-Better tag team matches w. more tag teams
-Edit a roster
-Career mode which you experience the life of a wrestler (no cutscenes or storylines though)
-Hot tag is now in the game
This game is so much fun to play with. Buy it if you love wrestling, wrestling games or just video games. You dont need to be a fan of wrestling, you just need to be a fan of games.
Review by Lisa Traugott for WWE Smackdown vs Raw 2009
Rating:
Great game! First of all the game has lots of old players, like Triple H and Undertaker. You can also unlock Ric Flair and Tazz. It also has really cool campaign. You get to see the backstage. You also can make choices and get goals to do to get wrestlers, arenas, matches, and entrances. Which leads me to entrances. You can come out of the backstage and build momentum when your on your way to a match. At the end of the match, if you win, you can decide what to do with your fallen opponent. But it does not have alot of matches. That is my I rated it 4 stars. Everything but that is really fun. Recommended matches are 6 man money in the bank, 6-man elimination, 4- man elimination, 20-man royal rumble, 2 on 2 Hell in a Cell Tornado tag, 1 on one fall out anywhere. Thank you for reading my review.:)