WWF SmackDown! Just Bring It

"Lay the smackdown for the thrid time!"

Smackdown! The popular television show that comes on every Thursday.And then there is the other Smackdown! The video game where I am playing all day Thursday.Most people don't like the game because of the arcade style gameplay but I have no problem with it at all.And I really love this game.I'm going to tell you why in my review.

Graphics(9/10)
Now the intro graphics are absolutely amazing! Too bad those aren't the in game graphics.But the in game graphics are still good.The entrances are marvelous.They walk well and everything.But the hair...the hair is not so good.It looks like they pasted a mop on their head.And their hair is always flying in front of their face whenever they fall down but it's no problem with me.And the way they talk in story mode is horrible.The subtext with the way their mouths move is crazy.Their mouths are still flapping 10 seconds after they're done with their sentence but once again,it is no problem with me.The wrestlers look very good in this game.No slowdowns and they almost look real.And some of the finishers are beautiful.The rock bottom looks amazing.Good job THQ.Keep up the good work.

Sound(9/10)
Now the sound in this game is good...but not great.All the wrestlers have their up to date themes.The Undertaker has his rolling theme and Triple H has his theme from Motor Head.
But during the matches the sound is not so good.I have no problem with it at all but it could have been better.Everyone begged and nagged THQ about commentary and they got it.But too bad the commentary wasn't so good.Tazz and Michael Cole commentate on this game and well...not everyone likes it.Half of the time they make no sense and they're often repetitive.''The Rock has a devastating...The People's Elbow!'' ''Watch out for his...The Last Ride'' Things like that are not good.But it doesn't really bother me because I'm focusing on other things.Like trying to take that title from Kurt Angle.At least the entrance themes are good.They're great.Lots of choices when making your own wrestler.I hope the sound gets better in the next game.

Controls(10/10)
Within ten minutes of this game any newcomer should be used to the controls.They are very easy to get into.And it only takes one button to do finishers,L1.Pressing a directional button and O will do a wrestling manuver.It is very simple and easy.That's what I like about this game.Everything is responsive too.It's not slow to respond at all.That's a plus.Props to you THQ.

Gameplay(10/10)
Ah yes gameplay.The thing that makes up most video games.Is it fun? Is it hard? Or is it boring? For this game I say it's so dog on fun!! With so many match types to choose from and with the multi-player feature you're going to be playing this a lot! From the Hell In A Cell to the TLC(Tables,Ladders,and Chairs)You're going to be having a blast with you and your friends.Now create a superstar is really great on this game! One of the best.So many things you can choose from to make your wrestler look smooth.But so many manual things,where are the defaults? No bandanas.No braids.Come on THQ,did you forget the common stuff? But it's okay.This is still the best.Create a taunt is in again but I don't really use it.It seems complicated.If you want to do another cool taunt that isn't in the game then go ahead and do it.Good look to you.Create a stable is quite fun.Making your own tag teams and choosing the entrances for them.Awesome.But no Create a Pay Per View? What in the world? Come on THQ,this was one of the best things in WWF Smackdown! Know Your Role.It brought back lots of replay value.But it's nowhere to be found.Ok THQ maybe you forgot but lets hope it's in the next one.And we aren't allowed to defend our title belts in exhibition mode.We can only switch titles in Story mode.Speaking of Story mode let's get to that now.Now we all loved the endless season mode in Smackdown 2 and was expecting to see the same thing in this game but that's the case here.I have no problem at all with the story mode but this is short.You can complete this whole thing in a day.The computer seems to only reverse in this mode as well.You're going to be spending more of your time pressing Square other than pressing Circle.The cutscenes are good.But I am not going to spill the beans on anything that happens.I'm still trying to find more cutscenes actually.Now this is a fun game.A whole lot of gameplay.You'll love it.There is a lot to do.

Replay(10/10)
Now I don't know about you but I still play this game a lot.With all there is to do I'm pretty busy on weekends.And I'm still haven't filled up all the create a wrestler slots.Multi-player is also giving this game a major boost.It has lots of replay to it.And if you want to change title belts you're going to have go through story mode which is going to give lots and lots of replay value.Have fun!

Overall(9/10)
This is one of my favorite wrestling games ever.The sound is good.The story is okay.The gameplay is amazing! This is what wrestling is all about! It is such a fun wrestling game! I can't wait for the next one! I say this should be in your wrestling game collection.I recommend you play this game.

To rent or buy?
Now some people don't like this game so I would say rent this first.I rented it and loved,then I bought it and I still love it.I hope you'll love it too.

Laying the smackdown is what I'm all about and I get to do it to anyone who dare challenges me in this game

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 08/01/02, Updated 08/01/02