WWE SmackDown! Shut Your Mouth

"A game to Shut Just Bring it's Mouth!"

Lets start of by me telling you that this is what JBI (Just Bring It) should have been. There are many significant changes and improvements to SYM which were expected to be in JBI, never the less Jackks have this time delivered.

Some of the major changes include an improved HIAC (Hell In A Cell) match, Ladder match, and TLC (Tables Ladders and Chairs) match (which I’ll come to later). The roster of wrestlers now include some former WCW / ECW stars which were not present in JBI such as RVD, Booker T, Stacy Keibler, Hurricane, Ric Flair, Torrie Wilson and Al Wilson (just joking!)

All wrestlers have twice the polygon makeup of their JBI counterparts and the game includes a superb Goldust and also HBK and Austin are in. As usual all wrestlers have two ‘special’ finishing moves such as sweet chin music, the last ride, the F-5, shattered dreams, stratus faction, five star frog splash and all the signature taunts such as the spin-a-roonie, and the golden one’s strange breathing action.

As for the matches HIAC now surrounds the ring, and there is a door in which you have to bust open. Out side (the ring) you cannot do grapple moves but you can throw you foe into the steel walls (and before you ask there is no blood, if you want blood see Acclaims Legends Of Wrestling series, which is equally as good). When atop the cell and your opponent is near the edge you can brutally throw him off, or chokeslam him to hell of the side of the cell (depending on what move your grappler has). When the opponent falls he (or she) now gets turned inside out and looks slightly exaggerated but is an improvement from JBI.

The Ladder and TLC match has major improvement by way of the Tables and Ladders which can be propped up in the corner (turn buckle) and a move done. For example when you whip someone into a ladder you can slam him onto it, drop kick it in his face, or do a giant splash onto the ladder onto him. And when he’s on the table in the corner you can slam him through it in many ways or utilise a running move such as Rhyno’s gore or Edge’s spear.

The career or season mode as the game calls it features some of the most memorable WWE moments in the past year including the return of HHH, the draft, Vince and Flair’s feud and the introduction and shenanigans of the nWo. You select your grappler (you cannot chose women) and take to your season. The mode is better than JBI as it’s much longer but it’s too hard to win titles as shots never come your way, although it’s way too easy to win the WWE title (note that there are all the old titles and Bishoff and Stephanie are not in the game).

As usual there are many match types and the create mode and create a taunt are in. With the create mode there are many grapplers such as Rey Misterio which can easily be created and Kane’s new attire is in as well. The only problems is not much music and you cant get a wrestler to come out to the ring with a 2x4 or a robe (again, these are features on the Legends of Wrestling series).

The tables are a bit more versatile. There are a few moves which you can do standing by the table and the usual on tables moves are present with an added powerbomb which is cool. Announcers tables are larger, and you can place the two normal tables on the announcers and put your foe through all three! Still you can’t properly stack tables but the ladders are more versatile as again two can climb and meet a fist fight at the top and if your unlucky a vertical superplex of the ladder! (Or if your Jeff, a Swanton).

Weapons now have a special ‘move’ where an extinguisher sprays etc, or you DDT someone on a chair, body slam them onto a ladder, do ‘Takers guillotine or even the vandaminatior (which to be honest has ripped of the Legend of Wrestling series. (I wish you could go coast to coast with the vanterminator). Although Rey Rey fans, Misterio isn't in you can get his attire, entrance (with the big jump) and the 619 into the West Coast Pop.

Graphics 7 - Some grapplers look good whilst others aren't so (although it’s obvious who they are). Backstage looks usual but really needed improving. The crowed is even worse, they have no detail and are bland. The cell/cage looks good but I wish tables would smash up like in real life instead of snapping exactly in half.

Gameplay 8 - Some improvement over last year but mostly the same. Fast paced action and easy grappling system (a bit too easy and fast for my liking) but the formula works.

Life Span 8 - Many match types, a create mode but still the season needs improving, but much better than JBI.

Sound 7 - Needs more themes in the create mode. The commentary has improved since JBI and is more factual then the ass talk, oh and it’s the King and good ol’ JR at ringside.

Overall 8 - This should have been JBI. Much improvement and an updated rostra. And many pleasing improvements make it worth a look for fans/casual fans alike.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 12/17/02, Updated 12/17/02