WWF SmackDown!

"A few flaws keep it from being better than Revenge. But this is still the best (American) wrestling game on the PSX."

Smackdown probably isn't the best wrestling game ever, but it almost is. Just a few flaws, that are mainly due to the game being rushed, that keep it from being the Great One.

Graphics: 9 out of 10
To tell you the truth, I wasn't expecting much from Smackdown in terms of graphics. I mean, how nice could they be?? Its only the PSX.

This game surprised the crap out of me!!! Wrestler models look great, they all animate well, and most of all they sells their moves. Most hardcore wrestling fans know that selling is the key to a good wrestling match. Well the same hold true to wrestling videogames. Smackdown looks just like real life thanks to tons of selling animations. There are a few wrinkles in Smackdown surface.

The hair on characters that have longer hair, looks horrible. Yea, it actually sways when you move, but it just doesn't look right. Example, HHH.

Also, sometimes when I knock my opponent down with a punch, they'll reach for their back like I gave them a slam. Its a very minor thing, but its still a flaw none the less.

Sound: 7 out of 10
Let me get one thing out of the way. There is absolutely no speak in Smackdown!! OK, maybe if you count the ref, but thats it. Why did this category earn a 7 then?? Simple, all the entrance themes are present in good quality.

Gameplay: 8 out of 10
A very hard game to learn. It plays like a cross between WCW Mayhem, and WCW Nitro. Sounds like it would suck huh?? Well, it doesn't. The game plays fast, but it still can be played with some skill and not resulting in mindless button mashing.

Going into the backstage area is a snap. Just whip your opponent into entrance area, and one more irish whip into the curtain, and bam, your back there. The backstage area is everything it should have been in Mayhem. There are several different areas with interactive sections (try whipping your opponent into the stove in the kitchen, it rules!!) You can even wrestle on the kitchen counter!!!

There are some minor issues in this area also. Opponent don't stay stunned for very long, so you have to know exactly what your going to do when you finally get them up. Also, submission wrestling is non-existant. If you finally find a wrestling with a decent hold (HHH's Figure 4) they will probably only hold it for a couple of seconds.

Control: 9 out of 10
Simple as can be, but also allows for alot of depth. Every button responds quickly. My only complaint is that maybe THQ could have made the Irish Whip button a seperate button from the Hold button. Sometimes I would find myself executing a move instead of whipping my opponent. Its actually a bigger problem than you may think, because the irish whip is essential in this game.

Replay: 10 out of 10
Ton of create-a-character heads to be unlocked, and a fun multiplayer game all add up to almost unlimited replay value. This ones going to be in my PSX for a long time!!!

Overall: 8 out of 10
Moves over Attitude, and Hardcore Revolution, a new game engine is in town, and it rules!! If you're a WWF fan, or a wrestling fan in general, buy this game!

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 03/03/00, Updated 03/03/00