WWE SmackDown vs. RAW 2008

"Time to start bashing chairs on heads"

The WWE SmackDown series has been around for many years, and each installment gets better and better. I am no longer the fan of wrestling that I used to be, but it doesn't matter whether your a fan or not, these games are fun and addicting. I have always been a fan of the SmackDown Games, I've played them on the PSX to the PS2 and now the PSP. The PSP version has some flaws which I think you should know about.

Game play: 8/10
In this installment of Smackdown vs. Raw, they have replaced the season mode with the 24/7 Mode. Its pretty much the same thing, only in 24/7 it's more simulator-like. You choose the daily activities of your superstar, or, you can take the GM route(which I haven't had time to get to, so I'll have to leave it out). In 24/7 mode there is tons of things to do which help you gain more experience. I sort of look at it as adding some RPG style of gaming.

Of course, the most important element is the in-ring game play. The in-ring is where the flaws are, which is why I gave the game play an 8. It can kind of slow down when your in the ring. For instance, a lot of times, when you pin somebody, the ref. will count to one, then there's a slight pause. From what I've encountered, it only pauses like that when they kick out on the two count. Other then those occasional short pauses, and by short, I mean short, the game play is pretty solid.

Story: 10/10
There isn't really a "story", but in 24/7, they have made a long list of different mini-stories for your characters rivalries. For the most part though, you dictate where the story goes. There are a lot of things where you are forced to do something, but thats nothing to be bothered by. Your main goal, or storyline, if you will, is to be come a WWE Legend. You just have to complete goals.

Graphics: 6/10
This graphics are good, don't get me wrong, but the console versions are much better. The PSP versions graphics are blocky and just not fun to look at. One thing that comes to mind most for me is that they added eyelashes. Now this would be cool if they looked good, but they don't, they look a lot like white specs. This would be one feature that the PSP version could do with out.

Sound: 8/10
The Sound is pretty decent, with headphones that is. I'm not really a fan of the speakers that are built into the PSP, but that is more of a personal opinion. The sound track is very nice, and fits the game really well. One feature I like compared to '07 - please note that I haven't played '07 on the PSP, I have it for the PS2 - is the fact that there are now voice overs during matches. It got really old listening to the same 15 or so comments made by J.R. and The King/Micheal Cole and Tazz. In this game, the in-ring action is accompanied by music from the sound track, which makes the wrestling a bit more fun in my book.

Rent or Buy:
I'd say buy the game, but, possibly for the console. What I said to a friend of mine after he got his PSP for Christmas and wondering what games to get; "If your serious about your PSP, get it for it, if your not, get it for a console". Overall, whether you buy is for you PSP or a console, you should buy it. It's a good game, though, as I said, the PSP version has flaws.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 12/29/07

Game Release: WWE SmackDown vs. RAW 2008 (US, 11/13/07)