WWE Smackdown VS Raw 2006: Awesome Game!! I believe that this is the wrestling game we ve all been waiting for. Love it!

User Rating: 9.7 | WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw 2006 PS2
WWE Smackdown VS Raw 2006 is without a doubt the best so far in the series. I ve played the whole series from the PS1 to the PS2 and whats been lacking from those previous titles I believe is made up here. I ll tell you that its not perfect which kept my score from being a perfect 10. But first lets start with the firing up process. The original intros from both Smackdown and Raw are present (anybody tired of the Raw theme song yet? I am) and easy menu setup awaits. I, being a hip hop fan, appreciate a mix of it in there but, my favorite is the crush, kill, destroy song and the REMIX of Megadeths "Symphony of Destruction" sweet indeed! anyway, you can start a season with Raw or Smackdown (I chose Raw) and its off to the races. Ah, but whats this?! the graphics look sharp, the voice acting is way better than last year, no subtitles, and the storylines actually make sense and are quite believeable. Really the wrestlers act like they should instead of them all being buddy buddy with each other. Intros for the wrestlers are quite spectacular as you can tell that motion capture technology was kicked into overdrive. So, your match begins and there is a new touch as I soon found out and that is the stamina meter. You really have to mix up your moves on this or risk becoming a winded heap in the middle of the ring. The momentum is nothing new as its used to build up to your special. As you pull of the special it all goes to a touch a grey for added effect. End of the match celebrations are also welcome. Now, I gotta say the promos for the pay-per-views in previous games really ticked me off. Sometimes they would show another wrestler pulling moves on YOUR wrestler that NEVER happpened. Not here Mr. Mcgee as the transition is seamless and you go right for the meat and potatoes of it all. The story (I've only played two: one from Raw and one from Smackdown) were different with the exception of one event----- SPOILER ALERT SPOILER ALERT SPOILER ALERT--------------The Legends Tour which I ll admit is pretty cool. Although I think they use "legend" a bit much (the Rock a legend? puh-leeze) Stone Cold Steve Austin Oh Hell Yeah! but, so far so good and I believe that everybody will have a different scenario as the game goes on.

Next mode I played was the GM mode and I have to say it is a welcome addition to the game. It all starts with an automatic or manual draft and then your off to the races as GM of your brand. Depending on your talent you ll be spending money to keep that talent and as a fatigue meter ever present you have to keep your stars rested or risk injury (which will dampen your next card or pay per view) not to mention keeping their popularity up by hosting rivalries between in your roster (I had up to six going) options within the card are called "promo 1" and "promo 2" in which you can advertise, merchandise, start new rivalry, or even invade the opposing show with a superstar of your choice and etc. Whats my problem with this mode? I cant actually see if any of it is doing any good! I dont see the merchandise being sold; no clips of rivalry and its tensions. Maybe next time:p but, I do hope to see this feature again in future installments. Still with me? its my 1st review! another complaint I have is the A.I. for I definetely cursed like a sailor when my tag partner refused to keep the other dude at bay as I went for THE WIN you stupid @$%^! and dont be surprised if you find yourself hitting your opponent when you could of swore you missed. It happens but not enough to dampen your experience. Like I said its not perfect but close.

okay, create a wrestler added some tweaks and its as good as it ever was. Create a belt I like and you are able to build up the belts prestige and value among other things! how cool is that? then you have the Locker Room. Here you conduct business as far as your stats go; win/lose, titles, challenge mode, shop mode and even a little training for your created wrestler and wardrobe for your superstar during the season. The items for purchase are definetely different from last time as you can buy items to furnish you locker room (like a bobbleheads and posters etc...) and you can choose the flooring and color of the walls! in short its WWE meets The Sims (to a point) my favorite are the trophies you can win by fullfilling certain obligations in the game. Not gonna give it away but, there is alot to do! I am a little ticked about the legends roster. Yeah, there are a few new faces to this roster but cmon if I see Mankind or the Rock again I ll puke. Anybody ever hear of Mr. Perfect or Ravishing Rick Rude? and where is the Legion of Doom?!?! all I m saying is I d like to see MORE new faces (maybe I am being greedy) or better yet ring up American Technos (makers of the awesome arcade game WWF WRESTLEFEST) and throw that gem in there! maybe then I ll quit complaining. But, at the end of it all this game leaves me wanting more because I feel they are coming closer and closer to being and having the perfect wrestling ever its only a matter of time but for now I enjoyed (and going to be enjoying) this game for a long time because its beautiful and there is just so much to do. Thank you THQ and Yukes for a job well done. Call me old fashioned but, I think there should be some sort of tribute to all the fallen heroes and legends of the business (didnt have time for an Eddie Guererro tribute unfortunately) yknow, sorta like a memorial mode with bios of these great entertainers and gladiators of our time. Until then I anticipate a much more complete WWE game for the PS3 in all its splendid glory. Imagine the possibilities and know that my money will be flying out of my wallet when it finally arrives. For now I shall enjoy this current entry until the last save is made and I hope you do so as well for it is worth your time.