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Developer: Yuke's
Publisher: THQ
Genre: Wrestling
Region: NTSC
Format:
Release Date: 05 Dec 05
User Rating
10 (4 votes) -
- Wrestling finally comes to Sony's handheld, and it's just like playing the console version on its smaller screens. Tons of fun for those always on the go.
Overview
I remember years ago when the WWE (WWF then) was the leading cable television program out there and all you ever heard about was how this craze of wrestling was going. Since then, wrestling games have been coming out yearly and each year we see developers trying to find ways, in which to increase the demand for these games by adding new features each year. Today we are going to check out WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2006 for the Playstation Portable. So does this game add anything new to the somewhat stale genre? Read our full review to find out!
Gameplay
I have never been a fan of any wrestling game that has made its way onto a handheld, just because they have been so technically limited compared to the console versions. Well the PSP, being the technical specimen that it is, has been able to really just port over what is on the PS2 version and make it into a portable wrestling game. The big question is did the port go smooth, or was the there something lost in translation?
One of the new modes in this game is the new General Manager mode, which basically puts you in charge of keeping the WWE popular and exciting. This is an idea that literally has never been touched before in a wrestling game. You have a lot of options to choose from, and you have to really keep things very exciting without making things like a gimmick. This new mode may not be a huge upgrade but it is a lot of fun and offers up a new type of experience that gets you out of the ring, and has a new feel for the WWE.
There is a new gameplay element as well that has been added to the 2006 edition of the game, which is the stamina meter. It is here you have held the select button to regain stamina. This new feature makes the matches feel more realistic. The gameplay still has the same pace, even with this new stamina feature, and just works really well. If you enjoyed the previous feel of Smackdown, you will do so again in 2006.
I have always been looking for a game to properly put together a great season mode, and although this year's game is not perfect, it is going in the proper direction. The game still has voice acting, and although this is a welcome addition from the old text reading there are still a lot of lame comments from the wrestlers that kind of makes things more humorous than intended. However my experience on the season mode was good, with a lot of twists and turns and a decent overall length.
I have to say that although my experience with Smackdown vs. Raw 2006 was a good one, I still had the feeling that there were some minor things that could have been done slightly better. Things like the pacing of the game, which just didn't feel to flow as smooth as the PS2 counterpart. The controls were very well done, but once again the loss of the second analog stick makes it feel weird. I guess I am just saying is that the PS2 version just feels a bit better than the PSP. With that being said, the ability to take this game on the road and enjoy all the things that made Smackdown vs. Raw 2006 a great game is just a treat in itself.
Graphics
Visually Smackdown vs. Raw 2006 is about what you would expect from the port of the PS2 version, which was a great looking game. The visuals don't hold up perfectly in this port, but they do get the job done with some very nice character models and great ring models. The biggest issue the PSP version faces is the sketchy animation, which holds the game back from flowing as nicely as the PS2 version. With that being said the game still looks great, and is one of the better looking PSP games out right now.
Fun Factor
Going into the PSP version of Smackdown vs. Raw 2006, I wasn't sure what to expect. I wasn't sure if the game was going to hold all the glory that it did on the PS2, but to my surprise it did. This game has a ton of great modes to choose from, a huge lineup of wrestlers, great creation tools, and just a real fun atmosphere. Smackdown vs. Raw 2006 is just a ton of fun to play, whether at home wasting time or on the road, I think any wrestling fan will really enjoy this game.
Overall
WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2006 is a game that takes the PS2 version and ports it to the PSP in a very smooth and gracious package. The game doesn't add anything new for the PSP version, nor does it lose anything significant either. In the end, Smackdown vs. Raw 2006 is a good solid PSP game that fans of the WWE I think will still really find enjoyable.
- Gameplay
8.0 - Graphics
8.0 - Fun Factor
9.0 - Overall
8.0
