WWE Smackdown vs Raw 2006 Reviews

• The most complete and deep wrestling game available.

  
  By A21P8800ZGRGIP on 2005-11-28
  THE SHORT: Vastly improved from last year's game, this one has an in-depth sim mode, title matches that you control, lots of customization thanks to difficulty sliders, Locker room and more, and the best executed season mode in years. The whole package looks prettier than ever and adds new match-enhancing strategies. It's a pretty big step up and there are very few complaints, but some do exist- the biggest of which is the fact that female characters can do very, very little in this edition.
  
  THE LONG: There's a great amount of new material to discuss in this game. So what I'll do is list some of it and give my opinions on each aspect. Online mode is supposed to be much imrpoved, complete with belt-swapping, but I don't have online so I'm afraid I can't describe it. There's lots else to discuss though, so if you want a short review you better skip this one!
  
  PRESENTATION: The graphics are very polished. Well-done, realistic animation (season cutscenes are great) plus lots of little details such as the ring announcer saying what kind of match it is, if it's for a belt, character's hometowns, etc. Plus, it's small but great at the same time: Now wrestlers stay in or around the ring even during their opponent's entrance. Just extra realism, and it's really cool. Commentary seems slightly better this time, with some banter about the actual wrestlers as well as some joking and bickering. The comments stay pretty up-to-the-second, even to a fault (pin attempts for example will cause a new comment to interrupt the dialogue). It doesn't get on my nerves and doesn't seem to repeat as noticeably as before, but I admit pretty much everyone else hated it so I guess I'm in the minority. Music is the same hip hop and scream-rock as before, so take it or leave it. There's no music during matches, which isn't too big a deal but bothers me during backstage brawls which wind up feeling eerily quiet. Speaking of brawls, this game has great blood. Instead of just a facial smear it now also leaves droplets on the mat, which follow in a trail of the crimson masked wrestler and even pools up if they stay in one place. Unfortunately it fades away (slowly at least) and they don't have blood everywhere when more than one person is cut. Still, it's very vibrant and realistic- I find myself actively cutting or getting cut, because just like on the show, it gives the impression of hardcore combat.
  
  SEASON MODE: Ever since Smackdown 5, the season mode has relied mostly on animated cutscenes and recently the addition of spoken dialogue. Since only so much voice and specific animated scenes can be used, it limited how deep and different the season could be. But this time, it's the best yet. For one thing the acting is better all around the board and very well done- It's not Shakespeare but every single wrestler sounds just as convincing as they do on TV. This is even better thanks to lip synching and lots of subtle animations and gestures. It really feels like watching an actual WWE show this time around.
  
  Best of all, the storyline has a lot of surprises. Right away most wrestlers you pick from can play through either a RAW or Smackdown storyline, each one pretty different. But better yet, lots of characters have their own scenarios that are unique and not shared between everyone else. I played through Smackdown with Hogan and later the Undertaker, then RAW with William Regal and Mankind. While some stuff was repeated, every one of the 4 characters had a unique plot twist that wasn't in any of the other 3. In addition, you'll still make a few decisions here and there, some of which lead to entirely different cutscenes. This time there really is motivation to play through the season mode repeatedly. And since anyone you choose has loads of spoken dialogue, playing through with different characters keeps the experience fairly fresh. This is the best way to present the season mode in an interactive way, and I was really impressed (especially since I hated the last 2 games' season modes). One bad thing though- not every character can play through season (no females, but more on that in the summary section). But you do get more than 30 choices and lots of favorites are represented (Kane, Mysterio, Cena, Batista, Triple H, and others) so you'll be busy. This time, the realistic vocal work, animation, and storyline variations made the season mode one of the best parts of the game, which I never thought I'd say.
  
  GM MODE: What this is is a WWE booker simulation. You pick from either brand, choose your roster, and compete against the other brand for the best TV ratings, against the CPU OR a 2nd player. You're given total control of what wrestlers go in which match at any point in the card. You can manufacture whatever feuds you want, and make champs of anybody you choose. But you have a certain budget, and some wrestlers cost more than others. Running each show costs money too, as does spending money to throw in cages and ladders and so on. Be careful your wrestlers don't get unhappy by repeatedly losing or getting injured either.
  
  The good thing is you can play or simulate any match on your card, so it's wise to help out sometimes when you want a title change or a certain wrestler to stay happy. It's pretty deep, and there's a good half hour of fiddling with options to get the hang of it. It's really addicting when you do, though. My only problem is that a wrestler's popularity has more to do with how well your show is than anything: 2 jobbers could have a main event ladder match, but Triple H in a basic singles match will do just as well. This can be tricky, since it's difficult to push your undercard guys to high popularity. And with no random settings, the same 10 guys will be at the top every time you start a new game of GM mode. So it's definitely challenging, but not impossible- Chris Benoit had about a 65 on my popularity scale, but by careful booking and giving him the much-deserved title belt, I shot him into an 80s rating and he brought in the fans. It's addicting, and though challenging, it's fun to work for it.
  
  LOCKER ROOM: This is a basic 3d room where your profile records can be accessed. The game can store multiple profiles on a single card (easily changeable from the main menu), so 2 players can share a card and have different unlocked items and so on. The locker room is cool in that you can color the wall and floor any shade you want, decorate a few spots in the room with any of several dozen unlockable items (like Bobbleheads or tshirts and posters) and modify the furniture a little bit. The whole point is to make the game feel suited to you: Instead of having all your records like belt histories and win/loss records represented in a basic text menu, you now get a customizable room to sort of call your own. Sort of cosmetic and more detail/custom minded than extremely helpful, but I think it's a nice addition.
  
  EXHIBITION TITLES: I've wanted this since Smackdown 2 five years ago. You can now, right from the main menu, play a title match of any kind (minus Royal Rumble, Buried Alive, and the women's match) using any wrestler at anytime, and you can even do title vs. title matches. If you like having your own "fantasy wrestling league" and don't want to play through GM mode to do it, this is for you. If you want to put a belt up against 5 others in Hell in a Cell and fight a bloody battle to see who'll win, you can. Only this time, it "matters" since there's a belt at stake. You can fight for any of the real-life belts (some have to be unlocked) but you can also create the belt of your choice and fight for it too. And if you want to just leave it to fate and let the CPU fight the matches against each other, you can do that- but you DO have to be involved in created-belt matches, which for some reason are only 1 on 1 (lots of match types though). Oh, and created belts are insanely cheaper this time. Play a few matches in season mode and you'll have enough for the best belt you want. One thing: The game does keep track of title histories (and even who was in and what the match was) but it only goes back about half a dozen fights. That's a shame.
  
  CUSTOMIZATION: They really want you to make this game as specific as you want it. Besides the Locker room, GM mode, and Exhibition titles, you can now also create an entrance by setting what the wrestlers do at multiple different points during their trip to the ring, as well as fixing lights, camera angles, and pyro. Strangely though, the post-match celebrations are pretty generic, meaning they're always basically the same. Cheesy.
  
  More importantly, you now have loads of options for gameplay. Aside from standard difficulty setting, you can go into advanced options and set, on a sliding scale, how much you want the computer to do reversals, how easy it is for you to reverse THEM, how much damage finishers do, and other stuff like that. This way, a player can make it as frustratingly impossible or lazily easy as they want. In addition, all the created belt options are there, and so is Create-A-Wrestler. The latter is slightly imrpoved, with an easier interface. MOST of the items that were there still are, with some extra here and there. In general though, they just look better. Some characters wind up looking about as good as the standard wrestlers, and you can now REALLY tweak the faces. You can still take photos of them for the wrestler select screen too. But it's not all perfect: Still to tassels or realistic neckties (even though Mankind's is 3d, that's unfair!). Altogether still very good though. Create a move-set and stable are the same (but you know what? Now you can build a team's level of compatability!) Create a Pay Per View is in and offers what you think it would, the ability to set up a whole card of matches whenever you wish.
  
  NEW MATCH STUFF: For starters, there's a Buried Alive match where you must throw your opponent into a coffin and slam the lid. This match can be a lot of effort, since the other guy can resist being thrown in as well as letting the lid shut. It's tough sometimes (as are most matches, but more on that soon). Also new is the "Fulfill Your Fantasy" match, which is a slighly more strategic bra and panties match. In addition to the clothing removal, you can now spank your opponent and hit them with pillows and bounce on a bed. Fans of the original will be pleased with the new silliness (the spanking is meter-based and kind of fun) but anyone who thought bra and panties was already pointless and sexist still won't like it. Oh, and yeah- guys can't participate, which evens out the fact that divas can't do a lot of the more bloody match types either (again, see the Summary).
  
  There's a new stamina meter, which can be adjusted or turned off. What it does is slow your character down if he runs around and is too active. He'll get winded and need to catch his breath, which you do anytime by holding select. Big people get tired easier than the littler guys. It's a whole new strategy element to the match and I find it really fun- try wearing them all the way out by irish-whipping them around on the ramp, the watch them slowly try to make it back before the 10 count! Another cool aspect of this is that, realistically, if all participants in a match get absolutely drained, they'll keel over onto the mat and have a 10-count to get up. Again, this can be turned off.
  
  And now instead of a "life bar", there's only a momentum meter. This sets it up so that if you do lots of different moves and exploit your heel/face side, the meter will build and you'll quickly get your finisher. If you use the same moves over and over or defy your good/bad guy alignment, you won't really fill your meter and will have to change up to get that finisher. This too can be adjusted, but personally I think it's a good, simple way of keeping an eye on how the match is going. It adds to the flow and pace of the match, since your creaming of an opponent can sway quickly if he starts getting in the shots. Body-specific damage still plays an important role too however.
  
  There's other new stuff too: Climbing the cage is meter-based, and you can now be grabbed down as well as smacked off (and you can now try to crawl out the cage door too!). You can do possum pins, where you hold down the buttons to play dead and trick your opponent. The new submission system adds the old school "drop your arm 3 times and you're out" gimmick. And finally, you can now ignore rope-breaks up until a 5 count to cheat. They really added lots of little (and some big) ways to make the matches feel a lot more like WWE pacing. All of these adjustments have given the matches a "filled out" feel- in general the matches now last a little longer and seem more like combat with some decent momentum changes and reversals.
  
  UNLOCKABLES: Legends like Mankind, The Rock and Austin, Ted Dibiase, Bret Hart, Andre the Giant and more (including 3 seperate-era Hogans, which really should've just been a wardrobe option like Kane's mask). Old-school blue steel cages, the ECW arena and the gorgeous, outdoor Caesar's Palace WM9 arena. Plus lots of trophies for accomplishments big and small, all of which can be viewed in the Locker Room. Some of these are gotten through the Challenges, which are many and of varying difficulty like last year.
  
  SUMMARY: So what do I think? In general, there's very little I dislike about the game. The worst is how females are treated. I play these games with my girlfriend, who naturally wants to use a female character or create one of her own so she can enjoy the game in a more realistic way. But now, no females can play through season mode, not even created ones. Before, we'd just set the character to "male" even though it was obviously a female, and my GF could enjoy the whole game that way (even though it was silly to have to do it that way). So no season mode for females, but their use in exhibition matches sucks now too. No women can be used in any kind of gimmick match like Ladders or HIAC, nor can they bleed (which is probably why). This strange, PC oriented philosophy does nothing but severely limit what a female can do in this game: Play in a few standard match types, act as a manager, or be eye candy in the new FYF match (no created characters there either). This may not affect most players, but is needlessly prohibitive to the women that DO want to have some fun with the game. Let the men be in a FYF match and let the women be in a TLC match, I say. It's my game, I should be able to play it however I want.
  
  Thankfully the rest of my complaints are pretty minor. Partners in tag matches don't act very smart, and sometimes the CPU will pointlessly leave the ring or even deliberately get DQ'd (which was HILARIOUS in my season mode Ironman match when JBL handed me chairshot victories over and over). The ref gets too closely in the way, causing an occasional unfair DQ (save often!). Ladders are now harder to push over (you can only do it if 2 people are on top of it) and you can't throw weapons. Little things like that.
  
  But honestly? I think they really fleshed out the experience. If you were burned by last year's game, don't feel uncertain- I was REALLY disappointed by it, and thought I might hate this one, but I wound up loving it as probably the best in the entire series and the most option-packed, immersive and player-catering wrestling game in years. They give you about as much customization as you want (play a match, for the title or not, play against a friend, play season mode, create your own with GM mode, etc etc). There's just lots to pick from, I can't see anyone getting bored with this game easily. Critics ranked this one the best in the series, with only a very ignorant Gamepro review dragging its overall percentage below #1. In general, this is really the most complete, stuffed Smackdown game there is. If you're a fan of the games or the WWE even in the slightest, you'll find something to like about this game. It really surpassed my expectations.
  
  
  

• Can`t Wait For Smackdown vs. Raw 2007 To Come Out!!!!!!!!!!!

  
  By on 2006-06-02
  Smackdown vs. Raw 2007 should be waaaaaaaaaaaaaay better than Smackdown vs. Raw 2006. They should have a lot of rosters.
  
  Heres my list for the rosters:
  
  Raw Superstars:
  Big Show
  Carlito
  Charlie Haas
  Chris Masters
  Edge
  Eugene
  Gene Snitsky
  Goldust
  John Cena
  Johnny(Spirit Squad)
  Johnny Parisi
  Kane
  Kenny(Spirit Squad)
  Lance Cade
  Matt Striker
  Mikey(Spirit Squad)
  Mitch(Spirit Squad)
  Nicky(Spirit Squad)
  Ric Flair
  Rob Conway
  Shawn Michaels
  Shelton Benjamin
  Trevor Murdoch
  Triple H
  Val Venis
  Viscera
  
  Raw Divas:
  Ashley
  Beth Phoenix
  Candice Michelle
  Lita
  Maria
  Mickie James
  Torrie Wilson
  Trish Stratus
  Victoria
  
  Announcers:
  Jerry Lawler
  Jim Ross
  
  Ring Anouncer:
  Lilian Garcia
  
  Smackdown Superstars:
  Batista
  Bobby Lashley
  Boogeyman
  Booker T
  Brian Kendrick
  Chris Benoit
  Daivari
  Finlay
  Funaki
  Gregory Helms
  Gunner Scott
  JBL
  Jake(Gymini)
  Jaime Noble
  Jesse(Gymini)
  Joey Mercury(MNM)
  Johnny Nitro(MNM)
  Ken Kennedy
  Kid Kash
  Mark Henry
  Matt Hardy
  Nunzio
  Orlando Jordan
  Paul Burchill
  Paul London
  Psicosis(Mexicool)
  Randy Orton
  Rey Mysterio
  Road Warrior
  Scotty Too Hotty
  Simon Dean
  Super Crazy(Mexicool)
  Sylvan
  Tatanka
  Undertaker
  Vito
  William Regal
  
  Smackdown Divas:
  Jillian Hall
  Kristal
  Melina
  Sharmell
  
  Announcers:
  Michael Cole
  Tazz
  
  Ring Announcer:
  Steve Romero
  
  Legends:
  Stone Cold
  The Rock
  Hulk Hogan
  Hollywood Hogan
  Hogan 80s
  Andre The Giant
  Mankind
  Cactus Jack
  Dude Love
  Million Dollar Man Ted Dibiase
  Bret Hart
  British Bulldog
  Jake The Snake Roberts
  Jimmy Hart
  Mr. Perfect Curt Hennig
  Goldberg
  Brock Lesnar
  and others
  
  They should also have the attire selection on some superstars. And they also gonna have where you can pick up your opponent slam them whenever you want. And you can fight in the crowd and rip their signs.
  
  THQ gets better and better.
  
  

• My Dream Additions for Smackdown! vs. RAW 2007

  
  By on 2006-08-09
  I Think that the new game should include these wrestlers that were not in RVS '06. This is not what I want as the entire roster. This is just what I would like as additions.
  
  RAW:
  
  Johnny Nitro
  Umaga
  Matt Striker
  Viscera
  The Spirit Squad
  The Highlanders
  DX Versions of Triple H & Shawn Michaels
  
  RAW Divas:
  
  Mickey James
  Candice Michelle
  Beth Phoenix
  Melina
  Maria
  Victoria
  
  Smackdown!:
  
  The Great Khali
  Mark Henry
  Ken Kennedy
  Gregory Helms
  Jamie Noble
  Kid Kash
  Psychosis
  Super Crazy
  Vito
  Nunzio
  Brian Kendrick
  Finlay
  Bobby Lashley
  Simon Dean
  Gymini
  Booker T's "King" Persona
  
  Smackdown! Divas:
  
  Queen Sharmell
  Michelle McCool
  Ashley
  Krystal
  Jillian Hall
  
  Legends:
  
  Owen Hart
  Mick Foley
  "Mr. Wonderful" Paul Orndorff
  "Macho Man" Randy Savage
  Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat
  Ultimate Warrior
  "The American Dream" Dusty Rhodes
  Terry Funk
  
  Diva Legends (Maybe):
  
  Sable
  "Sensational" Sherri Martel
  Chyna
  Luna
  Jacqueline
  The Fabulous Moolah
  Wendy Richter
  
  ECW (Maybe):
  
  Tommy Dreamer
  Sabu
  Sandman
  Balls Mahoney
  Tazz
  Raven
  Rhyno
  Dudley Boyz
  
  Championships:
  
  WWE (Original & Spinner Belts) (Edge)
  World (King Booker)
  WWE Tag (London & Kendrick)
  World Tag (Spirit Squad)
  Intercontinental (Johnny Nitro)
  United States (Finlay)
  Cruiserweight (Gregory Helms)
  Women's (Current & Legend Divas' Pink Belts) (Mickey James)
  ECW (Big Show)
  ECW Television (RVD)
  Hardcore (Mick Foley)
  European (Owen Hart)
  Create-A-Belt
  
  For fun, they should have an option with Championship Belts to allow the holder of the belt to have the belt appear around the Champion's waist, over the Champion's shoulder, or in the Champion's hand during his or her entrance to the ring.
  
  

• Wrestling Gaming Takes A Proud Stride Forward!

  
  By AZ9JWGE1UGKZA on 2005-11-30
  Just last night I threw in the original "WWF SmackDown" for the PS-one that was released in 2000. I am amazed at how far this series has come. What was once an arcade-y fighting game with a WWF gloss, has evolved and developed into one of the finest wrestling games ever to be released.
  
  MODES AND FEATURES
  ---This time, THQ and Jakks and Yukes had the goal of bringing more reality and depth to the "SmackDown" series. What really stands out in this series, however, is an attempt to please all kinds of fans. Casual gamers can step right in play any kind of match they want with up to 6 players. Those who really dig storylines and presentation have a more linear, yet more satisfying Season Mode complete with animated cutscenes and good voice-over work. My favorite new addition is something that Sports fans will love. Players can now tackle the awesome General Manager mode and compete either against the computer or another player, and try to gain better ratings to produce the ultimate show. It could be a little less text-based, but otherwise, it's fantastic!
  
  GRAPHICS
  ---These wrestling models look great. They haven't been glossed over or made extra-shiny like previous WWE games have done with its superstars. Instead, they look eerily like their real-life counterparts. Shawn Michaels and Batista are the best examples to show this. The crowds still look like junk, but since when haven't they. The only game with a decent crowd is Ubi-Soft's "Rocky". The pyro-technics during entrances also look pitiful. But I can forgive those quibbles because the animation quality is "SmackDown" at its best. A few moves still don't look quite right, but considering that 70% of the maneuvers have been re-animated, one can't help but admire the effort.
  
  SOUND
  ---From a music standpoint, you don't hear any music when you're wrestling. However, the tracks that THQ picked to use during the menu system is their best lineup yet. The songs are accessible to use for Create-A-Wrestler, and worth listening to. The entrance music for the wrestlers are all authentic (save for a few legends) and sound clear. However, during the Royal Rumble matches, I couldn't really hear them. The wrestlers' voice-overs don't sound as canned, and are much better than last year's initial attempt at this feature. The commentary, however, is one step back from last year's entry. The two-man teams of Michael Cole/Tazz (SmackDown) and Jerry Lawler/Jim Ross (RAW) deliver forced dialogue that randomly interrupts depending on the match situation. Cole and Tazz are forgiveable, because they sound like they would on TV (not a compliment, but at least it's authentic). But Lawler and JR absolutely suck. Never before have I yearned so much for a SmackDown match just because of this problem.
  
  GAMEPLAY
  ---So what's new here? Again, the General Manager and Season modes are a plus. Season mode once again tackles a linear storyline (one for RAW, and one for SmackDown) similar to "WrestleMania 21" for the X-Box. Instead of the Season being a solid experience each time through, like the fifth "SmackDown" game back in 2003, this year it's going to be a great first-time experience, and with no reason to go back. I prefer the former version of Season mode, which explains why I love the General Manager Mode so much. GM Mode is simply one of the best ideas ever put in a wrestling game. I wish it wasn't as text-based as it is, and featured a little stronger presentation, but it is feature I absolutely crave! As far as matches go, the new Stamina system requires more strategy on your part to win matches. Work too hard and too fast, then your wrestler is going to be pretty useless. The pre-match minigames are back, and thankfully are optional. As far as match modes go, they're all back from last year with a few new goodies. The Buried Alive match is the big one, where you must throw your opponent in a Casket and perform to mini-games to win. I liked this mode at first, but don't really like it all that much. The same goes for the Backstage Brawls. This feels cheap, because instead of free-roaming environments, you get to pick 1 of 3 rooms and battle it out. The Parking Lot is much better than last year's, but the other two rooms aren't that much fun. The Royal Rumble hasn't changed at all from last year, except for the new Stamina system (this new feature is awesome!). The Bra-and-Panties match has now been integrated into a Fulfill Your Fantasy Match, where pillow fights, spankings, and clothing removal raise a crowd-pleasing meter. First one to fill it wins. This is actually kind of fun, but not a must-play. What surprised me most, however, was the new amount of attention given to the Steel Cage match. You can now climb out the door, and escaping from the Cage requires timing-based button pushes instead of mindless button-mashing. This is the best Steel Cage version to date! Now, throw all of these new ideas plus refined animations, and this game is pretty damn good.
  
  WHAT'S NOT TOO GOOD?
  ---I think it's worth mentioning that the roster this year isn't as good as any of the other "SmackDown" games. As much as I like playing as some of the new talent (Chris Masters, Carlito), I can't help but feel that "SmackDown: Here Comes The Pain" still has the best playable roster (Brock Lesnar, Goldberg, Kevin Nash...all not here). I also think that as good as the gameplay is, I kind of prefer the faster-paced fighting. Maybe if the new features were put into a faster-paced game, then it would the ultimate experience. The use of weapons is really sluggish, making Hardcore matches, or cheating for that matter, less fun. Speaking of cheating, the Clean and Dirty meters are pointless. I never liked them from last year, but thankfully, they don't play as much of a deal as they did last year. Also, on a side note, the aerial attacks aren't as accessible. Performing a top-rope finisher is an absolute pain in the ass!
  
  OVERALL
  ---The last paragraph is really harsh, I know, but what matters is that this really good game is worth purchasing. My criticisms for this game are mainly as a WWE fan, instead of as a fighting game player. When one is as obsessed with wrestling a I am, our expecations become damn-near unmeetable. But make no mistake, this is the second best of the "SmackDown" series (I still prefer "Here Comes The Pain"), and one of the best wrestling games since "WWF No Mercy" (Nintendo 64, 2000). Wrestling gaming is going to get nothing but better.
  
  

• Here are my "dream" legends for Smackdown vs Raw 2007

  
  By on 2006-08-09
  Hulk Hogan(All American Good Guy)
  Bret "The Hitman" Hart
  Mr Perfect(RIP)
  Owen Hart(RIP)
  The Undertaker w/Paul Bearer old school(1990-1994)
  The Undertaker 2(1996-1998)
  The Undertaker 3(w/Ministry of Darkness 1999)
  Hulk Hogan as the NWO
  Stone Cold Steve Austin
  Old Triple H(Hunter Hearst Helmsley)
  The Rockers/Shawn Michaels and Marty Jannetty
  Razor Ramon
  Diesel
  Hart Foundation(Bret Hart and Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart)
  Eddie Guerrerro(RIP)
  Rowdy Roddy Piper
  Mick Foley/Mankind/Dude Love/Cactus Jack
  The British Bulldog
  The Million Dollar Man Ted Dibiase
  Jake "The Snake" Roberts
  Faarooq
  Rocky Mavia(1996-1998)
  The Rock(1998-2004)
  
  
  
  
• Fun game with frustrating flaws.
  By A3ENDQH62F67M7 on 2005-11-29
  I really enjoy playing this game. Me and my friends get together and play it every weekend. But there are a few things that have plagued this series for sometime. They did a good job of improving most of them for example on the last game you could get put in 10 ankle locks and if you could tap the button fast enough you wouldn't tap out but if Triple H put you in a headlock a few times you would submit. That's gone now Thank you!! But my frustration is with the focus. There are numerous times when in a heated battle in a 6 man survival where your wrestler will turn and face the wrong person just because they came near. But even this is somewhat forgivable but what is not forgivable is when you are fighting one person and then your character becomes preoccupied with the referee and that really frustrates me if the DQ is on and I hit the ref because they are constantly in the way. I wonder how many times I have pressed down and O to pin and grabbed the ref in a hold. Also the referee will often times just stand there if he is not in position to count the pin. Sometimes a good 4 seconds or more. Another thing top rope finishers are almost impossible to hit now because your opponent gets up so fast. If you have RVD and your opponent is on the ground and you want to do the Frog Splash unlike on the last few games where it just locks into the animation this one stays real time so your opponent just gets up while you are posing. I could even overlook this if I had the option to cancel my special. Also HBK does a dance after the Chin Music and while he does his dance (that you can't avoid) your opponent often will get up before you can pin him. Why are there 3 Hogans on this game? Like I said it's a fun game but it has some flaws.
  
  
• The new gold standard in WWE Smackdown games...
  By A1A2SWJHNJ10FP on 2005-12-01
  Ask any gamer who also happens to be a fan of wrestling what video game has been the major hit series to own and most will say that the WWE SmackDown series of games has been THE must-own series since game one. 2 PSone titles and 4 PS2 titles later, the question had to be asked if THQ could make it 7 hit titles in all with the release of SmackDown vs Raw 2006. The final answer is: OH YEAH!!!!
  
  WWE SmackDown vs Raw 2006 takes a major step up from last year's SD vs Raw by amping up what they felt the gamers wanted amped up and removing a few things that were not too liked. One major boost is to the graphics. As before, each of the wrestlers looks so close to their real life counterparts you would almost swear that you were watching an actual WWE show. The stars come out to their actual entrances (moves and music) but yes, there are a few who it seems the theme clearances couldn't be gained. Nevertheless it really is a major difference.
  
  Also new to the game are a few new match types to take on. The Bra and Panties match that we loved dearly (admit it guys...:)) has now become the Fulfill Your Fantasy match in which you have to fill a "Fantasy Meter" to win the match. It is fun, seeing as you get to start a pillowfight or go old school and try to rip your opponent's clothes off...
  
  Also added to the match types is the Buried Alive match. In this match you have to fight your way up to a point on the stage where a coffin awaits. There you must toss your opponent into the coffin, close the lid and win by basically burying your opponent. This is a match that gets fun dependent on which superstar you use to take the match. What's more is that it is one of 100 (!!) match types to take on in the game.
  
  Other new features include an all new General Manager Mode where you take on the role of GM of either show and try to go through a year by setting up matches and shows to garner the biggest fan base, Superstar specific storylines that change dependent on choices made throughout the season, a new Locker Room where the trophies and accolades you win through your wrestling are stored, an amazing roster of several current and former WWE Superstars including the legendary Bret "Hitman" Hart (THANK YOU!!!), the ability to steal your opponent's taunts and finishers, a new Possum Pin where you can fake out and pin your opponent, voices for your own created characters, the chance to take on either the WWE or World Heavyweight Champion in Exhibition mode and more.
  
  The few drawbacks come with the commentary during your matches, which come from Jim Ross and Jerry "the King" Lawler from Raw and Michael Cole and Tazz from SmackDown which sound at times like it was forced for them to read. Also, the WWE Championship belt in all modes is the current "Spinner" championship held by Raw's John Cena. Yet periodically you see the old "modernized" WWE Championship and you won't get that one.
  
  But even with these flaws, WWE SmackDown vs Raw 2006 sets the bar high for any future WWE titles (it is unknown if this is the final WWE title for PS2 with the PS3 on the horizon) and sends Midway a little message as it begins to make the game for WWE's main rival TNA Total Nonstop Action Wrestling. As the tagline says, get ready for the fight of your life!
  
  
• WWE Wrestling at its finest
  By A3NN2RPXXUBGJY on 2005-12-15
  This game is just incredible. It just surpasses the first last year's Smackdown vs Raw in every aspect. Better career mode, a new GM mode, better graphics, and most importantly, a better WWE roster. The voice-overs are so much better this year too. If you love wrestling, this is the game for you.
  
  
• One of the best wrestling games
  By A2A6NH6DPE0VXR on 2006-04-07
  First off, this is way way way better than the first Smackdown vs Raw. This one has everything I wished the first Smackdown vs Raw had. You can defend or win a title without having to be in season mode. Although you have to unlock both world titles in season mode in-order to use them in title mode. Anyway I hope they keep title mode in Smackdown vs Raw 2007. I mean what's the point in going through a season mode if you can't have your champ defend against whoever you want him to defend against. So I love title mode! and they better keep it in all the next Smackdown games in years to come.
  
  I also like GM mode where you can control a roster. However it's pretty damn hard to win GM mode and win the general manager trophy though. I don't like how you need to win a very hard challenge mode in-order to unlock the Million Dollar Man, the Hardcore belt and the Million dollar title. I doubt many people who have played the game have unlocked all that. Some of the challenges are way too hard to get through. So in the next game I hope you don't have to go through all that [...] to get a Legend and a belt again. Plus they should finally have 8 man tags so you can have 8 man elimation tags for once.
  
  They also have way too many wrestlers who were either fired or are still around and just not being used. I mean when was the last time you saw the Basham Brothers on tv. The game should've had Matt Hardy and M&M instead of all the fired people. This is the full roster I'd love to see in the next game. HHH, Beniot, Cena, Lashley, The Boogie Man, Finley, Matt Hardy, Edge, JBL, King Booker, Sharmell, Melina, Mickey James, M&M, Candice Michelle, Torrie Wilson, Jillian Hall, Victoria, Ashley, Undertaker, Ric Flair, Lita, Rey Mysterio, Charlie Haas, Chavo, Carlito, Chris Masters, Val Venis, Mark Henry, Gregory Helms, Kid Kash, Paul London, Brian Kendrick, Jamie Knoble, Super Crazy, Psycosis, Batista, Eugene, Tatanka, Animal, Fake Kane, Big Show, Kane, Umaga, The Spirit Squard, HBK, Kurt Angle, Shelton Benjaman, The Great Khali, Randy Orton, William Regal, Paul Burchell and Ken Kennedy.
  
  Legends and Extra playable wrestlers: Shane McMahon, Vince McMahon, Tazz, The Coach, Jerry Lawyler, Bret Hart, Hogan, Mick Foley and his other personalities, Stone Cold, Chris Jericho, Vader, Yokozuna, The Rock, Million Dollar Man and the Million Dollar title "without challengle mode!", Owen Hart, Eddie Guerrero, Psycho Sid, Randy Savage, Mr. Perfect, Dusty Rhoades, Rick Rude, Ricky the Dragon Steamboat. King Kong Bundy, Kamala, Hacksaw Jim Duggan, and Marty Jannetty "how he looks now".
  
  ECW wrestlers: The Big Show, Kurt Angle, RVD, Sabu, The Sandman, Tommy Dreamer, Test, Terry Funk, Jazz, Kelly, Balls Mahoney, Steven Richards, Mike Knox.
  
  Match types: GM mode "with the Legends", Title mode, PPV mode, Survivor Series 8 Man tag elimination matches, Elimination Chamber, Money in the Bank, 3 Stages of Hell, Ladder Matches, TLC, Lumber Jack, Tournerments, Hell in a Cell, Battle Royals, Royal Rumble, Casket Match, Bullrope matches, Cage matches, I Quit, Hardcore and Barbed Wire Steelcage matches.
  
  What else I'd like to see in Smackdown 2007: wrestlers who have managers should always walk out with them even in special matches. Meaning Lita should always be with Edge and Melina should always be with M&M, Jillian with J.B.L., Daivari with Mark Henry and the Great Khali and Sharmel with Booker T.. Plus you should be able to use Legends GM Mode.
  
  Extra moves for created wresters: "all with different names of" course, The Styles Clash, The Unprettier, The Stroke, The Fameasser, The Dudley Deathdrop, The Gore, The Muscle Buster, The Canadian Destroyer, The Steiner Recliner, Ken Kennedy's old fireman slam off the top rope move, The Pounce
  
  Ring Music: Bow Down to the King, DX, The Game music, Rey's new song, rey's old song, Cena's new song, Cena's old song, Big Show's new song, Angle's new song, Jerry Lawyler's, J.R's, Let the Bodies hit the floor
  
  Ring Entances for Created wrestlers: Jeff Hardy, Jeff Jarrett, Christian's, The Alpha Male's, The NWO, DX, Taz
  
  Created Skins: Masato Tanaka, Mike Awesome, Juvuntud, Viscera, Eric Bischoff, Stephanie McMahon, Paul Heyman, Joey Styles, J.R.
  
  
• Some goods & bads from Smackdown vs Raw '06.
  By on 2006-08-17
  Even though this game tops over the last one which was(hurl SvsR 1 hurl, hurl), but that doesn't mean its the best game in the world today. Some things about I like about this game & some that I don't.
  
  Some goods like the gameplay(very little of it), title bouts(finally since the first game of PS1), some storylines, some match types & other suches.
  
  For bad that I like to add here is for the following that I have to say. For example like the CPU's can be stupid(when your not playing with them), all they do is walk in & out of the ring & mainly fight outside or fool around a lot. Also if a tornado tag match if your fighting a CPU character while the other is trying to save his partner from your attack. Your tag partner however sometimes will just go in & out of the ring like a dumba** that he is & won't barely help you out of harms way. Also for Eugene had to be in this game which was stupid to put him in & his wrestling sucks. Not only that, once I knew that Eugene was going to be in this game, I knew there was going to be a storyline involving him in it. Once I played & beat the first storyline, once again I was right, a Eugene storyline had to be in this game which sucked. This storyline is pathethic, childish, & weird. First off Eugene & Regal has their World Tag Team Titles(wasn't that in early '05 until the houseshow they've lost it?) & your superstar comes in & congradulate them. Meanwhile, you've heard it that Edge & Christian are a team again(yeah right)to challenge Regal & Eugene for the World Tag Titles. After a segment match between you & Christian, a scene with Edge spearing Regal & puts him in the Edgucator(that name was never mentioned again during real announcings) makes Regal tap out by holding the ropes of course thats typical Edge. Meanwhile a weird part is that Trish Stratus, yes Trish Stratus is an alignment with Edge & Christian(never seen Trish with them at all) who distracts Eugene, who is an idiot for believing that Trish is his friend! You believe that (CENSORED)!!!!!!!!!! Not only that, Regal said that he's crippled & can't continue the damn tag team title match & he appoints your superstar for the tag title pace(man that me off). You know damn well he ain't hurt that bad & you get set up for a take over tag team title storyline in a title match at Taboo Tuesday(the most hated & stupidest ppv of all history) while Trish distracts Eugene(who is a dumba** bamboo) backstage while you're by yourself to defend those titles. Win or lose, either way the titles will go to E & C, yeah I know its stupid. Then There we have is the Coach himself insulting you after the ppv about how your superstar let Regal down. But meanwhile your superstar gets back at Coach while Coach is chicken(censored) & says,"Well whats your reaction of Eugene, uh um, dropping the ball?". Then when you wrestle for the tag titles again at survivor series, when you not only win the tag titles but, Trish's contract as well, Regal is finally cured & well(pah, go figure!!!!), & asks for his tag title belt & your superstar says for an exchange for the contract of Trish Stratus when Regal says its a deal but then Bishoff comes out & says,"Seems my nephew knows something about that you don't Regal"! Of course, we all know about this reality base that Andre The Giant beating Hogan for the WWE title, but tryed to give it to Ted DiBiase when he had a deal with him which was illegal! Then Bishoff again vacates the titles again like the first storyline with the world title! The other storylines are okay but the Eugene one which I knew it was going to be in sucked a**! As for the Smackdown! storyline goes, thats nothing special at all except that your superstar accuses everybody &, even a woman like Torrie Wilson of running down Theodore Long in the Parking Lot(which that didn't surprise me at all).
  
  The matches like I Quit & Lumberjack aren't in it & they've been replaced by the likes of Parking Lot Brawl & Fullfill Your Fantasy? What? WTF......................??? Wheres the old school matches they still use today?
  
  I didn't expect this game to be the best or the worst of the series. But to the WWE fans, you guys should give this a try. If you like this game, then this is a game for you but as for the other ones who don't like this game, then you're talking to the wrong guy in this review here. I only find this game to be moderate, nothing personal about it but, not much to be expected.
  
  As for the character models, they're all rediculous & stupid like why is JBL for example muscular in this game when in real life he has no muscles? I already know that JBL ain't macho anymore & they've messed that up there. Face it THQ & Vince, the APA days are over!
  
  
• WWE SMACKDOWN VS RAW 2006
  By on 2005-11-24
  WHERE SHOULD I START FIRST GIVE IT UP TO THQ FOR ANOTHER GREAT GAME GAME. LETS TALK ABOUT THE GAME NOW. THE GRAPHICS ARE AMAZING IT LOOKS LIKE YOU ARE WATCHING THEM AND TV LIVE. ALL THE WREASLERS ARE THERE EXCEPT MNM. YOU WILL HAVE TO UNLOCK THE SPINNING BELT IN SESON MODE. THE WEASTLERS SONGS ARE NOT UPDATED FOR EXAMPLE REY. HE HAS THE SONGS FROM LAST YEAR. THERE ARE 3 STAGES OF BLOOD THEY HAVE 3 HULK HOGGANS WOW. YOU CAN HAVE KANE WITH A MASK OR NON MASK THEY HAVE 100 MATCHES INCLUDING CASKET LADDER CAGE AND MORE SORRY NO INFORNO MATCH! THE STAMINA BAR IS PRETTY GOOD. THEY ALSO HAVE THE UPDATED ROSTER. SESON MODE IS GOOD THEIR MOUTH MATCH THERE WORDS FINALLY! WHEN YOU WALK IN SOMETIMES YOU WILL SEE YOUR OPPONET ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE RING. THERE ARE SO MANY DIFFRENT BUTTONS. TO IRISH WHIP YOUR OPPONET REMMEBER YOU ONLY PRESSED CIRCLE NOT ANY MORE NOW YOU TAP CIRCLE AND TRIANGLE TO DO IT. TITLE MATCH IN EXPADITON AMAZING. THEY HAVE SOME DIFFRENT WEPONS UNDER THE MAT LIKE A STICK WRAPED WITH BARBWIRE. IN A CAGE YOU CAN ESCAPE BUY A DOOR OR CLIME IT. THE FURFILL YOU FANTSY IS COOL TOO. THE COMPUTER REVERSES ALMOST EVERY THING YOU DO TO IT. THE ANNOCERS ACULARY KNOW WHAT HAPPENS THEY NEVER REPEAT LIKE WHEN THE RAF IS DOWN THEY ARE LIKE OH MY GOD THE REF IS DOWN NOW WHO IS GOING TO COUNT. THE WAY THE REF RACES YOU HAND IS COOL JUST LIKE REAL LIFE. #1 WREASTLING GAME
  
  SORRY ABOUT THE SPELLING :-(
  
  
• This is a great game.
  By on 2005-12-12
  Pros: This is a great game. The graphics are great, and the life like movements and looks of the wrestlers are amazing, and the new modes are very fun. This game is a lot better than the origianal. The new wrestlers, and legends are great.
  
  Cons: In a match you have to keep your stanima or you can't move. The way you earn most things in season mode is you have to earn titles and awards, which is hard and annoying.
  
  
• Smackdown! vs. RAW 2006: Pros and Cons
  By on 2006-04-15
  Pros:
  -Realistic gameplay and graphics.
  
  -Stamina.
  
  -New Moves, including new animations to older moves.
  
  -New Wrestlers.
  
  -New Legends.
  
  -New Season Mode.
  
  -All-New General Manager Mode.
  
  -Improved Create a Superstar Mode.
  
  -All-New Create an Entrance Mode.
  
  -New Match Types:
  -Fulfill Your Fantasy (This is a replacement to the Bra and Panties Match, however, you do not have to win by ripping your opponent's clothes off).
  
  -Backstage Brawl (Includes Backstage, Parking Lot, and All-New Bar Brawls).
  
  -Buried Alive.
  
  -You can defend you're title in exibition mode, including the Million Dollar Championship and the Hardcore Championship.
  
  -New arenas, including ECW: One Night Stand and Wrestlemania 9 (The famous outdoor arena at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada).
  
  -The ability to escape through the steel cage's door. Also, there is an unlockable "Legend Cage" (The original blue steel cage).
  
  -The crowd is more realistic. It cheers the "Clean" wrestlers and boos the "Dirty" wrestlers. Also, putting a wrestler through a table results in the crowd chanting "Holy S--t!".
  
  -When a wrestler bleeds, they only bleed a little, like in real life. Whenever you attack that bleeding wrestler in the head area, they will bleed very much, and the blood will appear on the wrestling mat.
  
  -Able to interact with environment (Example: Instead of just throwing your opponent into the steps, you can bounce their head onto it)
  
  -All-new weak and strong irish whips. Strons irish whips will allow you to through your opponent out of the ring and into the turnbuckle post very hard.
  
  -All-new "Clean" and "Dirty" grapple holds for every wrestler.
  
  Cons:
  -Season Mode is very short, with little decisions and few differences in the storylines.
  
  -Stamina is very annoying at times.
  
  -Most of the wrestlers in this game are either fired or hardly ever used.
  
  -Many wrestlers have different outfits that they would normally wear in real life (Example: J.B.L.'s costume has the old J.B.L. logo in gold, while now his logo is red, white, and blue).
  
  -Some wrestlers are outdated (Example: Rob Conway has his new music and video, however, he is wearing his La Resistance outfit and is announced as "Robert Conway").
  
  -The legends are good, but there are many who are in older Smackdown! games (Andre the Giant, Bret Hart, etc.). Also, there are 3 Hulk Hogans (Current Hulk Hogan, nWo Hollywood Hogan, and 1980's Hulk Hogan). This at first is neat, but they all have the same moves. This is just wasted space for other possible legends. They should have had the other personas as alternative outfits.
  
  -A PSP and a copy of the Smackdown! vs. RAW PSP video game is required to unlock the Million Dollar and Hardore Championships, Jake "The Snake" Roberts, and Stone Cold Steve Austin's alternative outfit.
  
  -Many wrestlers do not have their entrance outfit that they wear in real life (Including Edge's leather robe, Chris Jericho's jacket, Chris Master's robe, and many others).
  
  -GM Mode is fun, but gets very annoying at times. Very hard to win the "GM of the Year" Trophy, and even when you do, the only thing you unlock is either Triple H's or J.B.L.'s alternative outfit (depending on the show that you were the GM of).
  
  -Divas cannot be in any "Main Event" matches. Only "Fulfill your Fantasy" and "Special Referee".
  
  -Irish whips take more time to perform.
  
  
• They've done it again!!
  By A2DC81S17I9NEZ on 2005-11-18
  When I first heard of Smackdown 2006 I was skeptical. How many improvements could be made to a game in a year that is usually only released every 2 to 3 years? The answer is A LOT!! The good people at THQ and Yukes must have been working on this game before they released last year's not so special Smackdown vs. Raw. The bottom line is Smackdown '06 delivers the most realistic (or should I say true to life) wrestling experience to date. This game simply blows every other installment of the Smackdown franchise out of the water in ALL departments (graphics, sound, fighting system, season mode, and new features).
  
  Graphics - First of all, the graphics look like something that belongs on a next generation system. I don't know how they did it but the wrestlers look so much like their real life counter-parts it is down right spooky. The first time I saw Triple H pause and throw his bottle of water into the crowd I got goosebumps because you'd swear you were watching real footage. Also there is no visual drop-off in the quality of created superstars, which is a first. The crowd models look better than ever and on some entrances you actually can see the other wrestler in the ring waiting for you (depending on if the camera angle is right) making the entrances look like much more then canned animation sequences.
  
  Sound - Though most people don't by a wrestling game for it's sound the commentary is much better than it has ever been. It's still repetitive at times but even Madden games haven't solved that problem yet. The voice overs for the wrestlers are delivered much better then last years and created wrestlers can be assigned voices as well as a voiced, name and city for their entrance.
  
  Fighting System - Now down to the brass tacks. It may look and sound good but what about the fightin'?!! Fans of last year's game may be in for a disappointment this year because the overhauled fighting system is much more reminiscent of Smackdown: Here Comes The Pain in terms of pacing. The matches have been slowed down quite a bit to allow for a more tactical approach and to reflect the real pace of a real life match. The computer reverses moves much more than ever which can be frustrating at times but this simply forces players to use a little more variety in their tactics than they are use to. ALSO the biggest change is NO MORE ENERGY BARS. Matches are won by wearing down your opponent by targeting you attacks to a specific area of their body and by swing the momentum of a match (by dominating your opponent by chaining moves together and gaining crown approval). This fighting system, while slower and more deliberate, is true to life wrestling experience.
  
  Season mode - The season mode visuals are much better this year along with the previously mentioned voice-overs. Cut scenes look like something you'd see on a WWE program, with changing camera angles, and compelling acting (wink, wink). There are wrestler specific branches that should keep the repetition to a minimum.
  
  New Features - Finally there are more features than you can shake a barbed wires bat at. New match types including the buried alive format. A GM mode that mirrors the GM modes we've seen in other sports games and a beefed up online mode that supports 4 players and tradeable created wrestlers.
  
  
  
• Hard
  By A2TWRHCR8T52UA on 2005-12-14
  TITLE MATCH,GENRAL MANGER MODE, BURIED ALIVE MATCH, NEW LEGENDS, FUFIIL YOUR FANTASY, AND ALL THE NEW THINGS ON THE GAME REALLY IMPRESS ME. I LIKE THE GAME, BUT ITS HARD TO BEAT. HAVNET UNLOCKED TED DIBIASE. THE TROPHIES ARE REALLY GOOD. 1 MORE DAY AND IT COMES OUT ON PSP.
  
  
• Greatest Game Ever
  By on 2005-12-18
  This game tops the previous smackdown vs. Raw game. There are a handful of new matches including fufill your fantasy match and Buried Alive match. The season mode is okay but the GM mode tops the cake. You can now also put titles on the line in exhibition mode. Same Create-A-Wrestler,PPV,championship and new create an entrance mode. The voice overs are also great. Overall this is a very good game.
  
  
• WWE Smackdown! vs RAW 2006
  By A3GKOMCQTTWPUI on 2006-01-03
  Another year and another wrestling game, you'll think to yourself when you pass the video game aisles of your favorite electronics or game store. Yet for the past few years THQ and Yuke's have been putting out WWE titles for the PS2 that have been getting better and better and it wasn't until SmackDown! vs. Raw that we have seen a game wrestling fans could really sink their teeth into and enjoy. Well, that was last year because SmackDown! vs. Raw 2006 is here and believe me when I tell you that this is, by far, the best thing to happen to wrestling since The Rock stepped foot in the ring.
  
  Not just a new roster change (although unforeseen changes, like the tragic loss of Eddie Guerrero, have not been rectified at the time of release), this 2006 edition just adds more features and a better grappling system while bringing back many of the things we loved the first time around. You'll still find a stable filled with favorite Superstars from the long list of top male grapplers (The Undertaker, Cena, Sean Michaels) as well as the lovely WWE Divas (Trish Stratus, Torrie Wilson, Stacey Keibler) and also some legendary grapplers like the '80s Hulk Hogan, Stone Cold Steve Austin and even The Rock among a few others.
  
  Aside from the usual assortment of match types like Ladder, Table, Cage and Tag Team matches (with Manager or without), there's the new Buried-Alive match where you'll slam your opponent into an actual casket and slam the lid closed. There's even backstage brawls where you'll be able to Irish whip your opponent into environmental objects. The Bra and Panties matches are back but it comes back in the form of Fulfill Your Fantasy Mode where your favorite Diva can dress up as a school girl, nurse or French maid as they rip clothes off each another. There's even a Divas pillow fight!
  
  The best game mode by far, though, turns out to be the game's Season Mode. It is here that you're encouraged to create your male grappler (complete with a choice of different voices) and take him through a full WWE season. At the start of your career, WWE Diva Torrie Wilson's friend and General Manager, Teddy, is hit by a car in the parking lot of one of the arenas. Suddenly the accusations begin to fly and there's finger pointing between your grappler and the oh-so dreamy Cena. During these accusations that you'll find a number of choices and depending on what you pick you'll be challenging different opponents. It is here that you enter matches and participate in WWE events to earn points that unlock some really juicy extras in the game`s new Locker Room. It's a lengthy affair and one of the most enjoyable Season Mode the series has produced thus far.
  
  If you're interested in the wheeling and dealings of a WWE GM, there's General Manager Mode that has you coming up with your own roster of Superstars, taking charge of your stable's finances as well as deciding on matches and who will turn on who the following week. This is really a great peek at what goes on in the WWE. The game's Creation mode also has a nice number of options and with the new Create-An-Entrance, your created wrestlers will truly feel a part of the WWE lineup.
  
  The game's grappling system has been tweaked and it borrows its best elements from the GameCube's WWE Day of Reckoning series. Pulling off some complex moves - even turnbuckle moves that were a bit difficult to pull off smoothly - are handled with ease and thus make the matches even more exciting. You'll counter and reverse moves a bit more easily but there's a price to pay. Much like Day of Reckoning 2 there's a Stamina Meter that, realistically enough, wears out your grappler. It makes sense, really, since you can't dish out punch after punch without showing signs of fatigue in real life. When your stamina runs low, you'll have to tap the Select button to regain strength. It slows the action down but not to a frustrating degree.
  
  On the visual front, SmackDown! vs. Raw 2006 is a gorgeous PS2 game. This year's game sees some sharp graphics with characters that look amazingly like their actual counterpart. Aside from Hulk Hogan looking a lot like Hulk Hogan, the game makes use of motion capture to make each grappler walk, bust moves and receive punishment realistically enough. The arenas look alive with fans and each type of venue is decorated accordingly ... even the game's overall presentation feels like a televised event. Sure there's still a few clipping problems that see hands going right through your opponent's flesh, but it never gets too out of control.
  
  The game's sound offers a surprising new addition: voice acting. You'll actually get to hear your created character during Season Mode's various cutscenes. You'll even hear a number of your favorite WWE Superstars like Cena and Torrie just to name a few of the colorful characters you'll meet and challenge. There's also match coverage from the same two-man commentary duo that handle real matches. The commentary they make really doesn't offer much of an insight nor will they offer true play-by-play but instead begin to bicker and playfully insult each another much like they do in real life. The Superstar introductions are true to the televised events and that's a great thing. You'll hear every Superstar's theme music playing loudly and there's some tunes from artists like Ministry that play throughout the game.
  
  There's no doubt about it, SmackDown! vs. Raw 2006 is truly this year's must-have wrestling game. Period. It not only looks gorgeous but also it plays just as good as it looks and with new features and a brilliant Season Mode, you'll find it hard not to give into a game that's worth your hard-earned money even if you bought last year's great game. Buy it right away if you're a fan of WWE wrestling or have been looking for a nearly perfect wrestling game for your PS2.
  
  
• This Game Is Missing A Lot Of Rosters!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  By on 2006-04-15
  I like this game but this game is missing a lot of rosters. When the next wrestling game comes out i expect to see Bobby Lashley, The Boogeyman, MNM, Mark Henry, Finley, Kid Kash, Viscera, Val Venis, Trevor Murdoch Gregory Helms(without the hurricane suit), The Gymini, Tatanka, Road Warrior, Animal, Brian Kendrick, Funaki, Ken Kennedy, Paul Burchill, Matt Hardy, The Mexicools, Simon Dean, Goldust, The Spirit Squad, Lance Cade, Ashley, Mickie James, Candice Michelle, Victoria, Maria, Sharmell, Jillian Hall, Kristal, and all of the other rosters thats on this game.
  
  And i also expect other legends like Goldberg, Brock Lesnar, and others.
  
  
• Best Smackdown Ever!!!!!
  By A3MUBWYV4YX6PC on 2006-04-26
  I have every smackdown ever made. This one is by far the best. The rosters are good the season mode is perfect and you can hear your guy talk to. The general manager mode is awesome you can even use legends. There are lot of good legends out of all my 80 PS2 games this is my favorite. It has a buried alive match on it a bar brawl and a fulfill your fantasy match. There is over a hundred different matches. You can create your created players entrance. There is probably 70 people on the roster. The ppv mode might be a little bit better it's pretty well the same. It has Hulk Hogan, Hollywood Hoagan, Hogan 80's, Andre The Giant, Bret Hart, British Bulldog, Stone Cold, The Rock, Mankind, The Junkyard Dog, and Ted Diabiase.
  
  
• Greatest WWE Game on PS2
  By AC2QAC4WQ72UQ on 2005-11-19
  I spent lots of time finding this game and I finally got it!
  It was scheduled to be released Nov. 14, but most places got it Nov. 16 or didn't get it at all!
  
  Anyways, this game is a HUGE improvement from last year.
  
  When you start the game, the beginning video shows the SmackDown! official theme song with their entrance video before the show starts.
  
  This is a big improvement from last year, because they just showed John Cena staring at Randy Orton in the game and had some footage of the normal game, which didn't interest me at all.
  
  
  It had just about anything you would want. You can COMPLETELY customize your entrace, meaning you don't have to copy one superstar's whole entrance.
  
  You can choose when to put pyro, whether to put color in the backround, have it blinking, and more!
  
  The graphics are just great, I can't find a PS2 game with better, sharper graphics than this.
  
  Last year, the graphics were a bit choppy, so they made Randy Orton look like a man with Acne problems, but in this one, his face is sharp and realistic.
  
  As soon as you start a match, you will realize how great the graphics are. As you play, you will see what different grapple options they have and what new weapons they have : Barbed Wire, Ring Announcer Bell.
  
  I read a review on Amazon and it said these were some flaws:
  
  1. Steel an opponet's finisher is gone. Instead you can steal an opponet's taunt. Not as good, but it doesn't ruin the game
  
  2. Hollywood Hogan's fake NWO theme. I have no idea why THQ couldn't get rights to the nWo theme.
  
  Those are incorrect because for:
  
  1) You can steal an opponent's finisher by using CLEAN tactics.
  
  2) Hogan's NwO theme was different than the one used by the group, they added some unique things to it on TV, just like in the game.
  
  The CAW (creating a character) is AMAZING, you can actually make them wear shirts that don't look like dresses, have a huge amount of accessories and clothes to wear, and actually look like a real person.
  
  Last year, you created character couldn't even have a 6 pack, but don't worry, this game covers all that and makes your character just how you want it.
  
  Season Mode is miraculously good, each show of SmackDown! and RAW have different storylines to avoid repitition, which was a major problem in SmackDown! vs RAW of last year.
  
  The superstars also have active voices, not like last year where they sounded like they weren't into the action, or had lack of sleep.
  
  The only downfall (which doesn't matter to me so much because Season is already so great) is that roster is the same as before the draft.
  
  This isn't THQ's fault, but it would have been nice if it was updated a bit.
  
  Also, the roster is huge, with 60 or more people!
  
  Last year, legends sometimes had no theme music and they had no videos, so it just had a WWE logo for their entrance video, but now, EVERY SINGLE legend has their official video, and that makes all the difference in the game.
  
  I don't have Online or GM Mode, so sorry I can't review on that section.
  
  All the themes on the characters are current, except for Eddie Guerrero (RIP) and Rey Mysterio.
  
  Eddie still has his heel music, and Rey still has his older Wrestlemania 21, 619 theme.
  
  WWE Divas also look perfect, last year they resembled aging, disturbing women.
  
  That covers most of the good points, I can't cover all because the game is simply that great.
  
  Here are the main problems:
  
  1) Some moves havn't changed how they look. (ie. John Cena's FU is the same as last year, very cheap)
  
  2) Most powerful finishers can be used as normal grapples, even though the finisher-type moves aren't as strong in normal grapples, it makes your character look overrated.
  
  3)Most of the great features have to be unlocked by finishing long and hard things, so it makes me a bit impatient to finish season mode to unlock The Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin.
  
  4) The backround menu music needs big help, they are terrible to hear. Besides some good beats, some singers/rappers need big help. Even though last year's music was also terrible, I think I might prefer that one more.
  
  Besides those four points, this is an awesome and great game.
  
  I recommend it to EVERYBODY who is into the WWE.
  
  Have fun!
  
  
• SvR 2006
  By AQZE4MMQMDKPB on 2005-11-24
  Smackdown vs. RAW 2006 is a huge step forward from last year's Smackdown vs. RAW. Last year's installment was seen as a dissapointment in so many people's eyes and I think they really listened to all the main complaints. The AI problems have been solved pretty well, even though still not perfect. The visuals are very nice, all entrances have been motion captured. The online experience is a big improvement also. All match types are playable, except Royal Rumble and Elimination Chamber, so it's a huge improvement on last year where you could only do single or b&p matches. The new stamina system really adds to the realism also, the matches last longer this time around compared to last year where you could run all around doing power move after power move with no effect on yourself. This year if you do so your stamina will run out fairly quickly and you will be open to attacks. The new GM mode is a nice feature, but with it being text-based it can seem a bit slow and boring at times but I can't wait to see how they improve on this feature next year. Finally, the season mode which can get a bit repetitive if gone through several times, but the huge voiceover improvements make it as if you're watching an actual WWE broadcast. Overall, this is a huge improvement over last year and you shouldn't be dissapointed with it at all.
  
  
• 7th time's the charm
  By A3H9ICMKOZ7KCQ on 2005-11-24
  The latest grappler in THQ's line of Smackdown games is the best. Nothing against the other games, but they get better and better every year. THQ is constantly adding new things to make it the most real wrestling simulation on the market.
  
  Better Graphics: I know many people have said this, but the graphics have improved miles over Smackdown vs Raw 1. Superstars now look more real then ever.
  
  New Momentum System: Makes the game more like a WWE match by only letting you do finisher moves by getting full momentum
  
  More Legends: Stone Cold, the Rock, THREE Hulk Hogans (80's Hogan, Current Hogan, Hollywood Hogan), British Bulldog, Bret Hart, they've got them all!
  
  More Matches: Want to bury your opponent alive? Cripple them with JBL's limo? Want to Fulfill your Fantasy? New match types make these dreams possible.
  
  Also, Pay-Per-View arenas are current.
  
  Overall, WWE S vs R 2006 is probably the best wrestling game you can find on the market. So break in your PS2 and buy this game.
  
  
• Best Games of Year & WWE!!
  By AQ959HC10SEP5 on 2005-11-24
  I loved it. I was playing it for long time. That's FUN. It's Big Fun Games for only 50.00. get it!
  
  New Types Matches:
  -Buried Alive
  -Fill Your Fansty
  -Titles Match (Used the Titles Match for fun)
  -Royal Battles Over the Top of the Rope
  -BarBrawl
  -Backstage Brawl
  
  New Types Menu:
  -Locker Room (Use your own Locker Room to save a information, for fun, trainer, and edit by yourself) Plus you can edit wall color, couch, floor, etc.
  -Gerenal Managers Mode (You have to run a your show SD! or Raw for a year to keep fans a happy plus, you can creative a storyline, match, hires superstars, etc. That's my farovite in this game.)
  -Creative an enterance by own yourself.
  -Earn a Troply at Your Locker Room to UnLocked somethings.
  -New legend Champion Belts. (Millions Dollar Champion/Hardcore Champion)
  
  Arena:
  Smackdown!
  Raw
  The Revolution
  Royal Rumble 05
  No Way Out 05
  Wrestlemania 21
  Backlash 05
  Judgment Day 05
  Vengeance 04
  Great America Bash
  Summer Slam 04
  Unforgiven 04
  No Mercy 04
  Taboo Tuesday 04
  Survivor Series 04
  Armegaddon 04
  
  Extra Arena:
  ECW
  Wrestlemania IX
  
  Facts:
  -Steve Austin is in it.
  -Three Different Hulk Hogan: One is 80s, other one is 2002, last one is Today.
  -More coolest legends.
  
  Season Mode is good and more cool movie while superstar talks or do attacks after match or during break time. Storyline isn't bad. Raw and Smackdown are different storyline.
  
  Rating:
  Superstars: 8/10
  Legends Superstars: 8/10
  Raw Season Mode: 10/10
  Smackdown Season Mode: 9/10
  Arena: 9/10
  Match Tpyes: 10/10
  Champions Belts: 7/10
  Creative a superstar: 8/10
  Creative an enterance: 9/10
  gerenal manager mode: 9/10
  Divas: 9/10
  
  That's best games ever I got it!
  
  
  
• it's the best one yet but there are flaws
  By AJFS7QH9MW9UD on 2005-11-28
  the graphics are amazing, there hands down the best this series has ever had. the list of wrestlers is fine but it would have been nice to see a few more (wish there weren't three hogans cause they could have really used the space they wasted with him on better legends). there's a few things that don't like about the game.. 1. the gameplay isn't as fun because of the new fighting system, so when they say casual gamers can pick and up..that's crap. 2. it's bad enough to me that the new fighting system is a pain to figure out, but what's more of a pain is the controls as there's too many of them and you'll spend a good time trying to figure what does what and what works and doesn't work. 3. the camera angle is too close which is a bad thing to me. the last flaw is create a player which looks alot better but the choices are pretty much the same as they always have been and for some reason they've moved the enterance for created players from the move-set screen (which again makes things confusing). aside from those flaws, the game does have good things going for it. again, the graphics are awesome and the best i've ever seen for a wrestling game. the GM mode is actually fun and a very cool way to waste time or do something different (it's actually my favorite part of the game). i have a big problem with three types of hogans as they all suck.. thq should have taken the space they wasted with those hogans and put in NEW legends. even though it has flaws, smackdown vs raw 06 is still a good game and worth picking up. it looks like this is the last smackdown game for the ps2 since the ps3 is right about the corner (yay..100 bucks for a game..f you sony and microsoft). i don't care if this review helps you or not.. it's a good game, give it a shot if you want.
  
  
• HARD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  By on 2005-12-20
  THIS GAME IS REALLY HARD AND STUPID. I WAS SO EXCITED ABOUT GETTING IT BECAUSE OF THE NEW WRESTLERS. AND I THOUGHT IT WAS GOING TO BE LIKE WWE SHUT YOUR MOUTH. BUT THIS GAME IS HARD AND STUPID. I DON`T EVEN KNOW HOW TO BLOCK AND HOW YOU DO THE FINISHING MOVE.
  
  I`M SO GLAD I RENTED THIS FROM BLOCKBUSTER. AND I CAN`T BELIEVE ALL YOU REVIEWERS FIND THIS GAME EASY AND FUN. CAN ANY OF YOU WRITE A REVIEW TELLING ME WHAT BUTTON DO I PRESS TO BLOCK AND DO THE FINISHING MOVE???????????????????????? I WOULD REALLY APPRIECIATED THAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  
  
• Good game, but much more is missing.
  By on 2006-01-23
  I'll tell each & every one of you the bottom of my heart. This game has some improvements that y'all wanted. Also some that you want more in & some that you wished it wasn't in there.-It has title matches in exhibition mode, AT LAST!!!!-Some characters that should of been removed like Joy Giovanni, Michelle McCool, Christy Hemme, Mark Jindrak, Spike Dudley, Christian, Charlie Haas, & others that aren't with WWE anymore.-Characters like Tyson Tomko, Viscera, Mark Henry, MNM, Bobby Lashley, Boogeyman, Simon Dean(MAYBE NOT), Rosey, Victoria, Ashley, & some few others except for CANDICE MICHELLE!!!! WHAT A $LUT $HE I$!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!-Some todays characters have their 2004 costume attires that should of been improved to todays & new characters as well that have their early 2005 attires that should also would've been improved for todays.-Successful match types except for Fulfill Your Fantasy & Parking Lot Brawl.-I Quit & Lumberjack should of been in this game.-Create a championship doesn't cost much anymore, thank goodness.-You can also create tag strips now!-Some storylines though aren't really touchy, but it beats the first SvR.-Awesome legends like Austin, Mick Foley in Mankind form, Bret "Hitman" Hart, & other legends. DON'T COUNT THE ROCK AS ONE OF THEM, TRUST ME, HE IS NOT A LEGEND & HE ALSO DOESN'T DESERVED TO BE IN THIS GAME AFTER HE SOLD US OUT TO HIS STUPID MOVIE CAREER, THATS WHY I LIKE BATISTA BETTER, EVEN MARK HENRY, HE SHOULD OF BEEN A TOP GUY ALREADY, WHY DID YOU THINK JBL FINALLY GOT HIS CHANCE AT THE WWE TITLE.-Anywayz, so much feature way better than SvR & Day of Reckoning 2 from Gamecube. No more dating that stubborn Stacy Keibler, thank goodness, I never wanted to be with that witch anyways, can't even wrestle, just showing off to the crowd. Lita's more good looking in my opinion. For those of you who take that too personal of Lita's situation, I DON'T GIVE A F**K WHAT YOU GUYS THINK, LITA KICKS @$$, did I mention that I'm a punker? Trish is also upgraded more sexy than Stacy, even other divas that are even the hottest than Stacy are Melina, Victoria, Torrie Wilson, Mickie James, Jackie Gayda(even though she doesn't exist in WWE anymore), & Ashley Massaro.-See more features on your own, find out if you pleasure to.Just hope Smackdown! vs Raw 3 for PS3 would be a big hit!
  
  
• A fun game but needs more
  By A2U3W0MNF3319R on 2006-03-02
  Before I even begin a review, I have just one question. When are they going to have an animation for HBK's elbow drop?? Best sports entertainer right now and they can't even animate his only other trademark move. Oh well.
  The game is really great. The stamina and momentum mechanics make the game more realistic than ever before. All the favorite match types are available as well as two new ones, Buried Alive and Fulfill your Fantasy. They have also added two new areas to the backstage brawl match type. Personally I liked the Here Comes The Pain's harcore/backstage brawl match type better.
  The GM mode is really fun/engaging and really draining at the same time. I can only play through a month of the season before I get overwhelmed. I think a game should be made exclusively for this mode. As some reviews have stated, the GM mode is cool but could be so much more than what it is now. Basically, you control either the Raw or Smackdown show every week for an entire year. You plan the matches, draft superstars, and add promotional/interference spots within the show. You can play the matches you set up or let the game decide for you. Superstars get fatigued and can get hurt if they are put into too many matches. At the end of each week both shows are rated and in most cases which ever show has the higher rating pulls more "viewers" to his or her show. Some of the drawbacks of the GM mode are: Nothing that happens in a match, with the excpetion of (I believe)a title changing hands, effects the rating of the match. Also the way the game decides who wins a match is not based on the superstars overall rating. This can get annoying because you never know if the superstar you want to win the match will wim unless you play the match. But something as minor as that can be overlooked.
  Some drawbacks to the overall gane are:
  1. Weapon use is a little harder, you have to be more precise.
  2. Matches are restrictive. For example, you can not walk up to the apron in a HITC match.
  3. Some characters at the release of the game were not up to date(Divas Mainly).
  4. Top rope finishers are hard to execute and forget about executing them off a ladder.
  5. Loading times are a little long.
  6. You have to buy a PSP to get one of the unlockable characters.
  7. This is just my opinion, but the season mode stories are not as good as HCTP's (they are better than the first Raw Vs. Smackdown). Also there really arn't very many choice times in the season mode. The stone cold one is pretty cool though.
  Now for some really good things about the game:
  1. Create a wrestler is a lot better with your created superstars looking on-par with the real superstars.
  2. Crowds respond to your actions. Put a superstar through a table and you will see.
  3. create an entrance has been updated so you can create a very unique entrance.
  4. GM MODE
  5. The unlockable superstars are great (Stone cold, The Rock, all 3 versions of Hogan, Bret Hart, British Bulldog, and others).
  6. Updated animations for a lot of moves.
  7. Momentum and Stamina mechanics.
  8. Creating a title does not cost an arm and a leg. You add worth to the title by competing for it in matches.
  9. Plenty of unlockables to keep you playing.
  
  Well that is all I hope this helps.
  
  
• kool :-)
  By A1NXB343LLGOYQ on 2006-03-26
  this is the best smackdown game out so far, it's awesome. i looove it when u see the other wrestler and the anouncer as u walking down the ring, i like it that u can choose diffrent clothing for diffrent bits, i loove the talking story mode as well ... but there is somethings wrong with this game . the fact that u can only go for the main belt is a bummer, and the other fact that u get the same story line all the time till u till u get to the royal rumble. i always create me and my friends and my girlfriend. but i hate it that they never let girls go through season for the womans title :-( and the belts always never seem to fit created characters :-( thats another bummer .. apart from that .. u have a really awesome wwe game .. well worth the money :-)
  
  
• sweet home alabama
  By on 2006-04-05
  this game is the best so far. i can't believe that rey mystrerio still doesn't have different clothes c'mon now he wears a different outfit every time you see him. and what's with kane and the mask it's over some great mathes i like r fyf my fav character is hogan 80's anyway if ur into seeing girls half naked try this game and for all of you people who made the game eddie should be a legend in the new game.
  
  
• This Game is Totally Awesome
  By AURCFE4YQPL1I on 2006-08-16
  Five years ago i started watching wrestling. I saw wrestlers such as Rock, Stone Cold, HHH, Shawn Michaels and so on. Then I heard that WWF (at that time it was WWF) that there were games out. So I started playing them. Then i got hooked onto them. So after about 4 years and that I had played every wrestling game possible I saw Smackdown vs. Raw 2006. Once I saw it i rented it as soon as possible home. Onece I started playing it I was beating. Then the next thing I know the game was 1 week late. From then I started renting it. Now it's been at least 3 months since I started renting it and i still love it. I highly recomend this game.
  Graphic = 4 1/2
  Story Line = 4 (except they keep repeating)
  Gameplay = 5
  P.S. The only thing is I wish the game had more characters like Finnlay, Umaga and so on. I also the voice overs are really good. Another good thing is the Clean and Dirty. In the game you can a lot of stuff on your one. Such as make your own belts, ppv, roster (only on manager mode), and characters.
  
  
  

• PlayStation: The Official Magazine (1-year)
• Electronic Gaming Monthly
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• WWE Smackdown vs Raw 2007
• WWE Smackdown vs Raw
• WWE SmackDown! Here Comes the Pain
• PlayStation 2 Memory Card (8MB)
• WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2008