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WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008
File:1273 46115 box-1-.jpgNorth American PlayStation 2 box art, featuring (left to right) John Cena, The Undertaker, and Bobby Lashley.
Developer(s)	Yuke's
Publisher(s)	THQ Yuke's
Series	WWE SmackDown! series
Platform(s)	PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, Nintendo DS, Wii, Xbox 360, Mobile
Release	November 13 2007 November 9 2007 November 15 2007 November 22 2007 File:Sony PSP Logo.svg
Genre(s)	Professional wrestling, Fighting
Mode(s)	Single player, multiplayer, multiplayer online

WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008 is a professional wrestling video game scheduled to be released on the PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and Wii consoles and the PlayStation Portable, and Nintendo DS handheld consoles by THQ and developed by YUKE's Future Media Creators.

It will be the latest edition to the long-running WWE SmackDown! video game series based on the professional wrestling promotion World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). It will be the sequel to 2006's WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2007, and will be the first to include the promotion's ECW brand. It will also be the first WWE game to be available for all seventh generation game consoles.

WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008 is a 2007 Game Critics Award nominee for Best Fighting Game

Gameplay

Each wrestler will now have two fighting style categories, one primary and one secondary. Each fighting style will have its advantages and disadvantages in particular match types. There will be eight styles altogether: high-flyer, hardcore, submission artist, powerhouse, showman, brawler, dirty and technical. The wrestler's special move, however, will be based solely on their primary style. In addition, creative manager of THQ Cory Ledesma stated early in production that he plans on having numerous wrestler animations redone.

A new "struggle submission system" has been introduced, incorporating more analog control into the game. The player executing the submission can now decide how much pressure is applied through moving the analog stick in a particular direction. Similarly, the player locked in a submission hold will have to power out using the analog stick. Also, the game will be the first in the series to feature the revived ECW brand, which takes its place alongside the established Raw and SmackDown! brands, and has been dubbed by THQ as an "ECW Invasion". Despite the inclusion of the brand, the video game franchise will keep its SmackDown! vs. RAW name, although an early logo included "ECW Invasion" in the title.It also will have downloadable content with a poll being up on the offical website stating what would be the options for you to download.

Modes

The game allows several different game modes to be played, each with different goals and options. The goal of both season modes is to take a wrestler, either one already in the game or a created wrestler, and achieve "legend" status. In order to do so the player has to win matches, team with and feud with other wrestlers, and gain popularity. At the same time they must choose whether to train, exercise, relax, or take part in other activities when not wrestling, all with their own positive and negative repercussions.

In General Manager mode, similar to the previous games in the series, one has to choose a brand and act as its General Manager (Jonathan Coachman for Raw, Theodore Long for SmackDown, Tommy Dreamer for ECW), draft a roster and attempt to make decisions to make it the most popular brand of the three. The General Manager is allowed to hire/fire wrestlers, schedule workouts, and events. There will also be an all new Tournament Mode which allows the player to be a superstar through the various stages of a WWE tournament such as Beat The Clock Sprint and King of the Ring. This is featured on the PlayStation 2, PS3, Wii, and Xbox 360 only. WWE SvR 2008 will bring back the championship mode (Title Match mode in Exhibition) feature, where a player is able to challenge and defend championships. The game will include championships used by the WWE in 2007, bringing back the branded championships from the previous game and for the first time, the ECW Championship.

The game allows several match types to be played. This includes the Iron Man match, Battle Royal, Hell in a Cell, Tables, Ladders, and Chairs match and hardcore, Ladder match, the Elimination Chamber, Royal Rumble among others.

Platform differences

The game differs significantly depending on the platform it is played on. These differences are seen first and foremost in the Nintendo DS version of the game. It will make use of the handheld's touch screen feature to control the wrestlers' in-ring action. This version will also include wireless multiplayer gameplay, as well as training minigames. However, the DS version will feature a roster of just 21 wrestlers and will retain the Season mode of past games rather than receive the 24/7 or Main Event modes being introduced to other systems.

The Xbox 360's hard drive will be utilized to allow custom music to be used in the game as entrance music., and the PlayStation 3 version will have a first-person view option during the wrestlers' entrances. The Wii version will take advantage of the Wii Remote and Nunchuk, using the motion-sensing capabilities to pull off various attacks. For instance, punches and chops will be performed by slashing the Wii Remote in different directions, while performing a move such as a powerbomb will require the player to lift the opponent by pulling the Wii Remote up and then thrusting it down to slam the opponent. It also includes Mii integration, both on menu screens of Main Event mode and on the HUD during game play.

In addition to exhibition matches and create-a-wrestler, the Xbox 360 and PlayStation versions have a 24/7 mode—named after WWE's video on demand service—as its approach to a season mode. 24/7 mode allows the player to play one of two ways: either wrestling a story with a particular superstar, or acting as a general manager of a brand and booking the weekly show. The Nintendo Wii version has Main Event mode in place of 24/7 mode for its season mode, but does not contain a General Manager mode.

Roster

Unlike previous editions of the game, the rosters vary according to the platform. Many wrestlers are not present in the DS version. However, all versions feature many returning characters. Series mainstays Batista, Edge, John Cena, Kane, Matt Hardy, Randy Orton, Rey Mysterio, Ric Flair, Shawn Michaels, Triple H and The Undertaker all return. Snitsky and Carlito make their third consecutive appearances since debuting in SmackDown vs. Raw 2006. Mr. Kennedy, Bobby Lashley, Gregory Helms, Johnny Nitro and Finlay return after appearing in SmackDown vs. Raw 2007. Making a return to the SmackDown! video game series is Jeff Hardy, who has not been in a SmackDown game since WWE Smackdown! Shut Your Mouth.

Returning wrestlers Chavo Guerrero, Chris Masters, King Booker, Mark Henry, Umaga, William Regal and The Great Khali are not available in the DS version.

SmackDown vs. Raw 2008 also introduces a number of playable wrestlers to the series. CM Punk, Elijah Burke, JTG, Kenny Dykstra, Marcus Cor Von, MVP, The Sandman and Shad make their first appearances in the SmackDown! series. However, only CM Punk is available in the DS version.

The game also continues the series' inclusion of WWE legends, although the DS version does not include any of them. Bret Hart, Mick Foley, Rick Rude, Roddy Piper, Steve Austin and The Rock are among the legends included. The PSP version features exclusive legends Eddie Guerrero, Jim Neidhart and Sgt. Slaughter. Also featured are three ECW legends, Sabu, Terry Funk and Tommy Dreamer.

SmackDown vs. Raw 2008 includes some WWE divas as well. Candice Michelle, Melina, Torrie Wilson and Mickie James return from SmackDown vs. Raw 2007. Ashley and Kelly Kelly make their series debuts, while Michelle McCool returns after appearing in SmackDown vs. Raw 2006. Like the legends, no playable divas are included in the DS roster.

Development

On October 15 2007 the demo was released onto the Xbox Live Marketplace.

The game will support HDTV 720p/1080i/1080p. In-game Dolby Digital, and a Headset. Though the whole soundtrack has not yet been announced, Nonpoint's "To The Pain", Project 86's "Put Your Lips to the TV" and Sevendust's "Feed" are known to be included.

Special editions of the game are available for some platforms, such as a collector's edition of PlayStation 2 and 3 version. This version will include a number of bonuses, including a tin case, a DVD with additional content, a Kelly Kelly trading card, an autographed Rey Mysterio lenticular card and a 28-page signature finisher's moves book. It will also include a code to unlock an alternate attire for Kelly Kelly in the game. Play.com will release a limited edition pack called the Dirty Edition for the Xbox 360 which will include several extras, including postcards, a t-shirt, and a Kelly Kelly calendar. Game in the UK will realease a High Flyer Limited Edition pack, which is a similar package to the Dirty version.

Critical reception

So far, there has only been one review and that has come from IGN, in which they reviewed the game for every platform the game is on and every score is different. The average score so far for all the systems combined is 7.1 out of 10.

References

1. "EB Games Australia - PSP - WWE Smackdown Vs Raw 2008". EB Games. Retrieved 2007-10-30.
2. ^ "THQ WWE SMACKDOWN VS. RAW 2008". THQ. Retrieved 2007-07-22.
3. "WWE SmackDown vs RAW 2008 (PS3) info". Games Tracker. Retrieved 2007-10-14.
4. "WWE SmackDown vs RAW 2008 (PS3) info". Games Tracker. Retrieved 2007-10-14.
5. "The Number One Fighting Video Game Franchise Takes on Three New Platforms in WWE(R) SmackDown(R) vs. Raw(R) 2008". THQ. Retrieved 2007-03-31.
6. "Smackdown vs. Raw 2008 Eyes-on". IGN. Retrieved 2007-05-09.
7. "2007 Nominees". Game Critics Awards. Retrieved 2007-10-11.
8. ^ Dunham, Jeremy. "First Interview: SmackDown vs. Raw 2008". IGN. Retrieved 2007-03-31.
9. Hunt, Jen. "SmackDown vs. Raw 2008 unveiled". WWE. Retrieved 2007-03-31.
10. "THQ Wii information page". THQ. Retrieved 2007-05-09.
11. WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw 2008 interview. IGN.
12. ^ "WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw 2008 24/7 Mode Report". IGN. Retrieved 2007-10-11.
13. http://media.ps2.ign.com/media/882/882477/img_4874778.html
14. "WWE SmackDown Vs RAW 2008 screenshot - Fatal-4-Way matches". Gamekult. Retrieved 2007-10-14.
15. "WWE SmackDown Vs RAW 2008 screenshot - Royal Rumble matches". Gamekult. Retrieved 2007-10-14.
16. "THQ Nintendo DS information page". THQ. Retrieved 2007-05-09.
17. "SmackDown vs. Raw '08 Roster (DS)". Retrieved September 3. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |publsiher= ignored (|publisher= suggested) (help)
18. "SmackDown! vs. Raw 2008 First Look". IGN. Retrieved 2007-03-31.
19. "WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw 2008 Progress Report". IGN. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
20. "First person Entrances for PS3 Only". IGN. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
21. Hoffman, Chris. "WWE on Wii!". Nintendo. Retrieved 2007-03-31.
22. "WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw 2008 (Wii) video page". IGN. Retrieved 2007-10-10.
23. DiFino, Lennie. "Nonpoint finds perfection with WWE". WWE. Retrieved 2007-10-11.
24. "SmackDown vs Raw screenshot". IGN. Retrieved 2007-10-11.
25. "Smackdown vs. Raw 2008". Gamekult. Retrieved 2007-10-14.
26. "WWE Smackdown VS Raw 2008 - Collectors Edition". GameStop. Retrieved 2007-10-14.
27. "WWE Smackdown vs RAW 2008 Collector's Edition". Electronics Boutique. Retrieved 2007-10-15.
28. "WWE Smackdown VS Raw 2008 - Dirty Edition". Play.com. Retrieved 2007-10-11.
29. Miller, Greg (2007-11-02). "WWE Smackdown vs. RAW 2008 (XBOX 360) review at IGN" (html). IGN. Retrieved 2007-11-01. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)

External links

• Official website
• WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008 (NDS) | (PS2) | (PS3) | (PSP) | (Wii) | (Xbox 360) at GameSpot
• WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008 (NDS) | (PS2) | (PS3) | (PSP) | (Wii) | (Xbox 360) at IGN

• 2007 video games
• Nintendo DS games
• PlayStation 2 games
• PlayStation 3 games
• PlayStation Portable games
• THQ games
• Video games developed in Japan
• Wii games
• Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection games
• WWE SmackDown! games
• WWE RAW video games
• Xbox 360 games