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WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008 is a
developed by
and released on the , , , ,
in November 2007.
oversaw development for the Nintendo DS version.
The game is the ninth edition of the long-running
(later renamed to simply WWE) video game series based on the
(WWE). It is the sequel to 's , succeeded by , and is the first WWE game to include the promotion's
. It is also the first WWE game to be available for all
game consoles.
Each wrestler now has two fighting style categories, one primary and one secondary. Each fighting style has its advantages and disadvantages in each particular match type. There are eight styles altogether: , , , powerhouse, showman, brawler,
and technical. In addition, creative manager of THQ Cory Ledesma stated early in production that he planned on having numerous wrestler animations redone.
A new "struggle submission system" has been introduced, incorporating more
into the game. The player executing the submission can now decide how much pressure is applied by moving the analog stick in a particular direction. Similarly, the player locked in a submission hold will have to power out also by using the analog stick.
The game features the revived
brand, and it takes its place alongside the established
brands. The official box art features the ECW logo prominently. The game's ECW branding has expanded the number of weapons available under the ring during gameplay. New weapons such as guitars are available and tables and barbed wire bats can be set on fire. 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 has been changed, however, to "Featuring ECW".
The game features several arenas that WWE held events at in 2006 and 2007. There are also arenas based on each WWE television show.
making his .
The game allows several different game modes to be played, each with different goals and options. The Season and General Manager Modes of previous games have been merged into the new "WWE 24/7" mode, which takes its name from WWE's . Players can choose to play one of the game's included superstars or create a superstar, or as a general manager of one of the brand. Playing as a wrestler, the goal is to take that wrestler and achieve "legend" status. In order to do so, the player has to win matches, team with and
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 effects. (The player could only choose to be either on the Smackdown brand or the Raw brand, as the ECW brand was excluded).
Playing as a general manager is similar to the previous General Manager modes in the series, in which one has to choose a brand and act as its General Manager ( for Raw,
for SmackDown!,
a roster and make decisions to make it the most popular brand of the three. The General Manager is allowed to make staffing decisions, schedule workouts and events. This was also the last game in the Smackdown vs Raw series to have a General Manager mode. There is also an all-new Tournament Mode, which allows the player to control a superstar through the various stages of the WWE tournament, such as
and , as well as . The game also allows you to create your own tournament. (This is featured only on the PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and the Wii.) Like previous games in the series, the game also allows players to challenge for and defend championships. The game includes championships used by the WWE in 2007, bringing back the branded championships from the
and for the first time, the .
The game featured the Fighting Style System which would not appear in later games. With each style, the character would adopt a series of preset abilities. And, depending on primary ability, they would also be able to perform a unique move that can only be activated if the player has a stored finisher icon.
The fighting styles were Powerhouse, Showman, Hardcore, Dirty, Brawler, High-Flyer, Submission and Technical. This system was highly criticised as these pre-setting gave some wrestlers abilities which they cannot actually use, or stopped them from using common moves. For example,
did not have the ability to perform any of their springboard attacks, and
was as strong as some of the larger characters in the game. Also, the choice of fighting styles limited the variety of moves available in create-a-moveset.
Wrestlers with the powerhouse fighting style could break out of a pin attempt with just one button press, unless they had sustained a large amount of arm damage. They could also do a powerful Irish Whip (later named a 'Hammer Throw'), which could cause damage if the opponent hit the corner turnbuckles. A player (regardless of weight) could be sent reeling over the top rope with the force of this move. Their special ability was called 'Rampage', a temporary adrenaline rush in which their grapple moves could not be reversed or blocked.
Technical wrestlers automatically reversed all quick grapple moves until they had taken a good deal of arm damage. They also had the ability to perform diving attacks onto opponents outside of the ring. Their special ability was an adrenaline rush that allowed them to counter every attack for a limited time.
Showman is one of the more common kinds. Performing taunts or dives from higher positions caused a faster rise in momentum. They also had 2 special abilities. One allowed them to perform one of their opponent's taunts, and if uninterrupted, the opponent would be unable to gain any momentum for a limited time. They could alternatively copy their opponent's finishing move if in the correct position to do so. However, the copied move would be weaker than the original.
The most common kind is the Brawler. Brawlers can sit on a downed opponent and punch their opponent's head repeatedly. They also had a special combination of 3 to 5 strikes. If the first strike connects, the defending wrestler would not be able to block, avoid or counter the remainder of the strikes in the combination. Their special ability was called 'Wreck Shop', a limited adrenaline rush in which all opponent strikes would be countered and all strikes became unblockable.
High-flyers could perform springboard diving attacks to opponents inside or outside of the ring. Instead of countering or side-stepping attacks, they would perform an evasive roll. Their special ability was a possum pin. After recovering from being knocked down, a high-flyer can remain on the ground. If the attacker attempts a grapple move, the defending wrestler will go for a pin attempt which is difficult to break out of. However, if the opponent attempts a strike, then the pin attempt is lost.
Submission wrestlers can break out of Struggle Submissions with ease. They can also force an opponent to submit to any Struggle Submission, even if it is not a finisher or signature move.
Dirty wrestlers could perform dirty moves, which boosted their momentum faster. They could also remove turnbuckle covers and use weapons to build momentum. They could also use the referee as a human shield, making themselves immune to all attacks. When they release the referee, they shove him into the opponent. This is difficult to avoid and momentarily stuns the opponent and the referee. Their special move involves an eye-poke and a low blow which causes a lot of damage to the head and torso.
Hardcore wrestlers get momentum bonuses for using weapons. They could also perform grapple moves while holding a weapon. If they try to use a steel chair with full momentum, they automatically perform the Steel Chair DDT. If they are caused to bleed, they instantly get full momentum. Their special move can only be performed with a steel chair in hand. They strike themselves in the face repeated until they bleed. While this causes full momentum, it also causes critical head damage.
ECW made its first appearance in the series, as its superstars , ,
made their debuts. ,
made their first appearance as playable superstars and diva. , ,
also made their only WWE game appearances. This is also 's first WWE game appearance since . This is also , , and 's last WWE game, as well as
as active wrestlers, although Gregory Helms' alternative ego, "The Hurricane" is an unplayable character on the Road To WrestleMania storylines for Christian & Rey Mysterio in . Mick Foley is also a playable character in
available as DLC in Early 2012. This was also the first time that
was a playable character since , the last time
appeared as Johnny Nitro, he appears in games after this one as John Morrison. This is the last game to feature
with his Legend Killer gimmick. This is also the first game to feature
without his rapping character. This is also the last game to feature the trapizoid Raw Titantron Stage, the SmackDown! Fist Stage and the old ECW stage but now named as .
This is the only game in the series to feature the 'ECW Legends' roster. By default, there are only three members of this roster: , , and . , however, is on the RAW roster due to his final few WWE appearances being an official part of this brand. Although Tommy Dreamer appeared in the game as an ECW Legend, he was an active competitor in ECW for the next two years, but at the time had not established himself as the only ECW legend remaining in WWE.
were all originally intended to be included as playable legend characters on the PlayStation 2 version of the game. Close to the release of the game, the decision was made to make them exclusive to PlayStation Portable. As a result, the character models for each character were removed from the game. All of their unique moves and entrance animations can still be assigned to other characters within the game. Complete moves sets, entrance videos and announcer introductions remain on the game disc, but can only be accessed via cheat devices.
This is the first game in the series not to feature
in June 2007. All material related to Benoit were removed or made unavailable through normal means, including all versions of crossface and the diving headbutt. However, you could still find an entrance similar to his from . An empty character space, known as "No Model 03" still has a complete moveset and attributes for Benoit, complete with many of Benoit's unique moves which still remain locked. Like the other removed characters, these can only be accessed via a cheat device.
appear as non-playable characters in the game. They can only be unlocked via a cheat device.
"Stand Up"
"Right on Time"
Nobody Famous
"Everybody Down"?
"Evil (A Chorus of Resistance)"
"Put Your Lips to the TV"
?A different version of Everybody Down was used in this game.
Kane wrestles Rey Mysterio (this is Rey Mysterio's attire was changed from white to black).
Graphics and gameplay are similar to the previous years in the SvR series. It also includes the new 24/7 mode which includes Become a Legend or GM Mode where you can also train superstars and gain them popularity. It also includes the New Fighting Style System.
The Xbox 360 and PS3 has the custom soundtrack feature which people can import their own music in superstars entrances. However, the PS3 also has a first person view in entrances where people can control where the superstar looks with the sixaxis controller.
The PS3 version also had a special "Collector's Edition" which came with a DVD detailing the game, a Kelly Kelly trading card, and a booklet featuring various superstars signature moves.
The Xbox 360 version also had special "High Flyer" and "Dirty" Editions which came with Special Edition Slipcase, "I'm a High Flyer" or "I Fight Dirty" T-shirts, 1 page Kelly Kelly calendar, 8 Numbered Limited Edition "Fighting Styles" Postcards, and a "Create a Superstar" Mini Guide.
Instead of featuring 24/7 mode, it features Main Event Mode, where you can play as a created superstar and rise to the top. The Wii version of the game features only chairs as the exclusive weapons. Also the Wii version only has 5 match types such as Singles Match, , ,
and Knockout Match.
The game has the same graphics as the previous games in the SvR PSP ports, however, ,
are PSP exclusive unlockable Legends.
This would be the last game to feature the Buried Alive Match, as it would not appear in its sequel , or any other games to follow until
(however only in the 2K Showcase mode).
The game was met with average to mixed reception upon release.
gave it a score of 73.60% and 71 out of 100 for the PlayStation 2 71.72% and 74 out of 100 for the PlayStation 3 70.47% and 71 out of 100 for the Xbox 360 66.20% and 68 out of 100 for the PSP 61.64% and 61 out of 100 for the DS 59.14% and 59 out of 100 for the W and 55% for the Mobile version.
gave the Mobile version 5.5 out of 10 and said, "Overall it does more than most, has decent visuals, and runs pretty smoothly. But it doesn’t have the proper mechanics to make it feel like a wrestling game – consequently, it comes off as an arcade button-masher." However,
gave the same version four out of ten and said, "Smackdown vs. Raw 2008 can only be recommended for the hardcore wrestling fan. For anyone else looking to spice up their action gaming category I recommend Chess. At least every match will be different."
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