Summary
- Release Year: 2005
- Genres: Fighting, Sport
- Platforms: PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable
- Developers: Yuke’s
- Publishers: THQ, Yuke’s
WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw 2006: Bringing the Brawl to the PSP
THQ and Yuke’s long-running WWE wrestling game franchise made its debut on the PlayStation Portable in 2005 with WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw 2006. The game was a critical and commercial success, praised for its impressive graphics, deep gameplay, and wealth of features.
Key Features
WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw 2006 introduced a number of new features to the franchise, including:
- Buried Alive Casket match: A brutal new match type where the objective is to bury your opponent alive in a casket.
- Stamina and Hardcore attributes: Two new wrestler attributes that affect gameplay. Stamina determines how quickly a wrestler gets tired, while Hardcore determines how resistant they are to damage.
- Realistic momentum system: A new system that makes matches feel more realistic and unpredictable. Wrestlers now have momentum that can swing back and forth throughout a match, and this can have a major impact on the outcome.
Gameplay
The gameplay in WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw 2006 is fast-paced and arcade-style, with a focus on over-the-top action and signature moves. The game features a wide variety of match types, including singles matches, tag team matches, triple threat matches, and fatal four-way matches. There is also a comprehensive create-a-wrestler mode, which allows players to create their own custom wrestlers.
Roster
The roster in WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw 2006 features over 50 WWE Superstars and Divas, including John Cena, Triple H, The Undertaker, Batista, Rey Mysterio, and Trish Stratus. The game also includes a number of unlockable characters, such as Eddie Guerrero and Chris Benoit.
Graphics and Sound
The graphics in WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw 2006 are impressive for a PSP game. The character models are detailed and well-animated, and the environments are colorful and vibrant. The game’s soundtrack features a mix of licensed music and original tracks.
Reception
WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw 2006 was a critical and commercial success. The game received positive reviews from critics, who praised its impressive graphics, deep gameplay, and wealth of features. The game was also a commercial success, selling over 1 million copies worldwide.
Legacy
WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw 2006 is considered to be one of the best wrestling games ever made on the PSP. The game’s success helped to establish the WWE wrestling game franchise as a major force on the handheld market. The game’s innovative features and gameplay have also influenced the development of subsequent WWE games.
Conclusion
WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw 2006 is a classic wrestling game that still holds up today. The game’s impressive graphics, deep gameplay, and wealth of features make it a must-have for any fan of wrestling games.
Review Score
8.5/10
Art
Cover Art
Screenshots
