WWE SmackDown vs. RAW (PS2)

Quick Overview

The best-selling virtual wrestler by far, THQ's hugely popular SmackDown! series gets a sixth instalment just in time for 2004's Xmas stockings: lurid lurex, bad attitude and rippling muscle to the power of two, it's Smackdown! Vs Raw. This time around, the game features more than 50 WWE Superstars, including Rey Mysterio, John Cena, and Randy Orton, and for the first time in any wrestling game anywhere, players can compete in head-to-head online play. The SmackDown! season mode is further enhanced with the addition of authentic Superstar voice-overs, including non-playable characters Vince McMahon and Erik Bischoff. In addition to the season mode, WWE SmackDown! Vs. RAW features in-game commentary, new WWE legends, create a pay-per-view/create-a-championship and the option to play a match using clean or dirty match tactics. We especially like this last-mentioned feature.. If you want to fight fair, get the crowd behind you and build up your 'Clean' meter. Fill the meter, and move the right analogue stick to activate a 'Rush of Invincibility'. For a limited amount of time, you'll have increased speed and power, will be impervious to reversals and will reverse all of your opponent's moves. However, you can also choose to fight dirty, and the more underhanded your tactics, the faster your 'Dirty' meter fills up. The mind boggles, it really does..but wait, there's an explanation. Once the meter is full, move the right analogue stick to activate your 'Dirty' state (stop laughing at the back!). Perform a front grapple to execute your special 'Dirty' attack (right, that's enough!). Our collective hat is tipped to the cheeky scamp who came up with 'The Dirt' - genius. Oh, did we mention that Bra and Panty makes a return too? How could we forget? The tightly-stretched-spandex-across-the-hairy-bottom line is that WWE SmackDown! Vs Raw will delight gamers who've passed this way before. For the newcomer - is there such a thing as a gamer who hasn't played a wrestling title before? - this is as good a place to start as any of the other PS2 versions in the series. Whether it's Hell in a Cell, a Tag Team bout, or a Chop Battle - not a food fight, incidentally - WWE SmackDown! Vs Raw has plenty to offer, offline or on.