"Does it live up to the PlayStation 2 game?"

The first thing I noticed when I first saw the game is that it is very similar to the PlayStation 2 version. The text and intro are all very similar. The loading screens are also included but unfortunately do not fill the whole of the screen leaving a black box around the edge of them. The first match I played was a Single just to see how well it plays. Now, it was a little hard to get used to at first (like all WWE games) but you'll soon find yourself doing more finishers than you've had hot dinners. Controlling isn't so bad as many anticipate. You use the d-pad and the same combination for strike and grapple moves. As there is no L2 or R2 button on the PlayStation Portable you use a combination of buttons. Say, if you were to store a finisher move (on PlayStation 2 you do the combination L1+L2), you would use a different combination of L+R. Reversing seems weird because it's just unusual not having any of the extra shoulder buttons but that's how it goes. Also, a lot of button mashing is required for those sleeper moves. Now, I can understand why this is good on the PlayStation 2 but on the PlayStation Portable? Come on, everytime I have to put it down on the floor and then continuously push the buttons. I'm a little scared I may break my PSP because of this.

The graphics. This is another bad point (don't worry there are more good points soon). It's a PlayStation Portable and it can only handle so much. Yes, they're good but during gameplay is when they turn ugly. On the UI it is just as good as the PlayStation 2 game and for the entrances too. When playing a match the first thing I noticed that was wrong was the crowds. Now, they're not 3D. They are like cardboard cut outs. There isn't that many people as there is on the PlayStation 2 version either. Whenever the camera angles come into effect you may notice that the ceilings are black too. What happened here? The wrestlers look awesome though, which is really the main focus anyway. One other thing during gameplay, sometimes you may experience a slow frame rate every so often but this isn't too major for me to continue discussing about in this review.

I have yet to go play someone on ad-hoc mode but it sounds so cool. Yes, I've played Ridge Racer and Burnout Legends on ad-hoc and they were impressive but this will probably be the first game to play on ad-hoc other than racing. Like the Online mode on PlayStation 2 you enter a lobby and then someone else joins you and that is where you choose your match. Not only can you do that but you can trade CAWs wirelessly rather than having to use a USB cable on the PlayStation 2.

Connectivity to the PlayStation 2 is a welcomed feature by myself. Now, at last, I can continue my Season progress. Your WWE Cash does not transfer to the PlayStation Portable so it will take a little while for you to unlock stuff such as the PSP-exclusive Legend, "Jake". If you don't want to do Season you can still earn the cash by completing challenges (identical to PlayStation 2) because they're not unlocked even if you transfer completed data from the PlayStation 2. The whole game doesn't transfer. You may only wanted to transfer a certain CAW or just Season progress. This is good if you have friends with a PSP as it won't overwrite their other progresses in the game. If you've no time to create a wrestler at home you can do it on the move and then come home later and transfer it back to the PlayStation 2.

All match types are in the PlayStation Portable game as well and all wrestlers (including the now passed away Eddie Guerro) are included. So much has been squeezed in to this UMD! The arenas which you love from the PlayStation 2 game make a comeback here as well. A feature that was taken out though was the commentary during matches. You no longer have to put up with J.R. or Michael Cole repeating the same nonsense over and over again. Some may of course feel a bit annoyed. Instead of their voices you get the background music like in previous WWE SmackDown! games which is also in the UI. I suggest you go in Options and turn this down since it is the same volume as the SFX. If you are fed up of these songs you can also turn it off in Options. Other new features include new mini games such as one where you have to successfully fly Eugene around the arena without falling and a quiz. If you're not a watcher of the television show don't worry - the questions are based on the game. Common examples of questions include one where you have to guess who is speaking, whos crowd sign and whos finisher is this. Poker can also be played but I have yet to try it.

Loading times. I compared this to the PlayStation 2 game. It will take considerably a lot longer to load than the PlayStation 2 game. It even has to load the loading screens! You might as well grab yourself a bite to eat and wait because these are long waits. Battery life isn't sucked up too bad but that all depends. If you are creating a wrestler then it will use the disc drive more so it will decrease quicker.

Overall, the game is worth getting. I pre-ordered mine and received it a day early (PAL). Recommended for owners of the PlayStation 2 game since you can transfer data but it can be a stand-alone game so for those who don't have the PlayStation 2 game can still go through Season and do Challenges as well as unlocking stuff in the shop.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 12/16/05, Updated 02/12/07