"Fantastic, But Flawed"

Firstly I would like to point out that I have been a fan of the Smack down series since the first game on the PSX, and that I think THQ has continued to raise the standard for a good wrestling game since the Smack down series debut.

Graphics 9

Only one word comes to mind, gorgeous. This game is a perfect transition from the PS2. The wrestlers look just as realistic, the lighting is phenomenal, and the CAW (Create-A-Wrestlers) are just as detailed. The crowd, as it has been with all Smack down games, are poorly animated. But, I've been playing for a while, and so far no graphical hiccups, which is a huge plus.

Sound 9

Same soundtrack as the PS2 version, with all the second rate rap and rock music you can handle. The wrestlers themes sound just as good, the ring sound effects are well done, and there's and the satisfying crush of a table can be heard clearly. The bummer, for most anyway, is that they could not fit the audio commentary on the PSP version. Now if your like me and you turn the commentary off anyway, its not a problem. The big plus on audio is that the Superstar voice-over in season mode was kept in, and it sounds just as good as the console quality voice-over.

Controls 7

What I have always loved about the Smack down series was that it had very easy to grasp controls. And you get the same of that hear. Its easy enough to maneuver yourself around the ring, but do to the PSP unique D-pad, I found it difficult to run into turnbuckles, and Irish whip at an angle. They also removed the diagonal direction attacks in the PSP port, so for those of you, like me, who love to toe kick to get people groggy, your going to have to alter move lists to have the good old toe kick. On a good note The menus are very easy to function, and the buttons are all well placed so there is no rea-justing your hands delay of action.

Game-play 10

This game, is point blank, fun and rewarding to play. All the match types are very different from each other, and everything that they did wrong in SvR last year, that made so much better. Whats more exciting, after bettering what they already had, they added new, and might I add fun match types. Bar room Brawls, buried alive matches, and fu-fill your fantasy diva matches join the roster of an already solid list of game-play variants. Bottom line, the moves are smooth, its very easy to just jump in and have a fun, quick match. And the create-a-wrestler. With the allowing of so much detail, you can easily make your favorite independent wrestler, or a completely crazy over the top monster.

Replay Value 10

There's 4 different stories for each of the two shows in season mode, all with unique twists and turns that keep you wanting more. There are 3 bonus mini-games for the PSP version, which will mix things up if you don't desire to play in one of the 16 different main event style matches. THQ adding the ability to put titles on the line in exhibition matches was a perfect addition to things o do when you beat the crap out fo the season mode. With tons of unlock-ables, and some tough challenges, this UMB is going to stay in your PSP for a long while

Now, the reason this game doesn't get a 9 or 10 overall, is because of the load times. If you want to have a CAW Vs CAW match, be prepaid to wait five minutes before you can start the match. If you don't mind the waiting, which after a while I accepted taking into consideration all the might his game has for a portable, Go pick up Smack down Vs Raw 2006.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 01/05/06