No surprises here, but I must relay the information that THQ have revealed the first information on WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2009. This is the part where those of you who have nasty things to say about wrestling games go take a nap, because we get it -- you don't like them. Well, guess what? I do. So quiet down for a second.
As expected, WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2009 will feature wrestling, and will be available for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, Wii, Nintendo DS, and mobile devices this fall. Along with the expected roster updates this new iteration will be the first to feature downloadable content (Xbox 360 and PS3 only, presumably), a new emphasis on the tag-team experience, and a new "Create-A-Finisher" feature. The emphasis on tag-team ties right into the game's new cooperative career mode, another first for the series.
The press release can be found after jump, and THQ have released some screenshots of the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions of the game to whet your appetites. I don't mean to start anything, but am I the only one who can see a significant visual difference between the 360 and PS3 screens? Ouch.
The Number One Fighting Videogame Franchise Returns To The Virtual Ring With WWE® Smackdown® Vs. Raw® 2009
Leading Videogame Brand Set to Deliver the Definitive Sports Entertainment Experience With Added Depth, Explosive New Features and the Debut of Downloadable Content
AGOURA HILLS, Calif. - March 28, 2008 - THQ Inc. (NASDAQ: THQI) and JAKKS Pacific, Inc. (NASDAQ: JAKK) today announced that WWE® SmackDown® vs. Raw® 2009 is in development for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system, PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system, Wii™ videogame console, Nintendo DS™ and mobile devices. Joining the immensely successful World Wrestling Entertainment® roster of WWE SmackDown/SmackDown vs. Raw licensed videogames, which have shipped more than 37 million units worldwide since 1999, WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009 is expected to begin shipping to retail outlets worldwide this fall.
“The ambitious cross-platform launch of WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008 last year yielded tremendous growth for the franchise, as we delivered multiple gameplay experiences across seven platforms and greatly expanded our audience of WWE videogame fans,” said Bob Aniello, senior vice president, worldwide marketing, THQ. “With dynamic new features and the extension of our gameplay experience through downloadable content, WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009 will bring more console, handheld and wireless gamers together to enjoy the virtual world of WWE.”
“We are tremendously excited about the next groundbreaking release in the billion dollar WWE SmackDown vs. Raw videogame franchise,” said Nelo Lucich, vice president of interactive, JAKKS Pacific. “Downloadable content, innovative experiences with tag teams and a new Create-A-Finisher feature, along with significant annual improvements across all platforms, combine to bring the sports entertainment experience to new heights and gratify our long-time fans, casual gamers and franchise newcomers alike.”
WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009 upholds the franchise’s commitment to delivering the definitive videogame simulation of live WWE programming. The Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3 system, PlayStation 2 system and PSP system versions of the game will unleash a brand new tag team experience, allowing players to build momentum and attributes, eliminate opponents with high impact double teams and finishers, as well as get the “hot tag” for the win. The franchise’s renowned creation system offers a brand new Create-A-Finisher option, while a new Road to WrestleMania® Mode paves the way to WWE’s biggest event of the year and lets players experience co-op storylines for the first time. WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009 also extends the virtual WWE gameplay experience with robust online capabilities, including the highly anticipated debut of downloadable content.
WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009 for Wii builds upon its inaugural offering by significantly expanding its match type options, giving players more ways to enjoy the platform’s unique pick-up-and-play experience. The game also takes full combat sports entertainment to the next level by giving players more Superstar control with interactive entrances and victory scenes. WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009 for Wii will also include a wide variety of new weapons, the debut of online gameplay and much more.
WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009 for Nintendo DS returns with new gameplay controls that utilize the stylus and D-pad to deliver a compelling handheld fighting game experience. The redesigned Season Mode takes a role-playing approach, allowing players to interact with Superstars, upgrade their abilities and complete missions on a quest toward legendary goals. In addition, a larger Superstar roster, new match types and the inclusion of Create-A-Superstar will provide players with a variety of intriguing options to enhance gameplay.
Contest:
7:34 PM on 03.28.2008
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Will ignore until they fix it.
I guess i'll be buying this like i do every year. ANd every year they polish some stuff, mess up other stuff amd leave me wondering if I really want another iteration.
Generally I do. Because I'm weak.
I renamed the images for the sake of easy uploading, but I tagged them as they were originally named. I didn't do a switcheroo here. I guess we'll see if there's any difference soon. I'll be at a THQ event next week, and I might get some hands-on time with the game.
I will say that there was a very, very significant difference between last year's versions of the game in terms of look and frame rate. I was not the only person to ask the devs if there was something wrong with the outputs on the PS3 setup. I hope they get it right this year. There really shouldn''t be a huge difference between the two this year.
bon0rz.
I doubt this will be any better.
Oh how i want those 5 bucks back. The controlls are terrible, the 24/7"story" mode is fucking half-assed, the AI is fucking R-E-TARDED and the soundtrack, well i've honestly never hated a videogames soundtrack more than i hate this one.
Sorry but i think im going to pass on this one. 07 left a bad taste in my mouth.
What they need to do is start from scratch. Make a game based on current gen hardware. Not only that, but start the game play from scratch as well. Stop using the same damn gameplay but add something here and mess something up there. They need to do that, or just copy Fire Pro Wrestling's game engine. I love Fire Pro, but the game has no online and no storymode. So if WWE copied off Fire Pro's gameplay and had online and storymode, then that would be graet.
I also miss the awesome fun wrestling games were back on the 64.Awwww GOOD TIMES!
"The Number One Fighting Videogame Franchise"
That is some supreme truth twisting.
And yes, I'm a big fan of WWE and TNA so I'm shooting on myself as well...
[X] looks almost exactly the same as the last game
[X] a couple of roster updates (which could have been done to last year's game with a small DLC)
[X] couple of screenshots released of John Cena and the Undertaker
[X] new 'feature' touted that will amount to barely sod-all once you get down to it
[X] a few more ridiculous match types
[X] someone mentioning "getting back to the core"/"going back to the basics" of something-or-other. I didn't read the generic press release which they may have well used mail-merge for and simply inserted the name of their game into, but somebody will at some stage if they haven't already.
[X] brand new exciting ring entrances that are the same as last year
[X] brand new exciting news about someone doing some motion-capture, then explaining to us exactly what motion-capture is
[X] obviously CGI screenshots showing veins, beads of sweats, reflections in eyes etc. that look nothing like the PSOne graphics in-game screens
[X] a slightly tweaked power bar/finisher bar/taunt bar/momentum bar/whatever bar system
[X] boasts of the crowd being "fully 3D"
[X] a new "create-a-something" mode which could be knocked up by a coder in his lunch hour
[X] a brand new exciting story mode of some kind that you are in full control of your own destiny or some bollocks
[X] promises of massive online play which will boil down to 1 on 1 matches
[X] still no 30 man in the ring at once battle royales but maybe next year
[X] slightly altered control system
They could simply release a patch for the last Smackdown game, whatever it's called, with simple roster updates, add their silly new match types, add their silly create-a-finisher thing, and it would be 98% the same as this *new* game...
Do EA produce this series?