WWE Smackdown! Vs. Raw 2006 Review

Overall Rating

More matches. More wrestlers, More moves, More game types

The fight is either insanely easy or infuriatingly difficult.

WWE Smackdown! Vs. Raw 2006 proves that year upon year THQ pulls out another WWE title, each one supposedly surpassing the previous year and in general this is the case. Real wrestling fans often argue that they still haven't gone anywhere near in producing a 'REAL WWE' match, but like all sports related games realism often has to play second fiddle to gameplay.

However with the release of Smackdown vs Raw 2006, it seems for once a lot of effort has been made at creating something more than a yearly update. There are new features a plenty, more matches to choose from including ' buried alive match'. A General manager mode, new match features such a momentum which gives a new twist to matches. Just in general you feel as though you have more control not over the character alone, but in the way you want to wrestle.

In particular this applies to the CAW (create a wrestler) mode. With unparalleled control of the wrestler that can be created. This allows you to create an endless array of superstars from WWE past and present who haven't been included in the game. There are many classic wrestlers to choose from these include three versions of Hulk Hogan, Brett Hart and The Rock. All the current roster are also available as well as many divas. the development in the game means that you must target different parts of the body to attack and injure. Unlike some previous versions, a larger opponent can do much more damage to a weaker opponent this gives a more realistic divisions within the game, i.e heavyweight, cruser weight etc.

The game does take a while to get use to, even if you own the previous collection, which I personally think is a good thing as you drop the systematic approach of previous flawed AI and you genuinely feel as though you have a new game. The gameplay as ever is addictive, the challenge mode is particularly good and means you have plenty of the things to achieve (i.e like competing in classic matches).

Now onto the bad points and there are only a few. But the few are notable, in particular is season mode. Now the game should center around season mode which should take the longest to complete in general. But the season mode is limited to a single season, and regardless of the superstar you choose you are limited to a few story lines. In a word you are likely to get bored of this mode after completing it with 1 or 2 times.

The difficulty level of the matches is also a bit off, now different people will have different ability and maybe not everyone will be able to master the legend mode, that you can naturally expect. But the manner in which fight seems to completely change in this mode. You are up against endless blocks and submission moves. I don't think it was well thought through particularly when you compare it to the beginner mode where your opponent resembles a peace loving zombie. But if the stick to the middle two difficulty modes I'm sure you find it enjoying enough.

In summary, this is still in my opinion the best wrestling game available and for WWE fans its a must, for those who haven't ventured these waters before might find it awkward to begin with. But the beauty of the game is that it tries to cater for everyone ones needs and overall it meets these needs pretty well.