WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008 for the PSP, developed by Yuke’s and published by THQ, is a professional wrestling game that brings the excitement of WWE to handheld gaming. Released in November 2007, it features a wide roster of WWE superstars, enhanced fighting styles, and various match types, offering a realistic wrestling experience tailored for the PSP.
Key Details:
•Release Date: November 13, 2007
•Roster: Features a broad selection of WWE superstars, including popular wrestlers like John Cena, The Undertaker, Triple H, Batista, and Shawn Michaels, along with legends like Stone Cold Steve Austin and The Rock.
•Game Modes:
•24/7 Mode: Combines Career and Season modes, where players manage their chosen wrestler’s career, balancing matches, training, and storyline events to climb the WWE ranks and achieve championship status.
•Exhibition Mode: Allows players to jump into various match types for quick play, from one-on-one bouts to tag team matches.
•Tournament Mode: Players compete in elimination-style tournaments, facing multiple opponents for championship titles.
•Multiplayer: Ad hoc wireless multiplayer mode, allowing players to challenge friends locally in competitive matches.
•Match Types:
•Offers a variety of match types, including classics like Singles, Tag Team, and Royal Rumble, as well as specialized matches like Hell in a Cell, Ladder Match, Steel Cage, and Hardcore matches.
•Fighting Styles:
•Introduces eight unique fighting styles, such as Brawler, Powerhouse, Showman, and High-Flyer, each with specialized moves, strengths, and weaknesses.
•Each style includes unique abilities—Brawlers, for example, can perform enhanced punches, while High-Flyers have high agility moves, adding strategy based on wrestlers’ styles.
•Gameplay Mechanics:
•Striking and Grappling System: Simple control scheme with intuitive grappling and striking moves, allowing for light and heavy attacks, counters, and combos.
•Stamina System: Wrestlers have a stamina bar that depletes with intense moves, adding a layer of realism and requiring players to pace their attacks.
•Weapon Use: Some matches allow the use of weapons like chairs, ladders, and tables, adding a hardcore element to the gameplay.
•Graphics and Presentation:
•While scaled down for PSP, the game retains detailed character models, animations, and authentic entrances, including crowd sounds, commentary, and wrestler themes to enhance the WWE atmosphere.
WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008 on the PSP is praised for capturing the WWE experience on a portable console, with its mix of fighting styles, diverse match types, and a deep 24/7 mode offering extended gameplay. The multiplayer feature also lets players enjoy wrestling with friends, making it a popular choice for fans looking to bring WWE action on the go.