WWE Smackdown Vs. Raw 2008

As far as handheld gaming is concerned, the Nintendo DS has shown what a delightfully unique and revolutionary portable gaming machine can do with a touch screen and a few good ideas. Games such as Trauma Center or THQ’s Drawn to Life not only push the technology to new and exciting heights but it also offers up a different take on various franchises that sets it apart from the PSP or even the Game Boy Advance. Making its debut on the Nintendo DS is WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008, a wrestling title that might not have all the game modes or gameplay elements of the console or PSP version but still plays the game its own way.

WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008 does not feature Ladder matches or events such as the Royal Rumble. The game will not allow you to create a Superstar or Diva and there is certainly no option to create your own championship bout. There is no 24/7 Mode or the new Hall of Fame game mode featured in all versions of the game. What the DS version does have is an Exhibition mode and a Season mode and nothing else. Yes, this sounds like the game does not have much to offer but what it lacks in quantity it more than makes up for it with quality and an innovative gameplay style.

Exhibition mode in five different flavors (Regular, Hardcore, Ironman, Last Man Standing and Submission) and gamers have the option to play wirelessly with a friend or play through a single-card option. Hardcore and Ironman make good use of foreign objects you can use during a match whether it’s a video camera or a sledgehammer. There is also a 3 Stages of Hell where the best two-out-of-three matches determine the winner. Submission has you attempting to win the match by way of submission only and won't even allow you to take advantage of having an ally on your side or items you can use as weapons. Each Exhibition match clearly brings its own set of rules to add some variety to the match types.

The game real main mode is Season - a game mode that acts as the career mode found in past WWE titles only this one is more interactive than the game modes found in 24/7 Mode. Season mode allows you to pick from the short list of Superstars that range from Cena, Carlito, Triple H or even the Undertaker. Like the console and PSP versions, the DS also gets two ECW wrestlers joining the Raw and SmackDown lineup so you will also have Superstars like CM Punk and Johnny Nitro to pick from in the Superstar selection menu. From there you follow your Superstar’s career, completing a number of objectives along the way as you play through a complete WWE season. You can train in the gym or interact with other Superstars in the locker room and Season mode even goes as far as simulating the scripted drama that occurs in the pressroom or anywhere outside the ring. Alliances will be made or broken and your Superstar will find himself wrapped up in rivalries that have you working it out in the ring.

The touch screen action is certainly the major highlight of the game since this game is actually played with a Stylus rather than moving the wrestler with the D-pad or face buttons. In fact, you don’t move your Superstar at all, so you won’t be moving around the ring or facing off an opponent out of the ring. Icons will flash on the screen that allow you to punch or kick, grab a hold of your enemy or perform a specialty move. Once selected, you’ll have to drag the Stylus on an arrow icon, tap a strike icon or rub a meter back and forth for other actions. Timing is everything in this game so the success of your strike or Irish Whip depends on how fast you interact with an icon. Each Superstar has his own special move but as far as other moves are concerned, the game is very limited in the number of killer moves you can perform. This, of course, leads to repetitive action and there are times when you’ll get tired of seeing the same old body slams.

Visually, the game is also very impressive. The character models look astonishingly like the real Superstars and - while there are a lot of stiff animations featured throughout - it’s easily forgivable seeing as the faces and recognizable features come out nicely on the screen. As far as the arenas and the crowd of fans in attendance, they don’t look very good but it’s a nice try nonetheless. There’s some music in this game but not enough of it and there’s a ring announcer that gives each intro it’s televised match feel. Sadly, there’s little else to the game’s sound.

WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008 for the Nintendo DS is an inventive, innovative and fun wrestling game that fits the portable format well enough to deserve some attention from fans of the genre. What the game lacks in game modes or match types, it more than makes up for it in the unique gameplay and touch screen interactivity. It’s a worthy first attempt that should please fans of the WWE franchise and a step in the right direction in terms of bringing the WWE the brand to Nintendo’s handheld.

Gameplay: 7.0
The touch-screen action is not only interesting but it works effectively whether you’re tapping the screen to perform a strike or draw in the direction of an arrow that appears on the screen to initiate a grapple. The game is low on game modes but Season mode is filled with all the drama and action of a real WWE season.

Graphics: 7.5
Visually impressive, the game manages to push the DS to its limits to bring the very short lineup of Superstars to life. The various Superstars look like the real thing and even though the arenas don’t look right, the intro animations are quite good.

Sound: 6.0
The soundtrack is minimal and it tends to repeat itself throughout the game but at least there is a ring announcer and the crowd sounds are decent enough.

Difficulty: Medium
The real challenge comes from executing the moves as quickly as you can before your opponent counters your move. Somehow, even a virtual Triple H can still do a lot of damage just like the real thing.

Concept: 6.5
It’s a WWE game on the Nintendo DS and it actually uses the touch screen to pull off a number of moves. There aren’t many game modes and so don’t expect different match types such as Ladder or Table matches. Still, Season mode is pretty deep and entertaining … like an actual WWE season.

Multiplayer: 6.5
Two players can go up against each another wirelessly but there’s no online multiplayer so there is no chance to share this one with other fans.

Overall: 7.0
One of the most pleasant surprises you’ll find on the Nintendo DS, WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008 is a fun and interesting wrestling game if you give the intriguing controls a chance. With inventive use of the touch screen, the action is hard-hitting but the moves are not as diverse as other versions of this game. It’s still a game well worth playing if you own a Nintendo DS or love WWE wrestling.