As much as we’d like to, we’re not going to get into a debate about why wrestling is brilliant and why those who don’t like it are idiots. We accept the world is an interesting place and some things that are actually perfect can’t be accepted by others – everyone is beautiful and all of that rubbish! Instead, let’s take all of that energy and focus it on the ninth iteration of the SmackDown series, which really has come full circle.

Without wanting to dwell on the point, 2006’s effort just wasn’t up to scratch. We’re not going to play the blaming game because it’s now irrelevant, but it certainly didn’t do the franchise any favours. 2008, on the other hand, has scrapped all that was poor then and thrown in a handful of new ideas that work pretty well; the most prominent of which are the numerous fighting styles. On the whole we really rather quite like them but, being the negative folk we are, we’re going to rant about one major issue: anyone should be able to remove the top turnbuckle cover! It makes perfect sense that to perform such a deceitful manoeuvre you should have to choose someone who fights ‘dirty’, but in the heat of a tense match-up, who doesn’t want to take someone’s head and ram it into some solid metal?

It all depends on how you approach SmackDown. We’re not afraid to admit that our love for pro-wrestling results in us wanting to replicate that edgy ‘anything can happen’ sensation while we’re playing; and yes, at times that does see mega-face John Cena relying on somewhat illegal tactics! As such, limiting certain moves that any performer could do seems unnatural to us. Still, the different styles do a great job in making each wrestler feel unique and will also help or hinder your own method depending on your technique. If you’ve always been more confident with a Rey Mysterio than a Triple H (and if we ever meet anyone who feels that way they will die – HHH rules!), trying to use a ‘Powerhouse’ as if they were a ‘High- Flyer’ will be exceedingly difficult. It adds a depth to the roster that goes beyond the amount of superstars available.

What’s strange, however, is that these fighting styles, in a way, are almost neither here nor there. You can choose to take advantage of them and you can ignore them, but what you can’t get away from is how good the core gameplay is in 2008. Each wrestler supports a certain weight that has never been apparent, and the animations have finally been given a much-needed overhaul. Some of the old problems still pop up from time to time – SmackDown continues to be convinced that hair is more than capable of going through human skin – but the pace, intensity and back-and-forth nature really encapsulate what pro-wrestling is all about. A Hall Of Fame match (where classic bouts can be re-enacted) we contested is among our favourite SmackDown bouts ever against a computer opponent. Obviously, multiplayer still wipes the floor against an AI competitor, and expect to cheer, chant and cry as you go one-on-one against your bestest friend in the world, but lasting 30 straight minutes as the Heartbreak Kid against Bret Hart was nothing short of breathtaking.

Unfortunately, a few points are still lacking and 24/7 Mode is leading the pack. Essentially this year’s career offering, it fails to capture any of the dynamic or intriguing storylines the WWE has been producing for years. Aside from nonsensical backstage segments, there seems to be no structure to the feuds that’ll be forced upon you. You’ll Pedigree Orton’s face into the mat one week, and then be battling it out with Carlito the next over some movie role. Riveting it isn’t!

What’s more, the Ladder Match and Royal Rumble – two of the most revered and important match types – continue to be tiresome. A Ladder Match, in particular, relies on the premise that grabbing the belt can happen at any moment. Having to hold onto it for a good 30 seconds instantly kills this feeling off, though.

These are all niggles that have been apparent before, mind you, and while we’re under the impression they should be fixed, the fun, exciting sequences and fights that can take place do more than enough to earn our praise. More importantly, the multiplayer aspect has levelled up entirely – there’s nothing quite as satisfying as sitting down with a fellow wrestling obsessive, planning out spots and the eventual tantalising finish. SmackDown vs. Raw can still do so much more when it rolls around next year, but at least this is a major step in the right direction.

Simon Miller