March 13, 2008 - Seven; that is the number of Smackdown games that has been released on the PS2. This kind of longevity on one console is matched by very few. Outside of the annual EA sports titles, and those games featuring that Tony Hawk guy, the boys from THQ have been giving Sony gamers the right to “Just Bring It”, “Shut your Mouth”, and telling us “Here Comes the Pain” and more. The Smackdown games have had their share of highs and lows but overall averaged out to provide the best wrestling in video gaming on the PS2, if not all consoles. SvR 2008 may be the last title for the PS2 now that the series has jumped ship to appear on all platforms. While the game isn’t terrible, 2008 makes the Smackdown series come full circle on the PS2. Just Bring It left people wanting more, and SvR 2008 will satisfy the average gamer but in the end, leave you feeling like it’s time to go next-Gen.

Luckily, THQ made the PS2 version more than just a mere roster update. New to this year are eight unique superstar-fighting styles and a pressure based submission system. Both actually work out very well and provide the formula, which we have grown, accustom to a bit of freshness that doesn’t hamper the gameplay. The fighting styles range from Brawler to Hardcore to Powerhouse to Showman and more with each having specific abilities. The pressure based submission moves are simple to execute. By toggling your right analog stick back and forth, you can increase/decrease the amount of hurt you put on your opponent. It is great for wearing them down or for applying damage to a specific body part. The rest of the control scheme hasn’t changed all that much, but for those who may have skipped over 07 may need some time to adjust to the right analog control grappling system. Delegating the finisher to the triangle button might be one of the best decisions ever made in the SvR series.

One thing that you can always count on in SvR is a large number of match types. Everything the wrestling enthusiast could want is here. Hardcore, TLC, Iron Match, Hell in a Cell, Royal Rumble and even some nifty tournament style matches such as the King of the Ring and Beat the Clock Sprint to name a few. All of these match types are easily accessible and while playing against the AI can be both challenging and downright frustrating, playing with a few friends can make the experience engaging.

The Smackdown series has never been one to sit idly by and provide the same old career/season mode from year to year. In 2008 we have the 24/7 Mode which gives you the chance either with one of your own wrestling creations or an available WWE superstar to experience the wrestling life in an attempt to solidify oneself as a five star ballot Hall of Famer. There is no lack of things to do here, yet despite the options available; the whole experience comes off as being rather repetitive, boring, and uninspiring. The 24/7 Mode also makes the series a perfect 7/7 for no-multiplayer seasons on the PS2.

Once you select the brand you wish to represent, (and get through a loading screen or two) you have a couple of selections at your disposal. The calendar shows you the month-by-month schedule that includes the traditional RAW Mondays, ECW Tuesdays, and Smackdown Fridays, as well as the month’s PPV. Depending on which brand you are in, you wrestle for your respective show and then have the option to interfere in the other shows if you so please. It doesn’t do much outside of increase your fatigue level which you will find out is significant in the 24/7 mode.

When you are not wrestling, you can use your off days to do a couple of mundane yet various activities. You can train to increase a specific attribute such as your strength and speed. Doing so puts you in the ring against a random opponent where you have a set amount of time to perform an undisclosed amount of moves such as taunts or aerial attacks. If you are successful, your stats increase although you wouldn’t know it if you check out the WWE magazine which gives you your stats breakdown, the Power-25, and other information that you may or may not find all that useful.