After getting the opportunity to play an preview build of SvR 2009 earlier this year, I was not the slightest bit apprehensive about giving the game another look. It looked and played great the first time around and with some impressive new features highlighting this year's title (namely a co-op Career Mode, downloadable content, and improved online-play mechanics) there was little cause for concern when I was prepared to pick up a controller, that is until I saw myself standing in front of the LCD screen with the Wii version of the game at my fingertips instead of the Xbox 360 version I was more familiar with. I walked in feeling like the Rock, confident with a bit of arrogance, and cockiness thrown in but now I was more like Rocky Mavia, green and inexperienced when it comes to the unique Nintendo Smackdown offering, but undoubted, I proceeded with Wiimote and Wii Nunchuk in hand and came away with a very satisfying albeit strange feeling. Wrestling on the Wii can be a total workout!

While the other offerings could perhaps be critiqued for graphical shortcomings, lame commentary, and the always questionable AI, none of this is as important to the Wii SvR 2009 version as the control. The game could be a visual masterpiece designed by Michelangelo himself and a wonky control system would put this game down faster than Vince McMahon can fire off one of his employees. Last year was a bit of a trial and error experiment since it was THQ's first offering of a WWE title on a Nintendo system since the Days of Reckoning games on the GameCube. The game certainly was functional and while swinging your arms around wildly could prove both successful and entertaining, a lack of depth hurt SvR 2008 more so than its console cousins. Since there was more than their share of issues with last year's edition across the board, THQ realized that (to quote John Cena) "their time was now" to listen to the public and address at least some of the concerns. This year the control has been enhanced to make executing moves even easier. The nunchuk does most of the work in moving your wrestler around while the Wiimote handles attacks, grapples, counters, special moves and virtually everything else. It may sound overwhelming but thanks to some very handy tutorial screens that are presented prior to the matches makes the transition into the game that much smoother. For those who have been accustom to wrestling with a controller like myself, you will appreciate the extra thought put into showing how cool it could be to convert to a different control scheme.

The gameplay has largely stayed the same from the previous year's edition and this will be welcoming for newbies and veterans of the Wii title. One area THQ has added some significant adjustments is to the tag team mode. Outside of the prospect of tackling the Career mode with a friend this time around, the regular tag team matches have received a significant boost in flexibility. Usually, most of the action took place in the ring but now those on the outside who want to do more than wait for a tag or perhaps get in a few free shots before being disciplined by the ref have some options at their disposal. Wrestlers can traverse along the sides of the ring which allows the person on the outside a better chance of getting the tag then being stationed at one corner. It's a subtle addition yet helps prevent tag matches from getting stale for those on the outside looking in. Another fun and sure to be crowd pleasing action for the non-legal man (or woman) on the outside is the ability to pull the ring ropes down which results in sending an unsuspecting wrestler (either the opponent or your tag team partner) down to the canvas where you have the option of either laying down an additional hurt or perhaps making it up to your partner by getting them back in the ring before the ten-count. Much like what you see on television, this type of thing can prove to be either comical or disastrous if you're not paying attention. Not only do these extra refinements make tag-matches more enjoyable over a long-term bout but more realistic too.

Two exciting new features added to SvR 2009 are the Create a Finisher and Replay options. The former is robust, and allows gamers the ability to come up with anything they could put their potentially sadistic minds too. If you want your wrestler to do a power bomb into a sharp shooter then just set up the appropriate actions and you're set. Much like the always satisfying customization options that have been available before (Create a Character, Create a move-set, Create an Entrance), this is one addition that will keep many gamers busy concocting things that the pros could only dream of.

The replay option on the other hand is rather quirky but this did not stop THQ from making it also incredibly expansive. Interested in watching an exciting match over? Well now you can, and much like how the boys in production do it for real, you have the option to edit the viewing of the match however you see fit. You can add sound effects; change the camera angles, input those incredibly cheesy text bubbles (ala Bam! Zoink!) after the execution of certain moves, slow down or speed up parts of the match and more. Once you are satisfied with your work, you can share it with others online. It's bound to pique the interest of gamers everywhere to see who has what it takes to create exciting wrestling video game matches. Wrestlemania might play second fiddle to someone's own rendition and that possibility alone makes the replay mode even cooler.

While the previous build offered very little to play through, this edition provided virtually every single match type minus the Career mode. Outside of the new inferno match which garnered much attention this time around, the other modes should be familiar and played virtually the same as they did last year. The number of available wrestlers jumped dramatically with a fully playable roster including some recent WWE departures in Lance Cade, Big Daddy V, Trevor Murdoch and with much sadness Jonathan Coachman.

Now that TNA has had its Impact video game out for a few months, it has given the WWE and THQ the opportunity to size up its adversary and provide gamers with something that could be truly spectacular. Having a co-op career mode for the first time since Smackdown vs. Raw 2: Know Your Role which came out on the original PlayStation back in 2000 seems almost inexcusable considering how much the Smackdown series has evolved along with the consoles.

SvR 2009 will be available on all major gaming platforms so unless you are not a fan of the WWE or wrestling in general, there will be no excuse not to pick up a copy. For those who tired of the Smackdown series after 2008, should have their faith restored with this year's game. For the rest of us, who just like our Smackdown, whether it's with a controller or Wiimote and nunchuk, THQ looks to deliver the best title in the series to date later this month.

Like what you see? Follow us on Twitter @GamingExcel, or find us on Facebook for all the latest news and updates.

Agree or disagree? Have something you'd like to add? We'd love to hear your thoughts. Simply Login or Register to add a comment and have your say. Registration is free, and only takes a few moments.

Discuss In Our Forums »