An alright wrestling game for the DS, but it could be better
User Rating: 6.5 | WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009 DS
WWE SmackDown vs Raw 2009 is a decent wrestling game for the DS. I first rented this game on the PS3 a few years back but I was never able to get it (maybe I will buy it on Amazon or something one day). That was the superior version, but Im not going to compare the console version to the DS version, because that would be unfair. The roster is more limited but still pretty good and the only superstars that are in the DS version are Batista, Big Daddy V, Big Show, Carlito, Chris Jericho, CM Punk, Cody Rhodes, Edge, Elijah Burke, Finlay, Hardcore Holly, JBL, Jeff Hardy, John Cena, John Morrison, Jimmy Wang Yang, Kane, Matt Hardy, Mr. Kennedy, MVP, Randy Orton, Rey Mysterio, Santino Marella, Shawn Michaels, The Great Khali, Tommy Dreamer, Triple H, Umaga, and Undertaker. The graphics are pretty good. but the gameplay could use some work. Unlike 08 for the DS (which I haven't played but I've read about it) you can now use the arrow keys to walk around the arena, though the stylus is required for alot of stuff to do in matches. The DS version includes new matches, such as the Steel Cage, Ladder Match, and also TLC and table match. The matches are kinda hard since you have to use the stylus for alot of things. The story mode is different from the ones in the console version, in the DS version you can pick a wrestler to play as and you can wonder around the locker room and train to build up your experience and make challenges with other wrestlers, not the best story mode ever but it is decent. Now there are noticeable goofs with the roster, loads of the superstars are listed on the shows they started on earlier in the year the game was released, though in the console version they are on the right shows, and you can change their brands with the Roster Management, which isn't in the DS version. This is similar to what THQ did in 07 but it isn't as big of a deal. Superstars like Batista, Finlay, Matt Hardy and Rey Mysterio are listed as SmackDown superstars, though both Batista and Rey Mysterio were drafted to RAW before the game came out, and Finlay and Matt Hardy were drafted to ECW. Now Kane, Big Daddy V, and CM Punk are listed as ECW superstars, but Kane and CM Punk both were drafted to RAW and Big Daddy V was drafted to SmackDown, despite never making an appearance on the show and being released, he should be on SmackDown (though he is on SmackDown in the console version). And Jeff Hardy, Mr. Kennedy, Triple H, and Umaga are listed as RAW superstars despite all 4 of them were drafted to SmackDown that year (they are on the right show in the console version). And Elijah Burke is on ECW the show he stayed on before he was released. Carlito was drafted to SmackDown the year this came and is the only drafted wrestler to be on the right show, everyone else on the roster is correct. Now I never bought this game, but I found the cartridge of it at a friend's house and I asked if they still play it and he said his brother no longer does so he let me have it. It is enjoyable to kill some time but it could be much better. WWE SmackDown vs Raw 2009 is worth picking up if you have a PS3, PS2, PSP, Xbox 360, DS or a Wii and if you are a die hard wrestling like me.rnOverall: 6.5/10
