Graphics: 87/100
Gameplay: 94/100
Sounds: 92/100
Longevity: 92/100
Tilt: 94/100
SQUARED CIRCLE
I have been a wrestling fan for many many years. I started playing wrestling games with WCW Mayhem and the first WWE game I played was the original SmackDown! vs. Raw which I bought as soon as it came out and I'm happy I did. It really is impressive and has an addicting gameplay that the newest SVR games can only dream of.
RKO'S AND FU'S
The game of course has a big roster, a big arsenal of different match types, a CAW mode in which you can get creative and a Season mode, WWE-type career mode that follows a wrestler's story full of backstabbings, alliances, championships and divas. Roster includes over 40 wrestlers including old favorites like Triple H, Undertaker, Ric Flair, Chris Jericho and Kurt Angle, rising stars like Randy Orton, John Cena, Rene Dupree and Shelton Benjamin and a small pack of legends including The Rock, Mankind, Andre the Giant, Bret Hart, masked Kane, 90's Undertaker and more. The match type collection satisfies any wrestling fan. Hell in a cell, Royal Rumble, steel cage, tag team, singles, bra & panties, elimination chamber and almost everything you see while watching WWE in your TV are in the game. Season mode is really enjoyable and addicting, but once you've played it a few times, it starts recycling the same storylines and twists and it may become boring.
FLAT CROWD
I like the graphical style of SVR. The wrestlers look good, the ring and it's scenery look good, everything looks good except the crowd. The crowd is noisy and has lots of signs mocking or praising a superstar or diva, but it looks pretty ugly. The people are like flat paper humans which I can partly understand, since you really can't model thousands of people to look as good as the wrestlers in the ring, but still, the makers could've done a better job with the crowd.
LET'S GET READY TO RUMBLE!
SVR's gameplay has always been the best in any WWE game. It's pretty arcade-like and faster than in newer games and it's also much better. It's simply fun to play the matches and it never gets boring. You can't cut anyone's throws and locks and doing reversals isn't easy, but otherwise the controls work fine. Playing Royal Rumble with a friend is arguably the best thing to do if you have a PS2, this game and two controllers. It is the best match type in the game and really funny, even if playing alone.
OH, WHAT A SHOT!
What can I say about SVR's sounds? Commentators sound good, though they could have more comments, there is real voice acting for the wrestlers in season mode and entrance themes are authentic.
A LONG MATCH
SVR is great fun for many many months. I still play it, just for the Royal Rumble. Season mode may lose it's enjoyability after two or three play times, but all other match types are so fun that you don't wanna play any other wrestling game.
OVERALL: SmackDown! vs. Raw series started with a bang. This original one stays as my favorite WWE game of all time.
+ Pros: Nice graphics, fun season mode, great gameplay and controls, authentic voice acting, CAW mode is awesome, full-featured roster and match type collection
- Cons: Crowd looks bland, there could be more storylines in season mode
REAL SCORE: 9.4