WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2008

GamePro (US) (4.5 out of 5) (90%)

This isn’t a title for the casual gamer, but if you're a fan of the franchise or just really love throwing half-naked men off ladders and pinning them to the ground, then SvR 2008 is about as good as it gets.

4Players.de (86 out of 100) (86%)

Die Wrestler auf dem Microsoft- und den Sony-Systemen stellen inhaltlich das umfangreichste Paket des diesjährigen Smackdown vs. Raw-Großangriffes dar. Allerdings kann der konzeptionell gute 24/7-Modus aufgrund der Detail- und Logikschwächen seine positiven Seiten nicht uneingeschränkt ausspielen kann. Dafür überzeugen die über 100 Matchtypen, der lagfreie Online-Modus, der nur auf PS2 fehlt, der umfangreichere Editor und vor allem das neue Kategorisierungs-System, das die Wrestler noch authentischer wirken lässt und die Kämpfe noch abwechslungsreicher macht. Die Kulisse zeigt sich auf PS3 und 360 mit Ausnahme der Clippings und der immer noch problematischen langen Haare überzeugend

1UP (8 out of 10) (80%)

Yeah, the season mode didn't change for the better, but SmackDown vs. Raw 2008 is still a great wrestling game. But next year will really determine who the real king of the ring is, as Midway will finally release its TNA Wrestling game. Though it's improving each year, SmackDown vs. Raw could really use some friendly (or TNA's case, not-so-friendly) competition.

Gamesmania.de (80 out of 100) (80%)

Spieler, die den Vorgänger nicht besitzen und sich für Wrestling interessieren, können bedenkenlos zugreifen. Sie erhalten ein qualitativ hochwertiges Spiel mit einigen Schwächen. Durch die minimalen Unterschiede zum Vorgänger lohnt sich die Anschaffung, für die Spieler die bereits „WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2007“ besitzen, jedoch nur, wenn sie absolute Fans dieser Reihe sind. Ist es noch zu verschmerzen, dass sich die Innovationen an einer Hand abzählen lassen, so ist es absolut unverständlich, warum nicht zumindest die Fehler des Vorgängers ausgemerzt wurden. Im nächsten Jahr sorgt Midway mit „TNA Impact“ endlich für aussichtsreiche Konkurrenz, die sicherlich auch die Smackdown Serie beleben wird. Wrestlingfans dürfen gespannt sein und sich bis dahin weiterhin die Zeit mit einer guten, aber gealterten Smackdown Serie vertreiben!

ZTGameDomain (8 out of 10) (80%)

SVR 2008 is definitely a step ahead for the series from a gameplay standpoint. The new controls, fighting styles, and ECW content really take the series to the next level in terms of in ring action. However, the disappointing 24/7 mode and the return of some nagging problems keeps this title from being the truly great experience it could be. If you can look past these issues however, 2008 will certainly provide ring fans with hours of entertainment. After all, it’s all the fun of lighting a table on fire, with none of the scars or sirens.

Game Informer Magazine (8 out of 10) (80%)

Smackdown vs. Raw is sort of like a lazy superstar. Sure, it still has some moves and it can still put on a good show, but it's been the only brawler in the ring for so long that it's not worried about being the most well-rounded fighter it can be. Case in point, the eight new fighting styles for each wrestler in the game are a nice addition that provide some great diversity in the characters, but destroys the game's balance.

Game Tap (8 out of 10) (80%)

That's not to say that everything in the series I wanted fixed/changed made the final cut, though, as there are still a ton of nagging problems in the engine, from collision detection issues (too many hands through bodies) to the mind-numbing repetition of cutscenes in 24/7 mode. It's funny (creepy) to see Ric Flair pop into the women's locker room in his little tight trunks the first time, but by the third time, you just want to call the cops.

Kombo.com (7.7 out of 10) (77%)

WWE 2008 is a fine wrestling game. There are a lot of neat features that will give this game plenty of leg locks until the next edition is published. Far and away, the character creation is one of the coolest, in-depth features the game has. The wrestling gameplay is good and makes for a nice fighting title. All the trimmings of a WWE broadcast are in tact for the video game to make it fun for fans of the show.

GamingExcellence (7.7 out of 10) (77%)

Ultimately, Smackdown VS RAW 2008 is a lot of fun to play. The finishers are simple to do, the grappling system controls great, and the actual wrestlers themselves are bang on in appearance, attitude and abilities. Fans of wrestling on TV will love that ECW superstars are included, adding to the mass of potentially playable characters. The only real problem is the lag factor present in the online multiplayer matches (the same problem was evident in last years edition as well). For hardcore wrestling junkies, the 2008 edition should make a worthwhile upgrade. For those on the fence, or if you already own last years release, it’s worth a rental at least.

IGN (7.5 out of 10) (75%)

Here's the thing, this is some of the most fun I've had on the mat in a wrestling game in a long time and after three and a half months of playing it, I still look forward to putting it through the paces each morning. The controls are great and make the act of wrestling shine. However, I can't score this game as high as last year's PS2/360 title or pervious installments of the franchise. Single-player 24/7 Mode is a step backward for the series, the Create-A-Superstar and GM 24/7 are basically rehashes of last year's product, and the same complaints we've had for years -- awful AI, lame commentary, poor collision detection -- are still rampant. Plus, the lack of online voice chat saps some of the fun of multiplayer.

GameZone (7.5 out of 10) (75%)

While the original formula remains the same year after year, WWE SmackDown Vs. Raw 2008 is still a fun game that does manage to pull off some new moves on the PS3. It would have been great to see something uniquely next-gen for this year’s edition but it’s still a good time for any wrestling fan out there.

Extreme Gamer (7.4 out of 10) (74%)

WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2008 pushes the series marginally forward with a focus on creating a more personal touch with the unique fighting styles and updated visuals. This doesn’t mean Yuke's is out of the clear, the really buggered up the merger of the 24/7 and GM modes in this edition which causes the season mode to feel out of synch and unfocused. Everything else is done right with the online and create modes intact, so you can still made your own fun outside of impressing Vince in the season. The WWE franchise continues to stay in the mid-card without much hope to get into the upper ranks. Changes will need to be made, if this true legend wrestling franchise wants to be re-invented to capture the gold.

Jeuxvideo.com (14 out of 20) (70%)

Si le gameplay n'a pas connu de grands bouleversements et conserve une part de frustration, il demeure accessible et suffisamment complet pour rempiler une année encore. Le reste s'appuie en partie sur le nouveau contenu apporté par l'ECW et de très nombreuses possibilités d'édition. Une bonne pioche.

Worth Playing (7 out of 10) (70%)

When taken as a whole, Smackdown vs. Raw '08 is a decent game with faults that weigh heavily upon it. While there are a ton of match types, a fairly sizable roster of ECW, Raw and Smackdown stars, and the inclusion of the new Superstar Fighting Styles, these positives cannot offset the terrible sound and voice acting, middling graphics and the train wreck that is the 24/7 mode. This title is only for the most hardcore professional wrestling fans; casual fans or those who are new to the series need not apply.

Game Freaks 365 (7 out of 10) (70%)

In the end SmackDown! vs. Raw 2008 is the only real wrestling option for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 gamers. Still, it is far from a bad one. Improvements made to the game still do not take away some of the typical flaws of the genre, sadly. Movement is sluggish, and the fighting styles (despite nicely accenting each fighter's actual tendencies) are just far too unbalanced. It is about time that Yuke's and THQ's annual wrestling title revolutionizes the genre for which it is, at least lately, the sole figure.

Cheat Code Central (3.4 out of 5) (68%)

There are a lot of nice improvements here. It just seems WWE could exceed fans' expectations, but they never really do. They continually add a few new interesting features each year knowing their loyal fans will probably purchase each edition regardless. Don't misinterpret me; Smackdown vs. Raw 2008 is good - but it's not great. Perhaps the franchise will start working harder in the future to give fans enough reason to purchase each installment year after year.

Game Shark (B-) (67%)

SmackDown! vs. RAW 2008 for the PS3, Xbox 360 and PS2 are solid experiences once you look past the many many design transgressions. It's a shame that Yuke's has mucked up what many considered a winning formula with the 2007 edition of the game, but the additional moves sets and other extras kind of make up for the parts of the game that feel unbearable. Long-time RAW VS. SmackDown fans should feel comfortable purchasing this game on any of these systems, though the Xbox 360 version is the best looking of the pack.

Gamer 2.0 (6.7 out of 10) (67%)

WWE Smackdown vs. Raw could have been a great game and a step into making the best wrestling game to date. With so much potential that could have been used, the game just feels a bit too unbalanced at times. Controls will take some getting used to and the 24/7 needs some serious fine tuning. Fans will no doubt enjoy the quick matches using their favorite superstars, but casual watchers may not get as much out of the game as they would have expected.

GameSpot (6.5 out of 10) (65%)

You can count the number of things SmackDown! vs. RAW 2008 does to improve the series on one hand, and the number of things that it does wrong on the digits remaining on the rest of your limbs. It's not that it's an awful game. The gameplay still has plenty of life in it and in multiplayer, the matches can be quite fun. But everything else about the game--the few middling changes to the gameplay, the major gameplay issues that remain unfixed, the lackluster 24/7 mode, and the thoroughly rehashed create and online modes--just makes you wonder if it isn't time for this series to finally start over from scratch. Every year these games include a greater breadth of content, but rarely a greater depth. SmackDown! vs. RAW 2008 is perhaps the greatest example of that. It's a solid wrestler, but not one that's worth spending $50 to $60 for if you already own last year's game. While this might be the series' first installment on the PlayStation 3, it's hardly an auspicious one.

videogamer.com (6 out of 10) (60%)

In the end, WWE Smackdown! Vs RAW 2008 will sell regardless of its quality, but it's not going to get many newcomers if the series continues to stagnate in what can only be described as last-gen gameplay in new-gen clothes. It's a reviewing cliché, but this is one for hardcore fans only.

PSX Extreme (6 out of 10) (60%)

WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008 is riddled with issues. It has some of the worst A.I. I've ever encountered, on top of a broken formula that only frustrates the player. No direct communication between the gamer and his controlled athlete mars the experience, as the gameplay feels more like guess work than anything else. And beyond that, Yukes actually simplified the grappling mechanics for 2008, over 2007. While 2008 looks very attractive and boasts a plethora of value, it doesn't justify the cost of admission for an otherwise mangled game of wrestling. If you want a decent wrestling game, and don't mind downgraded (though still nice) visuals, find yourself a used copy of WWE SmackDown! Here Comes the Pain for PlayStation 2 for less than 10 bucks.

GameCell UK (6 out of 10) (60%)

The typical rock metal soundtrack is here and I say again the commentary sucks. So sound isn’t a strong point. Overall, I don’t know if it’s the fact that I don’t get WWE anymore or if the game is just old fashioned, but I just don’t like this game. I’m sure WWE fans will love it for the game modes and the wrestlers on offer but non-fans be sure to avoid.

GameSpy ( ) (60%)

There's a lot to like about what WWE Smackdown! vs. Raw 2008 brings to the table this year. There are dozens of different match types to explore, functioning online multiplayer, and many different ways to customize your experience. The downside is that if you're looking for that next great leap off the turnbuckle and into your living room, you may instead have to settle for a pretty satisfying leg drop to hold you over until next year. Slow and steady worked for Hogan all those years, so it may be good enough for you.

GameWatcher / Strategy Informer (5.7 out of 10) (57%)

The overwhelming problem with Smackdown! vs. Raw 2008 is that Yuke’s is continuously adding new, largely superfluous content without fixing the game’s many long-standing issues. There is still animation in the 2008 game that dates back to the original title from back in early 2000. The game’s AI is wretched, the 24/7 mode gets dull somewhat quickly, commentary and wrestler voice overs are unnecessary and the developers still have not attempted to take advantage of the full power of the new hardware on offer. Wrestling fans are going to buy it no matter what we say, but anyone on the fence might want to wait for the inevitable 2009 edition.

Game Revolution (C) (50%)

With all this negative talk about WWE Smackdown! vs. Raw 2008, you might be surprised to know that I’m a long-time casual fan of wrestling and wrestling titles. I still treasure WWF No Mercy for the N64, and my childhood is full of eyes-glued-to-TV memories of Hogan, Sting, Ultimo Dragon, and Bret Hart. But this only makes this year’s installment, though passable and tolerable, that much more deserving of a missile dropkick back to where it came from.

Entertainment Depot, The (5 out of 10) (50%)

I stressed throughout the review that I am new to the series because I feel it important for fans to realize just how it is being covered. The rest of the staff would be in the same boat as me, so the best we can do is approach this title as a newcomer to the series and to gauge how effective it is at being engaging to those such as ourselves. In that regard, it does not do a very good job. There are all sorts of modes, features, and options, but none of them offer much to the beginner. The combat system feels too erratic and the matches too drawn out and random to be much more than frustrating. When everything clicks and everything seems to be falling in place, it’s pretty cool, but having one pretty cool moment out of half an hour of aggravation doesn’t cut it.