As long as I could remember there have been wrestling video games, even from back in the days of the SEGA Genesis, but many wrestling games these days have been feed off the same soul. The same old grappling, the same old hits and the same old fireworks. Many of us wonder what has change for the franchise? This time around Yuke’s is taking another shot at the championship, but can they really step things up for the gold?

Instead of the regular old campaign mode, the game steps up and adds a new mode called “Road to Wrestlemania”, which is just great for a person who has watched the TV shows for years. Honestly, this mode is truly unique. There are five characters you a can pick from, like The Undertaker and John Cena. They all have their own unique story separate from that of the show’s. The mode is also very well written, but one thing I really didn’t understand is why there is a change camera view in both this mode and Career mode, because it really doesn’t fit the game at all. On the other hand, this mode may truly be, acting-wise, better then the actual show. There are a lot of plot twists in this mode that’s sure to keep wanting more.

However, if you can’t get pass the missions in “Road to Wrestlemania” mode you can always pick Superstar and play Career Mode, but there are a few issues if you do. Basically, Career mode is were you can pick any Superstar or Diva from any one of the shows and pursue their story. When you start of in this mode, any character you pick will start in the 30s, which isn’t fun for anyone on the path to the championship – Cruiserweight and World Heavyweigh etc.. When you first enter this mode the champion is unknown so your basically fighting to get points, which you need to advance to the championship, to face some unknown character. You’ll also have to unlock the stipulations for this mode, but “Road to Wrestlemania” is still better than last years “24/7″ mode, so if I were you I’ll past on this.

And what kind of wrestling game will this be without the new match types and features, like the newest match type Inferno Match, an interesting and silly match type in the game. In this match type you and an opponent fight it out in a ring that is set ablaze and you’re suppose to pull your opponent in the flames till it gets to a high temperature level, like 500, but I forget these things. It is very sad that the Divas cannot be included into this match because we would love to see them sweat. lol. Anyway, once you pull your opponent in the flames it will go into a button-tapping minigame were you’ll try to push your enemy in or escape the flames. The feature is fun, don’t get me wrong, but it can also be a little silly to see The Undertaker trying to extinguish flames off himself.

Closing Statement:

At the end of the day WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2009 is a great game that’s full of potential, but it’s just to bad that it really didn’t get there. The newest feature is Create-A-Finisher, but it’s nothing to be amazed by. You can send as much time as you want in the creative modes but anyway you put it, it feels like you done it a thousand times over. Personally, this game amazed me with RTW this feature gives the game a bit of playability, but it’s all about the game and the way you play it.

Score: B-