Reviews - WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2009 (DS)

At first glance, the Nintendo DS version of WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2009 is quite impressive: the numerous wrestlers look like their real-life counterparts, there are so many moves to choose from, the game’s replay value is close to limitless, each wrestler’s entrance is fairly accurate, and the audio quality is pretty good for a DS game.

However, upon closer inspection, these strengths are negated by one important detail: the controls are terrible. Instead of relying primarily on the glut of buttons on the Nintendo DS, Yuke’s, the developer, decided to mix it up. Wrestlers move around the ring via the control pad, while attacks and grapples are done via the touch controls.

See, what’s wrong with this setup is quite simple. Since players are forced to use the stylus for attacks, there is a delay between the input (pressing the buttons) and execution (the wrestler pulls off the move). As a result, computer-controlled opponents usually end up attacking first. To make things worse, the DS version provides no option to counter the attacks, so matches are decided by who gets to execute the grapple first. Since AI-controlled opponents have an upper hand by default, trying to win matches has become an exercise in frustration.

This basic control problem is made even more apparent when one tries the career mode. Players can choose any WWE wrestler or create their own, but getting that first win is close to impossible because the starting stats are low. There’s a gym for leveling up muscle groups, but victories are needed to increase the wrestler’s stats. How then can one win with the bad controls and low stats? It’s trying enough with powerful wrestlers, so one can only imagine how it would be like for weaker ones. Victories may be earned eventually, but by that time, the player may have already had a stroke.

Stay away from WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2009 for the DS. It may look and sound pretty, but it’s all moot when one is on the brink of smashing the handheld into many pieces out of sheer annoyance. Despite this, the game remains to have potential because of the basic package that’s already there. All that needs to be added are button controls. Until that day comes, any consideration to purchase WWE Smackdown vs. Raw titles is madness.

3/10

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