WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008

Template:Future game

WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008[2]
WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008 Early box art for the NTSC PlayStation 2 version, featuring (left to right) John Cena, The Undertaker, and Bobby Lashley.
Developer(s)	Yuke's
Publisher(s)	THQ Yuke's
Series	WWE SmackDown! series
Platform(s)	PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, Nintendo DS, Wii, Xbox 360, Mobile
Release	November 19 2007 November 2007 [1]
Genre(s)	Professional wrestling, Fighting
Mode(s)	Single player, multiplayer, multiplayer online

WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008^[2] is a professional wrestling video game scheduled to be released on the PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and Wii consoles and the PlayStation Portable, and Nintendo DS handheld consoles by THQ and developed by YUKE's Future Media Creators. ^[3]

It will be the latest edition to the long-running WWE SmackDown! video game series based on the professional wrestling promotion World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). It will be the sequel to 2006's WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2007, and will be the first to include ECW.^[4] It will also be the first WWE game to be available for all seventh generation game consoles.

WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008 is a 2007 Game Critics Award nominee for Best Fighting Game^[5]

Each wrestler will now feature two fighting style categories, one primary and one secondary. Each fighting style will have its advantages and disadvantages in particular match types. ^[6] Overall, there will be eight styles altogether which are high-flyer, hardcore, submission artist, powerhouse, showman, brawler, dirty and technical.^[7] The wrestler's special move however will only be based on the wrestler's primary style. ^[6]

A new "struggle submission system" has been introduced, incorporating more analog control into the game. The player executing the submission now can decide how much pressure is applied through moving the analog stick in a particular direction. Conversely, the player locked in a submission hold will have to power out using the analog stick.^[6]

The season mode and general manager mode from the previous games now have been merged to form the WWE 24/7 mode. Instead of the player fighting their way through the ranks of the WWE to win a world title at WrestleMania, the main quest is for the player to become a WWE legend and ultimately be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame by completing a list of objectives. Depending on how established the player's wrestler is, the difficulty and amount of time it takes to become a Legend will vary. ^[6]

Also, SvR 2008 will be the first in the series to feature the revived ECW brand, which will be treated equal to the established RAW and SmackDown! brands, phrased by THQ as an "ECW Invasion". ^[8] Despite the inclusion of the brand, the video game franchise will keep its SmackDown! vs. RAW name, although an early logo has included "ECW Invasion".^[9] Also, it was stated by Cory Ledesma that he plans on redoing the animations of the wrestlers.^[6]

There will be significant differences in the Nintendo DS version of the game. It will make use of the handheld's touch screen feature to control the wrestlers' in-ring action. The Nintendo DS version will also include wireless multiplayer action, as well as training minigames.^[10] However, there will be limitations from the other versions in that this version will feature a roster of only 21 wrestlers^[11] and will retain the Season mode rather than the new WWE 24/7 mode.^[12]

It has been announced and confirmed that custom music will be in. This has been confirmed so far for the XBOX 360.^[13]

It has been announced that THQ will provide downloadable wrestlers for the Playstation 3 version, however, this has not been announced for XBOX 360 or Nintendo Wii users. ^[14]

The Wii version will take advantage of the Wii Remote and Nunchuk by using the motion sensing capabilities to pull off various attacks. For instance, punches and chops will be performed by slashing the Wii Remote in different directions, while performing a move such as a powerbomb will require the player to lift the opponent by pulling the Wii Remote up and then thrusting it down to slam the opponent. ^[15]

The game will now support HDTV 720p/1080i/1080p.In-game Dolby Digital, and a Headset^[16]

The day before WrestleMania 23, Nintendo published an article confirming that Chris Benoit was to appear in the game as a Superstar. ^[17]The following roster for consoles and the PSP^[18] is as follows (unless denoted) and been confirmed by IGN on September 3rd. The Nintendo DS version was also confirmed IGN the same day.^[11]

(non playable)

(non playable)

1 This character appears in the Nintendo DS version as a playable character.^[11]
2 This character is exclusive to the Nintendo DS version.^[11]
3 This character appears in the Nintendo DS version as a non-playable character.^[11]
4 This character appears in the mobile version. ^[19]
5 This character is exclusive to the PlayStation Portable version.^[18]

The following match types have been announced or seen in screenshots:

• Hell in a Cell^[20]
• Ladder Match^[21]
• Hardcore Match^[22]
• Extreme Rules^[23]
• First Blood^[24]
• Last Man Standing
• Buried Alive Match^[25]
• Parking Lot Brawl^[26]
• Ironman Match^[27]
• Ultimate Submission^[28]
• TLC match^[29]

Televised shows

• RAW
• ECW
• SmackDown!
• Heat^[30]

Pay-per-view

• Armageddon 2006
• Royal Rumble 2007^[31]
• no way out 2007

2007]]^[32]

• backlash 2007
• Judgment day 2007
• Veangence 2007
• The great American bash 2006
• Summerslam 2006
• Unforgiven 2006 ref>http://media.ps3.ign.com/media/844/844743/img_4851900.html</ref>
• No Mercy 2006^[33]
• Survivor Series 2006

^[34]

• Cyber Sunday 2006^[35]

• This is the first time that the Big Show would not be in the WWE video game series since WWF SmackDown! Know Your Role.
• Rob Van Dam and Kurt Angle will not appear in the game because of their releases from WWE.
• This is the first WWE game to include ECW as a separate brand.
• Some wrestlers such as Big Daddy V, Cody Rhodes, Deuce N' Domino, and Chuck Palumbo could not be on the game because their gimmick came out too late.
• This is the first game since WWF WrestleMania 2000 & WWE SmackDown! Shut Your Mouth that Jeff Hardy will be in.
• This is the first WWE game in the whole SmackDown! Series that will have flaming weapons (tables, barbed wired 2x4, etc.,).
• Other wrestlers could not make it in such as: Shelton Benjamin, Charlie Haas, Lance Cade, Daivari, London & Kendrick, Super Crazy, Trevor Murdoch, Shannon Moore, Jamie Noble, Jimmy Wang Yang, The Boogeyman, The Miz, Matt Striker, Kevin Thorn, Steven Richards, and as well as WWE Divas Victoria & Beth Phoenix, however with the prospect of downloadable wrestlers and content, these wrestlers could well have been rendered and could make it into the game as downloadable superstars.
• The current state of Chris Benoit in 2008 has come into question due to time constrantants. Niether WWE or THQ has of yet comfirmed his removal of contents, however due to the circumstances surrounding his death it is very likely he will not appear.

• Nonpoint ^[41] (no song titles yet)
• "Feed"^[42]Sevendust ^[43]
• "Put Your Lips to the TV"^[44]Project 86^[45]

• Official website
• WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008 (NDS) | (PS2) | (PS3) | (PSP) | (Wii) | (Xbox 360) at GameSpot
• WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008 (NDS) | (PS2) | (PS3) | (PSP) | (Wii) | (Xbox 360) at IGN