WWE Smackdown vs Raw 2009
Whack them with a chair or pile-drive them through a table - just make sure they don't get up in WWE Smackdown vs Raw 2009 for the Playstation 3, 2 and Portable, Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii and DS. Celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, Wrestlemania XXV takes place on April 5 and, as one of the biggest sporting events in America, Young Post takes a look at its video-game counterpart.
Gamers can take control of any of the current WWE stars, from the patriotic John Cena to the bouncy Mickie James to the intimidating Undertaker.
There are a number of ways you can play this game, such as the standard-career mode, which has you fighting matches and earning the right to title fights for the many belts available. Another single-player mode is The Road to Wrestlemania, which is akin to a story-mode option.
Both single-player modes allow you to use a custom-created character via the character-creation editor, a robust tool that allows you to create anyone you want, from President Barack Obama to Osama bin Laden. The customisation doesn't end there: you also can create your own devastating finishing move thanks to the Create-a-Finisher editor.
If you're finding the game's single-player mode not challenging enough, the online functionality will pit you against opponents from around the world, with options ranging from single-player fights up to four-way face-offs.
Unfortunately, multiplayer matches are only available locally, so you are limited to players in Hong Kong.
Game play is great. Special moves and finishers are easy to pull off, although if you're not within range of the sweet spot you might find yourself drop kicking empty space.
The graphics are superb, with impressively animated character entrances. The only disappointment is the sound effects, which seem to lack power.
If you are tired of 2D and 3D martial arts fighting games, then give this wrestling game a go.
