What, you expect an apology? For me to try and forgive my not posting last week, thus depriving you of Evolution Schematic goodness for yet another week? Not even having the manners of doing another UnDream Match? Perhaps some excuse, some reason behind me not posting?
Oh, you do? Well then, sorry, my bad. A birthday party I had to chaperone went all night and then I lost the next day to sleep. But enough about me, the guy thinking of going to the WWE tryouts in New Zealand AND plotting revenge on whichever bastard tried to sabotage my wrestling fed AND loving the Zero Punctuation series of video game reviews I just found. I don't care if you've known about it for months (although you should have told me), go and watch or re-watch it now. NSFW due to adult language, so wait till you get home if you're reading me at work.
Wait…
Part 1 and Part 2 and Part 3 and Part 4 and Part 5 AND Part 6. Read them, catch up on how we got up to here. Done that? Good. So, without further ado, let's try but ultimately fail to finish this thing this week.
Phase 34- The ring carts are back!
Name: WWE SmackDown! Here Comes the Pain Console/s: PS2 Release Date: October 27, 2003 Playable Characters: A-Train, Animal, Batista, Big Show, Brock Lesnar, Booker T, Bubba Ray Dudley, Charlie Haas, Chavo Guerrero, Chris Benoit, Chris Jericho, Christian, D-Von Dudley, Eddie Guerrero, Edge, Eric Bischoff, George Steele, Goldberg, Goldust, Hawk, Hillbilly Jim, The Hurricane, The Iron Sheik, Jazz, Jimmy Snuka, John Cena, Kane, Kevin Nash, Kurt Angle, Lance Storm, Lita, Matt Hardy, Nikolai Volkoff, Old School Undertaker, Randy Orton, Rey Mysterio, Rhyno, Ric Flair, Rico, Rikishi, Rob Van Dam, The Rock, Roddy Piper, Rodney Mack, Sable, Scott Steiner, Sean O'Haire, Sgt. Slaughter, Shawn Michaels, Shelton Benjamin, Stacy Keibler, Stephanie McMahon, Steve Austin, Steven Richards, Tajiri, Ted DiBiase, Test, Torrie Wilson, Triple H, Trish Stratus, Ultimo Dragon, The Undertaker, Val Venis, Victoria, Vince McMahon Unplayable Character/s: Jim Ross Match Type/s: Single (No Manager, No Manager vs W/ Manager, W/ Manager vs W/ Manager), Tag (Normal Tag, Tornado Tag, Tag vs Tag W/ Manager, Tag W/ Manager vs Tag W/ Manager), 6-Man Tag (Normal 6-Man Tag, Tornado 6-Man Tag), Handicap (One On Two, One On Tag, One On Three), Hardcore (Single, Tornado Tag, Tornado 6-Man Tag, Triple Threat Tornado Tag, Triple Threat, Fatal 4-Way, Time Limit), Royal Rumble, Survival (Triple Threat, Fatal 4-Way, 4-Man Battal Royal, 5-Man Battle Royal, 6-Man Battle Royal), Main Events (3 Stages Of Hell, Bra & Panties, Cage [Single, Tornado Tag, Triple Threat, Fatal 4-Way, Single Pin & Give Up, Triple Threat Pin & Give Up, Fatal 4-Way Pin & Give Up], Elimination Chamber, Elimination Tag [Normal Tag, Tornado Tag, Captain Fall Tornado 6-Man Tag, Normal 6-Man Tag, Tornado 6-Man Tag, Table Tornado Tag, Table Tornado 6-Man Tag], First Blood, Hell In A Cell [Single, Tornado Tag, Triple Threat, Fatal 4-Way, Armageddon Hell In A Cell], Ironman, Ladder [Single, Tornado Tag, Triple Threat Tornado Tag, Triple Threat, Fatal 4-Way], Last Man Standing, Lumber Jack, Slobber Knocker [Time Limit, No Limit, Anywhere], Special Referee [One Referee Single, One Referee Normal Tag, One Referee Ironman, Two Referees Single, Two Referees Normal Tag, Two Referees Ironman], Submission [Single, Ultimate Submission], Table [Single, Tornado Tag, Triple Threat, Fatal 4-Way, Tornado 6-Man Tag], TLC [Single, Tornado Tag, Triple Threat, Fatal 4-Way, Title, Title Tornado Tag, Title Triple Threat, Title Fatal 4-Way]) Other Features: Body Part Damage Meters, Submission Meters, Skill Stats, WWE Legends, Bloodshed, Bra And Panties, Season Mode, Create An Appearance (Wrestler), Create A Moveset, Create An Animation (Taunt), Create A Stable, Shopzone. Screenshot: Info:
SD Here Comes The Pain is widely regarded, at least by the review community, as being one of the best WWE Video Games ever. Certainly a contender for best Smackdown Series game ever. Which considering this was the last SD game not to feature commentary says something about the standard of commentary in the games.
With a overwhelming array of match options (Main Event Elimination Tag Table Tornado 6-Man Tag anyone?), a great roster including legends for the first time, a feature that has proven so popular Phase 46 will revolve around it, the first debut of body part damage and the submission system still basically in use today, HCTP is defiantly a high point in the Smackdown Series. It nicely balanced the arcadey nature of the series with some actual depth to the game.
Being able to play mixed tags with Stevie and Victoria is just a huge bonus.
As is the ring carts.
Oh, and Bra and Panties matches. Hey, at least they are honest about it, not like the Dead Or Alive series. Speaking of DOA and wrestling, did someone call for Kim Chee?
Phase 35- Well, it's got Victoria AND Han Zo Mon…
Name: WWE WrestleMania XIX Console/s: Gamecube Release Date: September 8, 2003 Playable Characters: Agent 001, Agent 002, Agent 999, Ai Kidou, Al Snow, Bacchus, Bartender Bismarck, Batista, Behemoth, The Big Show, Black Widow, Booker T, Bouncer Jack, Brock Lesnar, Bubba Ray Dudley, Champ Bomber Head, Chavo Guerrero, Chris Benoit, Chris Jericho, Christopher Nowinski, Christian, Dawn Marie, D-Von Dudley, Eddie Guerrero, Edge, Goldberg, Goldust, Han Zo Mon, Hollywood Hulk Hogan, The Hurricane, Jigoroh, John Cena, Kane, Kim Chee, Kurt Angle, Lance Storm, Lita, Master Builder, Matt Hardy, Ming Chee, Randy Orton, Rey Mysterio, Ric Flair, Riki, Rikishi, Rob Van Dam, The Rock, Rowdy Smith, Scott Steiner, Sgt. Gregory, Shawn Michaels, Stacy Keibler, Steve Austin, Stephanie McMahon, Tajiri, Test, Torrie Wilson, Triple H, Trish Stratus, The Undertaker, Victor Romanov, Victoria, Vince McMahon, William Regal, Yaksha. Unplayable Character/s: Construction Workers, Dock Workers, Referee, Shopping Mall Security. Match Type/s: Single, Tag Team, Triple Threat, Fatal 4 Way, Handicap, Royal Rumble, Revenge Stages, Hardcore, Ladder, Table, TLC, Cage, Hell In A Cell, Ironman, King Of The Ring, Tutorial. Other Features: Create A Wrestler, Revenge Mode, ‘Bosses', Shopzone, Blood, Refs Who Don't Take No Crap. Screenshot: Info:
There's about 12 guys who remembered WCW vs. The World who are quietly laughing at that joke. Was it worth it? Damm straight.
Anyway, WMXIX had a rather radical departure from the usual story mode. Sure, the usual not quite as huge as SD but serviceable number of play modes, and the roster, for the Gamecube, was impressive (especially adding in the ‘bosses'), but instead of a career mode or a season mode, you had… Revenge Mode.
Now, there are two main camps about Revenge Mode. Those who like Beat Em Ups, or are willing to experiment, or remember the older WCW video games' fictional characters (Han Zo Mon was my brother's favourite while my sister loved Kevin Nash which I never quite understood) saw it as a different take on the wrestling game and played it with an open mind, finding an ok, if slightly out of place mode.
Those who want a wrestling game to have, you know, wrestling, or those who hate Stephanie, and/or those who can't see how or why Vince McMahon should be able to fight like Steve Austin and Steve Austin combined (The 6 Million Dollar Beer Tab) as the final boss hated it.
Hated it with fury normally only reserved for Barbie games, Japanese and/or Western RPG games and Jack Thompson.
Ignoring Revenge mode, the game is all right. Not perfect, but all right. Which I supposed wasn't helping the Gamecube all that much, a No Mercy style knockout would have helped. But hey, it was better than Microsoft's luck.
Phase 36- Steps in the right direction. Such as letting Divas wrestle any sort of match.
Name: WWE Raw 2 Console/s: Xbox Release Date: September 15, 2003 Playable Characters: A-Train, Batista, Big Show, Billy Gunn, Billy Kidman, Booker T, Bradshaw, Brock Lesnar, Bubba Ray Dudley, Chavo Guerrero, Chris Jericho, Christopher Nowinski, Christian, Chuck Palumbo, Crash, Edge, Goldust, Goldberg, Hardcore Holly, Hulk Hogan, The Hurricane, Jacqueline, Jamie Noble, Jazz, John Cena, Kane, Kevin Nash, Lance Storm, Lita, Mark Henry, Matt Hardy, Molly Holly, Nidia, Randy Orton, Rhyno, Ric Flair, Rico, Rikishi, Rob Van Dam, The Rock, Scott Steiner, Shannon Moore, Shawn Michaels, Spike Dudley, Stacy Kiebler, Stephanie McMahon, Steve Austin, Tajiri, Terri, Test, Tommy Dreamer, Torrie Wilson, Triple H, Trish Stratus, Undertaker, Val Venis, Victoria, William Regal. Unplayable Character/s: None Match Type/s: Normal, Hardcore, Street Fight, Ladder, Table, TLC, Battle Royal, Cage and Hell In A Cell (all with options of 1 vs. 1, 1 vs. 1 with Manager, 2 vs. 2, 2 vs. 2 Tornado, 1 vs. 2, 1 vs. 3, Triple Threat, Fatal Four Way, Armageddon [6 Way], 2 vs. 2 with Manager, 2 vs. 2 vs. 2 Tornado and 3 vs. 3 Tornado), King Of The Ring, Tournament, Royal Rumble. Other Features: Season Mode, Create A Wrestler, Create An Entrance, Custom Soundtracks, Editable Wrestlers, Stealing. Screenshot: Info:
This was better than Raw 1. But hell, practically everything was better than Raw 1. I could make a wrestling game better than Raw 1. But Raw 2 did feature a few positive aspects. Custom Soundtracks, being able to edit the real wrestlers (to either update or humiliate as you see fit), being able to wrestle any style of match as a woman (why is it that I can't recreate Lita V Victoria in a cage? Or why Trish Stratus must have less skill and toughness than Spike Dudley?), and of course the ability to steal items from your opponent by attacking him or her.
Yeah, positive role models, aren't they.
Coupled with a repetitive, much maligned story mode (Ooooh, Resting, how extreme!), leaves you with an average game, which given the state of play in the wrestling world at the time you could argue was merely a mirror to what was going on.
Phase 37- 4 women? Ok, it's a good game, but 4 WOMEN?
Name: WWE Day of Reckoning Console/s: Gamecube Release Date: August 30, 2004 Playable Characters: André the Giant, Batista, The Big Show, Booker T, Bret Hart, Brutus Beefcake, Charlie Haas, Chavo Guerrero, Chris Benoit, Chris Jericho, Christian, Danny Basham, Doug Basham, Eddie Guerrero, Edge, Garrison Cade, Greg Valentine, Hardcore Holly, John Cena, Kane, Kurt Angle, Lance Storm, Matt Hardy, Mark Jindrak, Molly Holly, Randy Orton, Rey Mysterio, Rhyno, Ric Flair, Rob Van Dam, Roddy Piper, Shawn Michaels, Shelton Benjamin, Stacy Keibler, The Rock, Triple H, Trish Stratus, The Undertaker, Val Venis, Victoria. Unplayable Character/s: Brad Brixton, The Coach, East Texas Kid, Eric Bischoff, Joey Rock, Lt. Mortar, Paul Heyman, Paul Pugilist, Referee, Vince McMahon, Wing Su Yeh. Match Type/s: Normal, Hardcore, Ladder, Table, TLC, Steel Cage, Hell In A Cell, Bra & Panties, Ironman, Tag Team, Triple Threat, Fatal 4 Way, Handicap, Royal Rumble. Other Features: Story Mode, Create A Wrestler, Shopzone, WWE Legends, weight classifications. Screenshot: Info:
I know I tend to, especially in this section, harp on about the Divas. I like Divas, and not just because they are hot. I view strong female characters as an important need in today's wrestling world, since many wrestling stories are played out when not done right, and having strong female characters gives you more options. Plus if the story still sucks anyway, at least the scenery is better. And, of course, my Goddess.
But even if you are ambivalent towards women, or think that they get in the way of all the macho wrestling, you still have to admit that for a game that includes a Bra and Panties match, which is a selling point it uses, it should probably have more than just 4 women in it. Sure, you can create women in the CAW mode, but you A) can't use them in story mode (despite story mode being based around using a Created guy exclusively and having it all by text and thus not impossible to include a female option) and B) any women you make can't be involved in Bra and Panties matches.
Sigh.
That said, the game is all right for what it is, at least the Gamecube had a better time of it than the Xbox. Thing is, over on the Playstation, it went from strength to strength.
Phase 38- I'd like to get clean and/or dirty with Victoria… I'll shut up now.
Name: WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw Console/s: PS2 Release Date: November 2, 2004 Playable Characters: A-Train, André the Giant, Animal, Batista, Big Show, Booker T, Bret Hart, Brutus Beefcake, Bubba Ray Dudley, Charlie Haas, Chavo Guerrero, Chris Benoit, Chris Jericho, Christian, Chuck Palumbo, D-Von Dudley, Eddie Guerrero, Edge, Garrison Cade, Hardcore Holly, Hawk, JBL, Jimmy Snuka, John Cena, Kane, Kurt Angle, Legend Undertaker, Mankind, Mark Jindrak, Masked Kane, Matt Hardy, Molly Holly, Paul Heyman, Randy Orton, René Duprée, Rey Mysterio, Rhyno, Ric Flair, Rico, Rob Van Dam, The Rock, Roddy Piper, Sable, Scotty 2 Hotty, Shawn Michaels, Shelton Benjamin, Stacy Kiebler, Tajiri, Torrie Wilson, Triple H, Trish Stratus, The Undertaker, Victoria. Unplayable Character/s: The Coach, Eric Bischoff, Vince McMahon. Match Type/s: Single (Normal, No Manager vs W/ Manager, W/ Manager vs W/ Manager), Tag (Normal Tag, Tornado Tag, Tag vs Tag W/ Manager, Tag W/ Manager vs Tag W/ Manager), 6-Man Tag (Normal 6-Man Tag, Tornado 6-Man Tag), Handicap (One On Two, One On Tag, One On Three), Hardcore (Single, Tornado Tag, Tornado 6-Man Tag, Triple Threat Tornado Tag, Triple Threat, Fatal 4-Way), Royal Rumble, Survival (Triple Threat, Fatal 4 Way, 4-Men Battle Royal, 5-Men Battle Royal, 6-Men Battle Royal), Main Events (3 Stages of Hell, Bra and Panties, Elimination Chamber [Normal 6-Man Chamber, Tornado 6-Man Tag Chamber], Elimination Tag [Normal Tag, Tornado Tag, Captain Fall Tornado 6-Man Tag, Normal 6-Man Tag, Tornado 6-Man Tag, Table Tornado Tag, Table Tornado 6-Man Tag], First Blood, Hell in a Cell [Single, Tornado Tag, Triple Threat, Fatal 4-Way, Armageddon Hell In A Cell], Ironman, Ladder [Single, Tornado Tag, Triple Threat Tornado Tag, Triple Threat, Fatal 4-Way], Last Man Standing, Parking Lot Brawl, Slobber Knocker [Time Limit, Time Limit Ranking, No Limit, No Limit Ranking], Special Referee [One Referee Single, One Referee Normal Tag, One Referee Ironman], Steel Cage [Single, Tornado Tag, Triple Threat, Fatal 4-Way, Single Pin & Give Up, Triple Threat Pin & Give Up, Fatal 4-Way Pin & Give Up], Submission [Single, Ultimate Submission], Table [Single, Tornado Tag, Triple Threat, Fatal 4-Way, Tornado 6-Man Tag], TLC [Single, Tornado Tag, Triple Threat, Fatal 4-Way]). Other Features: Challenges, Create A Wrestler (Appearance and Moveset), Create A Belt, Season Mode, Mini-games, Clean/Dirty System, Commentary, Voice Over Work, Online Play, WWE Legends, Create A PPV, Backstage areas. Screenshot: Info:
The start of the current sub-series of a series that has now taken over the WWE's entire Video Game empire (seriously, With Authority! would make a KILLING on XBLA…), Smackdown Vs. Raw is a good game. Seriously, it has enough postives to outweigh the few negatives that exist, and has enough bells and whistles to make anyone happy. Legends, commentary, Create A Belt, Clean and Dirty distinctions, online play for the first time ever in a WWE game not using cards, and more match types than even TNA could come up with.
Well, more than TNA could invent in a year.
6 months at worst.
SDvR is a fine, fine game, and obviously did well enough to warrant a rethink in other aspects of the division. For if clean and dirty aspects worked, maybe a full scale move into that direction would work?
Phase 39- Aiming for a good match? What is this, ROH?
Name: WWE Survivor Series Console/s: Game Boy Advance Release Date: November 30, 2004 Playable Characters: Booker T, Chavo Guerrero, Chris Benoit, Chris Jericho, Christian, Eddie Guerrero, Edge, John Cena, Kane, Kurt Angle, Randy Orton, Rey Mysterio, Rob Van Dam, Shawn Michaels, Triple H, The Undertaker. Unplayable Character/s: Eric Bischoff, Paul Heyman, Vince McMahon. Match Type/s: Single, Submission, Hardcore, Over The Top Rope, Tag, Six Man Tag, Cage, Triple Threat, Fatal Four Way, Handicap, Lumberjack, Tournament, Ironman. Other Features: Weapons, Brand Extension, Performance Measure. Screenshot: Info:
Unfortunately the attempt was made on a console nearing the end of it's life. Survivor Series took the Road To Wrestlemania engine that the last couple of GBA games had used (well, it did work…) and added in a surprising feature. The object was no longer just to win. You had to put on a good match to wow the fans as well.
Now, it was sloppily done, on a little hyped game for a portable console that was shouted down a lot because it removed the Shopzone aspect from the last game.
But that idea is a solid one, and if the Fire Pro series of games can pull it off (ironically in one version that was out for GBA at the same time), why can't the WWE? GM modes not withstanding, the idea does have some promise, so why not try it again?
But really, you can't blame them. After all, they had other things to do, like create the worst WWE game ever for the Xbox…
A HUGE thank you to Wikipedia, Gamefaqs, Gamer's Hell, Mobygames, Gamespot, Gamespy, and Consoleclassix for being cool sites for this column.
I have to say I much preferred the control and match mechanics of the Day of Reckoning games. I also don't give a shit about bra and panties matches.
Posted By: Richy (Guest) on May 17, 2008 at 11:39 AM
I miss having Day of Reckoning for the GC. Never played the second one, though.
Posted By: Steve307 (Guest) on May 17, 2008 at 01:23 PM
Smackdown may have got all the features but Day of Reckoning always played much, much better than it and was far more fun in multiplayer.
Posted By: Sean McCabe (Guest) on May 17, 2008 at 04:05 PM
DOR2 had the best mechanics of any of the PS2/XBox/GC gen games... and was the most fun. My friends & I were still playing and cawing on that thing for a very VERY long time... pretty much till last June lol
Posted By: M:-X (Guest) on May 17, 2008 at 06:43 PM
I feel kinda bad for you when you have to write the report for WMXXI ... *shudders* Worst. Game. Ever. makes Raw 1 look good...
Posted By: Brad (Guest) on May 17, 2008 at 09:37 PM
Paul Heyman's also playable for Smackdown vs Raw.
Posted By: hey. (Guest) on May 18, 2008 at 02:21 AM
i cant believe that wcw vs the world was mentioned...love it,lol
Posted By: Maurice (Guest) on May 18, 2008 at 03:30 AM
Michael Cole is also playable in Here Comes the Pain!.
That is, if you by some miracle get a title belt on him and pick to play as him at the title defenses. :X
Posted By: Aname (Guest) on May 18, 2008 at 07:23 AM
Wrestlemania XIX. Chokeslamming construction workers off 20m high scaffolding to certain doom FTW!
Posted By: Solomon Tari (Guest) on May 18, 2008 at 08:06 AM
Personally I never use the women in any SVR game, I would rather they were taken out for either more legends or some tag teams. If you've seen one bra and panties match you've seen them all.
Posted By: Dr. Oznogrog (Guest) on May 19, 2008 at 07:13 AM
I respect everybody's opinion, but I can't say I agree with you, Dr. Oznogrog. I wouldn't want to see them stop putting the Divas in the games. Two of my favorite things to do in wrestling games involve the divas. One is to put a wrestler I don't like in a match against a diva, play as the "special guest referee," then kick the guy's butt and let the diva beat him easily. LOL! Always loads of fun and good for a little chuckle. Can even be a lot of fun to do a special referee Iron Man match and help the diva beat the male wrestler 10 to 0, or something like that. LOL!
The other thing is to create my fiance and have her beat the crap out of all of the divas in the game (especially in winning and then defending the Women's title in the games that let you do that in exhibition mode). So, I would personally find my enjoyment in these games greatly diminished if the divas were removed. I can understand your point, though, but I have to personally disagree.
Posted By: RavenEffect (Guest) on May 19, 2008 at 03:15 PM
You forgot to mention that the WWE Day of Reckoning games also rated your match quality. You could earn more money and XP in career mode by using more counters and finishing with a high-impact move, amongst others.
Posted By: Guest#3749 (Guest) on May 22, 2008 at 07:15 PM
Also, you forgot that WWE Day of Reckoning also has First Blood and Submission matches, which can be played by changing one or two match options.
Posted By: Guest#4728 (Guest) on May 22, 2008 at 07:23 PM
In WWE Day of Reckoning 1, the following Japanese wrestlers have their movesets unlockable for CAW mode:
Mitsuharu Misawa, Keiji Mutoh, Shin'ya Hashimoto, Masahiro Chono, Jun Akiyama, Kenta Kobashi, Antonio Inoki, Hayabusa, Naoya Ogawa, Tiger Mask and Akira Taue (As well as Jeff Hardy, Hulk Hogan, Steve Austin, Mick Foley and Brock Lesnar). I think they should count as available characters. The enormous amount of puro moves available is probably a special feature in itself.
Posted By: Guest#8975 (Guest) on May 22, 2008 at 07:54 PM
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