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WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009
File:WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009 image.jpg
Developer(s) YUKE's Future Media Creators
Publisher(s) THQ
Release date November 1, 2008
Genre Professional Wrestling
Mode(s) Single player, multiplayer, multiplayer online
Age rating(s) ESRB: RP
Platform(s) PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Portable, Wii, Nintendo DS, Xbox 360, Mobile

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Credits | Soundtrack | Codes | Walkthrough


WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009 will be the tenth video game in the WWE SmackDown professional wrestling series, and will be the direct sequel to its predecessor, WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008.

The video game is based on the professional wrestling promotion, World Wrestling Entertainment, and is named after two of the promotion's three brands, Raw and SmackDown. The game is being developed by YUKE's Future Media Creators and will be published by THQ, the same developer and producer for all WWE SmackDown series video games so far. TOSE will oversee development for the Nintendo DS version.

Gameplay

Match gameplay

One of the game's most prominent features is the enhanced tag team match. Additions in the match include new ways of tagging the player's tag team partner such as the reversible hot tag, which can help save the player in the match if they are in trouble, and the forced blind tag, where the partner tags themself into the ring. The player's tag team partner has more of a part to play in this match and will aid the player by holding an opponent by the ropes while on the apron, and the pulling down the ropes for an opponent dashing towards them, sending them out of the ring. Teams will now share their own momentum meter, attributes and double team finishers.

SmackDown vs. Raw 2009 will be the first WWE video game to include the Inferno match, a match where the player has to set their opponent on fire. Unlike the real life match which which takes place with the ring surrounded by fire coming from gas fed pipes, the ring ropes themselves will be on fire. To win the player must increase the temperature of the ring by performing more devastating moves. As soon as the temperature reaches 500°F, the player can then begin to set their opponent on fire.

Both the Wii and DS versions will now include new matches, such as the steel cage and ladder match, with the DS version in addition also featuring tables and TLC matches.

Fighting styles, a major feature from the previous version, will be removed but the fighting abilities used there will be kept and enhanced with each wrestler possessing six out of twenty different abilities that would aid the player in specific areas.

The in-game commentary will feature three announcing teams like the previous version but will have more of a play-by-play aspect this time. According to THQ, 50% of loading times for the game has been reduced, affecting such areas as wrestler entrances. Artificial intelligence, hit detection and animation have also been worked on.

Japanese company TOSE will take over from Amaze Entertainment in development for the Nintendo DS version. Unlike the previous year's game whose gameplay was focused exclusively on the handheld's stylus, this year's edition will instead use the D-pad for movement and the left shoulder button for finishing moves. The DS version's gameplay is now similar to that from the other consoles with full movement control around the ring for the wrestler and a stamina meter to build up for a finishing move. Grappling, attacks and submissions will still be controlled by the stylus.

Development

Production of the video game was officially announced on March 27, 2008 by IGN and THQ, respectively, for the PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, Nintendo DS, Wii, and Xbox 360 video game consoles. IGN released their first video game trailer and screenshots for SmackDown vs. Raw 2009. The trailer featured The Hardys (Matt and Jeff) in a tag team match against Randy Orton and Mr. Kennedy at the SummerSlam pay-per-view, where the new tag team match features were explained.

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