WWE '12 Ends an Era: A Look at the Smackdown vs. Raw Series

As the release of the new WWE '12 video game approaches, one has to reflect on the series of games that came before it.

SmackDown vs. Raw was a series of games that changed the way wrestling games were played. As the years progressed the developers kept adding new features to expand the game play experience.

There have always been detractors who like to point out all the little flaws in the games, but there is no perfect game.

Last year's title, SmackDown vs. Raw 2011, was well received due to the wide range of physics changes made to the game engine as well as for its expansive roster and downloadable content.

The first SmackDown vs. Raw title was preceded by five games in what is dubbed the "WWE Series". Those titles were WWE SmackDown, WWE SmackDown 2: Know your role, WWE SmackDown: Just Bring it, WWE Smackdown: Shut Your Mouth and WWE Smackdown: Here comes the Pain.

In this slideshow, I will take a brief look at each game's contributions in the "SmackDown vs. Raw" series from the beginning in 2005 all the way up until the last title in the series.

Smackdown vs Raw (2005)

When WWE announced the new series of games, they specifically advertised two things, better graphics and online play.

This marked the first time WWE allowed players to play each other online through the PS2. The only two choices were singles match and bra and panties, so the feature was less than useful to hardcore fans.

The game was still a critical success for the major overhaul on graphics and new commentary system. The game featured more voices during the storyline mode as well, which allowed for a more familiar experience.

Another big feature of the game was the battle for supremacy between SmackDown and Raw. The two brands each had their rosters and the player could pit them against each other in the many different match types.

This game ushered in a new era of wrestling games and allowed players to make far more intricate created characters.

SmackDown vs Raw 2006

The second game in the series saw a shift in focus from an arcade-style gameplay to a more realistic style. The game also included several new features allowing for a more comprehensive gameplay experience and increased replay ability.

One of the main new features was general manager mode. This was the main part of the game where SmackDown and Raw faced off for control. The player would choose a brand and try to put on the best show possible.

Trades between the brands were allowed to allow for people to keep up to date rosters.

Another new feature was the ability to create entrances for created superstars and current roster members. Creating entrances made it possible for people to make new and old versions of their favorite superstars.

The new create a belt feature allowed players to recreate past championships as well as new original titles and defend them online against other players.

The game features a roster of current stars and legends like Hulk Hogan and Ted DiBiase.

A Momentum system was also incorporated to show the player how close they were to being able to perform a finisher.

The game received great reception, scoring an 82 on Metacritic.

SmackDown vs Raw 2007

The next entry into the series saw some new features which some players saw as a backwards move. A new control system seemed more like the older system from previous games and created a less realistic environment.

There were, however, improvements made that satisfied many people. A much larger roster was included with a greater set of legends and divas to play as included as well. No new match types were made but improvements to existing match types were made.

The Money in the Bank ladder match incorporated new physics to make it closer to the one-on-one ladder matches and the cage match controls were improved as well.

The game features a more accessible create menu which allowed for more control over entrances, characters and championships created by the player.

This game also added a new create a stable mode which allowed player to align characters in new and old stables in the GM mode.

This marked the final appearances for Chris Benoit, Lita and Kurt Angle in the series but dedicated players have been creating life-like versions people can download in the more recent versions of the game.

This game received a mostly favorable review with 75% on GameRatings.

SmackDown vs Raw 2008

The 2008 version of the game introduced the ECW brand into the mix. The game featured the arena, roster, title and announcers from ECW.

The game brought out several new features and game modes to the delight of long-time fans of the series. The season and GM modes were merged into the new WWE 24/7 mode where player chose to play as a single superstars or the GM of a brand.

The goal was to reach legend status by achieving goals set by the game. A new feature was also added that allowed players to draft rosters right from the beginning of the mode.

Another addition to the game was the new fighting style. Each wrestle had a primary and a secondary fighting style which gave a players a specific set of moves to choose from.

The create a player mode was also improved adding new elements and ways to adjust appearance. An increased set of abilities allowed players to gain more momentum by hitting themselves in the head with chairs.

The game removed all moves and mentions related to Chris Benoit including the crossface and the diving headbutt.

This game was not as big of a critical success as previous versions but still gained notoriety for its inclusion of ECW.

SmackDown vs Raw 2009

SvR 2009 brought about new features which would remain in the game until the most current versions.

The create a finisher feature allowed players to design custom moves for the first time in any wrestling game. There were over 500 parts which could be strung together in combinations of 10 to create a new move.

A greater focus on tag team wrestling was included with several additions to controls and the system in which people tagged in and out of the match.

The Road to WrestleMania mode was introduced. It allowed players to select from a preset list of wrestlers, and then take that player on a journey to their match at WrestleMania. Each superstar had a unique story, not all of which ended with a title shot.

This game also brought back Jeff Hardy, who had not appeared in a WWE game in years. It also marked the first and only time The Rock did not appear in the game.

While Chris Jericho and Big Show made their first appearances in a few years, this game also marked the last time several superstars would appear in a WWE game, including Ric Flair and Paul London.

The game received mixed reviews, but almost everyone applauded the introduction of the create-a-finisher mode.

SmackDown vs Raw 2010

The 2010 edition saw several modes and create features receive a complete overhaul.

The create a superstar mode featured new three dimensional clothes and accessories, which allowed for an even more realistic creation experience.

The create a finisher and create an entrance each got new additions as well. The most notable change to the creation menu was the introduction of the create a storyline mode.

This new feature gave players the freedom to make their own storylines as well as recreate old storylines from previous years like DX angles.

The Havok engine was employed which made the collisions between wrestlers and environmental items appear more realistic.

Another nice addition was the new paint tool which gave the freedom to create logos and tattoos which could be applied to the clothes or skin of a created superstar.

The game gained mostly positive reviews for its expansion of the many create modes as well as the introduction of a greater online gaming experience.

SmackDown vs Raw 2011

This game, which would be the final title bearing the SvR name, would see fewer new features introduced and more emphasis on expanding old features.

The create modes each received an overhaul and the matches were expanded to introduce new match types like in ring brawls and new backstage settings.

The road to WrestleMania mode was made to look more like an RPG, with player making decisions that affected the outcome and a backstage area that could be explored.

A new physics system was introduced which saw objects break in a more realistic way as well as superstars' interactions with those objects being more authentic.

If a ladder fell while open, the superstar would be shown closing it before picking it up rather than the ladder just appearing as closed as soon as it is touched.

Another change introduced was the NXT arenas and stars being available through DLC. Unfortunately, Daniel Bryan was not featured as he was released for a short time by WWE.

I thought this game was the best of the series personally and I am looking forward to what WWE has in store for the new WWE '12 game.

WWE '12 Preview

I thought it would be appropriate to end this slideshow with a preview of WWE '12 and the new grappling system. This video has a full match between Sin Cara and Daniel Bryan. Enjoy.