Like most portable gaming aficionados looking for a good wrestling title to take on that long road trip, I do look forward to the latest SmackDown! Vs. Raw game. Each year just a small number of features are added but neither one really pushes anything new enough to get fans of the genre or franchise something to really sink their teeth into enthusiastically. Last year’s game was acceptable but still not quite worth the championship belt. Oh, but SmackDown! Vs. Raw 2009 is not a bad start despite a number of things that still remain relatively the same.

Laying down the smack ... again

It’s still quite impressive to see how many features from the console made the cut on the PSP version with enough options and game modes that have made fans happy to have a worthy portable version. Of course, the controls left much to be desired and since the 2008 edition, the character movement was switch to the D-pad instead of the PSP’s analog nub. The result left a rather bitter taste in some fan’s mouths but it’s not to say that it made the game unplayable.  Thankfully, SmackDown! Vs. Raw 2009 tightens the controls enough to pull off some complex moves a tad easier.

This year’s edition also has a far more robust roster of Superstars and Divas … something that was a slight disappointment with last year’s game. Like the last game, this year’s edition brings back stars from the ECW brand as well so you’ll find recognizable stars mixing it up with SmackDown! and Raw wrestlers. If that wasn’t enough, there’s a new option to make changes to the roster so you can change a grappler’s specialty move as well as create a fantasy dream team for those tag team matches. Imagine having John Cena and the Undertaker teaming up to take down known tag-team superstars. Speaking of creation options, the Create features have extra options for creating characters as well as coming up with your own Finisher. They’re not bad creation options at all but don’t expect the same depth as the console version, though.

The best new addition happens to be the game modes that include the return of a better Career mode. This year’s Career mode allows you to take your favorite grappler or created wrestler (a Superstar or Diva) through a lengthy career filled with WWE-styled twists and elements that links the three brands. For those who miss 24/7 Mode or GM Mode, Career mode has more than enough goodies worth checking out. The game also brings back Tournament mode as well take your favorite wrestler through familiar WWE events. You also have the option to create your own championship with the ability to create the championship belt for said event.

The long and sweaty road 

Aside from a great Career mode, the new Road to WrestleMania is one fans will truly love. In this mode, you pick from five Superstars such as Triple H, John Cena, the Undertaker, CM Punk and Chris Jericho. You’ll even have the option to pick the awesome tag team of Rey Mysterio and Batista. This story-oriented game follows one of these characters through 81 days of attempting to secure your place in the next WrestleMania. The interesting part is that each wrestler has a different story that caters to their personality. Playing as John Cena, for example will touch upon interests such as his involvement with entertaining the troops in Iraq down to keeping a close eye on the top contender. It’s a great mode that isn’t too long but still loads of fun to play.

There are also a number of fun one-on-one matches to be had here that are carried over from last year as well as a new match called Inferno. In Inferno, you’ll go up against a challenger in a setting where the edges are set ablaze. The flames and temperatures rise as you wrestle and when the flames become more visible. Your objective is to toss your opponent into the fire and thus setting their clothes on fire.

As far as the graphics are concerned, this year’s game is not bad at all when it comes to the character models. It’s great to see the character animations mimic the real Superstar and Diva’s signature moves and gestures. The clipping problems are back and the crowds still look flat and unnatural so the visuals still could have been better. At least the game’s sound works well and there’s some original voice acting from the Superstars and the two-man commentary team. Each wrestler’s entrance song is present and there’s a number of rock tunes found throughout the game.

SmackDown! Vs. Raw 2009 is not a major leap forward for the series but this year’s edition is certainly off to a great start in the game mode department. While there are some issues that are still not perfected on the PSP, new game modes and a variety of gameplay options ought to give wresting fans and portable gamers more than enough reason to want to pick this one up. The fun Road to WrestleMania and Career mode alone are worth the purchase price so if you’re looking for a decent wrestling game or missed last year’s game then you might want to consider picking this one up.

Gameplay: 7.5
The controls haven’t really changed from last year’s game and that’s not such a bad thing or a good one either and the camera is still not your friend. There’s a great roster, though, and you can make changes to it to create your own dream teams. The star of the show is Road to WrestleMania that offers up great storylines and fun gameplay. Even the new matches are entertaining.

Graphics: 7.0
The game is not as visually gorgeous as it could have been and there’s a lot of clipping to be found on the PSP. Still, the Superstars and Divas are instantly recognizable and, despite the fact that the audience looks like cardboard cutouts, the arenas look good.

Sound: 7.5
The collection of rock tunes featured in the game isn’t my cup of tea but it’s good to hear everyone’s entrance music. You’ll find some decent arena sounds and there’s some voice acting in this one thanks to Road to WrestleMania and Career mode.

Difficulty: Medium
The opponent AI isn’t bad at all this year and you’ll be surprised to see how different Superstars and Divas pull off their signature moves in all the right moments during a match. This also makes single-player tag team matches far more bearable.

Concept: 7.5
Road to WrestleMania and Career Mode are this year’s winners and these modes will be the reason fans will be playing this 2009 game for a long time. The Create features offer more options this year and it’s a blast designing your own tournament. The roster is better as well and fans will love the extra grapplers you can unlock.

Multiplayer: 7.0
No online play still hurts like the Undertaker’s backhand slap but at least there’s some two-player multiplayer fun to be had via Ad Hoc. The framerate takes a dip in multiplayer but it’s not as bad as in past games in the series.

Overall: 7.5
While the 2009 edition feels much a bit like last year’s offering, SmackDown! Vs. Raw 2009 for the PSP does bring some refreshing changes to the ring. There are still a few elements that still need a bit tweaking but, overall, wrestling fans will find a good reason to lay the smack down once again.