WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009

 PlayStation 3
WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009 Image
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 37 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.0

Mixed or average reviews- based on 60 Ratings

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  • Summary: WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009 upholds the franchise’s commitment to delivering the definitive videogame simulation of live WWE programming. The Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3 system, PlayStation 2 system and PSP system versions of the game unleash a brand new tag team experience, allowing players toWWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009 upholds the franchise’s commitment to delivering the definitive videogame simulation of live WWE programming. The Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3 system, PlayStation 2 system and PSP system versions of the game unleash a brand new tag team experience, allowing players to build momentum and attributes, eliminate opponents with high impact double teams and finishers, as well as get the “hot tag” for the win. The franchise's renowned creation system offers a brand new Create-A-Finisher option, while a new Road to WrestleMania Mode paves the way to WWE’s biggest event of the year and lets players experience co-op storylines for the first time. WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009 also extends the virtual WWE gameplay experience with robust online capabilities, including the highly anticipated debut of downloadable content. [THQ]… Expand
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 27 out of 37
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 37
  3. Negative: 1 out of 37
  1. AceGamez
    100
    WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009 is the best wrestling game to come out in years and easily the best wrestling game available on console at the moment.
    All this publication's reviews
  2. Games Master UK
    88
    A clear improvement over "SvR 2008" but a lot of it's still very familiar. [Dec 2008, p.54]
    All this publication's reviews
  3. Cheat Code Central
    84
    A perfect title for wrestling fans. It has tons of different match types, plenty of customization options, and provides some new and interesting ways to interact with other fans. This is definitely the most complete-feeling WWE title to come down in a long time, and it is great that the series has wrestled itself back into the spotlight.
  4. PlayStation Universe
    80
    WWE Smackdown Vs. Raw! 2009 is as good as it gets for grapple fans.
  5. IGN
    78
    In the end, WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009 is a good game but one that falls short of its potential. The Roster Editor is a welcome addition, Create-A-Finisher could be deeper but is a great first effort, the Inferno Match is over-the-top but fun, and Road to WrestleMania is one of the best story modes I've seen in a wrestling game in years. However, I can't shake the feeling that I'm playing last year's game when we get down to the nitty gritty match mechanics.
  6. Gaming Age
    75
    I definitely enjoyed this year's version of the Smackdown vs. Raw series, but I still think that it's time for a serious change of pace.
  7. Giant Bomb
    40
    The entire game feels lifeless and old. The presentation fails to capture the excitement of the real thing. The gameplay doesn't match the product it's attempting to emulate. And the layers upon layers of plain-looking menus feel like they were ripped out of a PlayStation 2 launch game.

See all 37 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 9
  3. Negative: 2 out of 9
  1. RiadXcobra
    Aug 14, 2018
    10
    This game is so underrated. I love this game! It has great modes, characters, and so much more. Don't listen to the negative reviews. ThisThis game is so underrated. I love this game! It has great modes, characters, and so much more. Don't listen to the negative reviews. This game is better than 2008!… Expand
  2. AlD
    Dec 6, 2008
    9
    SvR 08 is so far the best improvement in the series. I admit to have been disappointed each year after the release of Here Comes The Pain, SvR 08 is so far the best improvement in the series. I admit to have been disappointed each year after the release of Here Comes The Pain, but it looks like THQ has added the right touch of realism to the SvR brand to make it a total package. The Road to Wresltemania mode makes up for years of sub-par season modes, Create-A-Finisher is THE BEST THING EVER to happen to wrestling games ever since Create-A-Wrestler modes were invented, and finally --- Rey Mysterio will not squash the Big Show! (If you've played the game for as long as I have, you understand what I mean by that.) You will be satisfied -- trust me!… Expand
  4. SythusRATINGS
    Oct 19, 2014
    8
    WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009 upholds the franchise’s commitment to delivering the definitive videogame simulation of live WWE programming. TheWWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009 upholds the franchise’s commitment to delivering the definitive videogame simulation of live WWE programming. The Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3 system, PlayStation 2 system and PSP system versions of the game unleash a brand new tag team experience, allowing players to build momentum and attributes, eliminate opponents with high impact double teams and finishers, as well as get the “hot tag” for the win. The franchise's renowned creation system offers a brand new Create-A-Finisher option, while a new Road to WrestleMania Mode paves the way to WWE’s biggest event of the year and lets players experience co-op storylines for the first time. WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009 also extends the virtual WWE gameplay experience with robust online capabilities, including the highly anticipated debut of downloadable content.… Expand
  5. BrandonJoyner
    Oct 15, 2009
    7
    This was the biggest improvement since Here Comes the Pain, but it still lagged a bit. The Road 2 Wrestlemania mode was good but itThis was the biggest improvement since Here Comes the Pain, but it still lagged a bit. The Road 2 Wrestlemania mode was good but it could've been better I liked the storylines & I was especially happy that The Undertaker was included cuz if he wasn't I would've been pissed. The Career Mode was ok but and I guess the yuke's thought it was a good idea but I don't wanna choose who 2 fight from a short list of superstars in every title bracket I enter I understand that it wasn't the main mode in the game, but dude would it have hurt them 2 make it seem more life like and give it a lil more depth cuz if undertaker didn't have a story in RTW mode I would've been even more pissed 2 just play w/ him in this crappy wwe simulation. I don't usually use the create a wrestler mode much in all the other smackdown games but I really enjoyed it this time around, and I really liked giving him entrance music from my downloaded music but it would've been better if it could've been heard while playing online and speaking of online play everytime I played the lag was SO F'N horrible I couldn't even get a decent win online cuz the movement was so F'd up and I've always been near perfection w/ my reversals but while playing online it was damn near impossible and my wins weren't even fun 2 obtain and when I would lose I would get massacred due 2 the my wrestler movin so F'n slow and my internet connection is 100% everytime I check my internet status so there should've been a patch to fix that problem a long damn time ago. I hope Yuke's solves those descrepancies bcuz I've bought every WWE game since the PS1 and these SvR games haven't made me feel as happy or excited as I was when I was around 14 & 15 yo playing smackdown 1 & 2 so here's 2 hoping that SvR 2010 is significantly better.… Expand
  6. AdeolaO.
    Aug 28, 2009
    5
    Dis game is good alright but it is a let down. There is no real season mode or GM mode, the RTW is a bit limited. But they totally blew it Dis game is good alright but it is a let down. There is no real season mode or GM mode, the RTW is a bit limited. But they totally blew it with the A.I. This game is so BLOODY EASY even on legend. All they know how to do is reverse virtually every move you do when they cannot even stop a pin. Pathetic.… Expand
  7. Mike
    Dec 6, 2008
    5
    SDvsR 09 is a total let down for me.sure they added create a finisher and the custom entrance music features but they also got rid of the SDvsR 09 is a total let down for me.sure they added create a finisher and the custom entrance music features but they also got rid of the create a championship and trade a superstar features.The "new" Road to Wrestlemania feature is a total waste of time considering it only lasts 2-3 months instead of the usual 12 and you fight the same 3 ppl over and over again throughout the 2-3 months.everything else looks just like it did in SDvsR 08 so if you dont mind blowin $60 on the same game minus a few cool features replaced by a few not as cool ones then go get this game.if not then keep playin SDvsR 08,your wont be missing out on much.… Expand
  8. BryanM
    Nov 10, 2008
    1
    I don't know what game the Reviews where playing but it was not S VS RAW 09! this game is just bad, first they take out GM mode thats I don't know what game the Reviews where playing but it was not S VS RAW 09! this game is just bad, first they take out GM mode thats one strike 2nd they make all the controls wired thats two three you have to unlock some characters that should be in the game, and last any game mode stinks! I thought TNA was bad but compared to this that game is a 10! they worked harder on this game aka longer, and it still stinks stop working on that Tag crap and work on making the game more fun to play! I can not belive I wasted $5 just to rent this pice of junk! if I was you I would just stay to the 08 version!… Expand

See all 9 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

51
#51 Best PS3 Game of 2008
73
#73 Most Discussed PS3 Game of 2008
12
#12 Most Shared PS3 Game of 2008