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WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2007
NTSC boxart for the PlayStation 2 version, featuring (clockwise from top left) Rey Mysterio, John Cena, Torrie Wilson, Triple H, and Batista, with audience in the background.
Developer(s)	YUKE's Future Media Creators
Publisher(s)	THQ (WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2007) YUKE's Future Media Creators
Series	WWE SmackDown! Series
Platform(s)	PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable and Xbox 360
Release	PlayStation 2 November 10, 2006 November 14, 2006 November 16, 2006 November 16, 2006 February 1, 2007 PSP/Xbox 360 November 10, 2006 November 14, 2006 December 15, 2006 January 25, 2007 (360) February 22, 2007 (PSP)
Genre(s)	Professional wrestling, Fighting
Mode(s)	Single player, multiplayer, multiplayer online

WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2007 is a professional wrestling video game released by THQ and developed by YUKE's Future Media Creators. The game is based on the professional wrestling promotion World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). It is the latest installment of the WWE SmackDown! series and is the successor to 2005's WWE SmackDown! vs. RAW 2006 and will be succeeded by WWE SmackDown! vs. RAW 2008 in Fall 2007. THQ, YUKE's and WWE officially confirmed the game on March 31 2006. The game was released in November 2006 for the PlayStation 2 and Xbox 360 consoles and was released in December 2006 for the PlayStation Portable system.

The game introduced a few key new features including an analog control system, interactive hotspots, and fighting within the arena crowd. The game also included several improvements on the previous game's existing match types and modes. The Xbox 360 version was the first game in the SmackDown! series to be published on a seventh generation video game console and the first SmackDown! game to be released on a Microsoft console.

Gameplay

Match gameplay

THQ said they would bring a more realistic fighting experience with a new, but old analog control grappling system, enabling the player to throw their opponent anywhere they want with in reason, in contrast to previous preset animations. In the new system, grappling moves are now affected by analog control, in contrast to the button-based system from preceding games. Much like the previous game, one can also move around the ring by analog control instead of using the D-pad. An option to switch to the previous control layout is also possible . The chain reversal system has also been improved and now involves grapples as well as strikes.

The Category 1 and Category 2 move sets are determined by your weight-class now, so lighter wrestlers have access to martial arts or luchadore move-sets, while heavier wrestlers have access to more power moves. In addition, a wrestler can only lift up or hurt with certain strikes, wrestlers one weight class heavier than them or less.

A lot more interactivity in the arenas is also present such as fighting within the crowd. Signs and objects from the crowd can be used to beat down the opponent. One major feature is the inclusion of environmental "hotspots" such as the ring ropes, steel steps and scaffolding which players can interact with. The PS2 version however due to limitations has a restriction on crowd fighting and interaction for specific match types.

The graphics have also improved with each superstar consisting of 20,000 polygons for the Xbox 360 compared to the total of 500 from the PS2 version of the previous game. Sweat from the wrestlers has now been included in the Xbox 360 version of the game. The game's audio system has been overhauled and features new sound effects in Dolby 5.1, as well as the inclusion of new crowd chants and grunting from the wrestlers. The PSP version of the game lacks commentators and the announce tables at the right side of the ring.

Match types

The following match types are playable in this game:

Cory Ledesma, creative manager of WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2007, confirmed that the game has no new match types. However, there are improvements in existing match types. The Money in the Bank variant to the ladder match is now added and all ladder matches feature more flexibility in placing the ladders. The player now has to use the analog sticks as hands and arms to retrieve the match's prize.

The Tables match has also undergone a complete overhaul, requiring players to build up momentum for a finisher and damage their opponent enough before being able to put them through a table, and making one of your opponents limb red.

Notably, this also marked the first game since WWE SmackDown! Shut Your Mouth to not feature a diva-specific match stipulation with the Fulfill Your Fantasy match from the previous game removed.

Create modes

The Create-A-Entrance mode has been improved with a new preview mode. As well as instantaneous previews of the entrances when the player makes a change, one can also specifically set the timing for camera angles, pyrotechnics and other effects. Despite the Xbox 360's hard drive and MP3 capability, the game is unable to recognize any music you may have saved onto your hard drive like previous WWE games for the original Xbox did for custom entrance music.

There is also a Create-A-Stable Mode which allows you to make a tag-team, alliance, or a stable with up to five members. This also allows you to come out in the same entrance as your teammates unlike many other WWE wrestling games.

Inspired by John Cena's custom spinner championship belts, the ability to create belts with spinning centerpieces in the returning Create-A-Championship mode is now possible as well as the player's ability to manually spin these belts during an entrance.

Release

The official demo for WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2007 was released on the Xbox Live Marketplace on September 28, 2006, containing a No-DQ match between Triple H and Kane.

Like the previous game, the game was released on the PlayStation 2 and the PlayStation Portable. While the series has traditionally been exclusive to the PlayStation series of consoles, this game was released on Xbox 360 after a series of lackluster wrestling games THQ released on the original Xbox. This is the first time a game in the SmackDown! series is featured in two different console generations.

A PlayStation 3 version was also planned but was cancelled. The developers publicly announced that they would rather concentrate their resources on other game systems; however, next year's SmackDown! game is planned for release on the PlayStation 3. There was also consideration over releasing the game on the Wii as the game's developers were waiting to learn more about the system. However, during a video interview, creative manager Cory Ledesma announced there are no plans for SmackDown vs. Raw 2007 to be released on the Wii.

A special edition of WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2007 for the Xbox 360 was sold for a limited time at EB Games and GameStop. This version features the game in an aluminum case along with a bonus disc from The History of the WWE Championship DVD box set and a copy of The Ultimate WWE Trivia Book.

Reception

Though gaming critics have rated this less than the series' previous release, reaction to this game has been generally positive. The game currently has ratings of 80%, 79% and 80% on Game Rankings for the Xbox 360, PS2 and PSP versions respectively.

Roster

Featured wrestlers

• Batista
• Big Show
• Bobby Lashley
• The Boogeyman
• Booker T
• Carlito
• Chavo Guerrero
• Chris Benoit
• Chris Masters
• Daivari
• Edge
• Finlay
• The Great Khali
• Gregory Helms
• Hardcore Holly
• JBL
• Joey Mercury
• John Cena
• Johnny Nitro
• Kane
• Ken Kennedy
• Kid Kash
• Kurt Angle
• Lance Cade
• Mark Henry
• Matt Hardy
• Mick Foley
• Paul Burchill
• Psicosis
• Randy Orton
• Rey Mysterio
• Ric Flair
• Rob Van Dam
• Shawn Michaels
• Shelton Benjamin
• Snitsky
• Super Crazy
• Trevor Murdoch
• Triple H
• Umaga
• The Undertaker
• Viscera
• Vito
• William Regal

These wrestlers cannot be used in season mode.
Provided voice over for season mode, but is not playable in it.
This wrestler is a Legend in season mode.

Divas

All divas except Lita provided voice over for season mode.

Legends

This Legend can be played in season mode.
This Legend is unlocked from the start.
This Legend is available for purchase from the start.

Default Champions

RAW

• WWE Champion: Edge
• WWE Intercontinental Champion: Johnny Nitro
• WWE Women's Champion: Mickie James
• World Tag Team Champions: Big Show and Kane

SmackDown!

• World Heavyweight Champion: Booker T
• WWE United States Champion: Bobby Lashley
• WWE Cruiserweight Champion: Gregory Helms
• WWE Tag Team Champions: Joey Mercury and Johnny Nitro

Classic

• WWE Hardcore Champion: Mick Foley
• WWE Million Dollar Champion: Dusty Rhodes
• WWE Smoking Skull Champion: Steve Austin

In-game arenas

In total, the game features a total of 20 arenas based on WWE events. It features arenas from the following televised shows:

• Raw
• SmackDown!
• Heat
• Velocity
• Saturday Night's Main Event

The game also includes the following pay-per-view arenas:

• Armageddon 2005
• Backlash 2006
• ECW One Night Stand
• The Great American Bash 2005
• Judgment Day 2006
• New Year's Revolution 2006
• No Mercy 2005
• No Way Out 2006
• Royal Rumble 2006
• SummerSlam 2005
• Survivor Series 2005
• Taboo Tuesday 2005
• Unforgiven 2005
• Vengeance 2006
• WrestleMania 22

|}These arenas must be unlocked

Soundtrack

• "Alive and Kicking" (Nonpoint)
• "Animal I Have Become" (Three Days Grace)
• "Bullet With a Name" (Nonpoint)
• "Forgive Me" (Versus The World)
• "I Ain't Your Savior" (Bullets and Octane)
• "Lonely Train" (Black Stone Cherry)
• "Money in the Bank" (Lil Scrappy feat. Young Buck)
• "Riot" (Three Days Grace)
• "Stitches" (Allele)
• "Survive" (Rise Against)
• "The Champ" (Ghostface Killah)
• "The Enemy" (Godsmack)

"Lonely Train" and "The Enemy" were previously used as themes for the Great American Bash 2006 and SummerSlam 2006 pay-per-view events respectively.

External links

Official

• WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2007 official site
• THQ.com: WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2007 mini site
• THQ-games.com: WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2007 mini site

Community

• WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2007 (PS2) | (PSP) | (Xbox 360) at GameSpot
• WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2007 (PS2) | (PSP) | (Xbox 360) at IGN

1. ^ Dunham, Jeremy. "E3 2006: SmackDown vs. Raw 2007 Hands-on". IGN. Retrieved 2006-05-11.
2. Ekberg, Brian. "WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw 2007 Feature Spotlight: Analog Controls". GameSpot. Retrieved 2006-07-29.
3. "HANDS ON: WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2007...First impressions! (requires registration)". GamingRing. Retrieved 2006-09-05.
4. ^ Dunham, Jeremy. "SmackDown vs. Raw '07 Update". IGN. Retrieved 2006-08-02.
5. Asher, Ian. "WWE ready for the next generation". WWE.com. Retrieved 2006-09-24.
6. ^ Buffa, Chris. "WWE SmackDown Vs Raw 2007 Interview". GameDaily. Retrieved 2006-04-23.
7. ^ Dunham, Jeremy. "SmackDown 2007: Improved Match Types". IGN. Retrieved 2006-07-22.
8. ^ Cite error: The named reference GamePro was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
9. "X06: Smackdown! Demo, Trailers Pop Up on Marketplace". IGN. Retrieved 2006-10-06.
10. Dunham, Jeremy. "SmackDown PS3 Smacked Down". IGN. Retrieved 2006-07-24. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
11. "WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2007 Special Edition Confirmed (requires registration)". GamingRing. Retrieved 2006-09-13.

• 2006 video games
• Cancelled PlayStation 3 games
• PlayStation 2 games
• PlayStation Portable games
• WWE SmackDown! games
• WWE RAW video games
• Xbox 360 games
• THQ games
• Video games developed in Japan