WWF Smackdown on PS1

WWF Smackdownis one of many games released that focuses on the sport of wrestling andis sometimes featured on Channel 4 on a Sunday afternoon while Channel 5opt for WCW each Friday evening. To me personally, I don’t know a great dealabout the difference as, to me, they both seem like an excuse for actorsto throw each other about a lot and appear to cause a great deal of painas a result either with their fists, feet or any household implement theycan get their hands on.

If there’s one thing this game isn’t short of, it’s options on how to playthe game. You can play a whole season, create a PPV (Pay Per View event – forthose not up to speed with the satellite or digital TV revolution), view therecords held for the different WWF belts, or play one of many exhibitionmatches.

In the latter, there’s several variations including Single Match, Tag Match,Royal Rumble, Cage Match (yes, you play in a cage and can climb the walls!),Special Referee (where you can be the one in charge) and Anywhere Fall,allowing you to move out of the ring and play in the kitchen, backstage,corridor or a number of different places.

WWF Smackdown contains all 36 characters from the game, each with their ownFMV intro movie including Paul Bearer, The Rock, The Undertaker, Big Show andmy favourites, Tori and Debra 😉

Of course, if you’re not happy with any of them you can create your ownsuperstar. Choose a mask for a head – such as one not dissimilar from the gimp’sin Pulp Fiction – and the breasts of Debra, if that’s yourdesire.

Graphics, Sound and Playability

The graphics are a bit on the crude side, but each of the participants arefairly well represented. The whole thing looks and feels more comical thantrying to present a realistic impression of the characters’ facial features.

The sound is a bit of slap ‘n’ tickle from the hunks of meat clambering aboutthe canvas, or outdoors if you don’t like the trappings of four walls, plusa very loud heavy metal soundtrack. On the downside, it can all get veryoverpowering very quickly, but if you don’t like your neighbours, this isthe game for you.

WWF Smackdown‘s biggest problem comes when you actually tryand play the game. Perhaps I’m just bobbins at it, but like an iffy game ofVirtua Fighter, I get more success just banging away at thebuttons because when I do try to position myself and hit someone or makethey go my way, it never works out the way I’d like, which can be veryfrustrating as it makes you wonder if you’re actually in control of thecharacter.

Overall

About two-and-a-half years ago I played WCW vs. The World onmy Playstation and to be honest it doesn’t feel like we’ve come much furtherforward. WWF Smackdown is a laugh but no more, so not worth apurchase if you’re serious about your games but worth a rental, or gettingon Platinum when it comes down in price if you really must have it in yourcollection.