Throughout the latter half of the Ruthless Aggression Era, and into the PG Era, WWE's video game of choice was SmackDown vs. Raw. A concept that made a lot of sense as it came shortly after the company's roster was split in two for the first time. From 2004 until 2010, WWE and video game partners offered a total of seven games under the SmackDown vs. Raw banner.

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Today we take a look back at the SmackDown vs. Raw series. Many fans remember this period fondly, as some beloved features that remain in place in WWE's games to this day were created throughout its run. To some, it is considered to be the peak of WWE gaming, and wrestling fans remain hopeful that 2K can deliver something on the same level in the future.

UPDATE: 2024/02/29 11:30 EST BY ETHAN SCHLABAUGH

The SmackDown Vs. Raw series has been beloved by fans who grew up playing these games. With the titles being released on a yearly schedule, each title brought some changes that either made them a fan favorite or strongly disliked by the community. Modes would be added and removed over the years, rosters would include amazing names while also removing some legends or top stars, etc. Let's really break down what made each title better or worse than their contemporaries. Here are all the SmackDown Vs. Raw video games, ranked from worst to best.

7 SmackDown Vs. Raw 2008 Was A Rough Change For Fans

The Game Ventured Too Far From What Fans Liked

Release Date

November 13th, 2007

Platforms

PS2, PS3, PSP, Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii, Nintendo DS

Metacritic Score

74 (PS3)

General Manager Mode

Play As A General Manager Of Raw, SmackDown, Or ECW And Run Weekly Shows & PPVs

Season Mode

Choose A Superstar And Play Through A Calendar Year Of WWE Winning Titles And Embarking On Feuds Along The Way

SmackDown vs. Raw 2008 is most of the time rated as one of the worst alongside SVR 2009. This was the entry that introduced the concept of fighting styles, which gave a primary and a host of secondary abilities to a wrestler who had those styles. For example, a "showman" could steal an opponent's taunt to drain all their foe's momentum, and a "brawler" can make all their strikes stronger and unblockable for a time.

The gameplay in 2008 was strong and the game's 24/7 mode had some good ideas but suffered from half-baked execution. The soundtrack was killer as well, and you could use songs from artists such as Chevelle as the entrance theme for your CAW. This was also the first WWE game to include the ECW brand, so many legends of the brand like Taz, Tommy Dreamer, and Sandman made their returns to the series or debut for some. SVR 2008 was the third and final time that General Manager mode would be included in the series, now featuring a third brand in Extreme Championship Wrestling. The mode was highly regarded but would be removed with the next entry and wouldn't be brought back until WWE 2K22.

6 SmackDown Vs. Raw 2009 Did Not Add Enough To Stand-Out

SVR 2009 Changed Very Little

Release Date

November 9th, 2008

Platforms

PS2, PS2, PSP, Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii, Nintendo DS

Metacritic Score

79 (Xbox 360)

Road To WrestleMania

Play Through A Scripted Story Featuring A Selection Of Wrestlers Leading Into That Year's WrestleMania Event

Career Mode

Choose A Superstar And Rise Through The Ranks To Become A Champion While Leveling Up Your Character

There's nothing inherently wrong with SmackDown vs. Raw 2009, but this and SVR 08 were interchangeable at the bottom. This one suffers from being just a bit too forgettable. The roster was decent enough, and the gameplay was fine, but matches sometimes felt like they went on forever. The promotional material for the entry heavily showed off their new tag team system that, in action, didn't feel much different from previous titles.

Former DX members Triple H and Shawn Michaels, adorned the cover, a stark reminder that the company failed to create any new stars that year. This wasn't a terrible game by any means, just not in the conversation for all-time greats. On the plus side, it was the first in the series to include the much-loved Road To WrestleMania mode, a replacement for the typical season mode. Another positive aspect of the game was how the series put a renewed focus on tag team wrestling. Features that WWE gamers are used to now, like double team finishers and hot tags, were introduced in this title. The Road To WrestleMania mode featured names like CM Punk, John Cena, Chris Jericho, Triple H, & The Undertaker, where players went through a scripted storyline culminating in a big WrestleMania match.

5 The Original SmackDown Vs. Raw Innovated The Franchise

Started The Series Off On A Great Note

Release Date

November 2nd, 2004

Platforms

PS2

Metacritic Score

80

Season Mode

Choose A Superstar And Play Through A Calendar Year Of WWE Winning Titles And Embarking On Feuds Along The Way

Challenge Mode

Complete Challenges Based On Insane Tasks Or Historic Wrestling Matches From The Past

The main reason 2005 ranks so low on this list is simply because it was the first. The graphics weren't the strongest, and the series was just establishing its identity. Honestly, the gameplay wasn't half bad, as it began to shift the series away from arcade gameplay into more of a simulation. The core of the gameplay was still heavily inspired by the previous title, Here Comes The Pain. The roster was decent enough with names like Eddie Guerrero and even Sable rounding it out.

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One much-loved feature was the season mode had full voice acting for every playable character, leading to insane cutscenes between superstars who didn't get the chance to interact on television. The soundtrack was also one of the better ones in the franchise. This was the first WWE game to include mini-games at the start of matches, like a test of strength, or the first to throw a strike before the bell rings. Another interesting gameplay feature was how you could select if you wanted your wrestler to be a heel or babyface for a given match. Babyfaces would be rewarded for doing things such as high-flying moves and following the rules, whereas a heel would be rewarded for disobeying the referee's rules, using weapons, and generally being a jerk to fans.

4 SmackDown Vs. Raw 2010 Seemed Like A Safe Upgrade

Improved Upon Last Year's Title Just Enough

Release Date

October 20th, 2009

Platforms

PS2, PS3, PSP, Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii, iOS

Metacritic Score

80 (Xbox 360)

Road To WrestleMania

Play Through A Scripted Story Featuring A Selection Of Wrestlers Leading Into That Year's WrestleMania Event

2010 was something of a groundbreaking year for the SmackDown vs. Raw franchise. Many of the modes were just updated or refined rather than overhauled. This included the Road to WrestleMania feature, which was updated with new stories for a few roster members, such as Edge, Shawn Michaels, and Mickie James. It was also notable for including a two-player story where you and a friend could control Triple H & John Cena.

Another decently big mode that was introduced was the Story Designer, which gave players the chance to create full feuds and promos. This served as the basis for the beloved Universe Mode, which is still a staple in WWE video games to this day. The roster was actually a little light on this one and was padded with odd characters such as the red and green dummies that are seen in the Create a Moveset mode. Not exactly something gamers were asking for at the time. This was the first in the series to get a mobile launch, but the iOS version sits at a lowly 42 on Metacritic.

3 SmackDown Vs. Raw 2011 Created Some Unique Mechanics

Re-Invented Different Match Stipulations

Release Date

October 26th, 2010

Platforms

PS2, PS3, PSP, Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii

Metacritic Score

80 (PS2)

Road To WrestleMania

Play Through A Scripted Story Featuring A Selection Of Wrestlers Leading Into That Year's WrestleMania Event

Universe Mode

Like General Manager Mode, Run WWE As A Whole But In A Free Sandbox Environment

SmackDown vs. Raw 2011 ranks high on the list, mainly because of the introduction of Universe Mode, an open sandbox mode where players control WWE and create their own shows and PPV events. SVR 2011 was the first to introduce a much-revamped gameplay style compared to years prior, something that had a massive change in the way weapons were used and destroyed. The Road to WrestleMania mode was still the main story mode and was also updated to feature the ability to walk around backstage and speak with fellow superstars, leading to some secret Easter eggs in the mode. This year cranked up the ridiculousness with moments such as playing as an amnesiac heel Rey Mysterio and speaking to the ghost of Paul Bearer.

The roster didn't reach the heights that the 2K series has been offering just yet, but did decide to feature some legends and talents not employed by the WWE, such as Rob Van Dam and Ricky Steamboat. 2011 also marked the final time that ECW was featured as a third brand in the series. This would be the final installment in the series as the game released the following year was simply called WWE '12.

2 SmackDown Vs. Raw 2007 Was An Amazing Follow-Up

Can Often Be Considered The Best

Release Date

November 14th, 2006

Platforms

PS2, PSP, Xbox 360

Metacritic Score

81 (Xbox 360)

Season Mode

Choose A Superstar And Play Through A Calendar Year Of WWE Winning Titles And Embarking On Feuds Along The Way

General Manager Mode

Play As A General Manager Of Raw Or SmackDown And Run Weekly Shows & PPVs

Challenge Mode

Complete Challenges Based On Insane Tasks Or Historic Wrestling Matches From The Past

SmackDown vs. Raw 2007 boasts the deepest roster up to that point in the franchise, with 67 playable characters. The gameplay was solid enough as well, albeit with updated controls that were a little different from the previous two games. This was the game that made the right thumbstick a crucial part of gameplay, as all your grapples were mapped to that stick. After a few adjustments, it was easy to navigate this new version of the game.

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After being introduced in SmackDown vs. Raw 2006, GM Mode was massively upgraded and is a big reason fans still go back and play SVR 2007 today. This was also the first game that allowed players to brawl in the crowd (WWE SmackDown Just Bring It technically had it, but it was pointless). With names like Umaga and Mr. Perfect, this title will always be highly cherished by wrestling game fans. This was the first WWE game released on the Xbox 360, but the planned PS3 version was canceled.

1 The Peak Of The Series, SmackDown Vs. Raw 2006

A Perfect Balance Between Simulation And The SmackDown! Series

Release Date

November 11th, 2005

Platforms

PS2, PSP

Metacritic Score

84

Season Mode

Choose A Superstar And Play Through A Calendar Year Of WWE Winning Titles And Embarking On Feuds Along The Way

General Manager Mode

Play As A General Manager Of Raw Or SmackDown And Run Weekly Shows & PPVs

Ask most wrestling fans what their favorite SmackDown vs. Raw game was, and they will most likely point to 2006. Whether it was the fast-paced gameplay or considerable roster depth, SmackDown vs. Raw 2006 holds a special place in the hearts of fans. Graphics-wise, this was the most impressive wrestling game to date. With new features like Season Mode, you could take a large percentage of the game's roster through various storylines across the Raw & SmackDown brands.

This game introduced a stamina system which brought the game into a simulation-based system, making it more strategic than previous entries, but could be turned off for fans of that more arcade style that people were used to. SmackDown vs. Raw 2006 is the preferred choice among all other entries in the series. It was just that good. Plus, it was the very first game to include GM Mode, a mode that allowed players to control the General Manager of either Raw or SmackDown and compete to make the best weekly wrestling show. The mode was so beloved that it made a return in the WWE 2K series over 15 years later.