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THQ and JAKKS Pacific today announced that WWE
SmackDown! Vs. Raw 2009 is in development for the Xbox360,
PLAYSTATION3, PlayStation2, PlayStation Portable, Wii, NintendoDS
and mobile devices. Joining the immensely successful World
Wrestling Entertainment roster of WWE SmackDown!/WWE
SmackDown! Vs. Raw licensed videogames, which have shipped more
than thirty-seven million units worldwide since 1999, WWE
SmackDown! Vs. Raw 2009 is expected to begin shipping to retail
outlets worldwide this fall.
“The ambitious cross-platform launch of
WWE SmackDown! Vs. Raw 2008 last year yielded tremendous
growth for the franchise, as we delivered multiple gameplay
experiences across seven platforms and greatly expanded our audience
of WWE videogame fans,” said Bob Aniello, senior vice president,
worldwide marketing, THQ. “With dynamic new features and the
extension of our gameplay experience through downloadable content,
WWE SmackDown! Vs. Raw 2009 will bring more console, handheld
and wireless gamers together to enjoy the virtual world of WWE.”
“We are tremendously excited about the next
groundbreaking release in the billion dollar WWE SmackDown! Vs.
Raw videogame franchise,” said Nelo Lucich, vice president of
interactive, JAKKS Pacific. “Downloadable content, innovative
experiences with tag teams and a new Create-A-Finisher feature,
along with
 significant annual improvements across all platforms,
combine to bring the sports entertainment experience to new heights
and gratify our long-time fans, casual gamers and franchise
newcomers alike.”
WWE SmackDown! Vs. Raw 2009
upholds the franchise’s commitment to delivering
the definitive videogame simulation of live WWE programming. The
Xbox360, PLAYSTATION3, PlayStation2 and PSP versions of the game
will 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.
WWE SmackDown! Vs. Raw 2009
for Wii builds upon its inaugural offering by
significantly expanding its match type options, giving players more
ways to enjoy the platform’s unique pick-up-and-play experience.
The game also takes full combat sports entertainment to the next
level by giving players more Superstar control with interactive
entrances and victory scenes. WWE SmackDown! Vs. Raw 2009
for Wii will also include a wide variety of new weapons, the debut
of online gameplay and much more.
WWE SmackDown! Vs. Raw 2009
for NintendoDS returns with new gameplay controls
that utilize the Stylus
and D-Pad to deliver a compelling handheld fighting game experience.
The redesigned Season Mode takes a Role-Playing approach, allowing
players to interact with Superstars, upgrade their abilities and
complete missions on a quest toward legendary goals. In
addition, a larger Superstar roster, new match types and the
inclusion of Create-A-Superstar will provide players with a variety
of intriguing options to enhance gameplay.
An exact release date is yet to be announced, but
as could easily be predicted, the release will most likely
follow-suit with it’s predecessors, and hit the UK right at the
start of the Christmas line-up. |
