• Publisher: THQ
  • Release Date: Oct 31, 2002
Metascore
82

Generally favorable reviews - based on 27 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 23 out of 27
  2. Negative: 0 out of 27
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  1. While SmackDown is still quite a long way from matching the visual peaks reached by other highly popular fighting series (Tekken, DOA, Soul Blade…), there have been massive strides in the right direction with this fourth instalment from the THQ/Yule team.
  2. The arenas are superbly well done, with excellent layout and ultra smooth texturing.
  3. The epitome of what a wrestling game should be like.
  4. As wrestling games go it is probably the best total package.
  5. Electronic Gaming Monthly
    73
    Changes to the in-ring gameplay itself are barely noticeable. It's good, but if you're not a hardcore fan, you'll tire of it quickly. [Jan 2003, p.182]
  6. The best PS2 wrestler there is, largely thanks to Yuke’s success in mimicking the cheese that oozes from every pore of the WWE.
  7. 80
    Quick, responsive controls do well to round out the positives here, but the time spent refining the countering-a-grapple system make Shut Your Mouth considerably more balanced and playable than some previous installments.
  8. Game Informer
    75
    Easily bests all the other next-gen wrestling games released so far... Regardless of the polish THQ and Yuke's put on this series' graphics and modes, the engine is still outdated and weak. [Dec 2002, p.119]
  9. Options! Holy mother of baby squirrels this game has options!
  10. GameNow
    100
    The most remarkable change may be this year's Season mode, which sets a new standard for wrestling games. [Jan 2003, p.48]
  11. 80
    It has its faults, and they’re similar to last year’s, but there’s no better game for getting the feel of being a WWE superstar.
  12. Sets a new standard when it comes to wrestling games.
  13. Not a big brave step forward in the world of wrestling games...But the whole game has been pumped up and inflated to such impressive proportions that you can't help applaud both THQ and Yukes for treating the WWE with the care and campness it deserves.
  14. You can pick it up and play with barely any learning curve, and the multiplayer of the game gives it nearly infinite replay value.
  15. The gameplay still might be a little too fast-paced for some, but Shut Your Mouth tries to balance it with a more useful grappling, submission, and counter system.
  16. 88
    Particularly well done are the new "Hell in a Cell" matches, which finally allow you to perform aggressive moves like rubbing an opponent's face against the chain link fence, or throwing an opponent off the top of the steel cage.
  17. Control-wise the game has been nicely polished since "Know Your Role" and "Just Bring It."
  18. The greatest next-generation wrestling game on the market and completely makes up for the control issues that THQ foisted upon us last year in "Just Bring It."
  19. The presentation is almost exactly as it would be on TV, the wrestlers look decent, and the animations look spectacular. But after all is said and done, the game still feels a great deal like an update rather than a true sequel that caters to all wrestling fans.
  20. 82
    This is the first time there hasn't been an obvious, glaring problem with the series' gameplay, which is cause for some kind of celebration.
  21. netjak
    91
    Forget what the magazines say about Smackdown, because I can guarantee you not one of those brainwashers dissected this game the way I did just now.
  22. Official U.S. Playstation Magazine
    50
    The controls bug me, too. Where's the innovation? [Jan 2003, p.136]
  23. Well, knock me across the head with a sledgehammer and call me Koko B. Ware...Smackdown: Shut Your Mouth is a great title!
  24. PSM Magazine
    80
    The best of the series, but if you've played Smackdown one through three to death already, this one may get old fast. [Holiday 2002, p.32]
  25. It features one mother of an expanded Create-a-Wrestler mode, a deep Season mode and almost as many gameplay modes as there are wrestlers.
  26. TotalGames.net
    90
    The bottom line is that Smackdown!: SYM is the only wrestling game on any console (not just the PS2) to have everything that the fans want… and a whole lot more. If that’s not enough of a reason to go out and get it, we don’t know what is.
  27. 60
    We're still waiting for something that is truly a progression in EVERY way for a genre that has seemingly stagnated over the last two years.

Awards & Rankings

36
23
#23 Most Discussed PS2 Game of 2002
49
#49 Most Shared PS2 Game of 2002
User Score
8.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 92 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 80 out of 92
  2. Negative: 4 out of 92
  1. May 4, 2023
    8
    I still think that Here Comes The Pain it´s the best wrestling game of all time but this one beats HCTP in the "exploration" and freedom withI still think that Here Comes The Pain it´s the best wrestling game of all time but this one beats HCTP in the "exploration" and freedom with the setting. You can ride Undertaker´s motorcycle and climb the SmackDown fist stage, in backstage you can put someone inside a trash can, throw snow balls or just have a brawl in Times Square. The roster it´s still amazing in this one and the gameplay just have some problems with reversing moves. Full Review »
  2. Jan 25, 2021
    10
    uno de lo mejores de ps2 y en el 2002 a muchos no les gusto chupen el pico maricones qliaos tomen ctm chanchos qliaos chanchos qliaos chanchosuno de lo mejores de ps2 y en el 2002 a muchos no les gusto chupen el pico maricones qliaos tomen ctm chanchos qliaos chanchos qliaos chanchos qliaos chahnchos qliaos chanchos qliaos chanchos qliaos chanchos qliaos cerdos mueranse cerdos qliaos asquerosos cerdos qliaos asqueroooooooooooooooos me cago en ustedes y en los canales canales de tv vengan todos los reporteros a chuparme el pico igual que el mega choche muerete cerdo qliao amariconao ay acusalo con tu mamá acudalo con tu mamá kiko Full Review »
  3. Jul 27, 2019
    9
    My all time favorite WWE game! Simple as. Story Mode was amazing, and gameplay itself was brilliant, with endless amounts of match types toMy all time favorite WWE game! Simple as. Story Mode was amazing, and gameplay itself was brilliant, with endless amounts of match types to choose from. Full Review »