WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009

 Wii
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 18 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 18
  3. Negative: 0 out of 18
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  1. 1UP
    91
    To all the SmackDown haters out there: If you're going to jump back in the ring, this is the year to do it. Both of these exciting new additions, along with the aforementioned improvements -- and the upcoming downloadable content -- make SVR09 this year's grapple-game champ.
  2. Da Gameboyz
    85
    With the many improvements made in Smackdown vs. Raw 2009 I feel that you will get what you expect and more from a wrestling game on the Wii.
  3. Games Master UK
    84
    Wii owners have a SmackDown to be proud of that has the definitive ladder/cage matches. [Dec 2008, p.56]
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  5. Official Nintendo Magazine UK
    84
    Bar some tiny niggles, it's easily the best wrestling game since the N64 glory days.
  6. Nintendo Gamer
    82
    If you like wrestling but find old-school SmackDown as welcoming as Croydon, it's finally time to get involved. As enjoyably overblown as the TV show. [Christmas 2008, p.64]
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  7. Nintendo Power
    80
    What a difference a year makes. Last year's version of WWE Smackdown vs. Raw was light on everything but untapped potential; the 2009 edition, on the other hand, is packed with features and significantly enahnced gameplay. [Holiday 2008, p.87]
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  8. Game Chronicles
    80
    A great choice for the Wii. Its many game modes, its realistic controls, sounds, and actions, and its online capabilities all make this game an excellent buy.
  9. Cynamite
    80
    More than 60 fighters, six non-linear careers and nearly 50 match types. No other wrestling game has offered so much variety yet. Now I would like to see slightly refurbished graphics and no more clipping errors, then I would be in wrestling heaven.
  10. n-Revolution Magazine UK
    80
    We were promised a step up this year and that’s exactly what we’ve got. If you’re after a Wii wrestling game, this is it!
  11. Worth Playing
    80
    Finally, a fully featured wrestling game has come to the Nintendo system, complete with all of the creation systems thus far and full online play. The controls actually work for the system, making it easy for people to pull off some of the more complicated maneuvers and even do things not featured on the other versions of the game.
  12. IGN
    78
    If Wii is your only system, or if you are looking for a game that appeals to everyone at the sacrifice of more depth and strategy, Nintendo's system still has a very different take on the WWE, even if it isn't as refined or polished just yet.
  13. GameFocus
    77
    If Yukes can find a balance between past successes and the features that work here, they could easily offer a game that’s worthy of the championship, instead of just champion by default. As it stands right now, they’ve got some great features, but not enough hooks to keep all but the hardcore coming back for more.
  14. GameZone
    77
    While this is better than last year’s version, WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2009 shows that Yukes still have a long way to go to take full advantage of the Wii’s features. The added online functionality is a step in the right direction, so one can only expect things to get better from here on out for the series.
  15. GamingExcellence
    77
    Gamers and wrestling fans looking for something uncomplicated, fun, and action-packed should check this game out, even though it lacks some polish. Those of you who need strategy, depth, and precision in order to have fun should not try this at home.
  16. GameSpot
    75
    SmackDown vs. Raw 2009 successfully returns to the fundamentals of intense, realistic WWE action and impressive, easy-to-use creation tools.
  17. N-Europe
    70
    The story mode is great even if the character choice is limited. And while the gameplay is very arcade like it's still enjoyable by either upping the difficulty or playing with mates. Online is fun too unless your unlucky enough to get bad lag.
  18. Zentendo
    60
    You should be able to run at your own discretion. THQ should do a better job of advertising which match types are console exclusive so as to not mislead their customers.
  19. Gaming Nexus
    58
    There’s still a lot of work to be done before the Wii has a truly excellent wrestling game, but the semi-natural controls, competent graphics and breadth of gameplay in WW Smackdown vs. Raw 2009 make it a good choice if you’re a Wii-only person.

Awards & Rankings

31
#31 Best Wii Game of 2008
79
#79 Most Discussed Wii Game of 2008

User Reviews

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User Score
8.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 23 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 23
  3. Negative: 2 out of 23
  1. hector_bcn98
    Nov 8, 2022
    8
    Mejoraba en todo a la entrega anterior pero no tuvo ese factor sorpresa. Ya miraba de tú a tú a las demás consolas.
  2. nwo1997
    Oct 6, 2013
    4
    Mainly, I see very little enjoyment out of this one. The roster is one of my main issues; many on the characters on this roster are unknownMainly, I see very little enjoyment out of this one. The roster is one of my main issues; many on the characters on this roster are unknown and don't hold up well; some of these obscurities include (spoilers) Tony, the Masked Man, and actually obscure Superstars like Chuck Palumbo, Snitsky, and the Boogeyman. The Create-a-Superstar Mode is lacking when compared to the PS3 and 360 versions of the game. The "Road to Wrestlemania" Mode's stories are bland, uninteresting, and feel too much like fanfiction. The new controls for grappling on the Wii version are extremely unresponsive and glitchy; and aside from the new Tag Team Modes, there is not much interesting about the Exhibition Mode.… Full Review »
  3. ilikefood
    Feb 14, 2013
    9
    Awesome game you think its awesome until you see wwe 12 for wii and see that nearly nothing graphic wise is changed but based on when it wasAwesome game you think its awesome until you see wwe 12 for wii and see that nearly nothing graphic wise is changed but based on when it was made and whats in it its awesome its the only wwe game on the wii that requires motions to do things making it 20% better for the body than the average video game as instead of just in gameplay also in taunts entrances and more do you move to burn some hand calories than theres the storylines this game introduced road to wrestlemania and made playing wwe games on the wii in my opinion 3x better with the achivements to unlock things the co-op ability its a great game if your looking for a smackdown vs raw game for the wii i recommend this game it has tons of amazing fun very few problems ive noticed except for in multiplayer its not because its boring or stupid but because noone ever does it anymore awesome game better than most in the series at least for the wii i would rather play on the xbox 360 playstation 3 or well anything else any day but still like i said great game… Full Review »
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