The Smackdown vs. Raw series continues in 2009 with the ninth installment. This game incorporates enhancements to the tag team action, including a new Hot-Tag mode, tag team finishers, and new match-assisting measures.
As with the previous game, the roster features over sixty Smackdown, Raw, and ECW superstars. To maintain an up-to-date registration, the game includes a roster editor that allows players to swap out superstars and alter their appearance from face to heel. In addition, this is the first Smackdown game since Here Comes the Pain to not feature any legends.
Construct-a-Finisher is another new feature allowing players to construct their unique finishing moves from over 500 animations. Additionally, these can be shared online during online contests.
The game features two narrative modes: Road to Wrestlemania and Career. The Road to Wrestlemania mode enables the player to experience six unique stories involving Triple H, CM Punk, Chris Jericho, The Undertaker, and John Cena, as well as a co-op storyline involving Batista and Rey Mysterio. Career mode replaces GM mode from previous installments. This mode enables the player to create superstar careers and improve custom wrestlers.
Other features include the Highlight Reel, which allows the player to produce videos of his matches, new Inferno and Gauntlet matches, and new backstage brawl positions.
