new WWE games announced

[Guest slacklet]

Source: IGN

 

Pre-E3 2004: Smackdown vs. Raw Unveiled

THQ comes clean a week before the big show (no not that one, the other one).

 

May 05, 2004 - The Toy Headquarters unleashed some huge news today as it revealed exclusively through IGN its future publishing plans for the company's WWE wrestling franchises. Announcing a total of three games in all, THQ not only addressed the question of when gamers can expect its next batch of grappling titles, but has also settled the question of what these titles are going to be called.

 

Immediately at the top of the announcement list was the revelation of the all-new Smackdown! title, WWE Smackdown! vs. Raw. Once again developed by the team at Yuke's, this sixth installment of mega-selling franchise will feature abundance of new options and games modes; with a particular attention paid to improving on the graphics for a more realistic presentation. Sadly, no other information was revealed and will be kept a closely guarded secret until after E3, but at least we know when it's coming out -- near the end of October/beginning of November.

 

On the Xbox side of things, THQ also confirmed that it has done away with its Raw franchise altogether and has instead replaced it with the former GameCube property, WrestleMania. To be more formally known as WWE WrestleMania XXI, the game will not only boast an all-new developer (Studio Gigante of Tao Feng fame), it will also introduce plenty of original game modes and improved television style visuals. Expect to see it debut simultaneously with the WrestleMania XXI event next year.

 

The final game on the list is the all-new Game Boy Advance SKU, WWE Survivor Series. The first game for the GBA WWE title in two years, Survivor Series should boast a ton of new features over its predecessor in addition to a variety of match types. No other details other than its release date (Holiday 2004) were given.

[AndrewTS 0]

with a particular attention paid to improving on the graphics for a more realistic presentation

 

Whoopie freakin' do.

 

I guess they aren't going to fix up HCTP's gameplay problems.

 

On the Xbox side of things, THQ also confirmed that it has done away with its Raw franchise altogether and has instead replaced it with the former GameCube property, WrestleMania. To be more formally known as WWE WrestleMania XXI, the game will not only boast an all-new developer (Studio Gigante of Tao Feng fame)

 

...it will suck, too.

 

I really, really hope Def Jam Vendetta 2 has a ring, because this year is looking pretty damn sad for wrestling games.

 

Oh well, there's still the new PS2 ULTIMATE MUSCLE!!!

 

The final game on the list is the all-new Game Boy Advance SKU, WWE Survivor Series. The first game for the GBA WWE title in two years, Survivor Series should boast a ton of new features over its predecessor in addition to a variety of match types. No other details other than its release date (Holiday 2004) were given.

 

Aside from Fire Pro and Big Bang, handheld wrestling games always suck, so I'm not looking forward to it.

[Guest Man Of 1,004 Modes]

Well, if Survivor Series for GBA actually HAS A Survivor Series match mode (hence the title), I'm a sucker for wrestling games on GBA so I'd shell out the $30 instead of being a sucker for another shitty $50 Xbox game.

[MarvinisaLunatic 0]

Theres no ring in DJV2, its just your basic fighting game set in NYC with rappers.

 

And no mention of DAY OF RECKONING!!! for the Gamecube even though theres been word on the PS2 and X Box games before this. I was hoping that would get a new name since its the stupidest named WWe/WWF wrestling game in quite some time.

[Anya 0]

I might buy WM for XBox since it's being made by former MK developers.

[Silence 0]

with a particular attention paid to improving on the graphics for a more realistic presentation

 

Whoopie freakin' do.

 

I guess they aren't going to fix up HCTP's gameplay problems.

 

That's always been my problem with Yukes. They pay more attention to the graphics than they do with the CAW mode and the gameplay (to be fair though, they did add a grappling system in HCTP). Even though I still like playing HCTP, I still wish Yukes would listen to smart gamers on what should be included in future Smackdown games like improved CAW mode, more moves (why the hell do I have to keep using the Super Tigerbomb for C.M. Punk's Pepsi Plunge?), adding WRESTLING divas (Molly Holly) and not modes like "Bra & Panties", etc.

 

It may be a VERY long time before AKI starts developing WWE or other wrestling promotion games again (if ever), because they're still doing the Def Jam games right now.

 

BTW, who was blamed for WWF No Mercy's glitches? AKI or THQ? Just wondering.

[Guest OctoberBlood]

with a particular attention paid to improving on the graphics for a more realistic presentation

 

Whoopie freakin' do.

 

I guess they aren't going to fix up HCTP's gameplay problems.

How about you wait for the full annoucement before you make statements like that. How do you know they aren't gonna improve the gameplay?

 

"no other information was revealed and will be kept a closely guarded secret until after E3"

 

It WOULD make sense to hold off on the bigger annoucements until the E3 events. So lets kinda be alittle more patient... ok.

[Guest Man Of 1,004 Modes]

Not to sound stupid, but what does E3 stand for? I'm easily guessing its something about the third quarter of the year, but I don't know what the "e" is for.

[Guest slacklet]

Not to sound stupid, but what does E3 stand for? I'm easily guessing its something about the third quarter of the year, but I don't know what the "e" is for.

Electronic Entertainment Expo

[Karnage 0]

On the Xbox side of things, THQ also confirmed that it has done away with its Raw franchise altogether

That's great news.

 

and has instead replaced it with the former GameCube property, WrestleMania. To be more formally known as WWE WrestleMania XXI, the game will not only boast an all-new developer (Studio Gigante of Tao Feng fame), it will also introduce plenty of original game modes and improved television style visuals. Expect to see it debut simultaneously with the WrestleMania XXI event next year.

Tao Feng wasn't exactly great...we'll hafto wait and see if this is gonna be good or not.

[Guest Man Of 1,004 Modes]

Not to sound stupid, but what does E3 stand for? I'm easily guessing its something about the third quarter of the year, but I don't know what the "e" is for.

Electronic Entertainment Expo

Oh, well I feel sheepish....(wishes I had a sheep smilie)

[thuganomics 0]

On the Xbox side of things, THQ also confirmed that it has done away with its Raw franchise altogether and has instead replaced it with the former GameCube property, WrestleMania. To be more formally known as WWE WrestleMania XXI, the game will not only boast an all-new developer (Studio Gigante of Tao Feng fame)

 

...it will suck, too.

 

I really, really hope Def Jam Vendetta 2 has a ring, because this year is looking pretty damn sad for wrestling games.

 

Oh well, there's still the new PS2 ULTIMATE MUSCLE!!!

 

You forgot the one fairly traditional wrestling game in the works: Konami's Rumble Roses. Supposedly its pretty good, though it has an all female cast.

[Ripper 0]

with a particular attention paid to improving on the graphics for a more realistic presentation

 

Whoopie freakin' do.

 

I guess they aren't going to fix up HCTP's gameplay problems.

How about you wait for the full annoucement before you make statements like that. How do you know they aren't gonna improve the gameplay?

History?

[Guest TheZsaszHorsemen]

I thought the gameplay was fantastic in HCTP. It forced you to do different things depending on your wrestler to win, rather than just the same match over and over again.

[dubq 0]

I thought the gameplay was fantastic in HCTP. It forced you to do different things depending on your wrestler to win, rather than just the same match over and over again.

Agreed!

[The Metal Maniac 0]

with a particular attention paid to improving on the graphics for a more realistic presentation.

 

Ok, I gotta ask....WHY?

 

Go look at the recent SD games. Is there anything WRONG with them, graphically? I mean, video games can only look so good; that's why they're video games, and not real life. When they can make video games that look like real life, go right ahead, but until then...why bother trying? All they're doing is wasting time trying to make a good thing better, when they should be making a shitty thing not fucking shitty.

 

It forced you to do different things depending on your wrestler to win, rather than just the same match over and over again.

 

Honestly, I don't know if I've ever played a wrestling game that I would even remotely call "good" that DIDN'T do this.

[RavishingRickRudo 0]

Tao Feng had body damage, which was a helluvalot more than what RAW has had, thus making this development 100x's better than keeping with that shitty franchise.

[AndrewTS 0]

"Ok, I gotta ask....WHY?

 

Go look at the recent SD games. Is there anything WRONG with them, graphically"

 

The horrendous clipping whenever a wrestler/one of the women has long hair. It goes through their body all the time.

 

However, that's been going on since the early SD games and they still haven't fixed it.

 

HCTP's screwed up stat system killed the game's positive steps forward as far as I'm concerned. Terrible, terrible change that nobody asked for.

[Scroby 0]

Hmmmm not sure about that title for the Xbox series. I work for a Gamecrazy and the computer says WrestleMania XXX, which is weird I know. Hopefully its just a misprint on the Gamecrazy's part. Same goes with Day of Rekcoing, Gamecrazy has it down as WWE 5.....I'm sure as hell positive thats a misprint.

[Guest Man Of 1,004 Modes]

HCTP's screwed up stat system killed the game's positive steps forward as far as I'm concerned. Terrible, terrible change that nobody asked for.

I'll agree on the fact that CAWs need to be built up for 3 seasons to even have a chance against guys like Taker and Brock. That is just fucked up. I think the same goes in WM XIX for GC, where you have to buy stat points from earnings in Revenge Mode. I maxed my self out in everything and am UNSTOPPABLE. But it takes a while to get the stats that high.

[Silence 0]

I'll agree on the fact that CAWs need to be built up for 3 seasons to even have a chance against guys like Taker and Brock. That is just fucked up.

I agree.

 

Another thing: Why is it that most of the time whenever I'm at July in Season mode that I'm left off just about every card that month if my SP isn't high enough (or if I don't have a title) instead of getting demoted to Heat or Velocity? Doesn't that kind of kill the point of even having the two B-shows in the game if they aren't in Season mode like Heat was in SYM?