The Top Five Professional Wrestling Video Games of All Time

SmackDown vs. Raw 2007 (PlayStation 2, Xbox 360 – 2007)

Professional wrestling games on next generation consoles have been hit or miss in recent years. While they offer a large variety in available wrestlers, game modes, online play and more – there still feels like there’s something missing in many of them. However, SmackDown vs Raw 2007 was a great entry into the world of professional wrestling that hit the next generation of gaming consoles.

Analog control was a big part of the improvements that SmackDown vs Raw 2007 brought to the forefront. Players were able to move around the ring with their opponent in any direction plus the analog control impacted the grappling system that was put into play. Another interesting change was the differentiation that was made between wrestlers of different sizes.

Now, the smaller wrestlers were given move sets that included more luchador or martial arts based attacks; while bigger wresters were given power moves. Plus, smaller wrestlers were no longer able to pick up their bigger opponents. These changes created a new way to play based on character selected; building on the strategy needed to win a match.

One note of interest around this game is that it would be the last WWF video game to include former champion, Chris Benoit. Much of the campaign mode featured a narrative around Benoit and his quest to become champion. However, this was a few months before the tragic murder-suicide in which he took the life of his wife and son before killing himself.

Even with that dark part of history, SmackDown vs Raw is one of the best video game entries for the professional wrestling industry to hit on the modern day consoles.