Ranking The Top 5 Wrestling Video Games
By Grant Mannis
4. SmackDown vs RAW 2007
Without a doubt, the one thing that helped SmackDown vs RAW 2007 stand out above so many other wrestling games was the inclusion of the General Manager mode. Back when there was only RAW and SmackDown, General Manager mode put the player in direct control of the brand of their choosing.
Everything from the roster to advertisements could be influenced, giving a level of immersion that wasn’t present in past games. The goal was to become the superior brand, with the ratings rising and falling depending on who you pushed to the top and how you did it. Culminating at WrestleMania, the winning brand would receive a trophy and be labeled as the flagship show of WWE.
Beyond the General Manager aspect of the game, SmackDown vs RAW 2007 also boasted an impressive series of challenges. Starting as rather simple matches, things progressively got more difficult. Handicap matches, legend difficulty, and other stipulations helped frustrate many people who chose to try them.
If a player was able to complete all of the challenges, then they would be allowed to attempt the ultimate challenge; playing as Mickie James against The Great Khali. As one can imagine the match was next to impossible, but defeating it gave those who emerged victorious the biggest level of satisfaction.