In the WWE, it's not uncommon for upstart new wrestlers to suffer a few humiliating losses before they earn their first victory. After a severely disappointing Wii debut last year, THQ's venerable SmackDown vs. Raw series has returned to the ring, having spent the year bulking up and working on the fundamentals. The work has paid off: There are more match types, the controls feel more responsive, and there are two new single-player modes that complement the multiplayer fun nicely. Though it's still hampered by a number of lingering issues, WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009 shows that the series can be a contender on the Wii.
The Good:
* Impressive array of different moves and match types
* Fun motion-control moments during entrances and matches
* Great-looking superstars
* Robust creation tools
* Solid single-player modes.
The Bad:
* Waving remote gets tiresome
* Characters maneuver clumsily
* Occasional clipping, animation, and camera issues
* Weak sound effects lessen the impact.
