Every SmackDown! Video Game Ranked From Worst To Best

3. WWE SmackDown: Shut Your Mouth!

Smackdown Shut Your Mouth
wikipedia

The Good: For a game where actual wrestling names matters, Shut Your Mouth had one of the most ‘stacked’ rosters out of any wrestling game, containing some of the biggest names from WWE as well as WCW and to a lesser extent, ECW. Fans could finally play as a top wrestler from more than just the WWE roster, and fantasy match-ups became easier than they ever were before.

The ability to taunt, attack, or walk away post-match was another fun addition, which would be seen in later games as well. Grapple moves with weapons were added for the first time, adding yet another new element of fun gameplay.

Finally, the ability to wander around and interact with other wrestlers in a deep and more complex story mode made single player gaming far more exciting than in previous games. Also, you could climb the KOTR chair and the SmackDown fist, which were incredibly funny experiences.

The Bad: For a game that features the NWO quite prominently, the exclusion of Scott Hall due to his problems with the company limited the appeal of that stable’s role in the game. The commentary was also a little bit unimpressive, even if JR and Jerry Lawler replaced Cole and Tazz. Finally, the continued lack of a damage meter had its own consequences on gameplay.

Still, it was a fun game all around.

Contributor

Alexander Podgorski is a writer for WhatCulture that has been a fan of professional wrestling since he was 8 years old. He loves all kinds of wrestling, from WWE and sports entertainment, to puroresu in Japan. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Queen's University in Political Studies and French, and a Master's Degree in Public Administration. He speaks English, French, Polish, a bit of German, and knows some odd words and phrases in half a dozen other languages.