Smackdown vs Raw 2007 (2006) Xbox 360, Ps2, PSP
2007 was the first Smackdown game to hit the current generation of consoles by appearing on the Xbox 360, making it the first that was no longer exclusive to Sony consoles. The new console (and new controllers) introduced a new analog control system. Flicking the sticks added a new streamlined control compared to the button-based version. The best part was the addition of "Ultimate Control" moves. Some moves would begin a certain way then allow you to use the analog stick to end the move in any way you chose. It also contained interactive hotspots at ringside both in and out of the ring, along with the ability to fight in the crowd. That crowd could also provide you with weapons, a feature that goes way back to the N64 games. Obviously, the Xbox 360 allowed for the best visuals and sound ever seen, with realistic sweat and a huge polygon count compared to the PS2 version. It gave notable debuts to Bobby Lashley, John Morrison (as Jonny Nitro), Mr Kennedy and Umaga. Perhaps more notable was that it was the last appearance for Chris Benoit in a WWE game before his double murder suicide. In less crazy circumstances it was also the last game for Kurt Angle and RVD though their move sets and entrances would pop up in later games for creation purposes. The only new match type was Money in the Bank, though it was the only big new match type that had appeared on TV anyway. Create an Entrance was much improved though the Xbox 360 didn't yet have custom music even though it had been capable of doing so since the first Xbox console. New classic belts included Austin's smoking skull and the N.W.O World Title. Smackdown vs Raw of course was another good wrestling game, though THQ were starting to show some signs of yearly fatigue. Things were always gradually getting better but the list of unfixed problems was growing year to year. For example AI Tag Team partners were still useless as they had been over the years and still were in this game. For the most part though, the games were more good than bad. Perhaps the fact that the Smackdown series were now unopposed in the wrestling market allowed them the luxury of becoming slightly complacent. In fairness though the games were always decent, and had the potential to be even better so long as the improvements kept coming.