The new installment of the SvR series feels a lot like the previous installment. The graphics are practically identical, as is the commentary. But several key changes keep the franchise feeling just interesting enough to warrant a purchase. You'll first notice right off the bat that the grapple controls have been vastly simpified. Simply flick the right stick in any direction to perform a simple grapple, or hold down the right bumper to perform a move with a little more oomph. Hold RB and press down, left, right, or up to get your opponent into the stance, then hit the stick in any direction to perform one of 4 grapples grapples. If you pressed DOWN the first time, you'll perform a submission move, UP will either perform a clean or dirty grapple, depending on what kind of wrestler you are, while LEFT and RIGHT will simply be standard grapples. Or, you can hold RB, flick any direction, then click the right stick to perform an "Ultimate Control Move". This lets you add a little variety to your actions. For example, if the move is a Piledriver, you could click the stick to get your opponent's head in between your wrestler's legs, then hit DOWN to jump and come down on his head. Or, you could hit UP to pick him up over your shoulders, then hit DOWN to slam him to the mat. It takes a little practice, but you'll get the hang of it eventually. Also new is the abiltity to take your opponent into the crowd, where you'll find weapons galore. And if you want to bring different parts of the environment into the equation, you no longer need to master the art of the Irish Whip. Simply get your opponent into a strong grapple, then move him to whatever part of the ring you'd like to use. Drag him to the steps to bash his head open; the announcer's table if you want to strangle him with the monitor cord, or the turnbuckle to perform a special move. Multiplayer is as fun as ever, especially with the new Money in the Bank challenge. Bring a friend along in this 6-man free for all ladder match, and I guarantee you'll have fun. New and improved ladder controls, and a truly difficult "reach for the belt" system will guarantee that ladder matches last at least 20 minutes. And, as always, Story mode is amazingly long and deep. Several storylines rival those seen in real life. If you already own SvR '06, this game might only be worth a rental. But if you're only now deciding to experience the greatest wrestling series since the days of the SNES, you couldn't have picked a better time.

I always took wrestling games over fighting games so to me this game is great. The controls are easy to learn for people new to the Smackdown series and it's loads of fun. Long load times bog it down a bit. You can make a sandwich in between entrances:( I want more legends next time around...or maybe make it so we can download more grapplers.

I THOUGHT IT WAS A GOOD GAME ONNLY THING I DONT SEEM TO LIKE IS THAT YOU CAN ONLY DO ONE SEASON AT A TIME I COULD BE WRONG BUT I SELECTED NEW AND IT SAID IT WOULD ERASE ALL PREVIOUS PROGRESS BUT ALL IN ALL IT SURE IS THE BEST WRESTLING GAME ON PERIOD FOR THE XBOX 360 NO LAG LIKE WRESTLE MANIA FOR THE REGULAR XBOX EITHER

I have had the pleasure of playing the Smackdown demo on 360. Let me say that this is beyond a doubt the best Smackdown ever. The looks of the game are pretty much the same as the others with verious camera angles and such. The graphics are lightyears ahead, not just the ultra detail in the wrestlers but in the crowd and backgrounds aswell. The wrestlers are very detailed and look really good and another thing I noticed is as they progress through a match the get sweaty and even start looking beat up. Cuts stay on your wrestler and the blood looks realistic.

While the demo only had 2 wrestlers to choose from the contoles were real tight. The new grapple system while it will take a bit to get used to is nice. You use the right thumbstick to perform verious grapples, once mastered it is nice. Another thing is the ability to leave the ring and go into the crowd, way into the crowd. You can climb up on verious structures and jump down. Another thing is the use of objects outside the ring. The announcer tables can be used like before and to add to that you can actually pull the monitors out of the table and choke your opponant with the wire. Real cool.

I cannot wait for the full version of this game. It is sure to not dissapoint!

the wrestler look just like they are in real life.this game is the best it's gonna get.the comentating is great it's not like they say the same thing every time.i wonder what the season mode will be like?please don't make the season mode hard.