WWE SmackDown: Shut Your Mouth (PS2)

Whether you like rasslin' or not, it certainly is good for one thing: video games, and especially the SmackDown series. As embarrassing as it may be to watch large semi-naked men pretending to hurt each in real-life, being a virtual large semi-naked man and hitting your best friend over the head with a stepladder is a right old laugh. After the somewhat disappointing Just Bring It, WWE SmackDown: Shut Your Mouth is clearly a proper next-gen wrestling game. For starters the graphics are miles better than before, with much more detailed and expressive wrestlers and some stunning-looking stadiums and character intros. Changes to the gameplay are subtler and largely only of special interest to fans of the "real" thing. Suffice it to say that all of the wrestlers have even more moves, it's now even easer to use nearby furniture to inflict pain and the game includes such new sporting heroes as Brock Lesnar, John Cena and Rico Constantino. There are also big improvements to the career mode, which now features Hell in a Cage matches and greatly extended backstage interviews and confrontations. Each of the championship belts now have multiple routes to victory as well, adding to the replay value. If you're a fan, or just someone that enjoys stamping on people's heads, this is the game for you. --David Jenkins

"An enjoyable and immersive fighting game... as close to the real thing as you could hope for. 8/10."

WWE Smackdown: Shut your Mouth features even more World Wrestling Entertainment Superstars, including Hollywood Hulk Hogan, Stacy Keibler, DDP, Ric Flair, the nWo, and many more. The in-depth story mode has multiple character paths and, for the first time, players will have the option to enter Superstars into a World Wrestling Entertainment draft pool. There are a variety of backstage areas modelled after Madison Square Garden and more than fourteen other arenas, including Backlash, Vengeance and Unforgiven. The thousands of animations include Superstar signature moves with double and triple team moves. The improved Create-a-Wrestler Mode enables players to create the ultimate wrestler with a dynamic layer system and a new thumbnail system allowing even more CAW options. An expanded partner system allows players to take control of their tag team counterparts.

In one corner stands the immortal Hulk Hogan. In the other stands the Undisputed World Wrestling Champion, Triple H. Tensions mount, but suddenly Y2J's music blares as he enters the arena and grabs the mic. Fans boo and chant "has-been"! Backstage, The Great One gets ready to layeth the smacketh down while Mr. McMahon sits with his personal assistant Stacy Keibler. It's SmackDown! as you've never seen it before for the PlayStation 2. All-new Superstars, enhanced season mode and more matches then ever.