Well this make a pleasant change from the PlayStation 2 version. Obviously with the lack of another analogue stick the controls go back to those we know from last year’s game and it feels a lot more immediate and satisfying to grapple opponents and throw them to the mat. As a result less time is spent pressing any button repeatedly and that’s such a blessing since we really couldn’t handle any more of that.

Other than the return to the original controls everything else is the same as the PlayStation 2 version. You have all the different styles of matches including the new Money In The Bank match which sees a bunch of guys fight over a briefcase full of cash suspended high above the ring. The only way to get to it is to climb a ladder and this leads to all sorts of pratfalls and punch outs at a great height.

The environmental attacks are all there, so you can wrap opponent’s arms around the turnbuckle and fight in other areas of the arena where you’ll find many more weapons and hotspots to dish out some punishment right up close. The only problem with this though is that it wears your wrestler out much more quickly than a normal move does. With Circle assigned to grapples you now have to press Select to regain your stamina, and this is still something we don’t like. It breaks up the flow of the game when you have to stop pounding on your opponent to regain enough strength to continue hammering away at them. At least you can damage them enough so you do get time to do it, but if they counter your next move and send you face-first into the mat then it all seems a bit pointless. Especially as everything from then on revolves around you hitting any button repeatedly and trying to get your own counter in so you can get back on top of the match and do the bit that’s actually enjoyable.

The Season mode is fun with the story lines changing depending on whether you win or lose and, since they’re all voiced by the wrestlers themselves, it feels as though you’re taking part in a soap opera for boys.

It is odd that we had more fun playing the PSP version than the PS2 version, though maybe that’s because we were expecting more from the bigger console, but then we were still pretty impressed with the game on the handheld.

Tim Empey