WWE SmackDown vs . Raw 2008 WWE SmackDown vs . Raw 2008 ( often shortened to WWE SvR 2008 or SvR ' 08 ) , is a Professional wrestling video game developed by YUKE ' s Future Media Creators and released on the PlayStation 2 , PlayStation 3 , Xbox 360 , Wii , PlayStation Portable and Nintendo DS video game consoles by THQ in November 2007 . Amaze Entertainment oversaw development for the Nintendo DS version . The game is the ninth edition of the long - running " WWE SmackDown vs . Raw " video game series based on the Professional wrestling promotion World Wrestling Entertainment ( WWE ) . It is the sequel to 2006 ' s " WWE SmackDown vs . Raw 2007 " , succeeded by " WWE SmackDown vs . Raw 2009 " , and is the first WWE game to include the promotion ' s ECW brand . It is also the first WWE game to be available for all seventh generation game consoles . Gameplay . Each wrestler now has two fighting style categories , one primary and one secondary . Each fighting style has its advantages and disadvantages in each particular match type . There are eight styles altogether : high - flyer , hardcore , submission artist , powerhouse , showman , brawler , dirty and technical . In addition , creative manager of THQ Cory Ledesma stated early in production that he planned on having numerous wrestler animations redone . A new " struggle submission system " has been introduced , incorporating more analog control into the game . The player executing the submission can now decide how much pressure is applied by moving the analog stick in a particular direction . Similarly , the player locked in a submission hold will have to power out also by using the analog stick . The game features the revived ECW brand , and it takes its place alongside the established Raw and SmackDown ! brands . The official box art features the ECW logo prominently . The game ' s ECW branding has expanded the number of weapons available under the ring during gameplay . New weapons such as guitars are available and tables and barbed wire bats can be set on fire . Despite the inclusion of the brand , the video game franchise will keep its " SmackDown ! vs . Raw " name , although an early logo included " ECW Invasion " in the title . It has been changed , however , to " Featuring ECW " . The game features several arenas that WWE held events at in 2006 and 2007 . There are also arenas based on each WWE television show . Modes . The game allows several different game modes to be played , each with different goals and options . The Season and General Manager Modes of previous games have been merged into the new " " WWE 24 / 7 " mode " , which takes its name from WWE ' s video on demand service . Players can choose to play one of the game ' s included superstars or create a superstar , or as a general manager of one of the brand . Playing as a wrestler , the goal is to take that wrestler and achieve " legend " status . In order to do so , the player has to win matches , team with and feud with other wrestlers , and gain popularity . At the same time , they must choose whether to train , exercise , relax , or take part in other activities when not wrestling , all with their own positive and negative effects . ( The player could only choose to be either on the Smackdown brand or the Raw brand , as the ECW brand was excluded ) . Playing as a general manager is similar to the previous General Manager modes in the series , in which one has to choose a brand and act as its General Manager ( Jonathan Coachman for " Raw " , Theodore Long for " SmackDown ! " , Tommy Dreamer for " ECW " ) , draft a roster and make decisions to make it the most popular brand of the three . The General Manager is allowed to make staffing decisions , schedule workouts and events . There is also an all - new " Tournament Mode " , which allows the player to control a superstar through the various stages of the WWE tournament , such as Beat The Clock Sprint and King of the Ring , as well as Money in the Bank tournament . The game also allows you to create your own tournament . ( This is featured only on the PlayStation 2 , PlayStation Portable , PlayStation 3 , Xbox 360 and the Wii . ) Like previous games in the series , the game also allows players to challenge for and defend championships . The game includes championships used by the WWE in 2007 , bringing back the branded championships from the previous game and for the first time , the ECW Championship . Fighting Style System . The game featured the Fighting Style System which would not appear in later games . With each style , the character would adopt a series of preset abilities . And , depending on primary ability , they would also be able to perform a unique move that can only be activated if the player has a stored finisher icon . The roster was a turning point for the series as ECW made its first appearance in the series and its Superstars Tommy Dreamer , CM Punk , Elijah Burke and Kelly Kelly made their debuts . Cryme Tyme and Ashley made their first appearance as playable superstars and diva . Kenny Dykstra and Marcus Cor Von also made their first and only WWE game appearances . This is also Bobby Lashley , Booker T and Torrie Wilson ' s last SmackDown ! vs . Raw game . It was also the last regular SmackDown ! vs . Raw game for Ric Flair ; he appears in WWE SmackDown vs . Raw 2009 as an unlockable player . Roster . This is the only game in the series to feature the ' ECW Legends ' roster . By default , there are only three members of this roster : Sabu , Terry Funk , and Tommy Dreamer . The Sandman , however , is on the RAW roster . This is the first game in the series not to feature Chris Benoit due to the Double Murder Suicide in June 2007 . All material related to Benoit were removed including all versions of crossface and the diving headbutt , and even choking with wires was removed . However , you could still find an entrance similar to his from WWE SmackDown vs . Raw 2007 . Development . PlayStation 2 . Graphics are similar to the previous years in the SvR series . Xbox 360 & PlayStation 3 . The Xbox 360 has the custom soundtrack feature which people can import their own music in superstars entrances . However The PS3 does not have these features but does have a first person view in entrances where people can control where the superstar looks with the sixaxis controller . The PS3 version also had a special " Collector ' s Edition " which came with a DVD detailing the game , a Kelly Kelly trading card , and a booklet featuring various superstars signature moves . The Xbox 360 version also had special " High Flyer " and " Dirty " Editions which came with Special Edition Slipcase , " I ' m a High Flyer " or " I fight Dirty " T - shirts , 1 page Kelly Kelly Calender , 8 Numbered Limited Edition " Fighting Styles " Postcards , and a " Create a Superstar " Mini Guide . Wii . Instead of featuring " 24 / 7 mode " , it features " Main Event Mode , " where you can play as a created superstar and rise to the top . The Wii version of the game features exclusive weapons . This version was least rated than the others . PSP . The game has the same graphics as the previous games in the SvR PSP ports , however , Sgt . Slaughter , Eddie Guerrero and Jim " The Anvil " Neidhart are PSP exclusive unlockable Legends . Reception . The game has received mixed to negative reviews because of recycled gameplay . On GameRankings the game holds a score of 73 . 60 % , 61 . 40 % , 66 . 20 % , 71 . 72 % , 70 . 25 % and 61 . 07 % respectively for these versions . The game received an 8 / 10 on Game Informer .