The new installment in one of the most successful video game franchises is now available. Created exclusively for PlayStation 2 by Yuke’s of Japan, WWE SmackDown! Here Comes the Pain showcases more than 55 WWE superstars including Brock Lesnar, John Cena, Rey Mysterio and Goldberg. It also includes a new story mode created in conjunction with WWE Creative Writers depicting both fictitious story paths and famous WWE moments.
The overall gameplay has been enhanced and features real-life character attributes of strength, submission, technique, speed and stamina, allowing players to wear down their opponents and to take advantage of each superstar’s unique abilities and extensive move sets.
Co-produced by Stamford-based World Wrestling Entertainment, toy maker JAKKS Pacific and software developer THQ, the new game has a TV-style presentation, enhanced by dynamic camera angles, realistic animations and improved arena and crowd elements. JAKKS Pacific’s VP Nelo Lucich explains, "Unlike its predecessors, WWE SmackDown! Here Comes the Pain features a Season Mode in which the gamer actually earns cash to unlock legendary superstars, hidden arenas and costumes. Because of the amount of attention put into each detail and mode, fans have a unique gaming experience each time they play."
World Wrestling Entertainment-licensed video games have sold more than $350 million in the U.S. since 1999 with last year’s WWE Smackdown! game selling-through more than 700,000 units in its first eight weeks at retail. For more information about the THQ/JAKKS Pacific World Wrestling Entertainment video game franchise and the rest of THQ’s 2003 holiday line-up, visit www.thq.com.
