WWF Smackdown: Just Bring It (PS2)

Just Bring It provides so many battle modes it's hard to keep track of what they are--if "Hell in a Cell" is your thing then go for it, but don't miss "TLC" (tables, ladders and chairs) and the "Royal Rumble" along the way; all are faithfully recreated for your grappling pleasure. And grappling is where it's at. The Smackdown combat system is about as good as it gets. Timing is the key to a good offence: lunge towards your opponent too early and you'll leave yourself wide open, get it just right and you'll take hold in time to execute one of numerous different moves designed to make the audience wince.

Being on the receiving end isn't just a case of taking the punishment, however. A counter move is included to return or block punches or twist and twirl out of the path of an incoming hold--top stuff indeed. Keen to add that authentic touch, the developers have included the big entrance scenarios for each of the superstars, complete with signature tunes and Titantron videoscreen introductions.

The only downside to a really great game is the amount of storage space it gobbles on the average PS2 memory card--4 MB, which seems overly generous by any standard. This minor niggle aside, Just Bring It is a very entertaining title which should keep the average player occupied for months.--Chris Russell

The game has more positives points than most reviewers say: Create A Superstar mode is detailed (perhaps a little complicated), the visual effects are great, entrances, match selection and backstage areas are all as good as what you might expect.

However, I am sorry to say that the negative points outweigh the positives!! Without going into too much detail, I'll simply list the features which are inadequate: Story Mode (better individual "TV Shows" but needs to be much longer), Hell In A Cell cages only cover the ring and not the mat as well, no titles can change hands in exhibition matches, TLC matches are poor with only one ladder and one chair. This game lacks attention to detail!!!!!

Would I advise you to buy this game? No, wait until Smackdown! Shut Your Mouth comes out!!! It promises to be so much better than its predecessor...but, then again.... so did 'Just Bring it'!!!!


WWF Smackdown- Just Bring It- More WWF Based Fun   September 15, 2002
2 out of 3 found this review helpful

The other 2 WWF Smackdowns have not disappointed and WWF Smackdown: Just Bring It is no exception. With 35 wrestlers to compete with this Smackdown maybe the best in the series thus far. Gameplay wise you have several options. In Exibiton, compete against the PS2 or against up to 3 friends in many match types, including the usual Single, Tag, Hardcore and Survival match types, as well as Hell in a Cell, Last Man Standing, Iron Man, Table and the 2 out of 3 Fall Special match. Slobberknocker mode is also enjoyable , where you compete as one wrestler and beat others, one by one, in a certain amount of time. The Season mode is fun and has come along a bit from the slow Smackdown 2: Know Your Role. You compete in matches and storylines based on the answers you give in conversations with other wrestlers. The only (and possibly big) flaw in this is that it is quite short, the Season lasts a maximum of 3 matches. To complete the game you must unlock all the items, by playing season over and over until they're all unlocked. These are hidden wrestlers and arenas etc. Although it sounds repetitive it is genrally fun. Create a Stable and Create a Manager are both good if you are a hardcore fan of wrestling, and the Create a Wrestler is the most detailed yet out of all wrestling games. So on the whole you have a fun wrestling game with brilliant muli-player options and fun Season mode as well as other fully playable modes. This is a yes for wrestling fans.


Brilliant, just brilliant.   June 27, 2002
Mr. G (UK)
3 out of 3 found this review helpful

this is the second sequel to the original wwf smackdown. The game is a great game for begginers and for gamers who have been playing for years. The story mode doesn't take too long and could be finished within a weekend. some may see this as a downside and some may want a short game to complete. But the best feature in this game has to be the create a wrestler section, you can make your own wrestler or design a celebrity or a classic wrestler from the past. This game is a must buy.


Nearly but not quite   March 11, 2002
Sam B (Surrey)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

Well this has definetly got to be the most extravagant of wrestling games. The graphics, intros, create mode and match types are the best ever but the most annoying thing about this game is that it could be just that little bit better. First of all, is anyone EVER going to get Kane's entrance right. It includes that stupid long beginning before the fireworks, which he doesn't even have anymore and the fireworks and his appearance are too early and not in time with the music. The managers don't walk down to the ring with the wrestlers, you aren't always guarenteed someone, even though in a stable, will run down to the ring and interfere, and THE MOST ANNOYING THING OF ALL is the crappy story mode which last all of a couple of days and you can't even win/lose the belts in an exhibition match so you can't even have your own story mode. If/when a new smackdown comes out to the playstation i'd like to see and stroy mode much like the game Championship Manager to PC where your games are highlighted with others, you play yours, select if u want see others and then have a league table to climb against others. I wanted to give this game a 5, ithought it deserved a three, but the fact that you are just drawn back to the graphics and entrances and match types every time it really deserves a four. A short life span for the single player but a 5-star multiplayer game.