You better be ready to rumble, because THQ and JAKKS Pacific is bringing WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2009 to all major platforms as expected. This entry to the annual franchise is bringing new features that fans of authentic wrestling action don't want to miss. Learn more and find screenshots of its incarnations on the Sony PlayStation 3 and Microsoft Xbox 360 at the full article.

First, it was the WWE versus THQ and Jakks Pacific; now it's THQ versus Jakks-Pacific. Thing is, the video game publisher has declared a victory against the toy maker with regards to the two companies' royalty dispute. Is there any chance for another lawsuit dismissal?

More "hard court" action follows after the jump.

Long-standing lawsuit filed by WWE against THQ and Jakks Pacific concerning racketeering and bribery was finally put to rest by a US district court judge last December 3rd. More details about  the allegations made by WWE against THQ and Jakks Pacific and the lawsuit in general at the full article.

Let's talk about mythology for a while and no, this is not going to be a lecture similar to the ones you get in your Literature classes. Let's talk about gods and goddesses in relation to video games and the World Wrestling Federation (WWE).

The full article awaits after the jump!

Four new videos have arrived for WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008 on the PSP, featuring two long standing icons in wrestling: Jim Neidhart and Sgt. Slaughter, joining the likes of Triple H, Kane and Carlito in the video archives.

WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008 (Xbox 360, PS2, PS3, PSP, Wii, DS) will be released on November 13 for the US. Check out the full article for the videos.

 

If you already fancy yourself a master of Yukes' and THQ's WWE Smackdown vs. Raw series, this year's version of the long-running wrestling video game franchise promises to raise the gameplay to a whole new level with the addition of the new Fighting Style system introduced in WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2008.

It was already mentioned previously by the developers from Yukes that eight new Fighting Styles will be included in this year's build of the game, doing away with the previous Clean and Dirty fighting styles. The different Fighting Styles basically dictate how your Superstar moves around the squared circle and what kind of tactics he or she usually employs to win the match.

In addition, each Superstar is granted both a primary and secondary ability depending on what Fighting Style your character has. The basic archetypes such as the Brawler and the Dirty player are very well reflected in the type of moves he or she has access to.

WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2008 is set to be released this November 13 and will be available for the Xbox 360, PS2, PS3, PSP, Wii and DS platforms.

Check out the details on some of the Fighting Styles we have right after the jump!

 

Wrestling fans of all current platforms, rejoice - two new superstars are confirmed to be making their debut appearances in the upcoming wrestling title, WWE Smackdown Versus Raw 2008 (DS, PS2, PS3, PSP, Xbox 360, Wii) . We give you the skinny on the title that lets you step into the shoes of your favorite WWE superstar and claim your rightful place as the wrestler with all the gold.

So who are these two new superstars? Well, if you missed the enormous clue in the title, the latest additions to the game's roster are as follows: Jeff Hardy, second half of the high-flying Hardy Boys, and the ECW legend The Sandman. It's something to note that neither wrestler made it in last year's game, WWE Smackdown Versus Raw 2008 - making this their next-gen debuts.

Little bit of background on these two: Jeff Hardy is, as we've said, the second half of the Hardy Boys, the devastatingly-efficient tag team famous for their arsenal of high-risk, acrobatic moves, most of which taking place from the top rope. Dropkicks, splashes, moonsaults, you name it, they've done it.

The Sandman is a different matter entirely. He's not much of a flier like Jeff Hardy is, but coming from ECW's ranks, The Sandman is known for being a tireless juggernaut that loves to feel pain as much as he loves dishing it out. Never seen without his signature kendo stick, as well as a fresh beer on hand, The Sandman is a well-loved legend that can show anyone in the wrestling world what Hardcore really means.

More updates about the latest entry in the Smackdown Versus Raw series as we get them!

For all the wrestling fans, here's a treat for you. Gamespot scored an interview with Yuke's Media Creations developers of the newest pro-wrestling videogame, WWE SmackDown! vs. RAW 2008.

Yuke's Yoshiro Togiya (art director) and Takashi Takezawa (lead programmer) give an overview of the multiplatform WWE SmackDown! vs. RAW 2008 (PS3, Xbox360, Wii, PS2, PSP, and DS). The new animation system, the addition of ECW, the different fighting styles, and increased number weapons were mentioned. We also see a couple of the different fighting styles: dirty and high flier.

For more info, you can check out the video interview below. You know the drill. Enjoy!

'Tis the season when companies are required to report how they did last year, and then tell everyone about what they plan to do next year. Everyone's doing it, and because of this, 'tis also the season when we finally get to hear more about things that we can look forward to.

In THQ's case, the company's president, Brian Farrell, announced their plan to spread the wrestling love all around in the coming fiscal year:

In addition to our lineup of owned intellectual properties, we also intend to build on our licensed franchises next year. We plan to once again deliver a great lineup of WWE, Pixar, and Nickelodeon titles. For WWE, we plan to add a PS3, Wii, and DS SKU to the Xbox 360, PS2, and PSP platforms.

With that said and done, one big question that remains to be answered is whether the games that THQ is promising will be ones that will be unique to each platform, or if they would simply be variations of titles from previous installments in the WWE SmackDown Vs. Raw game franchise.

Game Politics put up a unique find that might help immortalize some of the most dedicated players of all time. According to their report, the Guinness Book of World Records will be putting up another videogame-related section with records for players who've picked up achievements for determination, high scores, and long life.

As you can see from the shot above, there are some new records being put up along with the quintessential high scores list that remains mostly the same from its previous incarnation 20 years back. Cody Miller's legendary speed run through Halo 2 on the Xbox is now listed, as well as a record for the guy who pulled off a three-hour speed run through the PS2's GTA: Vice City.

The records also hold some noteworthy people who've managed to get high scores in multiple games, such as Greg Sakundiak's records for Dragon's Lair, Tag Team Wrestling, and Twin Cobra, and Doris Self, our dearly departed mistress of all things Q*bert who got her place in Guinness for being the oldest competitive gamer to date.

Hopefully, they'll include some new categories next year, including "Person with the highest gamerscore ever" and "Most annoying leetspeak phrase used in online games." We'll be betting on "STFU Noob," for that last entry.