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WWE Smackdown vs RAW 2006: The Mini Games

Take flight in the exclusive Eugene Airplane Race.

By Juan Castro

It's time to hit the mat, portable style. We've been anxiously awaiting a demo of WWE SmackDown! Vs. Raw 2006 for PSP for some time now, especially since the upcoming PS2 iteration of the game looks downright tasty. We could discuss how popular and well-designed the Smackdown! series is, but there's really no need is there? Fans of the series know it's cool, and non-fans, well, they're probably not reading this article. So, let's just jump into how this sucker looks on the PSP.

In short, it looks great. And not just from a graphical standpoint, either, the entire package looks to deliver on its promise of offering a very console-like experience. There's very little sacrifice here. Smackdown! on PSP features every mode, character and extra in the PS2 version. Only now, it's entirely portable.

Plus, the PSP version even has more than the PS2 version. Instead of just offering the main course, Smackdown on PSP will offer four exclusive mini-games. These mini-games won't need to be unlocked, either; they're open to anyone who wants to play them from the get-go. What's more, all of these mini-games offer a singleplayer and multiplayer mode. In multiplayer, players will need to use the PSP's Wi-Fi functionality. Each mode allows up to four players to join in and play over a local connection.

Click for Eugene Airplane Race Trailer
Eugene Airplane Race is one of the exclusive Arcade Mode mini games available. In Eugene Airplane Race, players must safely guide Eugene from the top of the entrance ramp all the way down to the steel steps placed beside the ring. Once at the steel steps, the game will conclude, and Eugene will enter the ring and wrap up his in-ring entrance animation. Don't let the relatively easy nature of the task fool you though; guiding Eugene into the ring will not be as easy as it sounds.

Because of Eugene's excitable temperament, keeping him safely on his feet will not be an easy task. While controlling Eugene, players will have to carefully keep him balanced so that he remains on his feet and off of his butt. Keeping close tabs on the balance gauge located above Eugene's head will be paramount to the player's success. Players will use the right and left directional buttons to steer and maneuver Eugene around the environment. Compounding the level of difficulty, not only will players be tasked with keeping Eugene perfectly balanced but they must also maneuver him around path blocking obstacles, such as tables and sledgehammers.

Over steering, failure to keep tabs on the balancing gauge or colliding into obstacles will result in Eugene falling flat on his face. Each game of Eugene Airplane Race is a timed event, and as such, players will be awarded a numbered ranking based on how fast or slow they manage to finagle Eugene into the ring. In order to achieve the coveted number one position on the ranking leader board, players will most certainly have to step up their skills. Eugene Airplane Race can be played individually or, using the PSP's Wireless Ad Hoc functionality, up to four players can compete against one another for the highest ranked position on the leader board.

Stay tuned for next week's feature!

©2005, IGN Entertainment, Inc. All Rights Reserved

12:00 am PST November 11, 2005

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