PlayStation 2 Critic Reviews

The most remarkable change may be this year's Season mode, which sets a new standard for wrestling games. [Jan 2003, p.48]

Sets a new standard when it comes to wrestling games.

The epitome of what a wrestling game should be like.

Forget what the magazines say about Smackdown, because I can guarantee you not one of those brainwashers dissected this game the way I did just now.

The bottom line is that Smackdown!: SYM is the only wrestling game on any console (not just the PS2) to have everything that the fans want… and a whole lot more. If that’s not enough of a reason to go out and get it, we don’t know what is.

The gameplay still might be a little too fast-paced for some, but Shut Your Mouth tries to balance it with a more useful grappling, submission, and counter system.

Well, knock me across the head with a sledgehammer and call me Koko B. Ware...Smackdown: Shut Your Mouth is a great title!

Control-wise the game has been nicely polished since "Know Your Role" and "Just Bring It."

Options! Holy mother of baby squirrels this game has options!

Particularly well done are the new "Hell in a Cell" matches, which finally allow you to perform aggressive moves like rubbing an opponent's face against the chain link fence, or throwing an opponent off the top of the steel cage.