So close, and yet so far away. That's a comment I usually make when I talk about the state of WWE wrestling video games. On one hand, the company's hit miserable lows with the terrible WWE Wrestlemania 21 for the Xbox. Yet, on the other, they're making great strides with this year's products, with WWE: Day of Reckoning 2 leading the way for GameCube. Now the company's back at work on the platform where they began their foray into the next generation with WWE Smackdown! Vs. Raw 2006 for the PlayStation 2, and it's looking to be their most refined and deepest wrestling experience yet.
Credit Yuke's, of course. The Japanese development house has been perfecting their wrestling techniques for years in both import and US releases. This year, they've put together some new ideas that could elevate the WWE gaming experience as we know it, making it that much closer to the TV shows that the games are based upon.

Like the title indicates, the game will feature full rosters from both the Raw and Smackdown shows. This means that all sorts of wrestlers will be available for the choosing, such as John Cena, Batista, Triple H, the Undertaker, JBL, and many more. Or, if you're not up for that, you can always create your own and walk them through a story mode on a quest for the World Championship, where you'll meet some obvious opposition or make a few friends in your efforts to become one with the WWE elite.

But that could be said about last year's edition. What's new with the 2006 update? Plenty. The first thing you might notice is the greater attention to graphical detail. Last year's game featured some good renders, especially with the Bra and Panties matches that you could hold with the WWE Divas. This time around, the detail will be that much more realistic, with finer details on textures and animations. If that's not enough, damage will also come more into play and may affect your wrestler's style. For instance, if you take a headshot with a chair or get rammed into the steel steps during a running launch, your wrestler may emerge with blood gushing from their head. And not just a random splotch, either, but real and detailed from your point of impact. Bruises and other injuries also become apparent. This may not be for the weak of heart, but it does offer a bit more realism to the game, and some fans may appreciate that.

The game will also implement a new "momentum shift" system, where a wrestler can easily turn a match around, no matter what kind of damage he or she has taken. This is due to the way you get the crowd on your side, or motivate them to cheer for you when you think you're done for. So it's important that the game retains a style feature, where you do taunts or try to get support from the crowd when you're oh-so-close to a victory. It's not that easily done, however, and if you become too arrogant (like most of the "heels" on the shows), you'll find your momentum sucked away.

Notice how I talked about how apparent damage can become to a wrestler during a match. This comes into play with a "stamina" system, where you have to watch your strength levels and maintain a good structure throughout a match. This can also enter into some kind of "hardcore" mode, where your stamina reaches new highs and you can somehow come back from the most vicious of chair shots or finishing maneuvers. Parts of the background may also come into use, like shoving an opponent through a window or off a stage. Shame on that person who told me that I wouldn't get up from Triple H's pedigree. Well, this time, anyway. This, mixed with the visible impact made on your wrestler, can change a match dramatically.

There are new types of matches being thrown in as well. Along with the return of the Bra and Panties match that got so much attention, as well as other varied events to choose from, THQ's also throwing in a Buried Alive match, where you have to beat your opponent to a pulp, throw them into a pit, and literally bury them. The addition of this, along with the game's expansive online components for versus action, will bump up the replayability into the stratosphere.

One final ingredient that's worth mentioning is the game's connectivity with the forthcoming PSP edition. Smackdown! Vs. Raw 2006 was recently announced for the PSP, and the way that it will interact with the PS2 edition through a USB cable may mean a number of downloadable items, including the ability to use your built wrestler in the portable game, new weapons and areas, and more. THQ has yet to be specific on this, but we'll find out details soon enough.

THQ and Yuke's seem to be approaching the fine line between arcade and simulation with WWE Smackdown! Vs. Raw 2006, and that may suit fans just fine. The way that the game will retain its awesome control and throw in all the right ingredients to mimic the successful TV shows may be just the ticket for getting the license back on track after its abysmal Xbox showcase. Like Animal says, "What a rush!" Look for the game to arrive later this year.