Wrestling games, at least for a while, seemed to have the same problem the Madden series did. The lack of competition meant innovation could take a slower path. The games we received for a while were, for the most part, yearly roster updates with a handful of tweaks. Smackdown Vs. Raw 2009 is the first WWE game in a while to face up to any sort of competition, in the form of TNA Impact, and THQ has answered the bell soundly.

The base gameplay is enjoyable, but mostly because it feels like a step forward for the genre. The controls feel more intuitive than what was found in entries gone by, resulting in a game that’s simply more fun to play. The analog grappling system is admittedly a limited setup (directing the stick in one of the four main directions will perform a move), but the grapples are more reliably executed due to the simplicity of the motion. On screen prompts do a fantastic job reminding you of how to store or use a finishing move as well.

Punches finally feel like they have some weight to them, partially because the animation has been refined so well. The Superstars look less like action figures on sticks and more like actual athletes in the squared circle. This is especially noticeable in the Create-A-Finisher mode, where... well, you guessed it. It’s basically a cut-and-paste of different animations from a whole slew of moves, but you can create some fairly impressive (or ridiculous) maneuvers. Also, you can assign them to any wrestler you choose, real or created.

One of this year’s biggest additions, however, is Road to Wrestlemania. There are six canned scenarios featuring seven of the wrestlers (one is a co-operative tag scenario), complete with storylines and cutscenes. They are better than or equal to just about any wrestling storylines in recent memory, (especially the Undertaker’s). Each scenario will take about an hour-and-a-half to soldier through, but the stories are compelling enough to keep you going. Hopefully this is something that becomes standard in the series.

Of course, you’ll still be privy to the usual slew of features and specialty matches this series has become known for, but the better controls, improved animation and impressive story modes add new dimensions to a genre that was starting to look more Ric Flair than CM Punk. So long as there’s a young upstart trying to climb the ladder to the top, the king will have to do more to stay on top of the game, and if Smackdown Vs. Raw 2009 is any indication, the fans are in for a fantastic ride.