The WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2008 game features new additions to the WWE franchise, including wrestlers from ECW like The Sandman, Marcus Cor Von, and CM Punk. This is the first in the series to include these characters.
The game introduces a new submission system, more weapon choices such as guitars, and eight fighting styles for each player to choose from. Players can select a primary and secondary fighting style. The game also includes legendary wrestlers like Undertaker, Shawn Michaels, and Ric Flair, as well as new arenas like Wrestlemania 23, Unforgiven, and Summerslam.
The WWE 24/7 mode combines the season and general manager modes from previous games. In this mode, players can create a new superstar, play as an existing one, or manage someone. However, the Wii version has a different name for this mode, called Main Event, and does not allow player management.
The game includes various match types like Iron Man, Battle Royal, Hell in a Cell, Tables, Ladders, and Chairs, Hardcore, Ladder, Elimination Chamber, and Royal Rumble. The Wii version has fewer match types, including Single, Tag Team, K.O. Match, Triple Threat, and Hardcore.
The Xbox 360 versions allow players to use custom music during entrances, while the PS3 version offers a first-person view during those sequences. Both versions offer online multiplayer, making them unique among other WWE games at the time of release.