The WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2009 game continues the series' tradition of improving tag team action. This edition features a new Hot-Tag mode, tag team finishers, and additional actions to help players during matches.
The roster in this game includes over 60 superstars from Smackdown, Raw, and ECW. Players can also customize their superstars using the roster editor, which allows them to change appearances and allegiances between face and heel. Notably, this is the first Smackdown game since Here Comes the Pain that does not include legendary wrestlers.
A new feature in this game is Create-a-Finisher, which enables players to create their own unique finishing moves from over 500 different animations. These custom moves can also be shared with other players during online matches.
The game features two distinct story modes: Road to Wrestlemania and Career mode. Road to Wrestlemania allows players to experience six unique stories involving wrestlers Triple H, CM Punk, Chris Jericho, The Undertaker, John Cena, and a co-op storyline featuring Batista and Rey Mysterio. Career mode replaces GM Mode from previous games, allowing players to make careers for their superstars and upgrade custom wrestlers.
Other features include the Highlight Reel, which lets players create videos from their matches, new Inferno and Gauntlet matches, as well as new positions in the backstage brawl.
The WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2009 game was released on November 9th, 2008, for the Playstation 3 console, bringing improvements to tag team action and roster customization.