Revisiting WWF SmackDown! 2: Know Your Role

[@NikateeN]

I recorded this one whilst dealing with COVID, so if I sound extra nasally that’s the reason. 🤒

[@CyrusCageSCWS]

You sound perfectly healthy to me dude.

[@e93sports80]

Just now saw this comment. Hang in there. 🙏

[@redpanda603]

You sound alright my dude loved this game back in the day 👌

[@gfunkjunkie16]

@@CyrusCageSCWS qq⁴qqq⁴q 99 p

[@arturopatino2135]

I recently just came off covid too, and even though people tell me I sound normal, I can still feel the difference in my throat and thus my voice, it's all par for the course from what I've read, but on another note, keep doing what you do bro, I love wrestling game reviews/revisits and honestly, you're the best to ever do it on this platform, that's why I've stayed subscribed over the years, regardless of the lack of content, I stay for the quality not the quantity and it never disappoints!

[@themadrapper101]

All of our parents loved the Trish Stratus and Lita loading screens after watching us play what they bought us for Christmas

[@Rschr101]

Lmao the feels

[@mysticenigma3194]

Debra also, hers was the worst lol

[@zacktyler2810]

@@mysticenigma3194 More like *best. 😏

[@ashtonyoshi6811]

🤣🤣🤣 I prayed that part didn't come up when they happen to be in the room lmao

[@themadrapper101]

@@ashtonyoshi6811 Forgot the Debra loading screen she literally is showing her puppies

[@holagovito]

2 secrets for my fellow nerds, mainly the younger ones. Going back to SD1, The Rock being able to remove his elbow pad for the Peoples Elbow was a BIG DEAL. Almost a technological feat. Also notice how the women or the men with long hair have hair that moves as opposed to a solid texture map. That was a big deal!!

[@bartoszgromadzki2484]

You forgot about the Socko👍

[@davidk713]

I miss the arcade style gameplay. It was simplistic and easy to get into. I wonder if we could get these games remade.

[@darwinespinoza3440]

I recently pop this game in the ps3 and by God it still holds up. So much fun and just a nostalgic feel to the game. It’s so much fun, takes me back to an era of pure entertainment and fun.

[@a0040pc]

I still own this game and I remember playing many, many, many, many hours playing it. Every now and again I go back to it just for old time's sake. Also remembered creating newer stars in it, like creating Brock Lesnar and having the Test Neckbreaker as his finishing move.

[@NikateeN]

It was always fun going back and playing the older wrestling games but creating the newer roster. I did that with a lot of the games.

[@a0040pc]

@@NikateeN Indeed, it has a charm putting new wrestlers into old games.

[@CyrusCageSCWS]

I did the exact same thing when I was about 12

[@jonathanstrait58]

The ladders never changed 😒

[@alec2000]

Oh man, this game. It’s so much fun, even to this day! When I played it for the first time a few years ago, I was addicted to it like no other. The gameplay truly is amazing and unpredictable, it leads to awesome matches all the time. Thanks for more nostalgia, homie.😊👍

[@i_used_adblock_to_watch_this]

You are so painfully annoying. Time to get a job and stop staying at home all the time.

[@kawimason361]

Amen.

[@Nintendoes2]

I've got an insane amount of hours played on this game. This is my childhood right here. Well done.

[@4packdaddy]

You are one of the best, if not the best Wrestling video game review channels! I always look forward to your wrestling content! You’re very well spoken.

[@NikateeN]

Thanks! Much appreciated!

[@SylentEcho]

Props for doing these ultimate, in-depth reviews. These games need never be reviewed again! Keep rocking, man!

[@bobbygermain5428]

Just want to say how much I love this channel thank you. Keep up the good work!

[@NikateeN]

Thanks a lot Bobby!

[@hollywoodtre6098]

Super happy for you for get 90k on the last upload. You deserve that type of love for all your videos in that speed. You always been one of my favorite wrestling channels on the tube. And I love that people can respect the work u put in and your love for wrestling

[@NikateeN]

Thanks a lot for the kind words man!

[@justusdenaro]

Still my favorite wrestling game ever. I had 99 years invested in season mode lol

[@NikateeN]

Damn!

[@nigelhighlands3131]

Love these re-reviews of some all-time classics. You're really going in depth and it's awesome to see. SD2 is one of my all time favorites and you really nailed everything that makes it tick!

[@NikateeN]

😎

[@FlyBoyEnterprises]

This was my first game when I got the PS1. I have the ABSOLUTE LONGEST career in career mode. I played it for hours and years until I got a PS2 and SVR 2010. This was was my entire teen years, thousands of hours spent. I have a binder full of printouts for CAWS of which I enjoyed the fact that they had presets of superstars in the Create a Wrestler. Loved the slingshot over the top rope of which is definitely missing from newer games. Even the details when the Rock gave the Peoples Elbow, he takes off the elbow pad and tosses it. Even the Hardcore/Falls Count Anywhere were awesome given that you could throw your opponent into something & it would dispense new weapons. I had my created Wrestler holding every championship. The TRUE & only 2 negatives I have is loading times and limited CAW slots. How we are spoiled by the expansion to 100 plus.

[@britneyspearsvillarosa]

I had the longest career in SD2 over 20 years with The Undertaker as WWF Champion for over 20 years

[@CyrusCageSCWS]

I played both this and no mercy a whole lot but I always found myself coming back to Smackdown. The match types, the speed and the organic bumps both out of and into the ring did it for me. No Mercy may be a better wrestling match simulator but this was better in every other way.

[@dhi1145]

I love this new longer format! You’re a fantastic historian.

[@NikateeN]

Thanks a lot!

[@BryMoon]

This game is still one of my favorites of all time. Not as great and timeless as No Mercy but having a PlayStation it was great to finally have a good and fun game and added more to what Smackdown 1 had. The constant no selling and unrealistic weapons added to the nostalgic fun in retrospect. The editing is on point in this, the JR soundbyte after Stone Cold got ran over made me holler. Smackdown 2 will always hold a special place in my wrestling gaming heart. Glad you revisited this. Great work as usual.

[@hltds]

14:20 that is an olympic gym bar for chest press, not a lamp hehehe. I loved your video as always! Keep making them. Can't wait for SYM and HCTP

[@Throbingkcoc]

Just glad you came back to make videos again. Seeing your videos in my feed again is always a treat.

[@TheViper4Life]

Played this one again back in 2020 and enjoyed it so much I managed to do 4 years in Season Mode. But this time was so good to be a wrestling fan...I had the PS1 and my little brother had the N64. So I had so many days where I'd play No Mercy (or Revenge, or WM2000), then go to my room and pop on Smackdown 2. The one thing here that I still miss in modern games is title history! Why this isn't a thing for Exhibition these days, I'll never understand.

[@removeduser1145]

Been watching this channel for years, it's one of the best out there. These videos opened my eyes to so many great wrestling games. Thank you so much for making them. ❤️

[@NikateeN]

Thanks man!!

[@gripesreality2126]

I played this for so many hours in a row enough when I was a kid that at random I will hear the menu song and can't forget the floating glitch

[@ivanroa5988]

Dude you don't know how many memories you bring to me. I've got Cystic Fibrosis, and back then as a 12 y/o kid I expended most of my winters feeling not so good and staying at home instead of going to school. I had a somewhat lonely childhood except for the Friday meetings at my house with my friends to play this classic mostly, and many others as Crash Bash, Tony Hawk 2 and some others. Great channel. Love your reviews.

[@NikateeN]

Thanks so much! And thanks for sharing those memories! I grew up pretty isolated with video games and tv being my main source of entertainment. In a way I can relate to those feelings.

[@teadean5774]

Your one of my favorite KZbinrs man. Thank you for making this. Smackdown 2 is one of my favorite games of all time and the story mode is so slept on. Thanks again for the vid.

[@teadean5774]

This was also my first game ever on the ps1 when I was 6 so many memories thank you

[@NikateeN]

Thanks for the support man, much appreciated!!

[@warlock253]

respect for mentioning the backstage areas, they dont get enough shine in most reviews.. so much hours were spent as a kid playing through endless backstage areas with a friend.. to this day its still one of the most impressive of any wwe title..

[@jkiller404]

This is still my personal favorite wrestling game, right behind the original

[@kawimason361]

I didn't have a n64 at the time, so I was a ps1 nerd and this was my game I played a lot of at the time. Talking about nostalgia

[@jonbourgoin182]

My favorite KZbinr is back just in time for me getting home from work to relax. Thanks Nick!

[@kevinhoch3776]

Watching this brought back so many memories of playing this series as a kid. Thanks for the video!

[@WessideVibez]

Idk why u Did This again , BUT IAM EXTREMELY GREATFUL!! this give me Blissful Nostalgia God Bless Brother! 💯

[@NikateeN]

Thanks man, glad you enjoyed it!

[@4packdaddy]

The diva loading screens always showed up when my parents walked through the room for my WWF/E wrestling video games with perfect timing! Especially with the menu models for Trish and Torrie on Smackdown vs. RAW. That was always a fun experience as a teen! Lol. Not to mention the SVR 2006 and 2007 bikini screens and nice revealing outfit screens you could unlock. WWE used to really excite me. It’s not the same as it once was. AEW is the best thing to happen to wrestling in 20 years. I’m not changing my opinion either. We need that kind of wrestling back. The PS1 Smackdowns are always a blast!

[@PazzoLucas]

Having watched your content since the original run of reviews (can't believe we are talking nearly a decade ago), I just wanna say it's great to see you are still making content! It's nice to see you have retained your style but improved the production quality! I hope you have got over COVID and look forward to your next video p.s. you were one of my inspirations to start making my own vids!

[@NikateeN]

I’m glad I could inspire somebody to start making vids, as I had many inspirational people on here as well. Thanks so much for the kind words!

[@MrGamer07100]

Very informative, and entertaining. 😊 I think I seen that original review too! 😂

[@NikateeN]

The original was…. Well, it was a thing lol!

[@JDSundeavors]

Thanks for the review. The jump to Playstation was a monumental and seemingly controversial one lasting in the minds of all wrestling game fans. Personally, I loved the progression, despite the departure from the N64-style gameplay, and I do feel that the direction of the Smackdown series was mostly rewarding for fans, like myself, of pro wrestling sims.

[@flexflows4ever]

Love the most recent revisits. Keep em up. I've been watching your channel since maybe around 2017. It is good to see the growth not just for the channel but also knowledge on your latest reviews and updated revisits.

[@NikateeN]

Thanks!

[@antsonthesalmonsnake5889]

Man that Triple H is photorealistic 18:38

[@TheBradRules]

Once again a very well put together retrospective that covered basically everything. Is it me or does the Insider's Edge look like nearly the same animation that's in 2K22 for Hall? I don't think they ever reanimated or motion captured that move!

[@WrestlingFace]

One of my all time favourite games, it helped cure my anixety when I was a child. Fond memories.

[@steezeaustin316]

Your editing is super impressive! Keep killing it, bro! 💪🏼🔥

[@NikateeN]

Thanks dude!!

[@Haplo699g]

For me the first one was better. I loved the season mode on the first game so snapped this up on release. Only to have to wait through long loading screens to get to the card my guy wasn't even on, repeatedly!

[@phlhoran12396]

That was most definitely a pretty big gripe of mine too, especially upon starting up season mode again most recently and on a jailbroken PSP of all things!!!...... 🙈😅😛 Still an awesome wrestling game to this day, in my own opinion. 👍

[@Mr.HootieHooRDK]

I was just playing this the other day. I always play these old WWE/F games at least once or so a year

[@eeeeewewew]

As someone who has been watching you for lord knows no long it is super cool to see you get the love you deserve!

[@MrMcGuinnes]

You deserve it man! Been watching you for years and these revisits have been a treat!

[@kiudcalvin99]

Just got off work & am so happy to see you uploaded

[@winsbeyond8295]

This was great bro. I bought this and No Mercy around the same time (49.99 for Smackdown and 69.99 for No Mercy 😩). I agree that it was the best wrestling game on the PS1 but I put a little more play time in No Mercy. Nonetheless, It was a Huge improvement over the first Smackdown. Thx for another great video bro!

[@justthisguy1948]

No mercy was 60 I don’t remember how much smack down was

[@matthewmicelli6674]

*** *NOW LOADING* *** I was told I would have a special match tonight. Well, I am here. Who is my opponent? *** *NOW LOADING* ***

[@NikateeN]

Haha!!

[@NotAGarage]

Omg that menu music... I forgot.... man I'm literally going to go play it after I watch this. Thanks man! The OG in Wrestling video game reviews!

[@Jchappy808]

Great review as always! I love the catchy menu music of smd 2

[@RandomDude_2001_]

It would be awesome if NikateeN reviews the older wrestling games again! Some of the reviews are 8 or 9 years old so it would be cool to hear your current thoughts them!

[@alphagames8737]

This game was amazing still have it thank u for the trip down memory lane

[@johnraven213]

Nice vids man👍👍 also wish to see you review / revisit some classic SNK fighting games tho

[@NikateeN]

That would be really fun, I’m very passionate about my fighters!

[@won2real]

Crazy how old wwf games plays better than today's games

[@WarlockX4]

Dude! Just like my N64 and the WCW and WWF games, I also pulled this game out of storage and had a great time. What a time to be alive and a wrestling fan! Love your videos!

[@josephchaparro1037]

That's good to know your getting a lot of views on you reviews. I do feel you are the best on KZbin when it comes to reviewing pro wrestling games from back in the day. 😎👍

[@NikateeN]

That’s a lot, that’s a great compliment!

[@WestCoastMafia559]

5:23 yo it use to be called the Olympic slam before angle slam when he first came to wwf. Real ones remember

[@NikateeN]

Oh, I remember. They were forced to change it by the Olympic committee who had issued a cease and desist!

[@PrestonPlourdProjects]

13:59 That voice combined with the timing of that footage had me ROFL’ing! 😆

[@hunte5748]

Wow been a while since you have uploaded. Great video and pretty fun game 👍

[@Vreid57]

Keep up the great work Nikateen. Greetings from France

[@Bucky749]

R.I.P. Scott hall . Rest In Peace bad guy .

[@B702]

lmao @ the now loading bit. Good stuff, my G

[@AtmonTheExectioner]

Don't forget that seaon mode was multiplayer too. With a Multitap you could have up to 4 players playing Season mode. I have so many great memories of this game. Having 99+ title defenses with the Hardcore Title to the point the game glitched and started me over at 01. Vince McMahon coming out before every match at a No Way Out PVP and making my custom wrestler fight in every match on the card against random wrestlers from Mark Henry all the way up to The Rock in random match types. Seeing the A.I. have all the members of The Mean Street Posse make it to the finals at KOTR.

[@grammysworld5449]

I'm actually glad for the no mercy video.. KZbin just stopped putting your videos in my feed when I remember your vids being played on my ps4 a few years back.. good to be back here though

[@NikateeN]

Thanks man!

[@whohuhyesyouare5277]

Love these! Please keep the series going!

[@PistNRods]

Have you played NJPW 2 and 3? It makes the PS1 Smackdown games that’s it’s based off of look like budget titles. Full on intros, giant arenas, lighting, alter egos, more moves, better pacing. I guess THQ wasn’t paying Yukes enough yet for them to put full effort into the series until the PS2 games.

[@theungreatkahli]

I love this so much! Smackdown 2 was one of my favorites to play as a kid with friends or alone. Great memories.

[@rodmoore_]

Nice video, this one of my favorite games during Playstation days

[@e93sports80]

I'm going to try to get this game and play it again. It's been over 20 years since I last played this.

[@NikateeN]

Luckily it’s not expensive and pretty widely circulated. You should definitely snatch a copy!

[@omarcortina6672]

Heyy man thanks for always taking me back to the nostalgia road!!!! I never had playstation but would borrow it from my half brother amd i would let him borrow my N64. So I only rented Smackdown 2 when i had it and i never knew about the secret backstage areas in the boiler room or showers. lol ima go on emultor and try that now

[@NikateeN]

Hell yea man, check them out!

[@JonathanMcLarty]

I remember being excited to play SmackDown 2 on my PlayStation 2 since my sister was in college with the PS1. It prettied up the visuals some and improved load times a bit.

[@epizootics]

10:53 stuff like this is what I miss most in HCTP, feels much more dynamic than an invisible wall

[@VaxKuAra]

Love watching your videos right before bed haha

[@mikeb620]

I rarely laugh at KZbinrs jokes during videos. But that halting the action thing was funny AF

[@NikateeN]

Thanks Mike! I’m glad it turned out ok because I wasn’t sure it would work.

[@legacy7ds]

I wish you would bring back attire showcase and arena showcase. Seriously me and my friends loved watching those. Razor Ramon had so many attire colors

[@NikateeN]

Man, I would if I could. I don’t have a way to capture the images needed for it at the moment.

[@MR.__G]

One thing I will never forget about are the damn loading screens in this game lol

[@aaronmcjunkin1494]

Hope your channel blows up bro.

[@SJxPVR]

I still own my copy of smackdown 1 an 2 it's still fun to play

[@kawimason361]

Yup

[@retromario6130]

Thanks for these videos Corey Graves

[@NikateeN]

I’ve been called worse!

[@ProWrestlingFan1995]

My favorite PS1 wrestling game.

[@kawimason361]

Mine as well including the original

[@Nifterific]

This was one of the games that absolutely went on my Steam Deck when it got here. It’s what the first game really should have been considering the short time in between them. Also I just want to say you absolutely deserve the views you got on the No Mercy video and hopefully this one gets them too. Your video quality has improved exponentially over the years and they’re always entertaining too.

[@NikateeN]

Thanks so much!!

[@georgimihalkov9678]

Absolutely loved this game back in the day!!

[@KIDTV-qe2dm]

Hey bro. Great to see you.

[@NikateeN]

Thanks man!

[@britneyspearsvillarosa]

Shawn Michaels Sweet Chin music animation in Smackdown 2 is the best animation for that move to me for any WWF game😊

[@CARNLOU]

Fond memories of this game. Received it for Christmas in 2000. One of my favourite wrestling games, second only to Smackdown Shut Your Mouth.

[@phlhoran12396]

SYR was epic alright!........ 👍🙏😍 That and this game in my top 3 along with Here Comes The Pain. Some unbelievable gaming memories right there.

[@KBXband]

On the PAL cover art i thought the Rock was Shrek lmao

[@EricSega-pe8fl]

Really enjoyed this video. Well Done.

[@sergiocarrasco-sq6it]

Just a heads up for anyone wanting to play this game again, there is a mod, the "inspired" mod, that improves this game greatly with 2 finishers per wrestler, an improved roster, no bars when skipping season mode, and many more features, definitely check it out.

[@thejanglezclan]

Only real ones remember JR on commentary sounding like he was saying "Grand Master...Sex Egg"

[@Makminah_]

Thanks bro, much love from Sarawak

[@NikateeN]

🤘

[@negritoboi]

THE GOAT W ANOTHER BANGERR. Love the energy in this video man despite being sick lol. I played the fuck out of this game as a kid. Love the videos excited for the next one !

[@NikateeN]

Thanks so much for the support!

[@heckles5866]

I recently ordered a copy of this game! Was able to play Smackdown 2 on an emulator years ago and got a copy in good condition off Ebay for less than 10 bucks!

[@RNCV-uf7wu]

Great video as per usual, it is nice that you don't shout and have a silly "KZbin voice" like many uploaders Hope you are feeling better now

[@NikateeN]

Haha, thanks! Feeling much better. 💪

[@calvinball1]

Smackdown!2 was exactly what 14 year old me wanted. It was quick to get into, with fast paced and short matches that didn't demand the player wrap their head around complicated strategy. Adult me does miss out on the drama of back and forth of a match, there is no "story" of a match. Really, there is barely any consequences of landing attacks at all. So if this style of game was re- released, I think we'd want them to deviate a little from the "arcade" style. And there are a few quality of life things we could add nowadays. But yeah, the easy pickup and play nature of the game and the directional mechanics kind of naturally forcing a variety of moves in a match, there is a good reason I can still pop this game in today and have some fun.

[@osc-oldschoolclips5204]

I just played this an hour ago. Got my first win since playing it way back then lmao. Felt really good playing a great Rock model with a perfect people’s elbow.

[@trojans7]

OH LOOK, A SPECIAL REFEREE!

[@ryankirk7642]

I miss playing this game! Man,I wish it get remastered.

[@jkiller404]

My taunt in this game was the “Backflip, robot, smoke a bowl” and eventually my friends and I made a song in our metal band named such.

[@McBerts522]

Glad your doing well brother! As always your wrestling reviews are fantastic! Super funny moments on these reviews my friend (the game loading time) lol. 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🤙🤙🤙🤙🤙 ps hope grab TMNT shredders revenge cause it looks 🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@NikateeN]

Can’t wait for Shredder’s Revenge! Super hyped for it!

[@McBerts522]

Yeeessssssssssss!!!! 🍕🐢🍕🐢🍕🐢🍕🐢😃 same!

[@RGF91]

this is still one of my favorites wrestling games

[@earlsanders1468]

Back in 2000, I was 10 years old and I had the n64, by the time this game came out I was just of all my friends who had the PlayStation. I did enjoy the fast paced action back then. Btw, 11:38 my first time seeing Viscera in a special guest Referee Shirt where he looks abit slim lol 😂

[@TheFerry7791]

I played this game so much. I love this game!