WWE SmackDown: Here Comes The Pain - PS2 Controller Guide

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WWE SmackDown: Here Comes the Pain - PS2 Controller Guide

Hey wrestling fanatics! If you're anything like me, you've spent countless hours in the squared circle, delivering devastating chair shots and gravity-defying moves in WWE SmackDown: Here Comes the Pain on the PlayStation 2. This game was a cornerstone of the wrestling genre, and a lot of that came down to its intuitive and satisfying control scheme. For those of you who are either revisiting this classic or diving in for the first time, this guide is your ringside seat to mastering the PS2 controls. Let's break down the buttons, the grapples, and the signature moves to help you become the ultimate champion in Here Comes the Pain!

Basic Controls - Getting Started in the Ring

First things first, let's get you familiar with the fundamental controls. Understanding these basics is absolutely crucial before you even think about attempting a Stone Cold Stunner or a Tombstone Piledriver. Think of these controls as your wrestling foundation – without them, you're just a jobber!

  • Movement: Use the Left Analog Stick (or the D-Pad) to move your wrestler around the ring. This is how you control your wrestler's positioning, whether you're dodging an incoming clothesline or strategically positioning yourself for a pin.
  • Running: Press the R2 Button to make your wrestler run. Running is essential for performing running attacks, gaining momentum for a grapple, or simply escaping a dangerous situation.
  • Grapple: The Circle Button is your primary grapple button. Press it near your opponent to initiate a grapple, which is the gateway to a whole world of offensive maneuvers. We'll delve deeper into grapples in the next section.
  • Strike: The X Button is for your basic strikes – punches, kicks, and other quick attacks. Spamming strikes can be effective, but be wary of getting countered!
  • Block/Counter: The Square Button allows you to block incoming attacks. Timing your blocks perfectly can lead to counters, giving you a chance to turn the tables on your opponent. This is a game-changer!
  • Pick Up Weapon: The L1 Button is used to pick up weapons lying around the ring. Use it wisely, as weapons can quickly turn the tide of a match, but they also open you up to disqualification if the referee sees you using them.
  • Pin/Get Up: The Down direction on the D-Pad is your key to pinning your opponent after a successful move. If you're on the mat, you'll also use this button to try to kick out of a pin.
  • Taunt: Use the Up direction on the D-Pad to taunt your opponent, which can sometimes give you a small boost to your stats. It's also a great way to show off!
  • Change Target: The L2 Button will switch your target when in a multi-opponent match. This is really useful if there's more than one opponent in the ring.
  • Irish Whip: Press R3 (click the right analog stick) to Irish Whip your opponent. This sends them running towards the ropes, setting them up for a potential attack.

Mastering these basic controls is the first step toward wrestling dominance. Practice these movements in the Training mode to get a feel for how your chosen wrestler moves and reacts.

Grapple System - Unleashing Your Offensive Arsenal

Alright, guys, now it's time to dive into the heart of the game: the grapple system! This is where the magic happens, where you can unleash a flurry of devastating moves to wear down your opponent. WWE SmackDown: Here Comes the Pain features a sophisticated grapple system that allows for a variety of moves, depending on your wrestler's position and the direction you press on the D-Pad after initiating the grapple.

  • Initiating a Grapple: As mentioned earlier, the Circle Button is the key. Get close to your opponent and press it to lock up. This will start the grapple sequence.
  • Light Grapple: Press the Circle Button during a grapple to perform a light grapple move, such as a headlock or a basic takedown. These moves don't do a ton of damage, but they are great for wearing down your opponent.
  • Strong Grapple: The X Button in a grapple leads to a strong grapple. This is where you can unleash more powerful attacks. Think of suplexes, powerbombs, and other big moves that can turn the tide of a match. This is where you can do some serious damage, guys.
  • Directional Grapples: This is where the real complexity comes in. After initiating a grapple, you can press a direction on the D-Pad along with the Circle or X Button to perform specific moves. The moves available to you will depend on your wrestler's move set and the position of your opponent. Experiment with the different directions to see what kind of moves you can pull off!
    • Up + Circle/X: This usually leads to moves like a vertical suplex or a backbreaker.
    • Down + Circle/X: Often leads to a DDT or a facebuster.
    • Left/Right + Circle/X: This can result in a variety of moves, from a snap suplex to a spinning back elbow.
  • Grapple Advantage: Pay attention to your wrestler's grapple advantage, shown by a meter in the game. When you have the advantage, you will be able to perform stronger grapple moves and have a greater chance of successfully executing them. You gain grapple advantage by performing strikes and successfully countering your opponent's moves.
  • Chain Grappling: Here Comes the Pain features a chain grappling system, which means that after a successful grapple, you can quickly transition into another grapple move, keeping your opponent on the defensive. This allows for fluid and dynamic sequences of attacks. Timing is everything here, and you want to keep up the pressure.

Practice these grapple techniques and experiment with different button combinations to discover the full range of moves available to your wrestler. It takes time to learn, but once you master the grapple system, you'll be able to dominate your opponents and put on some truly epic wrestling matches.

Special and Signature Moves - Delivering the Pain

Alright, my friends, it's time to talk about the moves that separate the good wrestlers from the legends: special and signature moves! These are the moves that define a wrestler's persona and are often the deciding factor in winning a match. Performing these moves requires careful planning, timing, and a bit of luck.

  • Signature Moves: These are the moves that a wrestler is most known for, the bread and butter of their offensive arsenal. To perform a signature move, you first need to build up your special meter. You'll fill the meter by landing attacks, performing grapples, and taunting your opponent.
  • Special Meter: The special meter, located near your wrestler's health bar, fills up as you perform offensive moves. Once the meter is at least partially filled, you can attempt a signature or special move.
  • Performing a Signature Move: Once your special meter is at least partially filled, move your wrestler next to the opponent and press R2 + (Directional Button) or, in some cases, with the Triangle Button. The specific button combination to execute the signature move varies depending on the wrestler. If you are close to the ropes you can attempt to use moves like RKO (Randy Orton).
  • Special Moves: These are the most powerful moves in the game, and they often require a full special meter. They can be match-enders, so knowing when and how to deploy them is crucial.
  • Performing a Special Move: Once your special meter is full, move your wrestler next to the opponent and press R2 + (Directional Button) or, in some cases, with the Triangle Button. These moves do a lot of damage and can lead to immediate pins or make your opponents vulnerable to further attacks.
  • Reversals: Knowing when to reverse your opponent's special moves can be the difference between winning and losing. Mastering the timing of reversals is essential for success.
  • Finishing Moves: Finisher moves require a full special meter to perform. They can be incredibly damaging and often lead to an immediate pin. Some of the most memorable finishers in wrestling history are in this game. These are the moves that will have the crowd roaring!
  • Examples: Some iconic signature and special moves include:
    • Stone Cold Stunner (Stone Cold Steve Austin)
    • Rock Bottom (The Rock)
    • Tombstone Piledriver (The Undertaker)
    • Spear (Goldberg)
    • F-5 (Brock Lesnar)

Practice performing signature and special moves in the Training mode to get a feel for the timing and button combinations required. Mastering these moves is the key to becoming a true champion in WWE SmackDown: Here Comes the Pain.

Advanced Techniques - Elevating Your Game

Alright, guys, now that you've got the basics down and you're starting to unleash some serious offense, let's explore some advanced techniques that will take your wrestling game to the next level. These tips and tricks will help you gain an edge over your opponents and dominate the competition. Let's get to it!

  • Reversals and Counters: Timing your reversals is crucial to success in Here Comes the Pain. Learning the timing of your opponent's moves will allow you to counter their attacks and turn the momentum of the match in your favor. Pay attention to the animations of your opponent's moves and try to anticipate their attacks.
    • How to Reverse: Press the Square Button just before your opponent's attack connects. Practice this timing in training mode to get a feel for it.
  • Chain Wrestling: As we mentioned earlier, Here Comes the Pain features a chain wrestling system. After a successful grapple, you can quickly transition into another grapple move, keeping your opponent on the defensive and stringing together a series of attacks. Mastering this requires quick reflexes and a good understanding of your wrestler's move set.
  • Targeting: Pay attention to which parts of your opponent's body you are attacking. Targeting specific body parts can weaken your opponent and make them more vulnerable to certain moves. For example, attacking the head will make your opponent more susceptible to pins and submission holds.
    • Targeting in the Game: By default, the game targets different body parts automatically, but you can manually switch your target by pressing the L2 Button. Experiment with different targets to see which strategy works best for you.
  • Using the Environment: The environment around the ring can be a valuable tool. Throwing your opponent into the turnbuckle or launching them over the ropes can create opportunities for offensive attacks. Use the steel steps, announce tables, and barricades to your advantage, but be mindful of the referee.
  • Managing Your Stamina: Stamina is a crucial resource in Here Comes the Pain. Performing too many attacks or running for too long will drain your stamina, making you more vulnerable to your opponent's attacks. Pace yourself and choose your moments wisely. Try to vary your offense so you don't run out of gas at a crucial moment.
  • Creating a Strategy: Don't just button-mash! Develop a strategy for each match, considering your opponent's strengths and weaknesses. Focus on exploiting their weaknesses, weakening them with targeted attacks, and strategically using your signature and special moves to finish them off. Planning is key to victory!
  • Playing Against Different Opponents: Every wrestler in Here Comes the Pain has different strengths, weaknesses, and move sets. Experiment with different wrestlers and learn their moves to understand their strengths and weaknesses. Adapt your strategies based on your opponent. This will make you a more versatile player.

These advanced techniques will take some practice to master, but they are essential for becoming a top-tier wrestler in WWE SmackDown: Here Comes the Pain. Keep practicing, experimenting, and refining your skills, and you'll be well on your way to dominating the squared circle!

Conclusion - Ready to Rumble!

There you have it, folks! This guide should give you a solid foundation for mastering the controls of WWE SmackDown: Here Comes the Pain on the PS2. Remember, practice is key. The more you play, the more comfortable you'll become with the controls, and the better you'll get at executing those signature and special moves. Keep these tips in mind as you embark on your wrestling journey and you'll be smashing opponents in no time! Now get out there, raise some hell, and become the champion you were always meant to be! Good luck, and have fun!