It's taken nine years and two console generations, but I can finally retire my worn-out "No Mercy" Nintendo 64 cartridge. With "WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2010," THQ and developer Yukes Media Creators have not only delivered the best game in the long-running "Smackdown" franchise, it's also the best pro wrestling game I've ever played.

One of the big bullet points for "Smackdown vs. Raw 2010" is the game's customization.

Not only can you create your own WWE superstar, you can now edit the attire for any of the 60-plus characters on the disc. Want to give Triple H pink tights and orange boots? Go right ahead. Think Chris Jericho and The Big Show should have matching outfits? Help yourself. Shoot, my kids spent an hour just fiddling with Rey Mysterio's mask. After you're finished, you can name your design and the alternate attire becomes available on the character select screen prior to a match. It would have been nice to have the ability to create entirely new costumes for existing wrestlers, but this is a fine compromise.

New for this year is the ability to upload your created superstars for others to download. Now instead of taking way too much time trying to recreate someone else's CAW formula, I can simply download their creation off of Xbox Live or the PSN and add them to my roster. The wrestling gaming community has always been active, and as a result there are already some great CAWs out there of guys like Muta, Sting and Bret Hart.

But the customization doesn't stop with the grapplers. "Smackdown vs. Raw 2010" also introduces what I consider to be the single-most important feature ever in a pro wrestling game -- the Story Designer. This mode allows you to create your own WWE programming and story angles, giving you full control over cutscenes, matches, and dialogue. Creating a new storyline is simple and you're only limited by your own creativity (and the 10 appearances per story by a CAW.) I was quite pleased with my angle involving Shane McMahon's attempt to resurrect WCW, though it did take quite a bit of work and some creative editing to get the cutscenes just right. Anyone can jump in and become a WWE writer here, but it's going to take some time and effort to create something really special. And once you finish your storyline, you can upload for others to check out and rate. I can't wait to see what the wrestling community comes up with once they've had time to play with this for a while.

I haven't talked about the in-ring gameplay of "SVR10," but it has undergone some noticable changes, as well. Instead of two grapple positions (front and back), there are now four -- front, back, wristlock and side headlock. Not only does this expand the number of grapple moves available to each wrestler, but being able to transition from one position to another makes the game feel significantly more realistic. So, too, do subtle changes like the ability to leapfrong an opponent after you've whipped them into the ropes. The gameplay in "Smackdown vs. Raw 2010" is the best the series has ever offered.

Changes have also been made to the way wrestlers bleed -- blood can now smear onto an attacking player -- and to the Royal Rumble. Borrowing a cue from "Legends of Wrestlemania," eliminating a player from the Royal Rumble is no longer a button-mashing race. Instead, a variety of timed button presses are used to toss foes over the top rope depending upon where you and your opponent are located in the ring. The Road to WrestleMania mode returns with six new storylines, including one for Divas and one involving your created superstar. My favorite was Shawn Michaels', which includes a trip down a virtual memory lane that's sure to please longtime "Smackdown" fans.

It goes without saying that "Smackdown vs. Raw 2010" is a must-buy for anyone who's enjoyed the series in the past. But I would also encourage wrestling fans who've never quite warmed up to the "Smackdown" franchise to at least give "SVR10" a rent. Who knows? It might make you forget about "No Mercy" and "WrestleMania 2000." It did for me.

"WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2010"

Developer: Yukes Media Creations

Publisher: THQ

Available for: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 ($59.99), Wii ($49.99)

Rating: T for teen

Score: 8.6/10

It's taken nine years and two console generations, but I can finally retire my worn-out "No Mercy" Nintendo 64 cartridge. With "WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2010," THQ and developer Yukes Media Creators have not only delivered the best game in the long-running "Smackdown" franchise, it's also the best pro wrestling game I've ever played.

One of the big bullet points for "Smackdown vs. Raw 2010" is the game's customization.

Not only can you create your own WWE superstar, you can now edit the attire for any of the 60-plus characters on the disc. Want to give Triple H pink tights and orange boots? Go right ahead. Think Chris Jericho and The Big Show should have matching outfits? Help yourself. Shoot, my kids spent an hour just fiddling with Rey Mysterio's mask. After you're finished, you can name your design and the alternate attire becomes available on the character select screen prior to a match. It would have been nice to have the ability to create entirely new costumes for existing wrestlers, but this is a fine compromise.

New for this year is the ability to upload your created superstars for others to download. Now instead of taking way too much time trying to recreate someone else's CAW formula, I can simply download their creation off of Xbox Live or the PSN and add them to my roster. The wrestling gaming community has always been active, and as a result there are already some great CAWs out there of guys like Muta, Sting and Bret Hart.

But the customization doesn't stop with the grapplers. "Smackdown vs. Raw 2010" also introduces what I consider to be the single-most important feature ever in a pro wrestling game -- the Story Designer. This mode allows you to create your own WWE programming and story angles, giving you full control over cutscenes, matches, and dialogue. Creating a new storyline is simple and you're only limited by your own creativity (and the 10 appearances per story by a CAW.) I was quite pleased with my angle involving Shane McMahon's attempt to resurrect WCW, though it did take quite a bit of work and some creative editing to get the cutscenes just right. Anyone can jump in and become a WWE writer here, but it's going to take some time and effort to create something really special. And once you finish your storyline, you can upload for others to check out and rate. I can't wait to see what the wrestling community comes up with once they've had time to play with this for a while.

I haven't talked about the in-ring gameplay of "SVR10," but it has undergone some noticable changes, as well. Instead of two grapple positions (front and back), there are now four -- front, back, wristlock and side headlock. Not only does this expand the number of grapple moves available to each wrestler, but being able to transition from one position to another makes the game feel significantly more realistic. So, too, do subtle changes like the ability to leapfrong an opponent after you've whipped them into the ropes. The gameplay in "Smackdown vs. Raw 2010" is the best the series has ever offered.

Changes have also been made to the way wrestlers bleed -- blood can now smear onto an attacking player -- and to the Royal Rumble. Borrowing a cue from "Legends of Wrestlemania," eliminating a player from the Royal Rumble is no longer a button-mashing race. Instead, a variety of timed button presses are used to toss foes over the top rope depending upon where you and your opponent are located in the ring. The Road to WrestleMania mode returns with six new storylines, including one for Divas and one involving your created superstar. My favorite was Shawn Michaels', which includes a trip down a virtual memory lane that's sure to please longtime "Smackdown" fans.

It goes without saying that "Smackdown vs. Raw 2010" is a must-buy for anyone who's enjoyed the series in the past. But I would also encourage wrestling fans who've never quite warmed up to the "Smackdown" franchise to at least give "SVR10" a rent. Who knows? It might make you forget about "No Mercy" and "WrestleMania 2000." It did for me.

"WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2010"

Developer: Yukes Media Creations

Publisher: THQ

Available for: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 ($59.99), Wii ($49.99)

Rating: T for teen

Score: 8.6/10