Just yesterday THQ confirmed that today it would be announcing the “next addition to the WWE videogame family” on Friday, March 28. Here we are, and although there hasn’t been an official announcement just yet (stick around in this article for that), we’ve managed to track down the first Nintendo Wii and Nintendo DS screenshots and details of said game - WWE SmackDown! vs Raw 2009.

Nintendo Wii

The Nintendo Wii version of SmackDown! vs Raw will build on the work THQ put into last year’s iteration, with improved interactivity and motion control. We’re also promised more match types, a wider selection of weapons, as well as the debut of online play - a structure that will feature matches and rankings. The Nintendo Wii version will be the only one to feature interactive entrances and victory celebrations, which IGN reports include everything from posing on the ramp to bitch slapping an opponent when they’re beaten on the mat. In addition, bonuses are awarded if you can successfully hype up the crowd on your way into the arena.

Nintendo DS

The Nintendo DS build, meanwhile, ditches the heavy use of stylus controls in favour of the good ol’ D-pad - although the touch screen will be used at some stages. Being developed by Tose, the brains behind Dragon Quest Heroes: Rocket Slime, the DS version of SVR ‘09 will include a season mode with an RPG twist, in which players will immerse themselves into the world of WWE, upgrading wrestlers’ abilities and completing missions on the road to becoming champion. Create-A-Superstar will also make its first appearance on the dual-screen handheld, as will a number of new wrestlers and match types.

“The ambitious cross-platform launch of WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008 last year yielded tremendous growth for the franchise, as we delivered multiple gameplay experiences across seven platforms and greatly expanded our audience of WWE videogame fans,” said Bob Aniello, senior vice president, worldwide marketing, THQ. “With dynamic new features and the extension of our gameplay experience through downloadable content, WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009 will bring more console, handheld and wireless gamers together to enjoy the virtual world of WWE.”

Are you looking forward to a new round of Wii and DS-based grappling? Let us know in the comments section below.