Proving that simple doesn’t necessarily mean basic, the developers also promise over 80 unique holds that can be applied for various strategic purposes. Presumably this is going to be a context-based system of sorts, not too distant from the turnbuckle-style beating in the Wii version. A more technical wrestling game on the DS would be quite a feat, and these shots demonstrate that the DS is more than capable of matching the graphics of the superior brand of wrestling titles that appeared back on the N64.

Featuring a roster of 20 wrestlers, as opposed to the 50 promised for next-gen consoles, the game incorporates wrestlers from all three strands of the WWE: SmackDown!, Raw and ECW. ECW is of particular note. In previous years SmackDown! and Raw’s slightly unhinged step-brother has been overlooked in the games, but this year sees its debut - or as they’d put it “invasion” - in both the DS and Wii versions. New fighters, weapons, arenas and commentators are part of the ECW package.

Then there’s the WWE Story mode, a year-long experience (game time that is, not real time) of rising through the ‘rassling ranks. Incorporating more ludicrous storylines and drama than you could shake a giant foam finger at, it goes to prove that the lovely folks at THQ are as dedicated to providing a comprehensive wrestling experience on DS as they are on the other formats. We can’t wait to start brawling.