Raw 2006 is to bring more realism and authenticity to the series with many new features, breaking away from the arcade-like gameplay of earlier installments.

The game sees the additions of the new Buried Alive and Fulfill Your Fantasy matches, and the inclusion of two new modes in General Manager and Create-An-Entrance.

Also included is a new Hardcore attribute, allowing those rated high to inflict more damage to their opponent with weapons.

Each character has choice of three out of seven grapples: Power, Speed, Technical, Brawler, Martial Arts, Luchadore, and Old School.

A new powerful version of the Irish whip has been included, giving more offense to the opponent, but at the price of draining more stamina.

[3] The game includes The Great American Bash (2004), Vengeance (2004), SummerSlam (2004), Unforgiven (2004), No Mercy (2004), Taboo Tuesday (2004), Survivor Series (2004), Armageddon (2004), New Year's Revolution (2005), Royal Rumble (2005), No Way Out (2005), WrestleMania 21, Backlash (2005), Judgment Day (2005), and ECW One Night Stand (2005) PPV arenas, as well as the WrestleMania IX arena.

There are also arenas based on each WWE television show (Raw, SmackDown!, Heat, and Velocity).

Raw 2006 features the video game debuts of 20 superstars, as well as the returns of Hulk Hogan (in his 1980s, nWo "Hollywood", and 2000s versions) and Stone Cold Steve Austin; both men had been left out from the previous game (and in Hogan's case, WWE SmackDown!

Unlike the real event which is more battle royal–based, this version involves divas stripping their opponents to their bra and panties, spanking each other and hitting each other with pillows instead.

In addition, in Exhibition and in General Manager mode, this match can only take place in the SummerSlam arena.

[4] The Buried Alive match, a feature requested by players for several years, finally makes its debut.

[4] Backstage fights are also improved and now include random people (referees, officials, and WWE personnel), who can be interacted with.

[6] The series' trademark Season mode lasts for two in-game years, one for the Raw brand and one for the SmackDown!

The mode features 100 different motion-captured cinematic cut scenes, real-time storytelling, and improved voice acting.

[6] In contrast to the game's predecessor, some of the in-game legends also have voice-overs and are made playable in Season mode.

In an interview, THQ designer Bryan Williams confirmed that only 32 superstars (which included Stone Cold Steve Austin, Mankind, and Hulk Hogan) could be used in season mode.

This mode goes into depth, with e-mail capabilities, the ability to book matches and statistics of how the fans reacted to the show, among other features.

The title belts (including Create-A-Belt creations) can be defended online via a "virtual WWE Championship" with career leader boards and a permanent ID system that tracks all user stats.

This mode gives players a chance to make wrestler 'groups' of 2-5 wrestlers, give a name for the stable, make an entrance (but not as advanced as the Create-An-Entrance mode) for the stable, and customize their teamwork attributes, deciding how well they perform as a team in the ring.

The game also includes a new Create-An-Entrance mode, allowing the player to customize a wrestler's entrance, down to details such as pyrotechnics, arena lighting, and camera angles.

[4] However, it received some criticism in comparison to sister game WWE Day of Reckoning 2 which had more options, no loading times, and was easier to use.

Other notable differences between the PS2 and PSP versions include the lack of in-ring commentary and the inclusion of voiceovers from the more popular wrestlers.

The WWE Game Show covers every wrestling topic imaginable including costumes, trends, music, finishers, styles, history, feuds, and more.

Critics such as X-Play's reviewer felt that the General Manager mode "does not go as far as it should--no underhanded options--but it's a great start", while an eToychest reviewer said that the Season mode is a welcome addition in the gameplay, but noticed the lack of replayability due to the limit placed on possible story arcs.