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32 WWE Video games – The Greatest And Worst WWE Wrestling Video games Ever In 2024 – Inextricably linked for effectively over 20 years, it’s truthful to say that WWE games and PlayStation go hand-in-hand, very similar to how chair photographs and concussions simply so occur to run in the identical circles. So it’s then, I’ve determined to delve into the historical past of this relationship and remind us all, for higher or worse, the calibre of the WWE licensed video games which have spanned the lifetime of PlayStation on PS1, PS2, PS3, PS4 and shortly PS5.
As well as, it’s also possible to catch the best upcoming PS5 games in 2024, together with our 2024 PS5 release calendar so that you don’t miss a single new PS5 launch. Whereas our best PS5 games characteristic boasts a spread of PS5 titles that each one of have scored 9 out of ten or greater.
The Greatest And Worst PlayStation WWE Wrestling Video games Ever In 2024
The Greatest And Worst PlayStation WWE Wrestling Video games Ever Made In 2024:
Greatest & Worst WWE Video games: WWF WrestleMania: The Arcade Recreation – PSOne (1995)
What good purpose is there for this little OTT gem not being featured within the PSOne Classics line-up? No good purpose, that’s what. Primarily the results of an unholy marriage between the standard wrestling video games of the time and Mortal Kombat (no coincidence provided that the WWE license and Mortal Kombat shared the identical writer), WrestleMania: The Arcade Game performed as much as the gimmicks of the wrestlers with The Undertaker smashing Tombstones over the skulls of his fellow sweaty people and Shawn Michaels… I dunno, doing one thing humorous with hearts.
Anyway, again then digitised sprites have been the in-thing, and seeing the precise real-life representations of Bret Hart, The Undertaker and Yokozuna doing their bit was considerably of a deal with given the overly gaudy artwork that outlined earlier wrasslin’ efforts.
![WWE Games 02](https://www.psu.com/app/uploads/2016/08/wwe-games-02-1024x576.jpg)
Regardless of having a number of wrestling strikes, WrestleMania arguably felt rather more like a conventional preventing recreation with the onus positioned on racking up excessive combos somewhat than buying and selling holds or, y’know, using any kind of ringcraft. Nonetheless although, it was a great little bit of enjoyable for what it was and remained a great way to distract oneself from the frankly horrendous reserving that was occurring in WWE on the time.
Notable for: Years after launch the developer confirmed a long-running rumor that mid-card expertise Adam Bomb was a hidden character, however maintained that the grappler in query was not current in a totally accomplished type. A bit like Reptile within the first Mortal Kombat then, aside from the truth that, effectively, a minimum of Reptile acquired over.
Greatest & Worst WWE Video games: WWF In Your Home – PSOne (1996)
The digitised sprite-based insanity continued with WWF In Your House, the place a equally larger-than-life tact was taken with the characters and their moveset, The British Bulldog for instance truly wraps his foes within the Union Jack flag and his head morphs into, you guessed it, a bulldog every time he headbutts his opponent. This time around the rings additionally took on the personas of varied wrestlers too; The Undertaker’s area as an illustration, has skulls adorned on the turnbuckles and the kind of backdrop that wouldn’t look misplaced in Mortal Kombat or an orphaned fourth grader’s scribble ebook.
![WWE Games 03](https://www.psu.com/app/uploads/2016/08/wwe-games-03-1024x576.jpg)
Sadly then, the entire digitised, exaggerated wrestling shtick had already run its course by the point WWF In Your Home launched in late 1996, and people have been already looking out for correct WWE video games that extra precisely represented the on-screen TV spectacle somewhat than a Z-grade preventing recreation with grainy, digitised, rubbish sprite work. Time to maneuver on of us!
Notable for: For those who have been born from 1996 or so onwards, you have been in all probability lucky sufficient to keep away from taking part in it.
Greatest & Worst WWE Video games: WWF Struggle Zone – PSOne (1998)
So as an alternative of that extra correct, extra nuanced wrestling sim that the majority of us craved, we sadly acquired this as an alternative. Barely a wrestling recreation of any description, the character fashions in WWE War Zone regarded like sentient, painted planks of wooden locked in an epic battle to fury-hump one another into submission.
![WWE Games 04](https://www.psu.com/app/uploads/2016/08/wwe-games-04-1024x768.jpg)
With a completely paper-thin roster bolstered by a lame match fashion marketing campaign, horrendous controls and the worst animation routines this facet of Primal Rage, it’s no stretch to say that point avoiding taking part in this abomination is time well-spent. In fact, I’m certain you can unearth it from someplace for subsequent to nothing however equally interesting (and low cost) is the act of scooping your eyes out with a rusty spoon.
Notable for: Throughout the match wrestlers would spout stuff like “Hit the fitness center fatass!” which clearly wouldn’t play nowadays and even again then, made me cringe so exhausting into my chair that I nearly fractured my backbone. Terrible enterprise.
Greatest & Worst WWE Video games: WWF Angle – PSOne (1999)
And they also did it once more. WWF Attitude careened onto PSOne again in 1999 when everyone thought the world was going to finish, and this lump of cack did little to dissuade them of the actual fact. The identical shoddy visuals and animations returned and got new, fetid life as a supposedly new-fangled wrestling recreation that ended up being about as contemporary as Vince Russo’s reserving notes.
To its credit score, this explicit wrestling recreation not solely showcased full celebrity entrances for the primary time ever nevertheless it additionally truly packed in a bunch of latest match varieties that folk hadn’t seen in a wrestling recreation earlier than corresponding to First Blood, I Stop and Survivor Sequence to call only a few. The issue although, is that it nonetheless felt just like the second coming of WWF Struggle Zone, which for those who ever have had the misfortune of watching a canine vomit up its personal quantity two, will offer you a helpful level of reference.
![WWE Games 05](https://www.psu.com/app/uploads/2016/08/wwe-games-05-1024x576.jpg)
New match varieties and comically picket wrestler entrances apart, there was nothing right here that recommended any kind of actual or significant enchancment over WWF Struggle Zone. I suppose you can hunt it down for those who needed to, however truthfully, in need of an horrendously botched, full-frontal lobotomy, why would you need to?
Notable for: An train in proving the notion that the longer you permit a dump within the solar the extra it stinks, the powers that be determined that inflicting WWF Struggle Zone on the populace as soon as wasn’t sufficient in order that they determined to do it once more however underneath a distinct title. Thanks for that.
Greatest & Worst WWE Video games: WWF SmackDown – PSOne (2000)
Ah, now that is extra prefer it. The primary licensed WWE recreation to be unique to PlayStation after leaving the clutches of the now defunct Acclaim Leisure and falling into the loving arms of (now additionally defunct) writer THQ, SmackDown impressed with its ultra-responsive grappling and hanging gameplay, a sizeable roster of superstars and story mode that was greater than only a in a different way skinned Mortal Kombat fashion match tower.
![WWE Games 06](https://www.psu.com/app/uploads/2016/08/wwe-games-06-1024x576.jpg)
Certain, it wasn’t good and was completely held to account by the tech limitations of the PSOne platform with no-voice overs, commentary or any kind of deep creation modes, however SmackDown had enjoyable in spades and was a dependable go-to excuse for getting the outdated Multitap out for some native sofa gaming.
Notable for: Being the primary WWF/WWE licensed wrestling title for the PSOne that really felt like a good tackle our beloved sport and never like sticking your face in a duffel bag full of scorpions.
Greatest & Worst WWE Video games: WWF SmackDown 2: Know Your Position – PSOne (2000)
SmackDown 2: Know Your Role not solely started that horrible pattern of suffixing the subsequent three WWE video games with catchphrases from the Rock’s sleeve notes, nevertheless it was additionally fondly, and fairly rightly remembered as the perfect wrestling recreation cash might purchase on PSOne.
![WWE Games 07](https://www.psu.com/app/uploads/2016/08/wwe-games-07-1024x576.jpg)
Boasting extra strikes, a bigger roster (hello Kurt!), a raft of unlockables, and a deep story mode that allowed you to stroll about behind the scenes in first particular person, SmackDown 2: Know Your Position was a incredible little scrapper that each one however erased the faintly faecal style that WWF Struggle Zone and Angle left in our collective mouths a few years prior. Splendidly, it was additionally the primary wrestling recreation on PlayStation to introduce a semi-decent Create-A-Famous person and Create-A-Taunt mode too, so there’s that.
Notable for: It had prolific girls’s wrestler and former DX enforcer Chyna in it. Sorry, that’s all I’ve acquired in the meanwhile. Nice recreation although!
Greatest & Worst WWE Video games: WWF SmackDown Simply Deliver It – PS2 (2001)
Seemingly drunk with the heady quantities of processing energy that Sony’s second dwelling console would deliver, SmackDown Just Bring It felt like one step ahead and two Aptitude-flops again, as developer Yukes introduced the horny graphics however forgot to incorporate the arguably extra horny gameplay that so effectively outlined the collection remaining outing on PSOne.
![WWE Games 08](https://www.psu.com/app/uploads/2016/08/wwe-games-08-1024x576.jpg)
With a narrative mode that was roughly as entertaining as binging on the match historical past of The Nice Khali, a decreased roster and subsequent to no Creation Suite capabilities, SmackDown Simply Deliver It was just like the Nathan Jones of licensed wrestling video games; formidable to take a look at however finally shallower than a puddle on a scorching Summer season’s day.
Notable for: Being the primary licensed wrestling recreation on PS2 that really regarded like a PS2 title and never a PSOne recreation that by accident shot itself up with botox on a crack bender. Oh, it was additionally the primary title within the WWE collection to characteristic commentary too, from the workforce of Michael Cole and Tazz (Taz?), no much less. Huzzah?
Greatest & Worst WWE Video games: WWF SmackDown Shut Your Mouth – PS2 (2002)
In mainly each means that mattered, SmackDown Shut Your Mouth was the wrestling recreation that SmackDown Simply Deliver It ought to have been. In addition to the standard smattering of enhancements corresponding to a bigger roster, extra strikes and so forth, Shut Your Mouth was the primary licensed title to include the unique model break up into an excellent story mode that ended up along with your chosen wrestler telling ol’ Vinny Mac to “shut his mouth” (geddit?) earlier than lamping the outdated lad within the mush. Prime enterprise.
![WWE Games 09](https://www.psu.com/app/uploads/2016/08/wwe-games-09-1024x576.jpg)
Away from the much-improved season mode, Shut Your Mouth additionally resurrected the creation suite the place gamers might extensively customise superstars and their movesets to be used in the principle recreation. In brief, Shut Your Mouth was a worthy successor to the PSOne SmackDown video games of outdated and positively deserves to be remembered as such.
Notable for: Being the primary recreation to be launched underneath the WWE banner as a result of the WWF (referred to as the World Wildlife Fund again then) cry-maxed over the truth that folks with fully-functioning cerebrums would in some way conflate saving furry people with sweaty lads wailing on one another with metal chairs, while adorned in spangled outfits. Or, it might have been that they simply didn’t need to be related to the ‘fed in any means, form or type, both means; unusual instances.
Greatest & Worst WWE Video games: WWE Crush Hour – PS2 (2003)
Roughly about as respectable as Eva Marie’s wrestling skill and twice as redundant, WWE Crush Hour was the fed’s try and department out their videogame enterprise into different genres, specifically the demolition derby fashion goings-on of video games corresponding to Twisted Steel. The issue although, was that it was irredeemably horrendous and made you need to piledrive your face into the closest wall.
![WWE Games 10](https://www.psu.com/app/uploads/2016/08/wwe-games-10-1024x576.jpg)
Blighted by ridiculously unhealthy dealing with, some critically shoddy physics and essentially the most insipid arenas the human thoughts might probably give you, Crush Hour was mainly the results of Carmageddon procreating with itself and making a ache child. It additionally seems that good ol’ JR supplied commentary for the sport too, however actually, don’t maintain it in opposition to him; everyone’s gotta eat proper?
Oh and the wrestler quotes factor from WWF Struggle Zone returned right here too, placing the rancid cherry on high of a rotting cake of sub-mediocrity. I imply truthfully, simply have a look at the state of it within the video beneath. You’re welcome.
Notable for: By no means getting a sequel, thank Cthulhu.
Greatest & Worst WWE Video games: WWE Smackdown: Right here Comes the Ache – PS2 (2003)
Ahhh, SmackDown: Here Comes the Pain. Nonetheless regarded by many as among the best wrestling video games on any technology of PlayStation and whispered in the identical hushed tones as these of us/hermits that maintain No Mercy on the N64 in such excessive regard, Smackdown: Right here Comes the Ache was an actual milestone for the collection on PlayStation.
![WWE Games 11](https://www.psu.com/app/uploads/2016/08/wwe-games-11-1024x614.jpg)
Along with a good profession mode and a creation suite being full of extra customisation choices than you can shake a Randy Orton wellness coverage violation at, Right here Comes the Ache additionally had a rejigged grappling system which let gamers combine up a bigger quantity of sunshine and robust grapples ensuing within the greatest transfer checklist the collection had ever seen. This was absolutely the apex of the Smackdown collection at this level and an actual excessive level for wrestling video games as a complete. It was completely important, and stays so even in the present day.
Notable for: Not solely being genuinely among the best wrestling video games accessible on the time however for additionally having a completely belting roster that included the likes of Kurt Angle, Goldberg, and Brock Lesnar. Prime, high stuff.
Greatest & Worst WWE Video games: WWE Smackdown Vs Uncooked – PS2 (2004)
The primary WWE recreation to kick off the entire Smackdown vs Uncooked naming conference that will endure for seven video games, WWE Smackdown Vs Raw didn’t fairly have such a great roster as Right here Comes the Ache (at that time the likes of Brock Lesnar and Goldberg had already flown the coop, however they’d Bret Hart now so pleased days, I suppose), nor did it really feel fairly so satisfying from a grappling perspective. Nonetheless, it did have a few neat tips up its sleeves to make it stand out a bit.
![WWE Games 12](https://www.psu.com/app/uploads/2016/08/wwe-games-12-1024x640.jpg)
The primary was a brand new clear/soiled system wherein gamers might select whether or not they needed to play their chosen wrestler as a face (good man) or as a heel (unhealthy man), with talents corresponding to comeback strikes and cheap-shots being accessible relying in your choice.
The sport additionally included a neat submission system the place you can maintain onto an unlawful maintain up till a 5 rely (this wants to come back again, actually) in addition to introducing a slew of minigames from chop battles to a skit the place in bra and panties matches, the feminine wrestlers might spank one another. Wow. On the flipside although, the sport did allow you to craft your personal belt within the new Create-A-Championship mode, which was good.
Notable for: Being the primary WWE recreation on PS2 to let gamers go browsing and slam the poop out of each other. Alas, the match choice was restricted to a singles and Bra and Panties match which if it occurred nowadays, would go over in all probability about in addition to the debut of the Shockmaster.
Greatest & Worst WWE Video games: WWE Smackdown Vs Uncooked 2006 – PS2, PSP (2005)
From the off, it was fairly clear that developer Yukes weren’t messing about with Smackdown Vs Raw 2006. Immediately we uncover that the grappling system has modified from the earlier 4 course, mild/robust shtick into seven totally different colleges of offense that way more approaches simulation somewhat than arcade fashion gameplay.
![WWE Games 13](https://www.psu.com/app/uploads/2016/08/wwe-games-13-1024x576.jpg)
Maybe the perfect new characteristic of this WWE recreation although, was the introduction of an optionally available stamina meter which might power gamers to be economical with their assaults, lest they tire themselves out en path to a well-deserved stomping. This was nice just because it marked the tip of an period the place beforehand of us might simply spam extremely damaging holds, slams and strikes advert infinitum and to this present day, arguably stays one of many higher parts of the collection.
Notable for: The PSP model of WWE SmackDown Vs Uncooked 2006 was completely spanking and gentle graphical downgrade apart, introduced a correctly genuine tackle the game which simply stood alongside its dwelling console counterpart. Not solely that, the PSP model of the sport additionally had Jake “The Snake” Roberts as an unique character who might be ported to the PS2 model for those who had the requisite USB cable to do it.
Greatest & Worst WWE Video games: WWE SmackDown Vs Uncooked 2007 – PS2, PSP (2006)
Evidently nonetheless sad with the grappling system from the earlier recreation, Yukes determined to revamp the grappling system in WWE SmackDown Vs Raw 2007 by permitting gamers to make use of the analogue stick with direct their grapples and slams, changing the static digital D-pad inputs of earlier video games. For essentially the most half it felt like a step again, with the grappling and management system of Smackdown vs Uncooked 2006 nonetheless providing extra depth and a bigger moveset than the brand new system was in a position to present.
![WWE Games 14](https://www.psu.com/app/uploads/2016/08/wwe-games-14-1024x576.jpg)
Sadly, as a result of the sport didn’t launch on PS3 however launched on Xbox 360, the PS2 model of the sport missed out on quite a lot of new options corresponding to elevated interactivity with ringside parts, improved visuals and rather more in addition to.
Moreover, the PS2 model of the sport was stricken by a lot of bugs, too. Most troubling of all have been a collection of commentary and asserting glitches the place the sound would both trigger the speech to turn out to be garbled, or, simply reduce out utterly. It wasn’t a great search for the franchise in all honesty because it made the generational leap from PS2 to PS3. So yeah, not a great exhibiting for wrestling video games on PlayStation all informed. Keep away from.
Notable for: Not truly releasing on PS3 however nonetheless in some way managing to safe a launch on Xbox 360. One can solely guess that these rattling Genji crabs delay THQ from porting the sport, the cowards. The flipside although, is that late Motorhead frontman Lemmy has his face within the recreation as a template for the Create-A-Wrestler bit, bless im’.
Greatest & Worst WWE Video games: WWE SmackDown Vs Uncooked 2008 – PS3, PS3, PSP (2007)
When WWE video games arrived on PS3, WWE SmackDown Vs Raw 2008 boasted a lot of modifications that have been each good and, effectively, not so good. Beginning with the previous, a brand new battle submission system was applied into the sport (and would see itself crop up in varied retooled types in later instalments), that allowed gamers to make use of the analogue stick with both placed on extra strain, or, escape from the maintain totally. It was a neat system as a result of it truly felt such as you have been placing actual strain on an opponent everytime you had a maintain synched in and created a heightened sense of drama because of this.
![WWE Games 15](https://www.psu.com/app/uploads/2016/08/wwe-games-15-1024x576.jpeg)
What wasn’t fairly so good although (and by this, I actually imply completely, tossing abysmal), was the newly touted Combating Model System which divided up the roster between eight totally different kinds of grappling and hanging. The issue although, was that these methods prevented wrestlers from utilizing sure strikes and holds that have been widespread to different characters; even when such strikes have been accessible to those self same wrestlers in earlier video games. Extra troubling nonetheless was the truth that it made different wrestlers inordinately weak/robust, with ol’ Vinny Mac for instance, being as robust because the likes of the Huge Present (look we all know he lifts, however c’mon).
One other factor that stunk like Bastion Booger’s jockstrap was that early in manufacturing, developer Yukes was supposedly up for redoing most of the animations within the recreation. Sadly, this didn’t come to cross as most of the wrestlers nonetheless boasted animations that carried over from the PSOne period, making the sport look massively visually inconsistent as a direct consequence. Not good.
Notable for: Being the ultimate wrestling recreation to characteristic the gimmick-tastic Buried Alive match. Simply as effectively actually, it was correct crap.
Greatest & Worst WWE Video games: WWE SmackDown Vs Uncooked 2009 – PS3, PS2, PSP (2008)
A qualitative shift up in gear from the 2008 entry within the collection, WWE SmackDown Vs Raw 2009 wasn’t good by any stretch, nevertheless it did do a good few issues proper. First, it ditched that god-awful Combating Model System that was so face-clawingly unhealthy it made kittens cry, and as an alternative launched a brand new system that included skill based mostly traits and, for the primary time within the collection, signature strikes alongside common finishers.
By way of modes the sport didn’t disappoint both. A extra narratively pushed marketing campaign manifests itself because the Highway to Wrestlemania mode, the place gamers might observe storylines by with the likes of Triple H, CM Punk (come again!) and Chris Jericho, all of the whereas having fun with full cutscenes and a spread of particular aims to finish. This recreation additionally marked the primary time that the now defunct Create-A-Finisher mode made its debut; enabling of us to create their very own ending strikes, and although whereas it was simplistic in execution right here, it was nonetheless an intriguing characteristic to have all the identical.
![WWE Games 16](https://www.psu.com/app/uploads/2016/08/wwe-games-16-1024x576.jpg)
In all probability the perfect factor in regards to the 2009 entry within the collection although, is the overhauled tag-team match which now allowed gamers to do scorching tags, blind unlawful tags and rather more in a good effort to extra precisely characterize the true factor.
Notable for: Together with a co-operative story marketing campaign the place two gamers might every take the roles of Rey Mysterio and Batista, respectively. It wasn’t earth shattering stuff to be truthful, however its inclusion represented a pleasant little bit of out-of-the-box considering from a developer regularly lambasted with accusations of taking part in it secure. Extra of this sorta factor please, ta.
Greatest & Worst WWE Video games: WWE Legends of Wrestlemania – PS3 (2009)
Eschewing the step by step extra simulation-like expertise that the SmackDown Vs Uncooked video games have been changing into recognized for, WWE Legends of Wrestlemania took a web page from the previous, not simply with reference to its roster, but additionally from the distinctly extra arcadey grappling video games of yesteryear. Rather than SmackDown’s analogue stick based mostly battering, Legends of WrestleMania as an alternative restricted strikes to the D-pad and face buttons, whereas a combo-based preventing system put the exclamation mark on the sport’s full-tilt shift into the realms of the arcade.
![WWE Games 17](https://www.psu.com/app/uploads/2016/08/wwe-games-17-1024x576.jpg)
Whereas most of the modes that the SmackDown video games had been cultivating through the years have been lacking from the sport, Legends of WrestleMania compensated with an intensive single-player marketing campaign mode that allowed gamers to relive basic WrestleMania matches as they occurred, change the choice by trying to win because the loser, or, use a distinct number of wrestlers and match varieties totally.
Certain sufficient, whereas the sport arguably lacked the depth of the core collection, its dedication to specializing in the best wrestling spectacle of all time (helped in no small half by some stellar presentation and reams of historic footage), definitely helped to make the sport a cult favorite amongst followers when it launched a contact over seven years in the past.
Notable for: Boasting a considerably half-baked switch mode that allowed gamers to deliver throughout wrestlers from WWE SmackDown Vs Uncooked 2009 into the roster of Legends of WrestleMania. The issue nonetheless, was that the Smackdown Vs Uncooked 2009 wrestlers saved their artwork fashion, and when in comparison with the distinctly retro look of the Legends grapplers, regarded about as misplaced as Bret Hart did throughout his ill-fated WCW tenure.
Greatest & Worst WWE Video games: WWE SmackDown Vs Uncooked 2010 – PS2, PS3, PSP (2009)
Sticking two fingers as much as the flawed grappling methods of the earlier two video games, SmackDown Vs Raw 2010 marked a return to the sunshine and robust system of assaults final seen within the collection 2007 instalment, and by gawd did it really feel all the higher for it. Away from the reintroduction of that a lot improved grappling system, SmackDown Vs Uncooked 2010 mainly took all the pieces that its annual predecessor did and improved upon it in each means.
![WWE Games 18](https://www.psu.com/app/uploads/2016/08/wwe-games-18-1024x576.jpg)
The Create-A-Finisher mode now has rather more inventive freedom, and permits gamers to style an amazing many extra authentic strikes (Canadian Destroyer!) than earlier than. Elsewhere, The Highway to WrestleMania mode additionally returned together with a brand new sensible co-op marketing campaign situation, this time with John Cena and Triple H, whereas the visuals took a bump up in high quality with way more newly crafted animations. Additional afield, a contemporary physique injury system was applied that showcased improved blood, and redness on the chest of the wrestlers in the event that they ever acquired chopped there. SmackDown Vs Uncooked 2010 was in all probability the perfect recreation within the collection since Right here Comes the Ache if I’m being sincere, and I’m, so it’s.
Notable for: Introducing the bold ‘Create-A-Story’ mode that whereas flawed and considerably restricted, was nonetheless nice enjoyable to make use of and meaningfully prolonged the longevity of the sport tenfold. Alas, it has been sorely missed from present gen WWE video games; particularly when you think about the chances afforded by the infinitely shinier tech of the PS4.
Greatest & Worst WWE Video games: WWE SmackDown Vs Uncooked 2011 – PS2, PS3, PSP (2010)
Clearly realising that they have been onto a great factor with SmackDown Vs Uncooked 2010, Yukes didn’t really feel the necessity to do a lot with the 2011 entry within the wrestling recreation collection and as such, SmackDown Vs Raw 2011 felt rather more like an incremental replace somewhat than the evolution that the 2010 recreation was over the trouble the yr earlier than.
![WWE Games 19](https://www.psu.com/app/uploads/2016/08/wwe-games-19-1024x576.jpg)
One of many issues that was tweaked this time spherical was the physics system; now permitting gamers to relaxation ladders on ring ropes, break them in half and do all types of unmentionable issues to tables that you simply couldn’t do in earlier video games. On high of that, a brand new tackle the WWE Universe mode boasted reduce scenes and correct rivalries between the wrestlers relying on the matches that occurred and their outcomes, making the entire thing really feel much more natural than it had performed earlier than.
Notable for: Getting everyone’s hopes up with its newly touted ‘Match Creator’ mode that not solely prevented gamers from making a Royal Rumble match with pinfalls and submissions (I’m nonetheless ready), but additionally in some way managed to really feel like a repackaged match choices menu that gamers already had entry to in years earlier. A missed alternative.
Greatest & Worst WWE Video games: WWE All Stars – PS2, PS3, PSP (2011)
Eschewing the final ten or so years of extra simulation pushed WWE efforts, WWE All Stars marked a return to the extra frantic arcade-style grapplers of yesteryear with wrestlers boasting exaggerated, disproportioned physiques and gravity-defying movesets that appear to be they got here from a Marvel film somewhat than a WWE wrestling ring. Simply have a look at it. LOOK AT IT.
![WWE Games 20](https://www.psu.com/app/uploads/2016/08/wwe-games-20-1024x576.jpg)
Extra simply accessible than the simulation-focused entries that comprise the core collection, although WWE All Stars lacked the modes and creation suite capabilities of these video games, the sport is, even in the present day, an amazing little bit of enjoyable when performed with mates and represents a pleasant change of tempo from the standard wrestling fare.
Notable for: Being the final WWE recreation to be launched on PS2 which kinda brings on the sads a bit now that I give it some thought.
Greatest & Worst WWE Video games: WWE ‘12 – PS3 (2011)
Going off the rails a bit right here, WWE ‘12 was one of many worst WWE video games for a number of causes. First, was a brand new countering system that not solely required *absolute* pinpoint timing, but additionally performed into the fingers of the disturbingly bipolar AI, that will at turns be milling in regards to the place aimlessly one second, and countering your rear-end to the Moon and again the subsequent.
![WWE Games 21](https://www.psu.com/app/uploads/2016/08/wwe-games-21-1024x576.jpg)
Subsequent was the marketing campaign, oh god. Right here, progress was dictated by your skill to tug off a lot of stipulations corresponding to pinning of us (usually a couple of), in a selected style or executing a set variety of strikes at a particular time. As you possibly can in all probability think about, attempting to power these situations is a irritating ache within the rectum and is roughly as pleasant as watching the Montreal Screw Job.
Notable for: Utilizing a brand new animation engine known as “Predator Know-how” that was purported to revolutionise the best way wrestlers interacted with one another, however in actuality, turned out to be code for “Oh god, we actually have to cease our character fashions getting caught within the surroundings and floating up into the sky.” FAIL.
Greatest & Worst WWE Video games: WWE ‘13 – PS3 (2012)
Proper off the bat WWE ’13 scores factors on the power of its formidable marketing campaign mode. A collection of fantastically introduced matches with video footage and all the opposite trimmings that you simply would possibly count on, gamers have been in a position get caught into the ‘Angle Period’ by the use of a brand new marketing campaign that cherry picked the perfect moments from the now notorious Monday Evening Wars, and spanned 65 distinctive matches over two years value of feuds from the time.
Sadly nonetheless, this being a WWE product and the forces that be usually being about as goal as a Steel Gear Stable 2 apologist, this gameplay mode featured solely minimal involvement from the WCW facet of the equation, which, to be frank, is a bit crap to say the least.
![WWE Games 22](https://www.psu.com/app/uploads/2016/08/wwe-games-22-1024x576.jpg)
Moreover, a reworked WWE Universe mode now boasted design enter from Paul Heyman and ended up encompassing some 200 distinctive storylines that gamers might participate in, whereas improved physics resulted in a much more genuine and engaging wanting recreation than no matter it was WWE 12′ was attempting to do the yr earlier than.
Oh and one final thing that WWE ‘13 launched to the collection, and has remained a staple of its in-ring motion ever since, have been the ‘OMG’ moments which for those who had sufficient finishers saved, allowed you to carry out devastating strikes that leveraged the surroundings, corresponding to spearing some poor sap by the barrier, or, executing a squelching top-rope suplex to the skin.
A high quality collection swansong for THQ for those who ask me.
Notable for: Being the final ever WWE recreation to be printed by THQ. *tumbleweeds blow within the distance*
Greatest & Worst WWE Video games: WWE 2K14 – PS3 (2013)
The primary WWE licensed title to be developed underneath new franchise overlords 2K, WWE 2K14 improved a lot of what WWE 13′ had wrought the yr earlier than however this time did its finest work on the single-player facet of issues. As soon as extra nostalgia is a key touchstone for the collection as WWE 2K14 supplied not one, however two fully-featured single-player marketing campaign modes along with the usual WWE Universe mode that we had all grown to like/hate.
![WWE Games 23](https://www.psu.com/app/uploads/2016/08/wwe-games-23-1024x576.jpg)
The 30 Years of WrestleMania mode was a good sufficient proposition in that it let gamers expertise 45 matches throughout the historical past of the occasion, with bonus aims being accessible that when fulfilled, unlocked further wrestlers, attires and arenas. It was fairly respectable for essentially the most half and, fairly in contrast to WWE 12′ a few years earlier than it, the target pushed nature of this mode didn’t grate since most have been simply achieved. The one downside with this mode was that for those who performed the Legends of WrestleMania recreation years earlier, there actually wasn’t something new to see right here with most of the matches (and match aims) merely being rehashed from that title.
Notable for: Truly having a really respectable single-player story marketing campaign within the type of The Streak mode, which somewhat than forcing you to compete in your birthday swimsuit, as an alternative permits gamers to both relieve or break The Undertaker’s then formidable 21-0 streak a yr earlier than that naughty boy, the Beast Incarnate Brock Lesnar, would do in real-life.
Greatest & Worst WWE Video games: WWE 2K15 – PS3, PS4 (2014)
Ah, now this wasn’t good. The second entry within the collection after 2K took over, WWE 2K15 made all of the unsuitable strikes, culminating within the worst WWE recreation since Crush Hour (OK, perhaps not *that* unhealthy, nevertheless it was fairly terrible). The equal of watching Daniel Bryan getting mercilessly jobbed out to The Nice Khali after authoring his landmark championship title wins, WWE 2K15 couldn’t do something proper; whether or not it was the brand new chain grappling system which was about as a lot enjoyable as consuming a sandpaper burrito, or, the horrendous quantities of usually hilarious graphical glitches, WWE 2K15 failed in nearly each important means conceivable.
A lot worse nonetheless was the truth that the Creation Suite performance, for which the collection had historically depended upon for its legs post-release, was pared again to the purpose of absolute insignificance with Create-A-Finisher and Create-A-Story utterly absent, and the Create-A-Wrestler mode lacking quite a lot of customisation choices. One thing else that stunk was the MyCareer mode, which in being an especially poor complement to the scenario-driven 2K Showcase mode, added little to the affair apart from mind-numbing tedium.
![WWE Games 24](https://www.psu.com/app/uploads/2016/08/wwe-games-24-1024x576.jpg)
In brief, the sport was a travesty, and whereas its ambition to tug off a extra thought-about, tactical tackle the motion within the squared circle was an admirable one, the avalanche of poorly executed ideas that sat upon it did such a great job of burying it that in the long run, no one actually gave a toss.
Notable for: Being the primary WWE title since Smackdown Vs Uncooked 2010 to characteristic a licensed soundtrack. Curated by the Physician of Thuganomics himself, John Cena, mentioned soundtrack was predictably rammed to the hilt with ear-rending cack. Ah effectively, a minimum of the thought was there.
Greatest & Worst WWE Video games: WWE 2K16 – PS3, PS4 (2015)
Although not totally ridden of the quite a few (and hilarious) visible glitches that plagued its predecessor, WWE 2K16 nonetheless managed to carry its sweaty head excessive as not solely the perfect WWE 2K title to this point, but additionally because the best wrestling title accessible on PS4 (although given the truth that you possibly can rely them on one hand for those who solely have two fingers, I’ll perceive your lack of enthusiasm within the face of such platitudes).
Immediately one of many good issues that WWE 2K16 introduces is a finite counter system which works effectively in two methods. First, it implies that CPU and human opponents alike can not spam counters indefinitely (a standard and frequent frustration with all WWE video games earlier than this), and secondly, it makes the entire affair rather more tactical, impressing the necessity upon the participant to carry counters in reserve so that you simply don’t get caught with out one when the fists and slams begin raining down.
![WWE Games 25](https://www.psu.com/app/uploads/2016/08/wwe-games-25-1024x576.jpg)
One thing else that WWE 2K16 did proper was spruce up the 2K Showcase mode with an entertaining Stone Chilly Steve Austin historic marketing campaign that charted the celebrity’s climb by the ranks from WCW to ECW, earlier than culminating in his legendary WWE run. Along with this, most of the beforehand lacking creation suite modes returned (corresponding to Create A Diva, Create an Area, and Create a Championship), whereas even the much-maligned MyCareer mode re-emerged with enhancements and expansions to make it truly worthwhile this time.
WWE 2K16 hadn’t fairly ascended to the heady heights of the collection finest instalments then, however like a promising NXT developmental expertise it confirmed that it was making all the proper strikes on its path in direction of the principle occasion; setting the scene for this yr’s WWE 2K17 to hold that momentum ahead and provides us the WWE title that all of us deserve. Hopefully. Please.
Notable for: Pigeonholing the legendary Samoa Joe as a ‘future star’ in considered one of its DLC packs even supposing the then 37-year outdated veteran has been wrestling professionally since 1999 and tapped out extra dudes than you’ve had scorching dinners. Or one thing.
Greatest & Worst WWE Video games: WWE 2K17 – PS3, PS4 (2016)
Nicely, because it turned out, WWE 2K17 wasn’t all that unhealthy truly – although ‘unhealthy’ kinda must be taken in proportion at this level. With a revamped grappling system and a neat number of superstars (the returning Goldberg filling the legend quota for this yr’s recreation), that was just about the one issues that actually veered into the territory of ‘respectable’ so far as WWE 2K17 is worried.
By way of the unhealthy nonetheless, we’re considerably spoilt for selection. Although the roster of wrestlers is sizeable, it was immensely irritating to find that a number of the hottest wrestlers of the NXT period, corresponding to Shinsuke Nakamura, have been locked behind paid DLC regardless of having been within the fed for ten months by the point the sport launched.
![WWE Games 26](https://www.psu.com/app/uploads/2016/08/wwe-games-26-1024x576.jpg)
One other shortcoming was how the single-player marketing campaign stuff was dealt with. Gone have been the 2K Showcases of earlier years and its place have been extra fleshy Universe and MyCareer modes which have been underwhelming to say the least. Oh! I nearly forgot! The 2K Showcase mode *did* return, however are you able to guess the twist? That’s proper, the one 2k Showcase you’ll be getting is the one you pay for as further DLC to the bottom recreation itself. Dick transfer, 2K, dick transfer.
After which lastly, WWE 2K17 finds itself infamous for the introduction of the brand new Promo Engine, which goals to seize the promo facet of the enterprise in an horrendous little mini recreation the place no one would ever say half of the goofy crap that they’ve been scripted to say, and the entire thing simply feels as pointless as pissing within the wind. Don’t get me unsuitable; WWE 2K17 wasn’t terrible, it was simply… mediocre.
Notable for: Being the final WWE recreation on PS3. It’s unhappy, I do know however the present should go on.
Greatest & Worst WWE Video games: WWE 2K18 – PS4 (2017)
Ah, the curse of the even numbered WWE 2K video games being respectable continues as WWE 2K18 rocks as much as the present and exhibits WWE 2K17 how enterprise needs to be dealt with (or ought to that be ‘picked up’?). Anyway, WWE 2K18 turned out to be actually good; I imply, certain, the horrifically pointless Promo Engine returned from WWE 2K17 like a very decided turd that received’t flush, BUT, we will forgive 2K for that little shortcoming given how effectively the remainder of the bundle shapes up.
Very first thing’s first; the single-player marketing campaign mode is again! Kind of. You see, somewhat than have the 2K Showcase coming again, 2K launched a brand new profession mode the place you’re taking a wrestler from NXT hopeful to WWE champion and for essentially the most half it was fairly alright; even when a number of the backstage bits have been cringeworthy past perception.
![WWE Games 28](https://www.psu.com/app/uploads/2016/08/wwe-games-28-1024x576.jpg)
Ostensibly although, the largest enhancements that WWE 2K18 brings to the desk are these that are tied to its ringcraft. Other than a brand new carry system which allowed you to carry out a complete new vary of environmental assaults, WWE 2K18 additionally boasts a retooled Royal Rumble match mode and, lastly, the power to have eight wrestlers on-screen on the identical time.
Although WWE 2K18 was good, and it confirmed the advantages of leaving the final technology of consoles behind with superior environments and character fashions, it nonetheless didn’t really feel like a real innovative product as there isn’t any PS4 Professional help and, fairly in truth, the sport nonetheless didn’t look 1,000,000 miles away from WWE 2K17 from a visible standpoint. Right here’s hoping then that WWE 2K19 is the leap that we’re all searching for on this regard.
Notable for: Having absolutely the largest roster of any WWE recreation ever made. No actually; it’s big. Like, correct big. It even has Kurt Angle in it too!
Greatest & Worst WWE Video games: WWE 2K19 – PS4 (2018)
No sooner do I spout off in regards to the even and odd curse of 2K WWE video games when WWE 2K19 rocks up and exhibits me off to be an enormous asshole. Completely full of Andre the Big ranges of content material and a deftly judged collection of nips and tucks, WWE 2K19 is definitely among the best WWE video games that cash should buy.
The very first thing that can smash you within the face with all of the power of a sledgehammer is the truth that WWE 2K19 marks the return of the 2K Showcase, story-driven single participant marketing campaign. Higher but, the marketing campaign is one thing of a cracker as gamers get to play by the profession of the newly resurgent Daniel Bryan, nailing all of his key profession milestones alongside the best way.
![WWE Games 29](https://www.psu.com/app/uploads/2018/04/wwe-games-29-1024x576.jpg)
Past the great return of the 2K Showcase mode, WWE 2K19 additionally boasts the most important roster ever (once more), a massively expanded creation suite and a raft of further match varieties.
The place WWE 2K19 falls down a tad is in the truth that the collection as a complete merely wants a bigger scale refresh – from the cringeworthy commentary to a spread of outdated animations, there’s nonetheless quite a lot of change that should happen to ensure that the franchise to succeed in its fullest potential.
Notable for: Having a mode the place all of the wrestlers have tremendous inflated heads. It’s kinda like NBA Jam and 1993 by no means occurred.
Greatest & Worst WWE Video games: WWE 2K20 – PS4 (2019)
The primary WWE title to not be developed by Yukes in 20 years(!) WWE 2K20 is, fairly frankly, an absolute travesty the likes of which we haven’t seen in fairly a while and a mahoosive, Andre the Big sized step again from WWE 2K19.
The place to start? Oh I do know – let’s begin with the bugs! Boasting extra bugs than Starship Troopers, WWE 2K20 is riddled from head to toe with the issues. From exaggerated variations of the collection conventional semi-hilarious physics glitches, to the frequent crashes (which STILL haven’t been addressed within the CAW mode some three patches later) – the sport is mainly a multitude.
![best wwe games wwe 2k20](https://www.psu.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/best-wwe-games-wwe-2k20.jpg)
After which we come to the visuals! Hoo-boy. Wanting like a PS3 recreation that’s attempting its finest to appear to be a late gen PS2 title at instances, WWE 2K20 appears horrific with poor texture work, low element crowds and a massively variable framerate throughout huge matches.
And THEN we come to the AI which appears particularly dumb this yr – both forgetting to remain on the apron throughout a tag-match, reversing all the pieces you do like some Counter Terminator or utterly failing to barter itself a path from the skin into the ring, and getting counted out within the course of.
And *THEN* we come to the truth that sure CAW materials varieties are locked behind a progress wall (what a technique to annoy the CAW group from day one), WWE 2K20’s single most attention-grabbing characteristic, WWE 2K Originals is locked behind a paywall and modifications have been made to manage format for no purpose apart from, effectively, to be totally different from final yr.
Come again Yukes! All is forgiven! (Nicely, perhaps not all the pieces, however it’s a must to begin someplace proper?)
Notable for: Having a MyCareer story mode that’s so catastrophically cringe, it shunts the earth off of its axis. Holy moly.
Greatest & Worst WWE Video games: WWE 2K Battlegrounds – PS4 (2020)
Within the absence of a simulation fashion WWE 2K title in 2020 (due to a studio reshuffle wherein longtime collection dev Yukes! acquired the boot) we had WWE 2K Battlegrounds as an alternative, an arcade fashion effort that regarded just like the amalgamated offspring of Wrestlemania: The Arcade Recreation and the criminally underrated WWE All-Stars.
Very a lot supposed to be informal affair for people that don’t have a lot time, are 12 years outdated or youthful, hopped up on Gatorade or all three, WWE 2K Battlegrounds sacrifices depth for a similar kind of excessive spectacle that WWE All-Stars pioneered almost ten years in the past.
![wwe games wwe 2k battlegrounds](https://www.psu.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/wwe-games-wwe-2k-battlegrounds.jpg)
Whereas WWE 2K Battlegrounds then proves to be curiously loud and instantly compelling fodder – it’s sadly simply that; because the vastly decreased transfer rely and nearly fatally stripped out inventive suite choices all detract from what’s in any other case a extremely pleasant affair.
Oh, and it’s also possible to F5 of us into the ready jaws of keen alligators too. Good, eh?
Notable for: Having a celebrity unlock part the place, as soon as bought, every celebrity kicks themselves out of blister pack as in the event that they have been motion figures. Neat.
Greatest & Worst WWE Video games: WWE 2K22 – PS4, PS5 (2022)
An absolute comeback story for the ages, WWE 2K22 made ample use of its prolonged improvement time (thirty months versus the standard ten or so months that the collection affords every entry) to style the perfect WWE 2K recreation we’ve seen in an age.
Beginning on the high, the grappling system is so a lot better in WWE 2K22 than in any recreation earlier. Reversals are actually not capped of their use, which now allows the kind of dramatic ebb and circulation you’d see in a real-life wrestling match as gamers fluidly commerce reversals, somewhat than simply ready for the opposite participant to expire of reversals earlier than you begin wailing on their defenceless type.
![best wwe games wwe 2k22](https://www.psu.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/best-wwe-games-wwe-2k22.jpg)
Past the considerably improved wrestling mechanics, visuals have seen an throughout the board enchancment too. Boasting picture scanned superstars that appear to be respectable approximations of their real-life counterparts somewhat than drunk waxworks with a factor for exhausting medication, WWE 2K22 lastly appears, sounds and performs the half – and after years of failing to meaningfully evolve itself, it appears like a novel kind of aid to have the ability to say that.
Sadly, if rumours are to be believed, 2K might soon lose the WWE license to EA – making WWE 2K22 one thing of a bittersweet enterprise that stands as the perfect wrestling recreation in a protracted whereas, but additionally one which could not have one other entry constructed upon its resoundingly robust foundations.
Notable for: Being the primary WWE 2K recreation on PlayStation 5 and actually being higher than ever WWE 2K recreation for the final decade in each single, conceivable means. Each. Single. Means.
Greatest & Worst WWE Video games: WWE 2K23 – PS4, PS5 (2023)
Definitively proving that WWE 2K22 was no fluke, WWE 2K23 managed to cement the notion in folks’s minds that the comeback of the WWE 2K collection was not solely effectively underneath means however that Visible Ideas had now absolutely put their stamp on the franchise and knew precisely what labored and what didn’t when it comes to the collection overarching design.
For a begin completely all the pieces that labored in WWE 2K22 makes a welcome return in WWE 2K23 – this implies the reworked countering system, the photo-scanned superstars – all of it – is current and accounted for in WWE 2K23.
![best worst wwe wrestling games playstation wwe 2k23](https://www.psu.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/best-worst-wwe-wrestling-games-playstation-wwe2k23.jpg)
By way of the novelty that this collection entry brings to the desk, WWE 2K23 introduces the fan-favourite Struggle Video games match to the franchise for the primary time, whereas the 2K Showcase mode returns with a neat twist (see beneath) that will see it rank up there as among the best single-player campaigns ever in a restling tit
Notable for: Boasting a John Cena targeted 2K Showcase mode which somewhat than simply having you relive John Cena’s biggest victories, as an alternative had you reliving his biggest defeats as you took management of each celebrity that has bested The Physician of Thuganomics through the years. It was brilliantly subversive stuff that actually helped to clean up the 2K Showcase mode in a means that no collection entry had managed up till that time.
Greatest & Worst WWE Video games: WWE 2K24 – PS4, PS5 (2024)
With each the WWE/UFC merger, the unceremonious departure of Vinny Mac and the upcoming 2025 tv take care of Netflix now within the books, it’s truthful to say that the wrestling panorama (and specifically WWE itself) won’t ever be the identical once more. On this sense, WWE 2K24 feels very very similar to a celebration of the corporate’s greatest historic spectacle – WrestleMania – and but it additionally appears like a celebration of the longer term with feminine superstars Rhea Ripley and Bianca Belair gracing the primary dual-female solely wrestling cowl in WWE historical past.
By way of trying to the previous, that is the place this yr’s 2K Showcase mode is available in. As soon as once more leveraging the identical Slingshot expertise which permits real-time visuals to seamlessly transition from live-action footage and vice-versa, WWE 2K24’s Showcase mode focuses in on a number of the greatest WrestleMania occasions and milestone matches. From Ricky Steamboat’s iconic Intercontinental title conflict with the Macho Man, by to the thunderous, history-making conflict between Cody Rhodes and Roman Regins at WrestleMania 39 and all of the whereas slavishly replicating the audiovisual spectacle of every period, WWE 2K24’s 2K Showcase mode arguably scratches that itch of taking part in by a number of the most traditionally important WWE wrestling matches which have ever been televised.
Past the 2K Showcase mode, WWE 2K24 additionally brings a re-worked MyRise secondary marketing campaign which incorporates separate embedded story modes for each female and male wrestlers, whereas particular referee matches have now returned alongside the brand new and extremely chaotic Ambulance match as well. WWE 2K24 additionally will get quite a lot of the smaller issues proper, too. Stamina fatigue for instance has now been rather more thoughtfully included with long-running matches leading to each superstars struggling to recuperate from even primary strikes corresponding to suplexes and powerslams – y’know, similar to the true factor.
One other new addition that WWE 2K24 brings is the brand new buying and selling strikes mini-game which has two superstars buying and selling blows in fast succession that once more does an amazing job of mirroring the real-life spectacle in a means that simply hasn’t been performed earlier than.
A style defining entry that exhibits developer Visible Ideas working on the heights of its appreciable powers, WWE 2K24 is kind of merely essentially the most definitive wrestling recreation you should buy proper now and it isn’t even shut.
Notable for: Having the only largest roster of any wrestling recreation ever that clocks in at greater than 200 selectable wrestlers (together with DLC choices that deliver notably excessive profile AEW refugees CM Punk and Jade Cargill into the fold). Ooof.
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