WWE has produced numerous games over the years. Recently, the company has released one of the most talked-about titles to date in the form of WWE 2K20. However, WWE 2k22 and WWE 2k23 have received the most praise in the franchise as well. Given WWE’s long history with video games, they have released some great titles over the years. In this article, we will have a look at the ten greatest wrestling games ever produced by WWE.
10) WWE All Stars
This game was released on March 29, 2011 and fans were extremely excited about playing something new and fresh as they were becoming bored of playing the SmackDown vs. Raw series. WWE All Stars featured fast-paced arcade-style gameplay in which wrestlers move through environments while applying their finishers or signature moves. Wrestling fans immediately took to it and have been pleading with 2K to do something similar.
9) WWE Day of Reckoning 2
This was the final WWE title to be released on the Nintendo GameCube and was the culmination of the Day of Reckoning storyline that began in the first entry. The story line picks up right where it left off, as fans of the first title will know. Day of Reckoning 2 wasn’t a major change from the first game, but it had enough changes to warrant a sequel. DOR series fans have been demanding a new WWE title similar to these games instead of the recently released title.
8) WWE 2k19
WWE 2K19 appeared to be a big step forward for Yuke’s and 2K upon release. Unfortunately, it went down as the last great game released as a collaboration between the two. 2K19 arguably had the most entertaining gameplay in the series to date. Additionally, the 2K showcase mode was excellent, focusing on Daniel Bryan’s career and his rise in wrestling. 2K19 also had the task of keeping the fans entertained longer than the usual year-long cycle, as WWE 2K20 failed to meet fan expectations.
7) SmackDown Vs. Raw 2007
SmackDown vs. Raw 2007 is one of the greatest releases of the SmackDown vs. Raw title. The game didn’t do anything to add to the previous entry but instead took everything that was already great and improved it further. Modes like the General Manager mode, create-a-championship, or season mode were all significantly improved and added a lot more to do. The 2007 version was the first console to reach the next generation and move beyond PlayStation, making its debut on the Xbox series of consoles.
6) WWF WrestleMania
Arcade games are almost extinct today, but they were huge in the 90s. WWE released WrestleMania: The Arcade Game in 1995, which captured a great number of gamers. It was an instant hit, quickly receiving console ports. The game visually resembled more to Mortal Kombat. It was a fun button-masher with all the biggest stars of the 90s. Its success led to it being ported to most home consoles of the time and becoming a huge hit on the PlayStation.
5) SmackDown! Here Comes The Pain
This is one of the greatest WWE games ever released and one of the best titles of all time. SmackDown! Here Comes the Pain was released in 2003 and the gameplay was significantly improved while also retaining its fast-paced arcade style. Additionally, the game also saw the return of WWE legends to the roster, like Roddy Piper, The Road Warriors, and the old-school Undertaker. With many new features and gameplay, this game has been rated as a favorite of many players from the franchise.
4) WWE SmackDown! Shut Your Mouth
This game was a follow-up to the acclaimed Just Bring It, released a year earlier. The entire SmackDown! The series received critical acclaim. Shut Your Mouth was no different with its addictive gameplay. With Season Mode and other features, the gamers never got bored of it.
3) WWF No Mercy
WWE No Mercy was released in 2000, around the peak of the Attitude Era. Although there were high expectations for this product, fans probably didn’t expect this title to be as good as it was. More than two decades later, No Mercy is still one of WWE’s most beloved titles. This game has everything that a wrestling game usually has to offer. However, other key features such as Survival Mode, Career Mode, and the Customization Suite offer many different things to do with this popular game.
2) WWF SmackDown! 2: Know Your Role
SmackDown! 2 Know Your Role was the last of the series to be featured on the PlayStation before making the jump to the PlayStation 2. The biggest changes between the first title and this one were the great improvements made to the season mode, including the removal of pre-season tasks that needed to be done, the inclusion of more storylines, and having more matches in one show. Players can also add a friend to the multiplayer season mode and take control of other wrestlers.
1) SmackDown Vs. Raw 2006
SmackDown vs. Raw 2006 was seen as a major improvement over the series’ previous title and was responsible for several features that became standard for the series. Features like General Manager, Create-an-Entrance and some match types were established in this title. Another big feature was the removal of the clean/dirty meters from the previous title and replacing them with a speed bar for players to store their finishers. Yuke’s made a portable version for the PSP that included a few different modes that the home console version did not receive, such as a game show, poker and Eugene’s Airplane game. This game was also the best seller during its release.
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