From arcade-style brawlers to simulation masterpieces, wrestling games have evolved dramatically over the years. Join us as we count down the greatest WWE video games that perfectly captured the excitement, drama, and intensity of sports entertainment in digital form!
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00:00Welcome to WatchMojo and today we are looking at the games that the WWE Universe acknowledges
00:14as the best there are, the best there were and the best there might ever be.
00:24Number 10 – WWE 2K19
00:34The WWE series was on a downward spiral for half a decade before 2K19 sparked a brief
00:39resurgence.
00:40While its gameplay remains largely unchanged, its depth of content provides a ton of replay
00:45value.
00:46The showcase mode had fans reliving Daniel Bryan's rise from rookie to WrestleMania
00:50main eventer and beyond, evoking sentiments from the revolutionary Yes movement.
00:58Meanwhile, My Career mode also takes an engaging turn, veering away from the generic issues
01:05that previously held it back.
01:07Even without major gameplay changes, 2K19 successfully captures the essence of life
01:12as a WWE superstar.
01:19Number 9 – WWF WrestleMania 2000
01:29While not the first 3D WWE game, WrestleMania 2000 was easily the most dynamic back then.
01:35Features like reversals, multiplayer modes and an entire WrestleMania season were unparalleled
01:40for its time.
01:41With a massive roster of bona fide superstars, the game immersed fans in the Attitude Era's
01:46high-stakes, unforgettable backdrop.
01:53The ability to customize wrestlers was a game-changer, empowering players to curate their in-ring
01:57personas however they wanted.
01:59Though it might not appear as revolutionary today, WrestleMania 2000 set the platform
02:03for the franchise to flourish for years to come.
02:13Number 8 – WWE 2K14
02:26The 2K series may have had more misses than hits, but the first entry was a step in the
02:30right direction.
02:31While its gameplay mechanics didn't win over new fans, 2K14 did shine in its campaign
02:36modes.
02:37Story-driven features like The Streak and 30 Years of WrestleMania keep fans invested,
02:41challenging them to revisit different eras and milestone moments.
02:49Universe mode features like the Rivalry Manager adds another layer of depth, allowing players
02:53to control their own narrative and enhance their wrestling experience.
02:57With an entertaining spin on established material, taking a trip into the world of WWE 2K14 remains
03:02well worth the price of admission.
03:11Number 7 – WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2007
03:23As far as the SmackDown vs. Raw series goes, this is where the series peaked.
03:27What it lacks in polish, it makes up for in entertainment value.
03:30Sure, gameplay is a bit uneven, but who cares when it's so much fun?
03:34At its best, SmackDown vs. Raw 2000 is loud, over-the-top and destructive.
03:45From hidden weapons under the ring to backstage brawls and unfiltered gimmick matches, it
03:49let fans wreak havoc at every turn.
03:51Thanks to an incredible soundtrack, players dive into the game ready to inflict some serious
03:56damage.
03:57Simplicity is the secret to its success, as the easy-to-use controls make it the most
04:00user-friendly entry in the series.
04:02Nearly two decades later, it still holds up as a wrestling classic.
04:15Number 6 – WWE 2K24
04:26Many wondered if the series would ever recover after the disaster that was 2K20.
04:31But the franchise slowly regained momentum, with 2K24 solidifying its comeback.
04:35Reintroducing popular gimmick matches and removing unnecessary features helped craft
04:39a more polished, complete experience.
04:42The emphasis on wrestling as a sport truly sets 2K24 apart.
04:51A wider range of holds, attacks, and distinct differences between high-flying and mat-based
04:56wrestling align with WWE's return to its roots.
04:59While its showcase mode isn't as strong as certain previous entries, it doesn't detract
05:03from the game's overall quality.
05:04Could it be better?
05:05Sure.
05:06But is it a top-tier installment?
05:07Absolutely.
05:19Number 5 – WWE SmackDown – Shut Your Mouth
05:22At a time when WWE's brand warfare was heating up, Shut Your Mouth was the perfect
05:33entry to cement its legacy.
05:34For the first time, players can choose between two different brands, enhancing the world-building
05:38aspects of the series.
05:40The expansive season mode's emphasis on storylines makes the world title feel like
05:44the ultimate prize.
05:52Deeper into the sixth generation of consoles, the game's graphics represent a significant
05:56leap from its predecessor.
05:58At its core, this installment retains the series' best elements while elevating its
06:01appeal to another level.
06:03True to its name, all you should do is shut your mouth and step into the ring for glory.
06:19Number 4 – WWF SmackDown 2 – Know Your Role
06:29At the turn of the millennium, few were prepared for Know Your Role's remarkable fun factor.
06:33Picking up where WrestleMania 2000 left off, this entry refined gameplay with greater fluidity
06:38and precision.
06:39Rather than spamming attacks, players are encouraged to master the nuances of pro wrestling,
06:43adapting to its high-risk, high-reward style.
06:53Upon release, fans were blown away by its realism, capturing the larger-than-life personas
06:58of WWE superstars.
07:00With multiplayer support and the powerful impact of finishing moves, matches with friends
07:04have a fun, competitive edge.
07:05Though the game has naturally aged, the memories it provided continue to endure for long-time
07:10fans.
07:16Number 3 – WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2006
07:26Pro wrestling thrives on the battle of good vs. bad.
07:28SmackDown vs. Raw 2006 finally brought this to life, letting players choose between playing
07:33by the rules or fighting dirty.
07:42Gameplay is far more dynamic, as fans can personalize matches around their preferred
07:45style of play.
07:46The game features arguably the greatest general manager mode in the series, offering endless
07:51opportunities and propelling replay value to new heights.
07:54And whether you're in the mood for action-heavy brawls or technique-driven slobber-knockers,
07:58the game has you covered.
07:59Its success proved that quality titles in the series were no longer an exception – they
08:03were the new norm.
08:13Number 2 – WWF No Mercy
08:22Despite several releases, WWE games were still considered arcade-style button mashers.
08:27But everything changed with No Mercy, altering wrestling's gaming landscape forever.
08:31Everything from character customization, arena design, player interactions, and match types
08:36are far more detailed than before.
08:38Wrestlers aren't just character models – they have distinct personalities, capturing the
08:42same fire that won WWE the Monday Night Wars.
08:51Far from a gimmicky, short-lived experience, it draws fans in for hours of immersion.
08:56Much like Know Your Role, released around the same time, No Mercy's raw, no-holds-barred
09:00approach made it a pro-wrestling fan's dream come true.
09:09Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
09:13WWF WrestleMania – The Arcade Game
09:15Who doesn't love some good old-fashioned arcade-style combat?
09:26WWE Day of Reckoning – This GameCube gem had a quality story mode far improved from
09:32earlier editions.
09:40WWE 2K25 – With awesome new matchups and game modes, this game is a
09:45worthy contender.
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10:13WWE SmackDown – Here Comes The Pain
10:23Sometimes what separates a good game from a great one isn't just one standout feature,
10:28but everything about it.
10:29Here Comes The Pain is the perfect example.
10:31It takes all of WWE's best elements and amplifies them to the highest degree.
10:42Though the Elimination Chamber and Legends roster are new highlights, the game's winning
10:45quality comes from flawlessly balancing all its content.
10:48The multi-faceted season mode was groundbreaking, introducing an overarching narrative that
10:52remains a benchmark in storytelling.
10:54So it doesn't matter if you're in the mood for a quick exhibition match or in it for
10:57the long haul, Here Comes The Pain still delivers unparalleled satisfaction two decades after
11:03its release.
11:04Is there a WWE game that you can't get enough of?
11:13Give us a Hell Yeah in the comments!