WWE 2K22 is good, but these 5 wrestling games make the rest tap out

WWE 2K22 just released this month, and it certainly does “hit different!” After the abysmal, glitch-ridden 2K20, the latest WWE title is a breath of fresh air. The long-awaited return of GM Mode, coupled with a complete gameplay overhaul finally gives wrestling fans a game worth playing. While the new game is far from perfect, gamers can once again have fun hitting the ropes.

On the other side of the forbidden door, meanwhile, All Elite Wrestling and developer Yuke’s are still deep in the trenches of development. While AEW Superstar Kenny Omega states the alternative pro-wrestling beatdown won’t compete with 2K22’s graphics, it will be a return to form for wrestling games. While this announcement may disappoint some, it’s ultimately a smart move, considering it keeps AEW as a unique alternative. As WWE and 2K focus on creating a lifelike wrestling simulation, AEW wants to return to the arcade-style games of yesteryear.

We’ll never be [able] to compete with the production value of WWE’s games. You look at 2K22; it’s absolutely gorgeous…we just want the wrestling to feel like how it used to feel for the people who would play wrestling games back in the day.

Kenny Omega

Overall, right now is arguably the most exciting time for pro wrestling games in years. On one side, 2K gave us their best game since taking over production on WWE games. And on the other side, you have AEW promising to return to the style of games like Here Comes the Pain and No Mercy. No matter which side of the fence you sit, however, exciting things are in store for wrestling games. As we celebrate, let’s look back at the five best pro wrestling video games to ever enter the squared circle.

WCW/NWO Revenge

Thanks to the brilliant work of THQ and Aki, the Nintendo 64 gave us some of the greatest wrestling games ever made. Before the company went on to make two of the most iconic WWF games on the console, however, they started with Ted Turner’s WCW.

While Acclaim’s offerings of Warzone and Attitude gave WWF fans something to play at the time, the clunky controls slowed matches down to a crawl. On the other hand, THQ’s WCW games featured a more fluid, arcade-style control scheme that gave wrestling fans fast-paced gameplay that’s still fun to this day.

And while THQ and Aki’s first attempt with the company WCW/NWO: World Tour laid the foundation, Revenge became the definitive game for World Championship Wrestling. WCW/NWO Revenge took everything that was great about World Tour and expanded on it.

One major improvement is the expanded roster of 60 wrestlers to choose from. In addition to the wrestlers, the game also features all of WCW’s standard and pay-per-view arenas. Building off World Tour’s engine, WCW/NWO Revenge also improves AI, speed and animations throughout the game.

When you look back at Revenge, you can’t forget about the fast-paced gameplay that defined the N64 era of wrestling games. The intense, but easy to learn, grappling system makes playing matches addictive with its quick action.

In addition, the game adds even more weapons, the ability to sprint and slide into the ring, and common interferences from other wrestlers. While these features are standard and expected in today’s wrestling games, you can’t neglect their humble beginnings. Simply put, if you want to play the definitive WCW experience, you need WCW/NWO Revenge!

WWE Day of Reckoning

There’s something to be said about the GameCube era of wrestling games. While they didn’t feature nearly as many bells and whistles as PlayStation’s SmackDown series, they still offered GameCube players a fun alternative. Although WrestleMania X8 and WrestleMania XIX were fun, however, the lacked both depth and a fun season mode.

For that reason, WWE Day of Reckoning is the definitive GameCube wrestling game. For this installment, Yuke’s kept the arcade-style gameplay mechanics, while adding a deep and interesting story mode.

The core gameplay mechanics brilliantly polish WrestleMania XIX’s controls. The easy to learn, hard to master combo system allows players of any skill range to have fun performing moves. In addition, taking advantage of heavy and light attacks is rewarding and adds depth to the variety of moves your wrestler can pull off.

The game also features many unique match types to add further variety to gameplay. From Hell in a Cell to the infamous Bra & Panties match, there’s a lot to do in Day of Reckoning. And while all the interesting match types and fluid gameplay mechanics certainly make Day of Reckoning fun, the story is what sets this game apart from its peers.

Day of Reckoning’s story sees the player use either a created wrestler or stock character made for the game and rise up the ranks in WWE. Beginning as a rookie, you’ll start off by building a name for yourself against low-end talents before working your way up the ladder. While the cinematics don’t stand up to WWE’s PlayStation 2 counterparts, the journey up WWE’s ranks is satisfying enough to keep players hooked.

WWE SmackDown Vs. Raw 2008

Before I go on, I’ll admit that this list could have been overwhelmed with SmackDown Vs. Raw games. However, I wanted to challenge myself to pick just one. As great as SVR 2006 and 2007 are, I feel 2008 is the best in the series. As controversial as it may be, let me explain.

Simply put, SmackDown Vs. Raw 2008 is the first SVR title to introduce ECW. Aside from adding legends like Tommy Dreamer, Sabu and Terry Funk, ECW’s inclusion adds new depth to GM Mode. The addition of a third brand makes SVR 2008’s General Manager Mode the best in the series.

All the fan-favorite features of the mode return. You can draft your own roster, hire storyline writers, manage feuds and negotiate contracts. However, this time, instead of competing against only one brand, now you’re battling for ratings against two.

As great as GM Mode is, however, the lackluster career mode from this entry is undoubtedly the most controversial factor of this game’s inclusion. While this game’s version of Season Mode, dubbed 24/7 Mode, does fall short of previous entries, the GM Mode more than makes up for it. And if you’re anything like me, you’ll spend more time fantasy-booking in GM Mode than navigating the career path of a Superstar anyway.

However, even if you prefer controlling a singular wrestler over navigating the entire trajectory of a brand, 24/7 Mode isn’t nearly as bad as people make it out to be. Sure, some cutscenes seem out of place, and there’s a bit of repetition, but the mode offers interesting features. This time around, you have to choose what your wrestlers do on their off-days as well. From weightlifting to autograph signings, there were a variety of activities to participate in.

Although this feature can get old over time, it was an interesting experiment nonetheless. In addition, this was the last game with a full Season Mode. Beginning at SmackDown Vs. Raw 2009, players would be introduced to the fun yet limited Road to WrestleMania.

WWF No Mercy

The fact that some may disagree that this pick isn’t in first place is a testament to its greatness. WWF No Mercy not only captured everything great about the Nintendo 64 wrestling games, but it hit highs that future titles failed to live up to. Specifically, fans celebrate the title’s unique branching storylines that make each playthrough unique.

Although Aki and THQ started with their WCW games, they eventually melded the formula for the World Wrestling Federation. With their first WWF title WrestleMania 2000 a success, they went to work on their most polished wrestling game yet. No Mercy took everything that made the team’s past wrestling games great and amplified it all.

Retaining the beloved gameplay engine, No Mercy keeps WrestleMania 2000’s fluid, fast-paced gameplay and adds more polish. Animations are smoother, blood is more realistic, and the wrestlers look the best out of all the N64 games. In addition, we have new match types like the ladder match and Special Guest Referee. Topped off by a stacked peak Attitude Era roster, this game holds up as one of the greatest ever made.

However, the story mode in No Mercy is what really gives the game its place on this list. With seven championships to go after and storylines that change based on what matches you win or lose, there has never been a deeper story mode in any wrestling game. Throughout the game, you’ll also encounter different decisions that severely change your playthrough. It’s the sheer variety of options that makes each playthrough different and gives No Mercy and unprecedented replicability factor.

WWE Smackdown! Here Comes the Pain

And now introducing the World Champion of wrestling games: Smackdown! Here Comes the Pain. With a brand-new grappling system, new match types like Elimination Chamber and a deep Season Mode, Here Comes the Pain is the ultimate wrestling experience.

In addition, the game’s roster (although featuring a few cuts) is one of the most stacked lineups ever. Here’s just a few of the big names: Triple H, Stone Cold, The Rock, Brock Lesnar, Kurt Angle, Shawn Michaels and Goldberg. In addition, Here Comes the Pain also debuted other talent to WWE games such as John Cena, Batista and Rey Mysterio.

However, the most impressive feature is the Season Mode. Like No Mercy, Here Comes the Pain also features an incredibly deep story mode with many unique scenarios. With over 200 storylines written by actual WWE writers, no Season Mode since has ever captured this level of immersion.

A hopeful future for wrestling games

Although these five wrestling games earned their right to make this list, the future looks hopeful. WWE 2K22 made MUCH needed improvements over the developer’s predecessors, and AEW seems to have something truly elite brewing. Time will tell if the future holds new legendary titles that may one day dethrone the current kings of the ring.

Do you agree with this list? What are your top five wrestling games? As always, let us know what you think in the comments!