Pro wrestling is more than just brawling in a squared ring. It is a grandstand of athleticism and charisma, where royal personalities create unforgettable moments. Thanks to multiple great developers over the years, we have experienced this essence in many WWE games for decades. As WWE 2K24 gears up to enter the ring, it’s time to dust off our old controllers and step back into the virtual square.
So take a journey through the Hall of Fame of WWE games with me as we decide which title deserves to be the undisputed champion. With that, let’s buckle up to relive the grand entrances, signature maneuvers, and goosebump-inducing finishers as I rank all the WWE games of all time!
10. WWE All Stars
- Release Date: 29 March 2011
- Developer(s): Midway Studios San Diego, Subdued Software, THQ San Diego
- Platform(s): PlayStation 3, PlayStation Portable, Wii, Xbox 360, PlayStation 2, Nintendo 3DS
WWE decided to switch things up by changing up wrestling simulators and went haywire with All Stars. This happened after the SVR series as THQ, in collaboration with other developers, came out with the game. The arcady graphics combined with over-the-top action made this a sight to behold.
All Stars felt fresh and gave us an over-the-top experience that we never expected from such a game franchise. Recently, AEW: Fight Forever tried to replicate some of this game’s elements, but WWE Allstars is still a unique entry that exists in this franchise.
9. WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2010
- Release Date: 20 October 2009
- Developer(s): Yuke’s, Tose
- Platform(s): PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, Wii, PlayStation 3, iOS, Xbox 360, Nintendo DS
SmackDown vs. Raw 2010 is the first game that old-school WWE games fans remember as the end of the SVR era. Although the 2011 edition came soon after, the 2010 edition had almost everything that makes a WWE game entertaining.
This included the popular slow-mo signature and finishers, along with the road to WrestleMania that was ever so memorable to me. These were just some of the few features that make SVR 2010 one of the strong contenders on our list.
8. WWE SmackDown! Shut Your Mouth
- Release Date: 13 November 2002
- Developer(s): Yuke’s
- Platform(s): PlayStation 2
In this era of WWE games, Yuke’s did not disappoint the fans. SmackDown! Shut Your Mouth was the predecessor to the already huge Know Your Role and Just Bring It. The game provided an arcady experience in action sequence while replicating WWE’s real-time in-ring storytelling.
Nothing was boring in this edition of the game with the addition of season mode to the already addictive gameplay. All in all, Shut your Mouth was definitely a step up from the already existing lineup of WWE games.
7. WWE 2K19
- Release Date: 9 October 2018
- Developer(s): Yuke’s, Visual Concepts
- Platform(s): PlayStation 4, Microsoft Windows, Xbox One
The 2K WWE games were not as good as the old-school WWE games up until 2K19 made its debut. This also happened to be the last game brought to us in collaboration by 2K and Yuke. Thankfully, this collaboration did deliver as we got a great showcase mode and our first great story mode.
The showcase was about the then-champion Daniel Brayn and that was a great deal for the fans. 2K also made sure the game servers kept running for the next two years as 2K20 did not impress anyone much less us. Overall, 2K19 was the start of something new and paved the way for games like 2K22 and 2K23.
6. SmackDown Vs. Raw 2007
- Release Date: 10 November 2006
- Developer(s): Yuke’s
- Platform(s): PlayStation Portable, PlayStation 2, Xbox 360
Although SVR 2006 was a best seller, one can barely argue that SmackDown Vs. Raw 2007 did not outperform it, and then some. The 2007 edition came with the same aura as its predecessor. But if I’m being honest, the game was different and brought some exciting new elements, including some incredible gameplay mechanics and better visuals that are missing in some WWE games.
SVR 2007 was also the game to expand its path and finally debut on the Xbox series consoles. This edition even heavily improved the existing General Manager and Create-an-entrance modes. With clear upgrades and enhancements, SVS 2007 deserves this spot on our list.
5. WWF No Mercy
- Release Date: 17 November 2000
- Developer(s): syn Sophia, Asmik Ace
- Platform(s): Nintendo 64
True to its name, WWF No Mercy did not show any mercy to the PS WWE games. Released on the N64, No Mercy showcased the peak of the WWE era. Despite it looking a bit outdated even in those times, it delivered quite well on features.
No Mercy had polished Survival Mode and Career Modes that kept players stuck and coming back for more. Along with that, there were a bunch of customization options that no one expected from a WWE game during that era. As such, WWF No Mercy raised the bar and forced other developers to make better WWE games. To me, the game still stands as one of the best WWF games to date.
4. WWE 2K22
- Release Date: 11 March 2022
- Developer(s): Visual Concepts
- Platform(s): PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X and Series S, Microsoft Windows
2K and WWE always ensured that players got a new game every year. However, that changed when 2K21 did not arrive and fans were left hanging. Top that with the fact that 2K20 was a failure, which put a lot of onus on the newest edition. And boy, oh boy, did WWE 2K22 deliver.
Visual Concepts retained simulation-style boxing while also improving upon the game modes that wrestling fans have come to know and love. The newest additions were a better universe mode and the beloved GM mode. Despite some limitations, 2K22 started a new wave of experiences that most gamers had been waiting a decade for.
3. SmackDown vs. Raw 2011
- Release Date: 26 October 2010
- Developer(s): Yuke’s
- Platform(s): PlayStation Portable, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Wii, Xbox 360
Many would argue that SVR 2010 was the best iteration before the 2K took over. In my opinion, that is not true at all. To me, SmackDown vs. Raw 2011 was a better-presented version of the already amazing 2010 edition.
While there were fewer arcade elements, the game still maintained what WWE fans love, including the overall fighting style and action. The soundtracks were impactful, and multiple game modes felt well-polished.
SVR 2011 is an underrated gem in the WWE games franchise, and we need to appreciate it. So for me, it’s hardly a surprise that this WWE game comes in my top three picks.
2. WWF SmackDown! 2 Know Your Role
- Release Date: 20 November 2000
- Developer(s): Yuke’s
- Platform(s): PlayStation
SmackDown! 2 Know Your Role was the peak of PlayStation’s WWE games of all time. It was a perfect ending to the successful PlayStation run for Yuke’s developed creations. Know Your Role served us with plenty of improved additions, such as Season mode.
This includes a multiplayer couch mode for those intense wrestling bouts with your friends. This game also debuted the fan-favorite Create a Superstar mode which is something that remains one of the most modes of WWE. As such, the game for me is a good runner-up.
1. SmackDown! Here Comes The Pain
- Release Date: 27 October 2003
- Developer(s): Yuke’s
- Platform(s): PlayStation 2
Maybe some of you were expecting this. It has been more than 20 years and no other WWE games have come closer than Smackdown! Here Comes The Pain As a PS2 exclusive, the game was ahead of its time. The gameplay was massively improved from its ancestors, and the roster was stacked with the whole attitude era crew.
Even though the game introduced a bit of simulation, it maintained its arcade fighting taste which everyone loved. However, the game still came with visual and gameplay overhauls that made it the best of both worlds. For me, Smackdown! Here Comes the Pain is the best WWE game of all time!
Honorable Mentions: SmackDown vs. Raw 2006 deserves an honorable mention alongside WWE 2K23. SVR 2006 lacked a little more than its successor but as a standalone it is still a solid WWE game. On the other hand, WWE 2K23 feels similar to 2K22 with minor tweaks. Yet these games deserves a mention if you look at them individually.
And that was my list of the best WWE games that have been released to date. Where do you think the upcoming WWE 2K24 will slot in on my list? Which games do you think deserve to be on this list of champions? Let us know in the comments.
