The Best Wrestling Games of all Time
Wrestling games offer simulated entertainment for, well, simulated sports entertainment. And that’s what makes them so brilliant. Professional wrestling is designed to be hard hitting, exciting and adrenaline pumping – the perfect combination for a fighting game.
Take an array of flamboyant and over-the-top characters and place them in wacky stories or hard-hitting narratives that give the viewer a glimpse behind the curtain, and let them fight it out. Whether it’s the “snug” style of Japan, the grappling style of Britain or the more family-friendly version offered by the WWE, wrestling games encompass it all.
Many fondly remember the Attitude Era as the golden era of wrestling, but 2019 and 2020 look set to bring wrestling back to the mainstream once more. With New Japan riding a huge wave of momentum, AEW about to start on weekly TV, and WWE being WWE, wrestling isn’t going anywhere.
Wrestling video games are here to stay too. There’s a history of great wrestling games that would put the illustrious Hall of Fame to shame. Some have been better than others, but we’re here to sort the weak from the strong. These are the 10 worthy contenders battling it out for a chance to be the best; the Royal Rumble of video game lists, if you will. So, without further ado, let the countdown begin!
WWE ‘13
Entering in at number 10 is WWE ‘13. Released in 2012 for PlayStation 3, Wii and Xbox 360, WWE ‘13 updated from the year prior’s release with “Predator Technology 2.0”. No, that’s not a nickname for HHH, but a new game engine that allowed for smoother moves and transitions.
It is a notable difference in gameplay from the previous entry in the franchise. But what makes WWE ‘13 reall stand out is its Attitude Era Mode, which replaced Road to WrestleMania. Players are able to play as 35 different Attitude Era wrestlers and live out some of the most iconic moments from the era in the late 90s. It’s the biggest selling point of WWE ‘13 and one that makes it well worth checking out.
WWF WrestleMania: The Arcade Game
Entering in at number nine is WWF WrestleMania: The Arcade Game. Released in 1995 for home consoles and in arcades, WWF WrestleMania: The Arcade Game introduced a more fast-paced style based on fighting games such as Mortal Kombat. It includes commentary from ‘The King’ Jerry Lawler and Vince McMahon, and the iconic voice of Howard Finkel introduces players to the game.
WWF WrestleMania: The Arcade Game features eight wrestlers from WWF and two single player modes: Intercontinental Championship and WWF Championship. Both include a series of handicap matches with the difficulty increasing in the latter mode. But WWF WrestleMania: The Arcade Game will be most remembered for its great multiplayer and wacky moves (such as Doink the Clown pulling a mallet out of nowhere, like an RKO). A unique and brilliant entry into the world of wrestling.
WWE 2K14
Entering in at number eight is WWE 2K14. Released in 2013, WWE 2K14 was the first WWE game developed by 2K Sports after the bankruptcy of THQ. Due to this there’s a few tweaks from WWE ‘13, with the new developers adding a few finer details. Animations are smoother, and running in particular feels much more realistic.
But what many fans will remember WWE 2K14 for is its Streak Mode. This mode is featured on the Undertaker’s then undefeated WrestleMania streak (thanks for ruining that, Brock…) and allows the player to either try to defeat ‘Taker or play as the Deadman and live out his iconic matches. WWE 2K14 also includes the 30 Years of WrestleMania Mode and allows players to play out 45 different famous matches from various ‘Manias. WWE 2K14 provides fantastic fan service for all WWE fans, old and new.
WWE All Stars
Entering in at number seven is WWE All Stars. Released in 2011, WWE All Stars takes a more cartoon-based approach to the sport. It features wrestlers from the past and then-present, all battling it out in much more exaggerated and fast paced action.
WWE All Stars focuses on easy to pick up, hard to master dynamics. Combos become much more important and the player can choose different moves based on whether the opponent is on the ground or not. Finishers are very over the top, with Cena’s AA showing him jumping up in to the air, while HHH’s Pedigree sends shock waves along the ring (look out for that during the next Wrestlemania match featuring Hunter). WWE All Stars is an incredibly unique entry to the wrestling games list, but it’s one that includes a lot of fun action and fast paced gameplay.
WCW/nWo Revenge
Entering in at number six is WCW/nWo Revenge. Released in 1998 for the Nintendo 64, WCW/nWo Revenge features the iconic nWo and was one of the best-selling wrestling games on the N64. Interestingly, at the time of its release, WWF was starting to win the Monday Night Wars, but WCW/nWo Revenge shows the very best of WCW, and why it beat out WWF for as long as it did.
WCW/nWo Revenge includes a tremendous grappling system that adds a lot of depth to the gameplay. Not only does it feature some of the most famous wrestlers from that time period, but it also includes some of the more iconic arenas too, and a fantastic atmosphere. Overall, WCW/nWo Revenge is the best WCW game ever created.
WWF SmackDown! Shut Your Mouth
Entering in at number five is WWF SmackDown! Shut Your Mouth. Released in 2002 for PlayStation 2, WWF SmackDown! Shut Your Mouth is the first WWF entry to be released after the ‘invasion’ of WCW and ECW wrestlers, and the last game to be released before WWF changed to WWE. In some ways, this was the peak for potential in WWF games: the roster was huge and there were lots of new wrestlers..
Sadly WWF SmackDown! Shut Your Mouth kept much of the gameplay style from previous WWF SmackDown! games, but it also includes the brilliant Season Mode where wrestlers were divided due to the Brand Extension. This mode closely follows real-life events of the time (with the nWo making their debut and the two brands battling it out). You can either play as a main guy like The Rock, or a wrestler with a lower level like Jeff Hardy, and work your way up through the ranks. A higher ranking means better stories and matches, whereas a lower one means wrestling on the dreaded Sunday Night Heat. Shut Your Mouth had one of the best Career Modes ever included in a wrestling game.
Fire Pro Wrestling Returns
Entering in at number four is Fire Pro Wrestling Returns. Released in 2008 for PlayStation 2, Fire Pro Wrestling Returns features over 300 wrestlers from all over the world, and is the best wrestling game to feature wrestlers who only compete in Japan. There’s also customisation options aplenty: from creating a wrestler, to a belt, to an arena and even a whole promotion. Due to this, Fire Pro Wrestling Returns is still a hugely popular game with modders.
What makes Fire Pro Wrestling Returns really stand out is how different the gameplay is to other wrestling games. Timing is much more important, and strategy is everything. This system works brilliantly with the roster included, where many of the wrestlers are more known for their in-ring talent rather than their character. Fire Pro Wrestling Returns stands out for its gameplay and customisation options, all of which make it a fantastic wrestling game.
SmackDown vs Raw 2008
Entering in at number three is SmackDown vs Raw 2008. Released in 2007, SmackDown vs Raw 2008 was the first WWE game to feature the ECW brand. It also featured a dynamic Face/Heel system seen in most wrestling matches, and allowed the player to truly capture the feel of a character.
But what’s most remembered about SmackDown vs Raw 2008 is how extreme it was thanks to the addition of ECW. Maybe WWE dropped the ball with that brand, but SmackDown vs Raw 2008 certainly didn’t. Tables could be set alight, as could barbed wire bats, and Extreme Rules Matches were some of the most brutal matches ever included on any wrestling game. Players could also control certain moves, like a Chokeslam, and decide where the opponent falls (which could well be through a flaming table). SmackDown vs Raw 2008 provides hours upon hours of brutal and action based fun.
WWE SmackDown! Here Comes the Pain
Entering in at number two is WWE SmackDown! Here Comes the Pain. Released in 2003 for PlayStation 2, WWE SmackDown! Here Comes the Pain was the next big thing in wrestling games, and not just because it features The Next Big Thing himself. WWE SmackDown! Here Comes the Pain was a complete refresh on the old SmackDown! games and changed the gameplay for the better.
Each move feels so much more impactful with the opponent’s health represented in the corner of the screen. You could see damage caused to each section of the body, and it allowed for much more precise and strategic attacks. It worked perfectly for the likes of Brock Lesnar and Goldberg, and the entire roster of wrestlers felt much more realistic. WWE SmackDown! Here Comes the Pain is one of the finest wrestling games ever created.
WWF No Mercy
Entering in at number one is WWF No Mercy. Released in 2000 for the Nintendo 64, WWF No Mercy is quite simply the champion of all wrestling games. Despite a slightly botched release where the saving function didn’t work (cue the “you fu**ed up” chants) WWF No Mercy is widely remembered as the most iconic wrestling game of all time at a time when WWF was at its most iconic.
Wrestlers like The Rock, Stone Cold, HHH, Undertaker and others were in their prime, and it made for incredibly exciting story modes. The player could choose which belt to wrestle for, and the story then developed based on this, with incredibly authentic Attitude Era storylines (plenty of the McMahons). The Hardcore mode even features Cactus Jack as a hidden character, with the likes of Shawn Michaels also being available to unlock. WWF No Mercy also included one of the most sophisticated gameplay styles of all wrestling games, and made for exciting and tense matches.
Here is your winner, and nnnnneeeeeeeewwwwwwww Undisputed Champion of all wrestling games: WWF No Mercy!
