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The 11 best WWE wrestling games ever made from Superstars to No MercyMichael BeckwithPublished March 11, 2025 1:00am How does WWE 2K25 compare to previous games? (2K)GameCentral explores WWEs gaming history to find out which are its best video games, from the days of the arcade coin-ops to modern entries on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S.Wrestling video games have been a thing for far longer than you may realise. They go all the way back to when WWE was still called WWF, with the very first games releasing for home computers like the Commodore 64 and ZX Spectrum.Since then, WWE games have been a near annual tradition and have made a home for themselves on almost every home console you can think of and even some Nintendo handhelds.With the newest entry, WWE 2K25, available in early access and hitting store shelves this week, weve rummaged through the franchises history to pay respects to the best WWE video games ever made.11. MicroLeague WrestlingPC, Commodore 64, Amiga, and Atari STThe first ever licensed wrestling game is strange for a number of reasons, not least the fact that it doesnt have WWF in its name (MicroLeague was the name of the developer). Whats even stranger is that instead of an action game its a turn-based strategy.Yes, you read that right. The game allows you to pick from a variety of moves, or a block, in order to do damage, with the game using digitised photos of the real wrestlers rather than normal animated graphics. In 1987 that seemed very high tech but it meant you only got three wrestlers at first: Hulk Hogan, Randy Savage, and Paul Orndorff. Although it was successful enough that extra expansions were released later.10. WWF WrestleFestArcadeJapanese developer Techns Japan (the original Double Dragon studio) made the first ever WWF game for arcades in 1989, with WWF Superstars. This 1991 follow-up is essentially the same game but bigger, boasting more playable wrestlers, more gameplay modes (including a Royal Rumble mode), and support for up to four players.It was popular enough to become one of the highest grossing arcade games in the US, alongside Street Fighter 2, and it was later remade in 2012 for mobile. Said remakes long gone but 2021s RetroMania Wrestling serves as an unofficial successor and is very popular on Steam.9. WWE All StarsPlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Wii, PSP, and 3DSAt a time when WWE games were only ever serious-ish wrestling simulators, 2011s WWE All Stars was a welcome change of pace. All Stars took a far more cartoonish approach than other games, as if you were playing as the action figures rather than the wrestlers themselves.It never got too silly, but this was the kind of wrestling game where you could grab someone, leap high into the air, and slam them down into the floor with enough force to make shockwaves. It even had Street Fighter-esque super meters. While the more grounded WWE 2K games have their place this was a fun alternative, although after the awful WWE 2K Battlegrounds itll probably be a while till we see anything similar again.8. WWE 2K23Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and PCThe redemption of the WWE 2K series technically began with WWE 2K22, but it was the following entry that started a new golden age for the series, after the horrendous WWE 2K20.WWE 2K23 to the foundations of the previous game and refined it into a much tighter experience, while adding a number of great gameplay modes. The new WarGames is the standout, since it requires two rings, while the Showcase mode is neatly subverted, chronicling John Cenas career by demanding you beat him over and over. Although maybe that idea shouldve been saved for next years game, now that Cenas turned heel.7. WWE SmackDown! Vs. Raw 2006PlayStation 2 and PSPFor the longest time, Japanese developer Yukes was the go-to for WWE games. Although it maintained this streak from 2000 until 2019, its best games were the early ones, amongst them WWE SmackDown! Vs. Raw 2006 (which, despite the name, came out in 2005).While the first SmackDown! Vs. Raw was no slouch either, its sequel just about pips it, for its attempts at a more authentic and realistic wrestling experience, its wealth of content, and introducing General Manager mode and the ability to create your own entrances.6. WWE SmackDown! Here Comes the PainPlayStation 2The last entry in the SmackDown! series, before the transition to SmackDown! Vs. Raw, certainly ended an era on a high note, ambitiously blending the fast-paced arcade gameplay with slightly more realistic grappling moves.This 2003 game also introduced the idea of making former legendary wrestlers playable, like the Iron Sheik and the Million Dollar Man Ted DiBiase, meaning you could finally cook up dream matches that otherwise would never happen. It was the first game to add Bra and Panties matches, though; a rather unsavoury aspect of WWE history thats long since been abandoned.5. WWF SmackDown!PlayStationYukes already had experience with wrestling games by the time THQ approached it to helm WWF licensed titles, with the legendary Power Move Pro Wrestling series. This first effort for a Western company though, was enough to keep them in work for nearly two decades.Its no exaggeration to say the WWE 2K games owe their entire existence to 2000s WWF SmackDown, and you can see the origins of the modern wrestling sims right here, steeped in fast-paced, arcade-style gameplay mechanics. This game also gave us Steel Cage matches (a must-have for the excessive violence of the Attitude Era), although its held back by the bizarre lack of mid-match commentary.4. WWE 2K24Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and PCWWE 2K24 felt like a true completion to the series modern redemption arc. Beyond improvements in areas like the graphics and character animations, this game adds so much new stuff that, at least at the time, it felt like the best WWE game ever made.Simply having loads of content isnt enough if none of its good, but theres remarkably little to fault here. Both its story modes are fantastic, the roster is delightfully massive, and its surprisingly fun to play as the referee for a change. This was also the first game to add throwable weapons, which is one of those little things you dont realise how much you wanted until you get it.3. WWE 2K25Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and PCSome recency bias is definitely at play here, but WWE 2K25 really is that good and thankfully continues 2K and developer Visual Concepts hot streak of releases. For those who prefer their wrestling games authentic, this is the most immersive theyve ever been and its new gameplay additions (including intergender wrestling) will hopefully define the next era of entries.The Island online mode may prove to be its biggest sticking point, however, and while the last few WWE 2K games have had some obnoxious monetisation, WWE 2K25s microtransactions may be the most egregious yet. We just hope it doesnt get even worse for WWE 2K26.2. WWF SmackDown! 2: Know Your RolePlayStationDropping a sequel to any game just eight months after the original sounds unbelievable nowadays, but thats precisely what THQ did in 2000. Fans at the time clearly didnt mind, considering it sold over three million copies and was critically acclaimed.This wasnt just a mere roster update either, as it reworked the Season mode, added more gameplay options, and introduced the ability to create and customise your own wrestler (something thats become a staple of the WWE 2K games). Its arguably outshone in some areas by later entries, but this is easily the best wrestling game for the PlayStation 1 and one still worth playing today.1. WWF No MercyNintendo 64More TrendingWho wouldve thought that the quintessential wrestling game would be found, not on a PlayStation or Xbox console, but a Nintendo one? While many early WWE games were PlayStation exclusives, Nintendo 64 owners could proudly brag they had the best one.The last WWF game to be developed by AKI Corporation (now known as syn Sophia), WWF No Mercy ended that era on an extremely high note. Wrestling fans who grew up playing this game speak highly of it for its controls, rich customisation options, branching storylines in Championship mode, and for perfectly encapsulating everything they loved about the Attitude era.A dedicated following is still playing No Mercy through emulation and have even made their own mods to add more wrestlers and arenas. It blatantly influenced the development of AEW Fight Forever (right down to having No Mercy director Hideyuki Iwashita on board as a gameplay advisor) and as far as we can tell, its the only retro wrestling game to have been paid tribute by the WWE, as it featured in this teaser trailer for the NXT No Mercy event in 2023.All of this cements WWF No Mercy as the peak of wrestling games and one that is unlikely to ever be topped. Is WWF No Mercy your number one wrestling game? (THQ/MobyGames)Emailgamecentral@metro.co.uk, leave a comment below,follow us on Twitter, andsign-up to our newsletter.To submit Inbox letters and Readers Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use ourSubmit Stuff page here.For more stories like this,check our Gaming page.GameCentralSign up for exclusive analysis, latest releases, and bonus community content.This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. 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