Every WWE 2K Game Ranked, According To IGN (2024)

Throughout its storied existence, WWE has released countless video games across several platforms. Understandably, the promotion has worked with several developers and publishers as well, which has led to a great variety in how playable their games are. One of WWE games' most notable partnerships is the one they have with 2K Games. 2K took over publishing duties for WWE games back in 2013, with the release of WWE 2K14 in late 2013. Ever since then, all of WWE's video games have been known as WWE 2K.

In the years since then, 2K has had inconsistent success with its releases. Some games have been favorably received by critics and audiences alike, while a handful have been nothing short of reviled. IGN's rating for each of these games is a notable metric to gauge the overall quality of these games.

11 WWE 2K20 Sets A New Low

WWE & 2K Games Had To Completely Overhaul Their Approach

• The Showcase mode had potential as it focused on the Four Horsewomen of the WWE; Becky Lynch, Sasha Banks, Charlotte Flair, and Bayley.
• Crashes and bugs beyond compare made the game practically unplayable before multiple patches "attempted" to repair it.
• MyCareer now lets players control a man and a woman while playing through both of their respective careers.

"Very few things have changed - and of those that have, even fewer are for the better." - Mitchell Saltzman, IGN

When it comes to WWE 2K games, players know what to expect. In the last few years, improvements had been made to the combat system, but the result was still a series of flawed games that seemed to lack the care they deserved. Then came WWE 2K20. The game managed to undo a lot of the progress its predecessor had made and regressed further. Several character designs were just shoddy, and the game overall was extremely buggy.

With the amount of backlash from players, 2K decided to cancel any plans for WWE 2K21 and instead take a year to flesh out what would be WWE 2K22. Many players went back to the previous year's title, WWE 2K19, breathing new life into that entry before the servers were eventually shut down. Attempting to go back and play this game is baffling nowadays, as the control scheme seems to be an odd mix of 2K19 and current titles while also suffering many of the same crashes and bugs that 2K and Visual Concepts were unable to repair.

10 WWE 2K Battlegrounds Is An Unsatisfactory Stop-Gap

The Game Replaced WWE 2K21

• The gameplay and appearance were trying to appeal to the fans of WWE All Stars, a title fans wish would come back in some fashion.
• Move lists were insanely small, and the roster was locked behind microtransactions or a ridiculous amount of grinding.
• Getting this game at a reduced price could provide some enjoyment, just don't have high expectations.

"Measured by any standard other than as a brief party game, it falls flat on its face." - Mitchell Saltzman, IGN

After the unmitigated disaster that was WWE 2K20, its sequel was shelved as 2K took a year off to focus on making a great game. In the meanwhile, fans were given WWE 2K Battlegrounds. It was just released to give WWE game fans something to do, and it felt just like that. The game went down the arcade, pick-up-and-play route, but managed to botch it entirely.

The gameplay was far from spectacular and got rather repetitive at a jarring rate. Characters were based around classes and, in turn, their movesets were practically identical besides a move or two and finishers. Plus, the greedier side of 2K was shown with this title as more than half of the roster, everything in the create-a-wrestler suite, and alternate attires were all locked behind microtransactions. The roster had around 70 superstars with only 24 being available from the start.

9 WWE 2K15 Is A Disappointing Sophom*ore Effort

The Game Took A Step Back In Every Department

• 2K and WWE's first attempt at the eighth generation of home consoles saw much-improved graphics.
• Who Got NXT and similar gameplay to WWE 2K14 made the last-gen version a decent pick-up.
• Many match types and features were removed from previous titles in the transition to newer hardware.

"WWE 2K15 looks better and hits harder on new-gen, but some key omissions keep it from reaching the main-event." - Dave Rudden, IGN

After the success of WWE 2K14, most people assumed that WWE 2K15 would build on its predecessor's strengths. But the final result was woefully undercooked, taking several steps back and somehow undoing a lot of things that had worked previously. While the UI is undeniably better, the roster leaves a lot to be desired, and the visuals are certainly lacking.

2K15 is also an odd situation, as the last-gen (PlayStation 3 & Xbox 360) versions were a reskinned WWE 2K14. The next-gen versions were where the game truly suffered, besides the graphics, which were a massive step up. With everything that 2K removed for those next-gen versions, they did try to make up for it with a repetitive MyCareer mode.

8 WWE 2K18 Is A Swing-And-A-Miss

MyCareer Is Dull And Other Features Have Glaring Issues

• 2K18 didn't do much to differ from WWE 2K17.
• MyCareer suffered from horrible writing and dull RPG mechanics.
• An attempt with a Nintendo Switch port saw the absolute worst wrestling video game of all time.

"WWE 2K18's new graphics engine makes a big frog splash, but the dull MyCareer mode may put you in a sleeper hold." - Mitchell Saltzman, IGN

WWE 2K18 suffers mainly because it doesn't do enough to justify its existence as a standalone title. While it retains a lot of what made WWE 2K17 successful, the MyCareer mode is extremely underwhelming. The promo system in particular was strongly criticized by several players. The subtle tweaks to gameplay were not strong enough to keep fans and players excited.

WWE 2K18 doesn't do anything to blatantly offend the fan base as 2K15 does, it just sadly didn't do much to differentiate itself from previous titles. Dishonorable mention goes to the Nintendo Switch port that ran so poorly that 2K decided that console wasn't worth working with ever again.

7 WWE 2K19 Could Have Been Great But Settles For Good

It Is Held Back By Longstanding Issues Present In All WWE 2K Games

• MyCareer took a new approach as it created an actual story for players to live through.
• Showcase mode returned with a focus on the career of Daniel Bryan.
• Players made this game last longer, as the reception to WWE 2K20 was negative, to say the least.

"WWE 2K19 is a rebound in the right direction, but it is held back by many long-standing issues." - Mitchell Saltzman, IGN

There is a lot to love about WWE 2K19. MyCareer is way better, the creation suite offers more customizability than ever, and the Payback system adds greater complexity to in-ring action. But it is still held back by multiple issues that have plagued pretty much every WWE 2K game. The commentary is wooden and stilted, character progression is stacked with issues in the main story, and there is a litany of bugs that hold it back from truly being great.

The game has been looked back on with rose-tinted glasses as 2K20 was such a disservice to the community that most players went back to playing 2K19. This entry would also be historic as it was the final time that WWE and Yuke's would work together on a wrestling game, with Yuke's leaving and starting a working relationship with All Elite Wrestling instead.

6 WWE 2K22 Was A Refreshing Return

This Is The Largest Leap Forward In Quality The Series Has Seen

• MyFaction was introduced as a decent concept that is hindered by microtransactions and RNG.
• 2K22 was created to appeal to more casual players with a pick-up-and-play style.
• MyRise officially replaced MyCareer with a further focus on the story while also allowing more freedom to the player.

"WWE 2K22 is a tremendous leap forward compared to 2K20. The action is faster, more pick-up-and-play friendly, the roster of 160+ wrestlers has never looked better, and the addition of MyGM mode rounds out a well rounded offering of modes for just about every type of wrestling fan." - Mitchell Saltzman, IGN

2K had the weight of the world on its shoulders with the release of WWE 2K22. After WWE 2K20 almost completely derailed the video game series, this was an opportunity for the publishers to prove that they were dedicated to making a quality title. Thankfully, WWE 2K22 delivers in spades. It's far from perfect, there are still bugs and a janky collision system, but a brand-new grappling system brings the games into a new era, alongside better controls that make the game more accessible as a whole.

The commentary is also better, and the combo system adds a fluidity to combat that past titles had been lacking. 2K22 introduced/reintroduced fans to modes like MyGM and MyFaction which for better or worse have become staples of the WWE franchise.

5 WWE 2K23 Continues To Improve On A Strong Foundation

Improvements Across-The-Board Bode Well For WWE And 2K

• WWE 2K23 didn't try to change much from 2K22 but instead improved on what was already there.
• Controlling opponents of John Cena's while beating him was a new take on Showcase mode.
• WarGames was the big new match type introduced, something fans had been wanting for years.

"Though the Showcase mode isn’t as super as its subject, John Cena, the sharp focus on refinement instead of reinvention helps keep WWE 2K23 as the gold standard of wrestling sims." - Jarrett Green, IGN

WWE 2K23 didn't try to rebuild the wheel like its predecessor, rather it focused on making incremental improvements. All the major game modes got minor upgrades, and the introduction of WarGames added a new level of carnage to the game.

If nothing else, this title proved that 2K is making a concentrated effort to avoid taking two steps back with every alternate release. There is just enough in this title to recommend the upgrade for those playing WWE 2K22.

4 WWE 2K24 Seemed Like A Step Forward

Updates To The Game Have Seemed To Ruin Something Good

• Showcase mode has taken a massive step down with the constant "slingshot" technology and repetitive tasks.
• Multiple match types were revived, like Casket, Ambulance, and Gauntlet matches.
• MyFaction is worse than ever with content costing possibly hundreds of dollars to get the card players want.

"While not drastically different, WWE 2K24 is better in almost every way, touting small but smart additions to well-tested systems and modes as opposed to taking bigger risks." - Jarrett Green, IGN

WWE 2K24 at first was a great step forward from previous titles with the return of fun match types like the Casket or Special Guest Referee match, but as games have become a live service nowadays, things took a turn for the worse. MyFaction, for anyone who enjoyed that mode, has become more of a labor-inducing grind than ever before, with payouts being smaller than ever and the chances of getting a good card from a single pack being near impossible.

Other features like the Universe Mode have become so broken that most players who enjoy that have decided to quit playing. On day one, it seemed 2K24 was going to be one of the best entries in the 2K franchise, but over time that has been proven not true. Whatever fun players had with Showcase mode in previous titles has been stripped away with the "Forty Years Of WrestleMania" as the mode has repetitive challenges and insists on cutting to real-life footage every few moves.

3 WWE 2K17 Revamped MyCareer

The Improved Mode Came At The Expense Of A Showcase Mode

• Showcase mode was removed with a further focus on the MyCareer mode.
• The difference between fan reception and IGN's score is jarring.
• 2K17 was decent but didn't change much from previous titles as 2K was entering a repetitive phase.

"The loss of the 2K Showcase is unfortunate, but WWE 2K17s gameplay tweaks, and already strong feature-set save the day." - Vince Ingenito, IGN

2K saw the reviews of MyCareer mode from previous titles and decided to revamp the mode entirely and make it something enjoyable. While focusing on this mode so intensely, the decision was made to scrap the Showcase mode, however. Showcase isn't typically seen as the highlight of WWE games but does offer a decent amount of fun for players wanting to relive the past of WWE history.

The base game also wasn't a drastic change from 2K16 and was another example that yearly titles can't always be a massive change in quality. The Showcase mode would return with DLC focused on the Hall of Fame class that year, but was far too short and didn't make up for what was removed.

2 WWE 2K14 Is The Last Of A Great Run

2K Came Charging Out Of The Gate With A Stellar Debut

• This would be the final WWE game exclusive to the seventh generation of consoles.
• Most of the game was already created via Yukes before 2K entered the picture.
• The creation suite started introducing the ability to create new attires for existing wrestlers.

"Old issues linger, but WWE 2K14 celebrates wrestling's past while giving you the power to shape its virtual future." - Vince Ingenito, IGN

2K got one thing right with its debut effort: WWE fans want to relive greatness. WWE 2K14 builds a fantastic 30 Years of WrestleMania mode that digs deep into WWE's gigantic catalog of archival footage and iconic matches to give fans a mode that allows them to re-experience iconic WrestleMania moments.

Beyond that, the creation suite is a massive highlight, as players are given the choice to endlessly tinker with wrestler designs to their heart's content. It isn't a perfect game, but 2K started off with a banger.

1 WWE 2K16 Was A True Next-Gen Title

It Gave Fans (Almost) Everything They Wanted

• The creation suite was massively improved from the previous title.
• 2K16's Showcase mode is beloved as it focuses on the career of Stone Cold Steve Austin, even dipping a small bit into his WCW and ECW runs.
• A small bit of content that was removed between 2K14 and 2K15 was starting to return.

"WWE 2K16 is a true in-ring technician, and its feature set has taken a big step in the right direction." - Vince Ingenito, IGN

WWE 2K16 went to great lengths to give fans an authentic wrestling experience that remained a ton of fun to play. A restructured reversal system and working holds meant that matches gave players more flexibility, and allowed them to control the pace of the action. Like every other 2K game, it has its fair share of issues.

The Stone Cold-centric Showcase mode has been described as one of the best in 2K's history, and the impressive roster featuring names from multiple periods and companies was beyond compare at the time. The biggest step forward came with the creation system as 2K15 fell so far with its attempt that there was really nowhere to go but up.