Following WWE 2K20's critical mauling and fan backlash, a reception that was more than justified, 2K Sports will be skipping the next iteration of the annual series to focus on quality control. As a (sort of) replacement for WWE 2K21, WWE 2K Battlegrounds has been announced, a brawler that adds a touch of arcadey mayhem to pro wrestling.
Unlike the simulation-based recent WWE games, Battlegrounds is over-the-top, cartoonish, and does not take itself seriously. Basically, the spin-off will be the NBA 2K Playgrounds of wrestling games. Here are 10 wrestling games worth playing in preparation for WWE 2K Battlegrounds.
10 WWE All Stars
Out of all the WWE games, 2011's WWE All Stars is undoubtedly the most reminiscent of Battlegrounds. A spin-off game that provided an arcade alternative to the mainline WWE SmackDown vs. Raw titles that were making the rounds at the time, WWE All Stars was gloriously outlandish and explosive.
This game embodies the larger-than-life attitude that defined wrestling during the '80s and '90s, while the frantic and simplistic beat 'em up-style gameplay is fun for a few matches.
9 Saturday Night Slam Masters
Capcom is pretty decent at that whole "fighting" thing, but the publisher seldom ventures into wrestling territory. 1993's Saturday Night Slam Masters was an exception. An arcade title that blended traditional wrestling with fighting game controls and mechanics, Saturday Night Slam Masters delivered fast-paced action that toed the line between realism and anime epicness.
The sequels would shift towards a more conventional 2D fighting game presentation, but Saturday Night Slam Masters holds up as a stylistic and entertaining wrestling title.
8 WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw 2006
For the most part, the WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw games were decent but rarely spectacular. Serving as a middle ground between the more arcade-based SmackDown titles and the simulation-focused WWE 2K entries, WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw 2006 struck the ideal balance between accessibility and skill.
The General Manager mode is also a fun diversion, even if it cannot compare to something like the Fire Pro Wrestling series. WWE 2K Battlegrounds might prove to be somewhat short on content, a criticism that cannot be levied on WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw 2006.
7 WWF WrestleMania: The Arcade Game
Even if console wrestling games have generally tried to stir away from pure arcade gameplay, the subgenre can be traced back to gaming halls. WWF Superstars and the fantastic WWF WrestleFest were both pretty popular during the early '90s, although neither title made it to home consoles.
Thankfully, Midway's WWF WrestleMania: The Arcade Game did earn a few console ports, and it is still surprisingly fun to revisit in 2020. Inspired by the developer's Mortal Kombat background, WWF WrestleMania: The Arcade Game is very much a fighting game that happens to feature wrestlers. Logic is thrown out the window in favor of ridiculous finishers and endearingly over-the-top animations.
6 WWE SmackDown! Here Comes the Pain
Widely regarded as the best PlayStation wrestling game, WWE SmackDown! Here Comes the Pain offers everything a fan of sports entertainment could possibly want: A huge roster packed with stars, a lengthy campaign, hundreds of moves, and tight mechanics.
Despite boasting quite realistic visuals for the time and all the ingredients to authentically simulate wrestling matches, Here Comes the Pain ramps up the intensity, speed, and explosiveness to create a superpowered version of WWE's product.
5 Def Jam Vendetta
On paper, a game that combines wrestling with hip hop sounds ridiculous; in reality, Def Jam Vendetta is ridiculous, albeit in the best possible way. EA's title harbors back to the Nintendo 64-era of wrestling games, although Def Jam Vendetta incorporates more beat 'em up elements than titles like WWF WrestleMania 2000.
WWE 2K Battlegrounds looks set to be far more over-the-top than Def Jam Vendetta; however, the latter proves that even the strangest of concepts can work. While the sequel is superior to Vendetta, Def Jam: Fight for NY is less of a wrestling game.
4 Fire Pro Wrestling World
Unless 2K Sports' reveal trailer proves to be widely misleading, WWE 2K Battlegrounds should be absolutely nothing like Fire Pro Wrestling World. Spike Chunsoft's 2017 title is about as far removed from arcade gameplay as possible, with matches playing out like strategic bouts were every maneuver needs to be carefully considered.
Fire Pro Wrestling World is the antithesis of Battlegrounds. While the latter should offer stylish action and immediacy, the former grounds its action in pseudo-realism. While waiting for Battlegrounds, why not experience the direct opposite?
3 WWF No Mercy
Why should someone play WWF No Mercy? Simply put, it is the best wrestling game ever created. Even though it is set to celebrate its 20th anniversary later this year, THQ's WWF No Mercy still plays like a dream, features a roster that is second to none, and a single-player mode that offers a ton of replayability. The customization options are also impressive, allowing for the creation of all sorts of custom wrestlers.
Although not as good, WCW/nWo Revenge and WWF WrestleMania 2000 are also worth playing.
2 WWF WrestleFest
An arcade classic, WWF WrestleFest sadly never made its way to consoles, although an iOS remake was released in 2012. That version is better than nothing, especially since finding the original in an arcade is easier said than done.
Despite starting life in arcades, WWF WrestleFest does try to somewhat realistically simulate wrestling matches; that said, the gameplay has an element of showmanship that reflects WWE's early '90s scene.
1 Ultimate Muscle: Legends vs. New Generation
Naturally, a game based on a wrestling anime is going to be slightly more over-the-top than WWE's typical license products. Luckily, that makes Ultimate Muscle: Legends vs. New Generation a perfect companion piece for WWE 2K Battlegrounds.
Ultimate Muscle: Legends vs. New Generation moves at a ridiculously quick pace that can be overwhelming for beginners. While the in-game moves are inspired by real wrestling maneuvers, they routinely cause wrestlers to be sent flying through the sky. With gorgeous cel-shaded animation, challenging combat, and a whole lot of style, Ultimate Muscle: Legends vs. New Generation is an overlooked wrestling gem.