Best (And Worst) Wrestling Games of All Time

Wrestling games are an acquired taste that isn’t for everyone. They can be incredibly exciting to play while also being terribly infuriating at the same time. Considering there are dozens of wrestling games that have been released over the years, it’s worthwhile looking at the best (and worst) wrestling games of all time and see what makes them so iconic.

The Best Wrestling Games of All Time

1. WWE SmackDown vs Raw 2007

This is it, this is the best wrestling game of all time. And that’s a statement I’m willing to fight in a rumble to defend. WWE SmackDown vs Raw 2007 nailed everything that’s required of a wrestling game. It had authentic gameplay, an amazing cast of characters, multiple game modes, and one of the best video game soundtracks of all time. Hence why it deserves the #1 spot as the best wrestling game of all time.

2. WWF No Mercy

While it may seem dated today, WWF No Mercy was ahead of its time when it was released back in the year 2000. It was so popular in fact that it became one of the Nintendo 64’s best-selling titles. The game heavily improved on the gameplay mechanics of its predecessor while also introducing the “Championship” mode that would go on to become a fan-favorite and staple of every wrestling game since then, WWE or otherwise.

3. WWE SmackDown! Here Comes the Pain

WWE SmackDown! Here Comes the Pain might not be the best WWE game of all time, but it is the game that defined the series formula from thereon. At its release, it was lauded for its grappling mechanics which were considered the most “realistic” at the time; at least as far as wrestling games are considered. It also had the controversial Bra and Panties match mode which is understandably not present anymore in WWE games.

4. WCW/nWo Revenge

As a promotion, WCW had a great roster. What it didn’t have is a great video game roster, that is until WCW/nWo Revenge released. WCW/nWo Revenge did something that few contemporary wrestling games did at the time, it simplified its mechanics and prioritized presentation. That unfortunately was not enough to save the series, as it quickly died out a few years later when WWF acquired WCW.

5. WWE 2K24

WWE 2K24 is proof of what 20+ years of refinement and improvements can do for a game series. It’s arguably the penultimate WWE experience. While not as revolutionary as some of the previous entries, it does everything just right, which is what makes it so good. The Showcase mode takes you through some of the most iconic WWE/WWF matches in history and the MyGM mode is the best it’s ever been.

The Worst Wrestling Games of All Time

5. Def Jam: Fight for NY

In the annals of gaming history, there are certain games that seemingly shouldn’t exist. Def Jam: Fight for NY is one of those games. Not only does it exist, but it’s unapologetically one of the strangest fighting/wrestling games of all time. It has multiple iconic characters in it, a captivating story, multiple fighting styles, and about a dozen game modes. It’s a pretty decent game, it’s just weird!

4. WCW vs. the World

WCW vs. the World is one of the most unusual games in wrestling history, as it was intended to be a testbed for the AKI Corporation foray into the Western market. It had a grappling system that many wrestling games would later try to recreate. It used a Japanese style of wrestling rather than an American one, and it had a spirit meter that was clunky. All in all, not the best AKI game.

3. Saturday Night Slam Masters

Saturday Night Slam Masters, also known as Muscle Bomber: The Body Explosion in Japan is indisputably the coolest-sounding video game title ever. Although it was advertised as a wrestling game, it really wasn’t. It was a beat ’em up designed for arcades and certain home systems. While novel at the time, it ultimately failed as a wrestling game, as it had nothing to do with wrestling other than the aesthetic.

2. WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2011

WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2011 was the seventh and last game in the SmackDown vs Raw series, and it was unfortunately one of the worst entries in the series. All the splendor that the series had had up until that point was missing. It had just become another yearly release with no charm or soul. While not the worst wrestling game of all time, it was definitely below fan’s expectations.

1. AEW Fight Forever

AEW Fight Forever is proof that just because you can make a game doesn’t mean you should make a game. Conceptually, the game is great. The problem lies in its execution. Because the game was rushed, everything feels half-baked. The fighting is clunky and full of bugs, the voice acting is weird and unnatural, and it has a major case of bloat because of its numerous game modes, half of which don’t even work properly!