Every WWE 2K Game Ranked, According To IGN

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.

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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.

WWE 2K20 Sets A New Low

WWE & 2K Games Had To Completely Overhaul Their Approach

• IGN rating: 4.3
• WWE 2K20 was nothing short of horrible

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. The sheer amount of backlash forced 2K to take a year off and focus on giving fans a quality product.

WWE 2K Battlegrounds Is An Unsatisfactory Stop-Gap

The Game Replaced WWE 2K21

• IGN rating: 5
• This arcade-style game didn't have many fans

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.

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The game went down the arcade, pick-up-and-play route, but managed to botch it entirely. The gameplay was weak, the art style was gimmicky and not memorable, and all the microtransactions were shoved down the throats of players.

WWE 2K15 Is A Disappointing Sophomore Effort

The Game Took A Step Back In Every Department

• IGN rating: 5.9
• 2K failed to build on the success of its predecessor

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. This left most players feeling like a lot was left on the cutting room floor, and they would be better off just sticking with WWE 2K14.

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

MyCareer Is Dull And Other Features Have Glaring Issues

• IGN rating: 7
• MyCareer is just one of many issues in this title

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 2K19 Could Have Been Great But Settles For Good

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

• IGN rating: 7.3
• The in-ring action was better, but the final product is still quite buggy

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.

WWE 2K22 Is A Much-Needed Return To Form

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

• IGN rating: 8
• 2K bounced back after the abject failure of WWE 2K20

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.

WWE 2K23 Hints At Greatness On The Horizon

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

• IGN rating: 8
• This title continued 2K's upward trend

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.

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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.

WWE 2K24 Improves On What It Already Does Well

The Game Is Great, But Doesn't Take Any Big Chances

• IGN rating: 8
• WWE 2K24 caps off a trilogy of great wrestling games

WWE 2K24 doesn't seek to reinvent the wheel. Instead, it recognizes some of the issues its predecessors had and seeks to fix them. The end result is a great, well-rounded game that proves 2K has hit its stride.

The highlights of the game are undoubtedly all the great additions made to MyRise, and MyGM mode is better than ever, all thanks to small, but strategic changes that elevate the experience.

WWE 2K17 Introduces Players To MyCareer

The New Mode Came At The Expense Of The Beloved Showcase Mode

• IGN rating: 8.2
• Showcase mode is cast aside for MyCareer

WWE 2K17 gets a lot right. The in-ring action is great, and the impact system has a heft to it that adds to the gaming experience. Players also get a little more freedom with where they can brawl, finally being allowed to take the fight to the crowd or the backstage area.

The core gameplay is immensely enjoyable, but MyCareer does not justify the absence of the Showcase. MyCareer is half-baked to put it kindly, and while the mode displays a ton of potential, it doesn't fill the Showcase-shaped hole in players' hearts.

WWE 2K14 Is Fantastic

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

• IGN rating: 8.7
• 30 Years of WrestleMania is phenomenal

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 set 2K on the right path.

WWE 2K16 Is Close To Perfect

It Gave Fans (Almost) Everything They Wanted

• IGN rating: 8.8
• WWE 2K16 is just ridiculously fun to play

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. But just in terms of sheer enjoyability, it is hard to beat WWE 2K16.