There were the AKI-developed wrestling games that covered both WCW and WWE games, and then there was the rise of the Smackdown! series on the PlayStation to take up the mantle for the WWE wrestling franchise going forward.
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Unfortunately, with the collapse of WCW and WWE dominated the wrestling games market too. This meant that the PS2-owning wrestling fans didn’t have the same level of quality that the N64 and PS1 enjoyed in their prime but the console was still home to some of the best wrestling games ever made for PS2.
Updated on January 4, 2022, by Michael Llewellyn: It’s often the N64 that gets credited with having the best library of wrestling games of all time thanks to the AKI-developed WCW and WWE titles. However, the PS2 still has some of the most iconic wrestling games of all time with Smackdown Here Comes the Pain and Fire Pro Wresting being the two big standouts.
The PS2 was mainly dominated by WWE wrestling games but in addition to Fire Pro Wrestling, other obscure wrestling titles can offer the wrestling fan an alternative on the PS2. The upcoming WWE 2K22 promises to “hit different” and the in-development AEW Wrestling game promises a pure wrestling experience using a modified AKI engine and several AKI veterans on board there’s a lot to be excited about. In the meantime, here are some classic wrestling games that fans should try before these big titles launch.
13 Showdown: Legends Of Wrestling
Released: 2004 Developer: Acclaim
The third entry in the Legends of Wrestling series is the most polished in this very flawed but fun wrestling franchise. Created by the studio that was behind the WWF Attitude games, Showdown is more of an arcade fighter with wrestling elements compared to the WWE games and Fire Pro Wrestling. It may not be one of the best wrestling games on the PS2 but it still has its strong points.
It’s the third entry in the Legends of Wrestling series and while it’s considered the best in the trilogy it’s let down by many significant bugs. However, the concept of a game that brings together legends of wrestling’s golden is a great idea that either WWE or AEW should take advantage of. The Legends roster in WWE 2K22 is likely to be sparse with many held back with a potential loot box system. Wrestling fans will always desire the ability to relive some iconic moments from wrestling’s past in a dedicated game.
12 Galactic Wrestling
Released: 2003 Developer: AKI Corporation
Released in 2003, Galactic Wrestling: Featuring Ultimate Muscle is an over-the-top wrestling title from the same studio that created WWF No Mercy and the Def Jam series. Being based on the Ultimate Muscle anime series the character have special moves and superpowers.
It doesn’t come close to No Mercy or Def Jam but with one of the most robust fighting systems under the hood, Galatic Wrestling is still a solid title. However, it’s hard to shake that feeling that AKI’s talents would have been put to better use in a proper wrestling game.
11 Rumble Roses
Released: 2003 Developer: Yukes
Developed by the same studio that created the WWE Smackdown series Rumble Roses is an all-female wrestling game using the same engine as much loved Smackdown Here Comes the Pain. This means that it’s using one of the most popular engines in wrestling game history and offers a good alternative to fans tired of the WWE brand.
Mechanically, the game performs very well and is one of the better-looking PS2 titles. However, its themes which put it more in line with the Dead or Alive series complete with jiggle physics and ridiculous costumes will certainly frustrate some players. If one can look past that, then Rumble Roses remains a solid wrestling title offering something different to the WWE wrestling games on the PS2 system.
10 WWE All-Stars
Released: 2011 Developer: THQ San Diego
WWE All-Stars was released by THQ on the PlayStation 2, PSP, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and the Nintendo Wii in 2011. Despite being a scaled-down port of the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions, the PS2 version of All-Stars faired very well in the visuals department and was nearly comparable to the Wii version.
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It lacked the online element of the more powerful consoles and players weren’t able to download any of the future DLC. However, gamers looking for an entertaining beat-em-up with characters that resembled WWE action figures from the 1990s need to look no further than WWE All-Stars.
9 WWE Smackdown Vs. Raw 2007
Released: 2006 Developer: Yukes
WWE Smackdown Vs. Raw 2007 was developed by Yuke’s under the THQ label in 2006 on the PlayStation 2, Xbox 360, and PSP. Despite not having the power of its more powerful counterparts the PS2 port’s presentation remained intact and was one of the better-looking games on the older machine.
Smackdown vs. Raw 2007 introduced a new control method that implemented the analog stick for grappling instead of the face buttons. It was a tricky system to learn for long-time players of the franchise but the game had a more natural flow to it than previous games.
8 Def Jam: Vendetta
Released: 2003 Developer: AKI Corporation
Def Jam: Vendetta was published by EA in 2003 for the PlayStation 2 and the GameCube. However, it was developed by the same team behind the popular Nintendo 64 wrestling games from WCW vs. nWo to WWF No Mercy.
Instead of wrestlers Def Jam: Vendetta featured famous hip hop artists under the Def Jam label like DMX, Method Man, Ludacris, and more. Despite the slightly ridiculous notion of street-fighting rap stars, the excellent wrestling, and the grappling system were very similar to AKI’s licensed wrestling game with some added brutality.
7 WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2010
Released: 2009 Developer: Yukes
WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2010 was developed by Yukes and released by THQ in 2009 for the PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii, PSP, and the Nintendo DS. Smackdown Vs. Raw 2010 was one of the first signs the series was beginning to outgrow the aging PS2 system.
The PS2 version lacked several features found in the more powerful consoles like Create a Finisher and Superstar Threads. However, the Story Designer remained intact and offered players an incredible amount of depth to create their own WWE storylines and feuds.
6 WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2011
Released: 2010 Developer: Yukes
WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2011 was released in 2010 on the PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PSP, and the Nintendo Wii. It marked the very last time the Smackdown! series would appear on the PS2.
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Thankfully, Smackdown vs. Raw 2011 was a good send-off for the machine and pushed the aging console to its limits. The game came packed with tons of options for wrestling fans and even included the new Universe Mode alongside series staples like the Story Designer and the “Road to Wrestlemania”.
5 Def Jam: Fight For NY
Released: 2005 Developer: AKI Corporation
Def Jam: Fight For NY was released for the PlayStation 2 in 2004. The game was once again developed by wrestling game veterans AKI. The game featured more rap stars than its predecessor and included the likes of Snoop Dogg, Busta Rhymes, Sean Paul, and Ice-T.
The game retains its AKI momentum-based gameplay but added in more fighting styles like wrestling, street fighting, martial arts, kickboxing, and submissions. In addition, the game had a good story mode which was unheard of for a fighting game series long before Mortal Kombat and Injustice.
4 WWE Smackdown! Vs Raw 2008
Released: 2007 Developer: Yukes
WWE Smackdown vs. Raw was released in 2007 on the PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PSP, and the Nintendo Wii. Unfortunately just like the PSP and Wii versions of the game the PS2 release felt very stripped down in comparison to the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions.
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The game featured improved controls from SvR 2007 and the grapple system’s Ultimate Control moves were more simple to pull off. Additionally, the chain wrestling mechanic that’s still being used to this day was executed brilliantly in the game. However, the game’s biggest draw was the use of the General Manager mode which was included as part of the new 24/7 Mode.
3 WWE Smackdown Vs. Raw 2006
Released: 2005 Developer: Yukes
Released in 2005 on the PlayStation 2 and PSP, WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2006 remains a favorite amongst wrestling fans. The game wasn’t a downgraded port of the more advanced console version released later it was designed from the ground up to make use of every resource the PS2 had available.
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However, the game’s biggest feature is the General Manager mode. For the first time, the series player could now take on the role of an authority figure in the WWE and compete against the opposing brand whether that is Raw or Smackdown. It was very deep and as a management sim felt like another game that was entirely separate from everything else in the series. To this day, the GM mode is still the most requested feature that fans want to see make a return in the WWE 2K series.
2 WWE Smackdown! Here Comes The Pain
Released: 2003 Developer: Yukes
WWE Smackdown! Here Comes The Pain was released on the PlayStation 2 in 2003. It is still highly regarded as one of the greatest American wrestling games ever developed next to WWF No Mercy. Visually, the game still looks very impressive almost 17 years later and the game still has gameplay features that are absent from the recent WWE 2K20.
Here Comes The Pain felt like a perfect balance of fast-paced action and wrestling sim. The game introduced realistically targeted submissions and a huge range of moves and an improved story mode. Additionally, the game featured outdoor brawls outside Times Square where wrestlers could leap from helicopters and 30-foot buildings for fans of the series the game was a pure joy to play.
1 Fire Pro Wrestling: Returns
Released: 2007 Developer: Human Entertainment/Spike Chunsoft
Fire Pro Wrestling: Returns was released in the United States in 2007 and was developed by Spike Chunsoft for the PlayStation 2. Instead of the 3D graphics that were synonymous with Fire Pro Wrestling used 2D visuals that are still used to this day in the series most recent entry Fire Pro Wrestling World.
Unlike the most recent title which is affiliated with the Japanese wrestling promotions like NJPW and Stardom, Fire Pro was an unlicensed wrestling title. It did, however, feature over 320 recreations of real-life wrestlers like Hulk Hogan and Andre The Giant albeit with amusing alternate names to avoid a lawsuit.
Furthermore, the game was a true wrestling simulation that required timing and skill and the matches were more about building drama than the fast-paced arcade action seen in the WWE games. Adding to the simulation feel was the requirement of booking the most exciting matches in advance to achieve the best possible grading based on audience excitement. It’s still a game that’s loved and played to this day thanks to its replay value and brilliant wrestling engine with stunning animations that transcend their 2D visual style.
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