Since its inception, the allure of professional wrestling has captivated millions of fans worldwide. The squared circle continues to entertain and enthrill generations, from baby boomers to millennials.
In 2023, the world of wrestling video games has evolved to unprecedented heights. It lets players live out their dreams while experiencing the adrenaline-pumping action firsthand.
From intense grappling bouts to over-the-top finishing moves, the best wrestling games of the year have raised the bar. They deliver a gaming experience that will leave you on the edge of your seat.
Whether you’re a devoted wrestling fan or someone who enjoys competitive gameplay on Slingo Bingo, we have curated a list of titles that will satisfy your craving for virtual grappling excellence.
The Best Games to Play
Looking for the most entertaining wrestling games this year? Here are the best games that will immerse you in the electrifying world of wrestling.
Wrestle Mania: The Arcade Game
The Arcade Game is a unique fusion of traditional wrestling and Mortal Kombat, which is unsurprising given their shared publisher. It fully embraces the wrestlers’ gimmicks, like The Undertaker’s skull-crushing Tombstones and Shawn Michaels’ amusing hearts.
Seeing real-life representations of Bret Hart, The Undertaker, and Yokozuna is a treat compared to the striking art of earlier wrestling games. WrestleMania leans towards a traditional fighting game, prioritizing high combos over technical holds or ring craft.
The company provides enjoyable entertainment in 4K. The arcade game is a distraction from questionable booking decisions in the WWE.
SmackDown 2
Know Your Role kicked off the trend of epic WWE catchphrases. It rocked the wrestling world on PSOne and is hailed as the ultimate grappling experience money could buy.
Who needs all that when you’ve got pure, unadulterated fun? SmackDown 2 became the go-to excuse for grabbing your pals, dusting off the Multitap, and unleashing a frenzy of local couch gaming action.
It revolutionized the WWF/WWE licensed wrestling scene on PSOne and delivers an electrifying smackdown. Know Your Role expanded on the success of its predecessor, introducing new match stipulations like Ladder, Table, Iron Man, and Hell in a Cell.
WWE All Stars
WWE All-Stars is a professional wrestling game by THQ for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 series. It came out in 2011 but continues to woe gamers to date.
It defies the past decade’s simulation wave, unleashing an arcade-style frenzy that resurrects the wrestling glory of yesteryear. The larger-than-life warriors with gravity-flouting moves are straight out of a Marvel epic! Just one look, and you’re hooked.
The game breaks the mold, offering accessible gameplay, unlike the core series’ detailed simulation. While it may lack extensive modes and creation suites, playing with friends is a blast, injecting a refreshing twist into the wrestling universe.
It closed the PS2 chapter as the ultimate WWE release, leaving us with nostalgia and bittersweet longing.
WWF In Your House
WWF In Your House is a professional wrestling game by WWE for PlayStation, Sega Saturn, and DOS. It features 10 total wrestlers but has great commentary by Vince Mchanon and Mr. Perfect.
The game took the larger-than-life approach to a new level by unleashing digitized sprite-based mayhem. Brace yourself as The British Bulldog wraps foes in the Union Jack flag, transforming into a bulldog himself with a bone-crushing headbutt.
Rings became vibrant canvases, mirroring the personas of iconic wrestlers. The Undertaker’s haunting arena boasts skulls on turnbuckles, a backdrop that would have sprung from Mortal Kombat.
If you were blessed to be born from ’96 onward, rejoice, for you escaped the fate that discouraged many.
Smackdown
SmackDown emerges from the clutches of Acclaim, finding a new home in THQ’s loving dedication. With ultra-responsive grappling and striking, it takes the stage with a sizable superstar roster. With a story mode that goes beyond the norm while engaging like a Mortal Kombat rampage.
Admittedly, it’s not flawless. It laments, held back by PSOne’s tech constraints, no voiceovers, commentary, or deep creation modes. SmackDown brings buckets of fun, and it delivers.
Smackdown is the first WWF/WWE licensed wrestling gem on PSOne’s stage, a reliable go-to for local couch gaming, where friendships ignite and shiver. Notable for finally capturing the essence of our beloved sport, it is no longer a face-stinging encounter with scorpions. It’s a worthy retort.
Conclusion
In 2023, the world of wrestling games has reached new heights, delivering thrilling experiences for players. From the fusion of wrestling and Mortal Kombat in WrestleMania—The Arcade Game to the electrifying fun of SmackDown 2, these titles redefine virtual grappling excellence.
WWE All Stars defies simulation, injecting an arcade-style frenzy, while WWF In Your House takes the larger-than-life approach to a new level. As we bid farewell to the PS2 era, SmackDown is the ultimate WWE release, capturing the essence of wrestling in an unforgettable gaming experience.
