WWE 2K26 Hands On: Aims To Be The Best In The World

Since WWE 2K14, the primary WWE sport below the 2K banner–with 2K20 marking the primary title developed totally by Visible Ideas as a substitute of co-developed with Yukes–the collection has had highs and lows worthy of its personal Wrestlemania storyline. From technical meltdowns and meme-worthy glitches to laborious resets and back-to-basics rebuilds, the franchise has spent years balancing genuine simulation with the over-the-top spectacle that defines the WWE itself.

That climb continues with WWE 2K26, which looks like essentially the most assured entry of the trendy period. GameSpot was invited to WWE’s Creator Fest to get hands-on time with the sport and communicate with WWE’s high stars about their reactions to their in-game fashions and what they’re most excited to see.

The most instant improve is in visuals. Character fashions have undergone a significant overhaul, with sharper pores and skin textures, lifelike facial animations, and lighting that mirrors WWE’s televised presentation. Scrolling by the roster, Damian Priest, Ricky Saints (making his WWE online game debut), and Penta (not locked behind DLC) all hovered close to the uncanny valley in the absolute best approach.

“Bro, to be trustworthy, it is my dream come true. Once you begin on this enterprise, the very last thing [you think about] is the video video games, or one thing like that, as a result of that is to this point,” Penta advised GameSpot. “So after 20 years of laborious work every single day, and to be a part of this company–WWE, the perfect on the earth, the perfect in universe–when I noticed my face within the sport, bro, I find it irresistible. Once I noticed it for the primary time, it was identical to, ‘I am this man!’ as a result of it was so stunning for me on the similar time, it is essential for me at this level in my profession to be a part of the video video games. That is why I am very pleased right now as a result of I need to purchase the online game proper now.”

Interactive entrances are a significant new function. When a Celebrity makes their solution to the ring, a D-Pad type immediate seems, letting gamers select play to the gang. Heel, face, whatever–it’s your name. And this degree of customization carries by your entire entrance.

Taking part in as DX-era Shawn Michaels, I experimented with digicam angles and even triggered pyro from the ring. The degree of real-time customization is wild—entrances really feel much less like a prelude to a match and extra like moments price partaking with each time.

Most Superstars had been thrilled with their in-game appearances. For Chelsea Inexperienced, it was a full-circle second: on the independents, she had completed movement seize for others in WWE video games, however this time she carried out her personal.

“This 12 months, I mo-capped myself, and it was such a privilege to try this. So I am excited to see me within the sport, and I am really doing the strikes and the doorway, in order that’s a giant deal,” Inexperienced stated. She additionally praised her character’s look: “I like the gear that they selected, it is inexperienced, so positively love that. My face is cute, and the strikes look nice as a result of I did them. So actually, what’s to not love?”

Although I did not get to discover the revamped Island, MyRISE, or Showcase modes, the roster is stacked, together with AAA stars like Mr. Iguana and main-eventer El Hijo de Vikingo. Chaotic physics results, together with ring-breaking, are again in play, which former NXT Champion Oba Femi was notably enthusiastic about.

“We have seen it over time, and now we get to see it within the sport. So let’s examine Oba Femi and Omos. I do not care who’s placing who by the ring; let’s make that factor occur.” Femi additionally joked about enjoying as himself: “You need to at all times be The Ruler in the event you can, however I just lately performed as Ethan Web page. Seems, he does not suck and is definitely fairly okay.”

Former Girls’s Champion Bayley admitted it feels unusual to play as herself however praised her mannequin and narrated 2K’s video on the upgraded create options.

“I feel the perfect factor can be the elements that I narrate, ? Story mode, and the way you get to alter gears and wardrobe, I feel that is cool, however yeah, it is too bizarre to play as myself. I might relatively play as somebody cooler, like Macho Man, Rey Mysterio, or Randy Orton. Right this moment I performed as Raquel Rodriguez, however I need to strive AJ Lee now that she’s again within the sport.”

She added, “I feel it seems to be nice. It is humorous as a result of once they do these fashions, it is how I appeared final 12 months. I have never had my head shaved in a 12 months, but it surely’s there, and what’s cool this 12 months is that since I have been in all these video games you possibly can watch my evolution and watch me develop up, and I feel that is cool to see in online game type.”

Between the upgraded visuals, interactive entrances, and the chaos of breaking rings, WWE 2K26 simply felt totally different in a approach the collection hasn’t fairly captured earlier than. Taking part in as your favourite Superstars, triggering pyro, or messing round with entrances makes every match really feel like its personal little present. Add within the roster filled with AAA stars, legends, and fan favorites, and it is clear there is not any scarcity of moments to experiment with.