The WWE series (currently branded as WWE 2K; and formerly known as SmackDown!, SmackDown vs. Raw, or simply WWE) is a series of professional wrestling video games based on the American professional wrestling promotion WWE. The series was originally published by THQ until 2013, when Take-Two Interactive's 2K Sports took over. From 2000 to 2018, the series was primarily developed by Yuke's;[1] Visual Concepts has been the lead developer since 2019. Initially exclusive to Sony's PlayStation video game consoles, the series would expand to all seventh generation consoles by 2008. The series is among the best-selling video game franchises with 47 million copies shipped as of 2009.[2]

The 2K Sports logo for the WWE series

The WWE game engine was originally based on that used by Yuke's Toukon Retsuden and Rumble Roses series.[3][4] Yuke's also published the WWE series in Japan, under the title of Exciting Pro Wrestling. With the release of WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2007 in 2006, THQ took over as the Japanese publisher and the series adopted the western name.[5][6]

Titles

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SmackDown! series

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Title Details

Original release date(s):[7]
  • NA: 2 March 2000
  • EU: 14 April 2000
  • JP: 3 August 2000
Release years by system:
2000—PlayStation[8]
Notes:

Original release date(s):[9]
  • NA: 21 November 2000
  • EU: 1 December 2000
  • JP: 25 January 2001
Release years by system:
2000—PlayStation[10]
Notes:

Original release date(s):[11]
  • EU: 16 November 2001
  • NA: 18 November 2001
  • JP: 24 January 2002
Release years by system:
2001—PlayStation 2[12]
Notes:

Original release date(s):[14]
  • NA: 31 October 2002
  • EU: 15 November 2002
  • JP: 6 February 2003
Release years by system:
2002—PlayStation 2[15]
Notes:

Original release date(s):[16]
  • NA: 27 October 2003
  • EU: 7 November 2003
  • JP: 29 January 2004
Release years by system:
2003—PlayStation 2[17]
Notes:

SmackDown vs. Raw series

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Title Details

Original release date(s):[18]
  • NA: 2 November 2004
  • EU: 12 November 2004
  • JP: 3 February 2005
Release years by system:
2004—PlayStation 2[19]
Notes:
  • Known in Japan as Exciting Pro Wrestling 6: SmackDown! vs. RAW[18]
  • Was the first video game released under the SmackDown! vs. RAW name.[20]
  • Cover art exclusively features Vince McMahon

Original release date(s):[21]
  • EU: 11 November 2005
  • NA: 14 November 2005
  • JP: 2 February 2006
Release years by system:
2005—PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable[22]
Notes:
  • Known in Japan as Exciting Pro Wrestling 7: SmackDown! vs. RAW 2006,[21] and the last title to use Exciting Pro Wrestling name in Japan
  • Was the first video game in the series to include a year in its title.[23]
  • Was the first game in the series to be released to a handheld console.
  • Cover art features Batista and John Cena

Original release date(s):[6]
  • EU: 10 November 2006
  • NA: 14 November 2006
  • AU: 16 November 2006
  • JP: 25 January 2007
Release years by system:
2006—PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, Xbox 360[24]
Notes:

Known in Japan as WWE sumakkudaun vs. Rō 2007


Original release date(s):[27]
  • EU: 9 November 2007
  • NA: 13 November 2007
  • AU: 15 November 2007
  • JP: 14 February 2008
Release years by system:
2007—Mobile, Nintendo DS, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Portable, Wii, Xbox 360[28]
Notes:

Original release date(s):[30]
  • AU: 6 November 2008
  • EU: 7 November 2008
  • NA: 9 November 2008
  • JP: 22 January 2009
Release years by system:
2008—Mobile, Nintendo DS, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Portable, Wii, Xbox 360[31]
Notes:

Original release date(s):[33]
  • NA: 20 October 2009
  • AU: 22 October 2009
  • EU: 23 October 2009
  • JP: 28 January 2010
Release years by system:
2009—Mobile, Nintendo DS, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Portable, Wii, Xbox 360, iOS[34]
Notes:

Original release date(s):[36]
  • NA: 26 October 2010
  • AU: 28 October 2010
  • EU: 29 October 2010
  • JP: 3 February 2011
Release years by system:
2010—PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Portable, Wii, Xbox 360
Notes:

Original release date(s):[37]
Cancelled
Release years by system:
2011—Microsoft Windows (cancelled)
Notes:

WWE series

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Title Details

Original release date(s):[39]
  • NA: 22 November 2011
  • AU: 24 November 2011
  • EU: 25 November 2011
  • JP: 26 January 2012
Release years by system:
2011—PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Wii
Notes:
  • Was the first video game released under the WWE name.[40]
  • Cover art for the normal and Wrestlemania Edition feature Randy Orton. Cover art for the collector's edition features The Rock (People's Edition). Mexican cover art features Sin Cara.

Original release date(s):
  • NA: 30 October 2012
  • AU: 1 November 2012
  • EU: 2 November 2012
Release years by system:
2012—PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Wii
Notes:
  • This was the last game published by THQ. It was also the last WWE game to be released on the Wii; as well as the final WWE game on any Nintendo console until 2K18's release on the Switch.
  • Cover art features CM Punk. A "fake" cover featuring John Laurinaitis was also revealed during Monday Night RAW and could be printed off of WWE.com. The Austin 3:16 Collector's Edition features Stone Cold Steve Austin on the cover.

WWE 2K series

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Title Details

Original release date(s):
  • NA: 29 October 2013
  • AU: 31 October 2013
  • EU: 1 November 2013
Release years by system:
2013—PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
Notes:
  • This is the first game published by Take-Two Interactive's 2K Sports label.
  • Cover art features The Rock. An alternate cover art features Daniel Bryan which was included in all copies of the retail version of the game. The collector's Phenom Edition features The Undertaker's 'TX' logo on the cover.

Original release date(s):
  • NA: 28 October 2014
  • AU: 30 October 2014
  • EU: 31 October 2014
Release years by system:
2014—PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Mobile
2015—Microsoft Windows
Notes:
  • This is the first WWE game made for eighth generation consoles and the first game in the series to be released for PC.
  • The PC version was not released in physical format. It was distributed digitally via Steam.
  • This is the first game in the series to be released on five major gaming platforms.
  • This is the first game to feature WWE's new logo revealed in 2014.
  • Cover art features John Cena. The collector's Hulkamania Edition features Hulk Hogan on the cover.

Original release date(s):
  • NA: 27 October 2015
  • AU: 29 October 2015
  • EU: 30 October 2015
Release years by system:
2015—PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One
2016—Microsoft Windows
Notes:

Original release date(s):
  • WW: 11 October 2016
  • JP: 9 March 2017
Release years by system:
2016—PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One
2017—Microsoft Windows
Notes:

Original release date(s):
  • WW: 13 October 2017 (Deluxe)
  • WW: 17 October 2017
  • JP: 19 October 2017
  • WW: 6 December 2017 (Nintendo Switch)
Release years by system:
2017—PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Microsoft Windows
Notes:
  • Cover art features Seth Rollins.[42]
  • Collector's "Cena 'Nuff" Edition feature's various logos of John Cena.
  • This is the first video game under WWE 2K Banner released only on eighth generation hardware as well as the first released on PC alongside console counterparts.[43]
  • First game in the series to be released on a Nintendo console since WWE '13, also the only one to be released on the Nintendo Switch

Original release date(s):
  • WW: 5 October 2018 (Deluxe)
  • WW: 9 October 2018
  • JP: 11 October 2018
Release years by system:
2018—PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows
Notes:

Original release date(s):
  • WW: 22 October 2019
Release years by system:
2019—PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows
Notes:

Original release date(s):
  • WW: 11 March 2022
Release years by system:
2022— PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Microsoft Windows
Notes:
  • Cover art features Rey Mysterio.
  • Cover art for the nWo 4-Life Edition features New World Order members "Hollywood" Hulk Hogan, Scott Hall, Kevin Nash, and X-Pac.
  • First game in the series to be released in one year rather than a year ahead.
  • This is the first WWE game made for ninth generation consoles.

Original release date(s):
  • WW: 17 March 2023
Release years by system:
2023— PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Microsoft Windows
Notes:

Original release date(s):
  • WW: 8 March 2024
Release years by system:
2024— PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Microsoft Windows
Notes:

Spin-offs

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Title Details

Original release date(s):
  • WW: July 16, 2015
Release years by system:
2015—Android, iOS
Notes:

Original release date(s):
  • WW: 18 September 2020
Release years by system:
2020—PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, Stadia
Notes:

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Yukes's Future Media Creators Information". IGN. Archived from the original on 2008-09-17. Retrieved 2008-05-08.
  2. ^ "The Number One Fighting Videogame Franchise Returns to the Virtual Ring with WWE(R) SmackDown(R) vs. Raw(R) 2009" (Press release). THQ. 2008-03-28. Retrieved 2008-03-28.
  3. ^ Kennedy, Sam (1999-11-19). "New WWF Smackdown Screens". GameSpot. Retrieved 2008-05-23.
  4. ^ Navarro, Alex (2004-11-13). "Rumble Roses review". GameSpot. Retrieved 2008-05-23.
  5. ^ "YUKE'S Future Media Creators games list" (in Japanese). Yuke's. Archived from the original on 2008-04-16. Retrieved 2008-05-12.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  6. ^ a b "WWE SmackDown vs. RAW 2007 Game Information". GameSpot. Retrieved 2008-05-08.
  7. ^ a b "WWF SmackDown! Versions & Release Dates". GameSpot. Retrieved 2008-05-07.
  8. ^ "WWF SmackDown! (PS1)". IGN. Retrieved 2008-05-07.
  9. ^ a b "WWF SmackDown! 2: Know Your Role Game Information". GameSpot. Retrieved 2008-05-08.
  10. ^ "WWF SmackDown! 2: Know Your Role (PS1)". IGN. Retrieved 2008-05-08.
  11. ^ a b "WWF SmackDown! Just Bring It Game Information". GameSpot. Retrieved 2008-05-08.
  12. ^ a b "WWF SmackDown! Just Bring It (PS2)". IGN. Retrieved 2008-05-08. The first WWF title for the PlayStation 2 has arrived with WWF SmackDown! Just Bring It!.
  13. ^ a b "World Wrestling Entertainment to drop the "F" to emphasize the "E" for Entertainment". World Wrestling Entertainment Corporate. 2002-05-06. Archived from the original on 2009-01-19. Retrieved 2008-05-08.
  14. ^ a b "WWE SmackDown! Shut Your Mouth Game Information". GameSpot. Retrieved 2008-05-08.
  15. ^ "WWE SmackDown! Shut Your Mouth (PS2)". IGN. Retrieved 2008-05-08.
  16. ^ a b "WWE SmackDown! Here Comes the Pain Game Information". GameSpot. Retrieved 2008-05-08.
  17. ^ "WWE SmackDown! Here Comes the Pain (PS2)". IGN. Retrieved 2008-05-08.
  18. ^ a b "WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw Game Information". GameSpot. Retrieved 2008-05-08.
  19. ^ "WWE SmackDown! vs. RAW (PS2)". IGN. Retrieved 2008-05-08.
  20. ^ Jeremy Dunham (2004-05-05). "Pre-E3 2004: Smackdown vs. Raw Unveiled - IGN". IGN. Retrieved 2015-06-08.
  21. ^ a b "WWE SmackDown! vs. RAW 2006 Game Information". GameSpot. Retrieved 2008-05-08.
  22. ^ "WWE SmackDown! vs. RAW 2006 (PS2)". IGN. Retrieved 2008-05-08.
  23. ^ "WWE SmackDown! vs. RAW 2006 World Premiere". IGN. 2005-07-04. Retrieved 2008-05-08. Officially known as WWE SmackDown! vs. RAW 2006 (a title meant to reflect its new direction towards a sports and simulation feel
  24. ^ "WWE SmackDown vs. RAW 2007 Features". THQ. Retrieved 2008-05-08.
  25. ^ "PS3 SmackDown is Smacked' Down". IGN. Retrieved 2008-05-08.
  26. ^ Jeremy Dunham. "World Premiere: SmackDown vs. Raw 2007". IGN. Retrieved 2008-05-08. To be revealed at the annual Superstar Challenge prior to this weekend's festivities (which includes the WWE Hall of Fame induction ceremony and WrestleMania itself), the announcement will officially confirm the next iteration of the WWE videogame family, WWE SmackDown vs. RAW 2007.
  27. ^ "WWE SmackDown vs. RAW 2008 Game Information". GameSpot. Retrieved 2008-05-08.
  28. ^ "WWE SmackDown vs. RAW 2008 Features". THQ. Retrieved 2008-05-08.
  29. ^ Matt Casamassina (2007-06-09). "Pre-E3 2007: WWE SmackDown vs. RAW 2008". IGN. Retrieved 2008-05-09.
  30. ^ "WWE SmackDown! vs. RAW 2009 Game Information". GameSpot. Retrieved 2008-05-07.
  31. ^ "WWE SmackDown! vs. RAW 2009 Game Information". THQ. Retrieved 2008-05-09.
  32. ^ Miller, Greg (2008-03-27). "WWE SmackDown vs. RAW 2009 is Official". IGN. Retrieved 2008-05-09.
  33. ^ "WWE SmackDown vs. RAW 2010 Game Information". GameSpot. Retrieved 2009-09-19.
  34. ^ ""SmackDown vs. RAW 2010" prepares to enter the virtual ring". THQ. 2009-06-01. Retrieved 2011-03-27.
  35. ^ "Summer of Slam". GamesMaster: 54–59. October 2009.
  36. ^ Ekberg, Brian (2010-06-08). "Hands-On With THQ's E3 WWE Games". GameSpot. Retrieved 2010-06-13.
  37. ^ MacMedan, Julie (2011-02-02). "THQ REPORTS FISCAL 2011 THIRD QUARTER RESULTS". Retrieved 2011-02-04. As a result, the company's fiscal third quarter non-GAAP results exclude a charge of $9.9 million related to the cancellation of Company of Heroes® Online and WWE® Online.
  38. ^ Sinclair, Brendan (2008-09-19). "WWE SmackDown headed to PC online market". GameSpot. Retrieved 2008-10-11.
  39. ^ "E3 2011: WWE '12 Release Date and Cover - PlayStation 3 News at IGN". IGN. 2011-05-31. Retrieved 2011-05-31.
  40. ^ "THQ's "WWE '12" arrives this fall". WWE. 2011-05-31. Retrieved 2011-06-02.
  41. ^ Artus, Matthew (June 27, 2016). "Brock Lesnar named WWE 2K17 cover Superstar". WWE. Retrieved November 4, 2016.
  42. ^ "Seth Rollins named WWE 2K18 cover Superstar". June 20, 2017. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21. Retrieved June 20, 2017.
  43. ^ 2K18, WWE (2017-06-19). "#WWE2K18 will not be released on PlayStation 3 or Xbox 360". @WWEgames via Twitter. Retrieved 2017-06-29.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  44. ^ Fowler, Matt (18 June 2018). "AJ Styles is Your Phenomenal WWE 2K19 Cover Superstar".
  45. ^ Good, Owen (7 August 2019). "Longtime developer Yuke's is out of the WWE 2K picture".
  46. ^ Skrebels, Joe (August 5, 2019). "WWE 2K20: Cover Stars, Collector's Edition, Game Modes Announced".
  47. ^ Barnard, Adam (October 25, 2024). "WWE 2K24 Bray Wyatt "Wyatt Edition" Officially Released". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on November 24, 2024. Retrieved November 24, 2024.
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