WWE 2K22is finally here and has seen the series completely overhauled following thedisastrous release ofWWE 2K20in 2019. The launch led to 2K cancelingWWE 2K21completely and taking its time to give fans the wrestling game that they were begging for.
Sports games have long been one of the most popular genres, andWWEhas been at the forefront alongside other franchises such asFIFAandMadden.TheWWEhas been releasing games since 1987 with the release of the firstWWEgame titledMicroLeague Wrestling. Wrestling video games saw just as much competition as the companies licensing them, with both theWWEandWCWreleasing video games regularly throughout the 1980s and 1990s beforeWCWwent out of business in 2001.
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An interesting TikTok video has shown a comparison between the recently releasedWWE 2K22andWWF WrestleManiawhich was released on the Nintendo Entertainment System in North America and Europe in 1989. The video compared the twoby using two wrestling legends that appear in both games to show how far games have come in the last 33 years.
In the video, the player usesHulk Hoganand Ted DiBiase for the comparison, with the Hulkster simply kicking DiBiase to the ground due to the limited moveset and mobility available inWWF WrestleMania, and inWWE 2K22the player uses Hogan’s iconic Leg Drop finishing move before winning the match via pinfall.
WWF WrestleManiafeatures just six Superstars to choose from: Hulk Hogan, André the Giant, “Macho Man” Randy Savage, “The Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase, Bam Bam Bigelow, and The Honky Tonk Man. This isn’t very many, especially when compared to the stacked roster of over 120 Superstars and Legends that feature inWWE 2K22, which will also be increasing by 28 following the release offiveWWE 2K22DLC Packs in the coming months.
It is fascinating to see games like this compared with each other as it allows gamers to see just how far gaming has come in a relatively short space of time, with video games going from 8-bit/16-bit largely 2D games to fully 3D worlds that are getting close to photorealism in some instances.
Over the last 35 years,WWEhas licensed more than 60 video games, with most being arcade or simulation style wrestling games, with many popular ones including theSmackdown vs Rawseries,WWF No Mercy, and theMortal Kombat-styleIn Your Housegame, while the wrestling giant has also seen its Superstars feature in aTwisted Metal-style game withCrush Hour, and even a pinball game.
WWE 2K22is available now on PC via Steam, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S.
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