It has been a decade full of ups and down for wrestling games and more so for the fans that like to play them. Since WCW folded in 2001, the WWE has held a monopoly in the wrestling entertainment business for close to two decades. Sadly, this has been reflected in the gaming industry too. The WWE 2K series is the only licensed wrestling franchise released in the West that has been worth players' time.

RELATED: 10 Greatest Wrestling Games Of All Time (According To Metacritic)

With the exception of the Fire Pro series, there hasn’t been a wrestling game that fans of the genre consider something to be special since the AKI developed wrestling titles on the Nintendo 64 like WWF No Mercy. Nevertheless, wrestling fans are a tenacious bunch, and those that have remained faithful to their favorite genre still find a lot to love about the games that casual players won’t notice.

Updated by Michael Llewellyn on June 16, 2021: The WWE franchise has dominated TV stations for years and with the exception of the upcoming AEW promotion, it's had no real challenge to its dominance. This was also reflected in the gaming world too as WWE videogames were the only mainstream wrestling franchise that most fans were aware of. As a result, many fans will take what they can get just so they could play something different. While many games didn't score well with reviewers they still managed to find a way into the wrestling fan's hearts. It's also interesting that despite the huge budgets, the two most critically acclaimed games on this list aren't WWE games.

14 TNA IMPACT! Cross The Line

Mick Foley takes on Petey Williams in TNA Impact
  • Released: June 25, 2010
  • PlayStation Portable, Nintendo DS
  • Metascore: 50

Released as both a follow-up and a port of the original TNA IMPACT! found on home consoles, TNA IMPACT! Cross the Line is a wrestling game designed for handheld consoles. Compared to other wrestling games of the time Cross the Line’s scores are average at best.

However, PSP gained something of a fan following because of its roster. It features wrestlers such as Hulk Hogan, Kurt Angle, Booker T, and AJ Styles. In addition, the game features a solid amount of match types from Free for All and the Ultimate X match.

13 Lucha Libre AAA Heroes Of The Ring

Silver King hoists his opponent in a fireman carry
  • Released: October 12, 2010
  • PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360
  • Metascore: 51

Developed by the Mexico-based Larva Games Studios, Lucha Libre AAA Heroes of the Ring is based on the Mexican wrestling promotion Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide. It was built using the Unreal Engine and the visuals definitely looked the part.

It did suffer from stiff animations, however, and the gameplay is very reminiscent of its WWE counterparts. Furthermore, it was probably a little too slow when compared to the real-life Lucha style of high-flying wrestling. That said, it was still considered a good alternative to the WWE wrestling games that were getting released on a yearly basis.

12 WWE 2K18

Seth Rollins ready for the match
  • Released: October 17, 2017
  • Ps4, Xbox One, PC, Nintendo Switch
  • Metascore: 66

WWE 2K18 marked a visual step up from its predecessor. It brought back several long-requested game modes from the previous entries that had been missing for a few years.

The game could now feature eight wrestlers in the ring at once, meaning Royal Rumbles look closer to their TV counterparts. In addition, the game brought back the Backstage Brawl mode. Here, players can take their wrestlers backstage, fight with a myriad of available weapons, and even use the environment to gain an advantage.

11 WWE 2K17

WWE 2k17 Cover Art
  • Released: October 11, 2016
  • Ps3, Ps4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, PC
  • Metascore: 69

Continuing on from the success of its predecessor, WWE 2K17 improved on its predecessors with a larger roster, better visuals, and the return of legends like Goldberg.

It built upon the mechanics of WWE 2K16 with more responsive controls making for a much better wrestling experience. Unfortunately, at the time of its release, the Showcase mode was removed in favor of expanding the MyCareer mode. This was mitigated somewhat with the inclusion of the Legends Showcase DLC.

10 WWE ‘12

Jerry Lawler vs Michael Cole
  • Released: November 22, 2011
  • Ps3, Xbox 360, Wii
  • Metascore: 72

WWE ‘12 was the successor to WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2011 and along with the new name, developer Yukes tried to implement several new gameplay mechanics.

Yukes removed the weak and strong grapple system, which would return later titles, and replaced it with a new system where wrestlers perform different moves depending on their physical condition. While it was a good idea, in theory, it essentially took the control away from the player in matches. It prevented players from performing the moves they wanted to at different stages of the match.

9 WWE 2K16

Sting performing his signature taunt
  • Released: October 27, 2015
  • Ps3, Ps4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, PC
  • Metacscore: 73

Fans were starting to lose faith in the series after the disastrous WWE 2K15 failed to live up to the expectations, so WWE 2K16 was released in 2015 for a huge variety of systems, with a lot of promise.

RELATED: 10 Best Story Modes In WWE Games, Ranked

With WWE 2K16, Yukes put all their effort into improving the gameplay mechanics and started a three-year run of well-received WWE 2K games among fans. Even if casual players couldn’t see much of an improvement, the gamers that stuck with the series for years could see that it was a step in the right direction.

8 WWE Smackdown vs Raw 2011

Randy Orton approaches the ring
  • Released: October 6, 2010
  • PS2, PSP, Xbox 360, and Nintendo Wii
  • Metascore: 74

The wrestling mechanics of WWE Smackdown vs Raw 2011 were more or less the same as in previous years. However, Yukes introduced a more realistic physics engine, which had a big impact on extreme match types like Ladders and Tables contests.

In addition to the physics, Universe Mode made its first appearance in WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2011. This mode would go on to be a staple in every entry going forward as an alternative to the General Manager mode from previous entries.

7 WWE 2K14

WWE 2k14 Cover Art
  • Released: October 29, 2013
  • PS3 and Xbox 360
  • Metascore: 74

WWE 2K14 was the first game to be published under the 2K banner, with Yukes still taking the lead on creating the game. At the time, it was one of the most feature-packed entries in the WWE series with several additions and improvements to the mechanics.

WWE 2K14 was a dream come true for fans of the Golden and Attitude eras of wrestling. Game modes like 30 Years of Wrestlemania, The Streak Mode, and DLC brought in characters like The Ultimate Warrior and the nWo.

6 Total Extreme Wrestling

Getting feedback for a 8-man tag match
  • Released: Originally released in 2004 but saw major updates in 2010, 2013, 2016, and 2020.
  • PC Only
  • Metascore: 74

First released on the PC in 2004, Total Extreme Wrestling is a wrestling management sim that deserves a mention on this list. Even though its mechanics remained the same, it has been consistently updated all the way through the decade right up to the Total Extreme Wrestling 2020 edition.

For fans of the General Manager mode that has been absent in the WWE 2K series for years, Total Extreme Wrestling is a dream come true. Players take on the role of a wrestling promoter attempting to become the next Vince McMahon. Created storylines develop organically and stars can be built-up or destroyed.

5 WWE All Stars

Ultimate Warrior gives Kofi the big boot
  • Released: March 29, 2011
  • PS2, PS3, Xbox 360, PSP, Nintendo Wii, Nintendo 3DS
  • Metascore: 75

Unlike the WWE Smackdown vs. Raw series, WWE All Stars was a comedic arcade wrestling game designed to appeal to all gamers. The characters resembled a 3D version of the arcade coin-op WWF Wrestlefest and had an action figure appearance.

It featured gaming modes like the Path of Champions, which was a 10-man gauntlet, and the Fantasy Warfare which contained dream matches between Legends and their modern-day equivalent.

4 WWE ‘13

WWE 13's Undertaker taunting his opponet
  • Released: October 30, 2012
  • PS3, Xbox 360, and Nintendo Wii
  • Metascore: 76

WWE '13 was the last game to be published by THQ, but the original developers Yukes remained to work on the game. The game featured an enhanced version of the Predator Technology first seen in its predecessors and helped refine the game’s wrestling mechanics.

RELATED: 10 Wrestling Games With Best Gameplay Features, Ranked

The biggest enhancement came in the form of the series' weight detection mechanic, which means that lightweight wrestlers are unable to pick up super heavyweights like the Big Show and Mark Henry.

3 WWE 2K19

wwe 2k20 wrestling games to revisit before launch
  • Released: October 9, 2018
  • Ps4, Xbox One, and PC
  • Metascore: 76

WWE 2K19 was the last game developed by series veterans Yukes before Visual Concepts took over with WWE 2K20. It seems that Yukes’ effort didn’t go unnoticed and their last hurrah is considered the best WWE wrestling of the decade according to Metacritic.

WWE 2K19 managed to strike a balance between simulation and action-packed grappling. It wasn’t a massive step away from the previous three games but it was a great refinement for the series that kept both casual and hardcore wrestling fans happy.

2 Fire Pro Wrestling Returns

An intense tag match taking place in Fire Pro Returns
  • Released: PS2 in 2007. Ported to the PS3 on April 23, 2013
  • PS2 and PS3
  • Metascore: 78

While the best WWE games were focusing on trying to get the most realistic-looking wrestlers and entrances, it was the cult series Fire Pro Wrestling that gave grappling fans a true simulation. Despite its sprite-based visuals, the animation and character models move with fluidity and smoothness.

In addition, players will find themselves losing hours in the myriad of customization options. There is something of a learning curve but once players master the timing Fire Pro Wrestling Returns is so addictive and satisfying. The game’s AI is so good that it not only replicates a real player but it can be customized to replicate their real-life counterpart. The 2013 PS3 port which is available on PSN is the best way to play this game thanks to its improved loading times.

1 Fire Pro Wrestling World

WWE and WCW stars Sting and Hulk Hogan recreated in Fire Pro Wrestling World
  • Released: December 18, 2017
  • Ps4, and PC
  • Metascore: 79

Fire Pro Wrestling: World is the first proper entry in the series since 2007’s Fire Pro Wrestling: Returns. However, Fire Pro Wrestling has been around since 1989 and has built upon the mechanics of what has made the series so good for so long. The series has been a favorite among wrestling fans since 1989, with even the Japanese-only entries being sought after by importers.

Players shouldn’t be fooled by the almost retro-looking visuals. Fire Pro is one of the deepest wrestling games ever developed. The animations are smooth and responsive, and connecting with reversals is satisfying and impactful. The game’s computer-controlled AI is lightyears ahead of anything in the WWE 2K series. Spike Chunsoft fully understands and grasps what makes a wrestling title work.

NEXT: 10 Things You Didn’t Know You Could Do In WWE 2K20