WWE SmackDown! Here Comes the Pain is considered to be one of the best wrestling games of all time next to WWF No Mercy and Fire Pro Wrestling World. However, unlike the other wrestling titles, Here Comes the Pain isn't trying to be a wrestling simulation but a game that falls somewhere in between realism and arcade-style fun. It implements high-impact American wrestling style mechanics with the more strategic New Japan Pro Wrestling, series AKA Power Move Pro Wrestling.

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WWE SmackDown! Here Comes the Pain focused on fun and local co-op chaos, delivering an experience that hasn't quite been replicated by the more recent WWE 2K wrestling franchise. Where WWF No Mercy was a fantastic single-player wrestling game with great AI on high difficulty levels, Here Comes the Pain was more entertaining when played with friends and family. However, that doesn't mean that game lacked features that solo players could enjoy too. Let's take a look at why WWE SmackDown! Here Comes the Pain still holds up as one of the best wrestling games of all time.

8 Fast-Paced Matches

Six man elimination match

An area where WWE 2K22 has shown large improvement is the match speed and pacing. Fans have been hoping for a return to the speedy action-packed matches that they loved in WWE SmackDown! Here Comes The Pain.

The matches are a long way from the slow methodical pace that's in WWF No Mercy but the SmackDown series has always been a different kind of wrestling game. The focus in Here Comes The Pain was less on realism and more on chaotic matches that the WWE represented at the time.

7 It Was Innovative For Its Era

Undertaker and Jericho fight in the Elimination Chamber

WWE SmackDown! Here Comes the Pain introduced a ton of new features that still make it feel like a modern wrestling game. It features a meter that displays body damage to the legs, arms, midsection, and head.

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Moreover, it has adjustable stats and characteristics for each wrestler and giving wrestling fans a more sim-like experience. Finally, Here Comes the Pain was the first wrestling game to feature the now-iconic Elimination Chamber match.

6 High Impact Moves

WWE-Smackdown-Here-Comes-The-Pain Lesnar v Goldberg

WWE SmackDown! Here Comes The Pain isn't quite an arcade wrestling game but it is not a simulation either. That said, players can still have back and forth wrestling matches that require tactics and timing. However, hitting the big moves is the most satisfying part of the game.

Where Here Comes The Pain shines is that even normal wrestling moves like a bodyslam sound and feels devastating. The screen shakes and the ring mat makes a sound that hit with a resounding slamming noise. Hitting Brock Lesnar's F5 is devastating enough to make even Street Fighter's Zangief blush with envy.

5 Responsive Controls

Lesnar F5ing Goldberg

The action in WWE Here Comes The Pain is faster than most wrestling fans are used to, but this would mean very little without great and responsive controls. There is no input delay and the counter and reversal moves feel great to pull off.

In addition to reversals, hitting opponents with weapons and chairs is very quick and satisfying. Picking up weapons in WWE 2K22 during backstage brawls and hardcore matches feels cumbersome and unresponsive by comparison.

4 Multi-Person Matches

WWE Here Comes The Pain battle royale

An area where most entries in the WWE 2K series have struggled is including lots of wrestlers in the ring at once. Whether this is a Royal Rumble or a multi-person tag team match, many WWE 2K games tend to suffer from slow down.

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This isn't the case with Here Comes The Pain the matches are chaotic, wild, and always fun. They are even better when played with friends and family in local co-op matches. When played with friends, matches of this type will almost always end in hysterical laughter in ways most other games can't match.

3 The Backstage Fights

Backstage fight outside the arena

WWE 2K22 was a return to form in many ways for the series. Unfortunately, the same can't be said for the Backstage Brawls. These matches and fights took a huge step back when it came to variety and different environments.

Players are now limited to one area backstage area that is quite frankly boring when compared to its predecessors, especially Here Comes The Pain. The PS2 game not only has multiple environments to fight in but, unlike WWE 2K22, they can also include multiple wrestlers at once.

2 A Great Roster

WWE Here comes the Pain John Cena

WWE Here Comes the Pain has one of the best rosters in wrestling game history. It includes wrestlers like The Rock, Stone Cold Steve Austin, The Undertaker, Chris Jericho, Kurt Angle, John Cena, Batista, and more.

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The roster also includes legends like The Legion of Doom, The Iron Sheik, and more. This is a roster that was included on the game's disc, so there were no paywalls locking content behind season passes or DLC. It was available to the player from day one.

1 The Visuals Hold Up

WWE Here Comes The Pain Lesnar Intro

WWE 2k22 is without a doubt the best-looking wrestling game to date. However, considering that WWE SmackDown! Here Comes The Pain is an 18-year-old PS2 title, the game holds up very well. Certain power wrestlers like Batista and Brock Lesnar indeed have the same animations, but they still looked fantastic.

Entrances for wrestlers like The Undertaker and The Rock are still amazing, and the arenas look authentic to the TV product at the time. Even now, they are capable of taking the player back in time to the Attitude and Ruthless Aggression eras of the WWE.

WWE SmackDown! Here Comes The Pain is available for the PlayStation 2.

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