• Publisher: THQ
  • Release Date: Jun 9, 2002
Metascore
64

Mixed or average reviews - based on 25 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 25
  2. Negative: 4 out of 25
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  1. As good of a wrestling games as I have seen for any next generation console. In fact it is quite a bit better than most. However if Yuke's would implement their older grappling system, this game would have been unstoppable.
  2. GMR Magazine
    80
    Ratings have cooled and Stone Cold had some run-ins with John Law. This is irrelevant, as wrestling games always sell. [Feb 2003, p.96]
  3. Play Magazine
    80
    Incredible creation mode, first-rate visual presentation, and nicely balanced. [July 2002, p.82]
  4. Electronic Gaming Monthly
    78
    Almost a wrestling fan's dream come true. But there's one thing that's keeping it from achieving greatness: the incredibly dull Create-A-Superstar mode. [August 2002, p.137]
  5. If nothing else, the experience should last you a while, thanks to the numerous play modes available in WrestleMania X8.
  6. No story line in single mode is another turn off, but multiplayer is a blast.
  7. Best served with 3 mates and a cold beer, great fun and easy to pick up. Only down side is it’s not the ‘No Mercy’ many of us had hoped for, and it’s already out of date which cant really be helped with such a dismal ‘create a wrestler’ mode.
  8. 70
    For all the extras that X8 provides -- the match types and custom belts -- it just doesn't have the core controls I was looking for.
  9. A great chance to pummel your most hated wrestlers in the face - but it should have been much better. [NGC]
  10. The lack of a single-player really hurts, and the AI for your computer-controlled partner is atrocious. I just came away wishing for so much more.
  11. Nintendo Power
    68
    It's got everything wrestling fans want. The sheer number of choices is a good thing. [July 2002, p.146]
  12. Feels like a rushed and unpolished version of a game that, while good, will never be able to hold a torch to the original N64 games.
  13. Game Informer
    65
    The AI is bumbling and unbalanced. [August 2002, p.82]
  14. As much of a wrestling and WWE fan as I am, there were far too many issues and frustrations while playing Wrestlemania X8 for me to enjoy the experience overall.
  15. 60
    A disappointing game that will have GameCube owners going to their PS2-owning friends’ houses to play "SmackDown."
  16. Single player matches can be fun, except when getting into multi-opponent matches, where the computer decides that you're always the odd-man out. You'll be screaming for blood when it's you versus three opponents.
  17. Sure, this game offers the most extensive character list ever, but the single player experience here is lackluster and the lousy audio, among other things, drags this game down.
  18. netjak
    55
    It was a blast to play with friends, but the single player modules really left me wanting a lot more.
  19. This game is rushed and it truly shows in every aspect. I feel as if I’ve been taken back to the days of WCW Nitro and the likes. Please get me out of this Nightmare.
  20. Without question, an average game. The lack of moves, so-so CAW mode and other deficiencies certainly don't appeal to wrestling fans of either the Smackdown or AKI camps.
  21. The only facet of the game that even comes close to satisfying is the abundance of match types.
  22. If you don't have the facility to gather at least two other people to your GameCube, then you will not find much fun in Wrestlemania X8.
  23. 40
    It's one of the better wrestling games available on any platform - except for the one unfortunate flaw that it gets sort of old after only a few hours of gametime.
  24. 40
    The gameplay is just devoid of fun.
  25. Lacks any great game modes, the controls are wacky at times, the AI needs some major work and the name just doesn’t fit.

Awards & Rankings

90
17
#17 Most Discussed GameCube Game of 2002
User Score
6.9

Mixed or average reviews- based on 23 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 23
  2. Negative: 3 out of 23
  1. May 29, 2021
    10
    I love this game sure it not as good future games on the gamecube .
    The graphics are pretty good.
    The physics are not to good but in my
    I love this game sure it not as good future games on the gamecube .
    The graphics are pretty good.
    The physics are not to good but in my opinion thats what makes the game fun.
    The cage matches are so fun to play.
    You play up to four players local and its really fun.
    You should give this game a try.
    Full Review »
  2. Sep 17, 2018
    5
    A very poor wrestling game for the Nintendo Gamecube. At least the games that came after this were massive improvements.

    Here are all the
    A very poor wrestling game for the Nintendo Gamecube. At least the games that came after this were massive improvements.

    Here are all the major flaws: The graphics were unimpressive, the BGMs did not fit the game at all, the sound was very low quality, the animations were very dodgy, the roster was really disappointing and lacking severely, the create a wrestler was very limited, the AI was awful and the collision detection was terrible.

    The only good things I enjoyed were the decent gameplay, entrances and the persue the belt mode.

    Only get this if you are a hardcore wrestling fan.
    Full Review »
  3. May 16, 2013
    5
    WWE Wrestlemania 18 has good graphics and controls. But the Path of a Champion is short and there is no need to go through it again when youWWE Wrestlemania 18 has good graphics and controls. But the Path of a Champion is short and there is no need to go through it again when you unlock all of the arenas and the superstars. The Royal Rumble in the exhibition mode is hard to beat. Full Review »