• Publisher: THQ
  • Release Date: Sep 8, 2003
Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 26 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 26
  2. Negative: 0 out of 26
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  1. While this might not be the most in-depth game out there, WWE WrestleMania XIX is one of the best wrestling games on the market right now.
  2. One more thing and something I am sorely missing: backstage areas. There are none, and it is sad to see. Hopefully next year they will be included.
  3. A very good multiplayer title, jam-packed with every wrestler currently seen on TV, as well as any character you can think of including yourself.
  4. If customizing is your thing, the CAW is the single most amazing thing about XIX. You could get lost in the myriad options it offers to you.
  5. The most extraordinary thing you'll find in this new game is a mode called Revenge. Revenge is the game's answer to story mode, and it is a story indeed.
  6. 85
    It takes about 5 – 8 hours to beat Revenge mode, but Exhibition mode and King Of The Ring will keep you occupied for many more hours, not to mention the multiplayer possibilities.
  7. 80
    It's as good as this type of wrestling gets and more importantly it's really fun. Keep in mind that this feels more like an arcade-style wrestler with a lot of options, counters and attacks and you'll have a good time, we did.
  8. Nintendo Power
    80
    The game play and control are much-improved over last year's "WrestleMania X8," making the game easy to pick up and play, yet complex enough to keep you entertained for long stretches. [Nov 2003, p.148]
  9. This newest title is fun to play, which is the incredibly important, but in the wrestling world, presentation is 50% of the product, and the presentation in XIX still needs work.
  10. 80
    XIX just doesn’t have the oomph of a "SmackDown" or even a "Raw." The Revenge mode is a cool idea, but the execution needs work, and the lack of a traditional season might chase off some fans.
  11. An excellent wrestling game and deserves your attention just for the sheer amount of crap you can accomplish, collect, unlock, create, and on and on and on.
  12. The grapple system, while finally starting to come back into popularity, isn’t perfect. The game still feels like you can finish it without focusing on the grapple system. The story mode is also a big disappointment for hardcore wrestling fans.
  13. Game Informer
    78
    Has all the pieces in place but one. The lack of a good career mode keeps it from being the first must-have wrestling game of this console generation. [Oct 2003, p.128]
  14. netjak
    77
    The absence of a true Story mode and a roster lacking many of the top WWE superstars may sway wrestling fanatics away from this one. Despite the fact that the game is missing those aspects, however, Wrestlemania XIX is still an excellent game.
  15. Though WrestleMania XIX is a definite improvement over its predecessor, the game's few graphical hang-ups and detrimentally bad story mode ultimately mar what could have been a really great game.
  16. 75
    A serious and right-minded improvement over "Wrestlemania X8," and offers a preferable engine to "Smackdown!" for wrestling purists. If only the single-player mode had anything (and I do mean anything) to offer except a steel chair to your expectations.
  17. Play Magazine
    75
    The engine is one of the best, and the presentation is getting there. All it needs is some depth and long-term replayability, and the series could move from contender to main-event attraction. [Oct 2003, p.81]
  18. GameNow
    75
    Players will come to love the game's fine grappling and reversal system. [Nov 2003, p.67]
  19. Electronic Gaming Monthly
    72
    The single-player modes hold XIX back from being the ultimate grappler. [Nov 2003, p.198]
  20. More selectable wrestlers really could have boosted the replay value. Still, with its great graphics, solid grappling system and AWESOME Create a Wrestler mode, WrestleMania XIX shows that its franchise is on the right track.
  21. GMR Magazine
    70
    Oddly, though, Yuke's employs two separate buttons for blocks when there's clearly no need to use more than one, and it offers no option to modify this scheme. [Nov 2003, p.74]
  22. TotalGames.net
    69
    The nail in the coffin for Wrestlemania XIX has to be the decision to include the completely horrible Revenge mode as the main single-player option, as opposed to any kind of Career mode.
  23. Better, if for no other reason but the improved game mechanics. If they had made those improvements alone and left out the "Revenge" mode, I probably would score the game higher. However, the fact that they invested time, effort, and money into this mode forces me to push their score down.
  24. Cheat Code Central
    60
    Ultimately the issue I have with XIX is one of inconsistency. For one thing the game has many modes and match types, enough to satisfy any hardcore gamer, but the fighting engine and the AI drag the overall enjoyment level of the game down significantly.
  25. 60
    Competent but unimpressive.
  26. I was surprised at WM19's gameplay and couldn't put it down, but don't expect much from Revenge mode. You can only beat up on security guards for so long.

Awards & Rankings

44
17
#17 Most Discussed GameCube Game of 2003
10
#10 Most Shared GameCube Game of 2003
User Score
8.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 52 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 46 out of 52
  2. Negative: 3 out of 52
  1. Sep 25, 2022
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click full review link to view. One of best rosters and gameplays in a wrestling game. Only the graphics are not so good. Full Review »
  2. Sep 17, 2018
    8
    A really good wrestling game. A major improvement over Wrestlemania 18.

    The graphics became more realistic and looked better than
    A really good wrestling game. A major improvement over Wrestlemania 18.

    The graphics became more realistic and looked better than Wrestlemania 18. The realistic crowd and the ring design looked better. The wrestlers models looked good for the time but have not aged well. The animations and moves were improved as they looked really dodgy in Wrestlemania 18 and many new animations and moves were added. The BGMs fit much better and was a step up but would become very repetitive. The reversal system was fixed and made the game much easier to play. The gameplay was much better as well. It added the strong grapple system exactly like WWF No Mercy which gave the game more strategy. The customization mode was also greatly improved and more creative. The roster was great but was missing a lot of notable wrestlers. It was also missing many pay per view arenas.

    The Revenge Mode was a disappointment as you play through six stages and complete objectives that get very boring and difficult. You unlock the stages and stupid looking bosses that you defeat from the end of each stage on Revenge Mode based on real iconic wrestlers. Yuke's should have made a Career Mode similar to the WWE Smackdown games on the Playstation 2 instead of Revenge Mode.

    The main flaws overall are the disappointing roster, the lack of other noticeable pay per view arenas to brawl in, no backstage arenas and no career mode.

    Still a fun game.
    Full Review »
  3. Mar 4, 2016
    7
    A solid outing for a first wrestling on GameCube. The roster is star-studded and the story mode is pretty funny. Nothing better than throwingA solid outing for a first wrestling on GameCube. The roster is star-studded and the story mode is pretty funny. Nothing better than throwing construction workers into a pit. Full Review »