WWE SmackDown! Here Comes the Pain

 PlayStation 2
  • Publisher: THQ
  • Release Date: Oct 27, 2003
User Score
8.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 256 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 230 out of 256
  2. Mixed: 13 out of 256
  3. Negative: 13 out of 256
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  1. Ratm818
    Apr 15, 2004
    8
    Great game, but i think they should have done more work on the legends. I think they should have there own songs. I also think they should have included people like x-pock and mick folly. SUCK IT!!!!!!
  2. B.Rantala
    Aug 19, 2004
    8
    Having played pretty much all the Smackdown games to come before, I can say with some confidence that in pure gameplay, this is the best. The fighting system is as good as anyone could really expect it to be and leads to matches that are as fun to watch as they are to play. HOWEVER-- 1) The new system where you must "level-up" a created wrestler to make him championship-quality needs Having played pretty much all the Smackdown games to come before, I can say with some confidence that in pure gameplay, this is the best. The fighting system is as good as anyone could really expect it to be and leads to matches that are as fun to watch as they are to play. HOWEVER-- 1) The new system where you must "level-up" a created wrestler to make him championship-quality needs tweaking. Players determined enough to fight all the way to the heavyweight title will have to endure many unavoidable beatdowns on their character along the way--there's no way a brand new character, or even a mildly experienced character, can face the likes of Triple H or Brock Lesnar in this game and hope to survive. It would be nice to at least have a chance in these situations--the way they've done it, it's just frustrating. 2) The music is utterly horrible, especially when you are trying to build your own wrestler. 3) Any sort of entrances for the "Wrestling Legends" are not included. This is annoying, being that it takes many hours of play to unlock them and a player should get what he earned.… Expand
  3. DanielF.
    Dec 4, 2003
    8
    Still lacks the playabilty of wwe no mercy on the n64.. still in its own right a good game, could have been alot better though, needs more of multiplayer to it, and even a multiplayer online season mode? now that would be fun.
  4. AnthonyV.
    Oct 29, 2003
    8
    The last game was great, and this one is even better both in looks and in feel. The gameplay is much more challenging now that there are two reversal buttons. Bra and Panties is cute, but the Elimination Chamber is phenomenal. Nice touch adding the 11 classic wrestlers too. COMPLAINTS: taunts are worthless in tag-team modes because taunting also calls your AI tag team partner in, which is The last game was great, and this one is even better both in looks and in feel. The gameplay is much more challenging now that there are two reversal buttons. Bra and Panties is cute, but the Elimination Chamber is phenomenal. Nice touch adding the 11 classic wrestlers too. COMPLAINTS: taunts are worthless in tag-team modes because taunting also calls your AI tag team partner in, which is a flagrant mistake on the developers' part. The focusing system is also still flawed. You can't tell me with the PS2 controller's numerous buttons and sticks that this problem couldn't have been rectified? Also, the ref gets in the way far too often during matches. These complaints are minor enough to not make me want to stop playing, though, because the good far outweighs the bad.… Expand
  5. CCreviews
    Jul 30, 2012
    8
    This game maybe addictive but this game does have some flaws to.Like first of all the CAW part of it is only great if you wanna create an old school wrestler or a cartoon.i tryed creating CM PUNK and tyler black and it didn't work out for me.also the legends don't have there own music so....Your gonna have to go to moveset to get a theme that fits all of them.but all tho the game is a funThis game maybe addictive but this game does have some flaws to.Like first of all the CAW part of it is only great if you wanna create an old school wrestler or a cartoon.i tryed creating CM PUNK and tyler black and it didn't work out for me.also the legends don't have there own music so....Your gonna have to go to moveset to get a theme that fits all of them.but all tho the game is a fun and really good game.But it sucks how shut your mouth had commentary and this didn't.Like seriously! Come on THQ.… Expand
  6. VideoGameCritic
    Nov 13, 2013
    8
    This was like three years of my life, no joke all I played in middle school was this Here comes the pain, Pokemon Gold and that s really it. WWE SmackDown Here comes the pain is the best!!!!! I really do think this is one my favorite games of all times list. Like I easily put in over one million hours into this game and I never knew the whole time I played this game that the wrestlersThis was like three years of my life, no joke all I played in middle school was this Here comes the pain, Pokemon Gold and that s really it. WWE SmackDown Here comes the pain is the best!!!!! I really do think this is one my favorite games of all times list. Like I easily put in over one million hours into this game and I never knew the whole time I played this game that the wrestlers where real people.....I'm not joking. The music was epic and to this day I still have the whole soundtrack memorized and I also still feel that this game has the best create a wrestler mode out of all other wrestling games I have played. The story mode is awesome but I have to admit after the first time you become the WWE Champion it isn't the same game. Your the best out of over fifty wrestlers and none of them can touch you. Another thing that kinda is broken about this game is that if you spend about fifty hours making a create a character with perfect skill points you can copy him and make a tag team that is perfect and can never lose. My one regret is that I never made my own WWE with perfect wrestlers and had them fight for my honor(that would of been so cool). I will never forget my hundred of hours that I spent hitting half naked dudes with metal chairs and sledgehammers. This is one of my fondest gaming memories and no game other than Pokemon Gold will ever be better.… Expand
  7. kk333
    May 26, 2017
    8
    I think 90% of the people start their PS2 experience by this game only. Classic game. Royal rumble system is a little too fast for the liking, but still, it is fun. And also, anything with tornado tag is fun.
  8. Shadow1
    May 25, 2016
    8
    WWE SmackDown Here Comes the Pain is the best wrestling game on PS2, not to mention WWE SmackDown VS Raw 2011 . Not really good graphics, but many different wrestlers and one ofthe best gameplay in WWF/WWE Series . This is first WWE Games (WWF not to mention) . On Cover for this game Brock Lesnar . Amazing wrestling game .
  9. DezB.
    Dec 2, 2003
    6
    Great graphics and a big improvement on the last 2 titles Very Very dissapointed that they havent gone with the Multi player season I used to have so much fun on Smackdown "know your role" on the PSone but good Idea bringing blood back onto the game I have been a fan of wrestling for 20 years and this is the closest ive been to happy with a wrestling game Also why the hell cant you enter Great graphics and a big improvement on the last 2 titles Very Very dissapointed that they havent gone with the Multi player season I used to have so much fun on Smackdown "know your role" on the PSone but good Idea bringing blood back onto the game I have been a fan of wrestling for 20 years and this is the closest ive been to happy with a wrestling game Also why the hell cant you enter a womans wrestler into season mode I mean the womans title is in the game and during the season mode it is defended I hope THQ can rectify this because women are fans of wrestling aswell also About the fact that we were promised superstar voice overs but we didnt get them Many superstars are missing from the game(i:e La resistance, Spike dudley, Mark Henry, Shannon moore,just to name a few) but voice overs and The missing superstars are on the american version(arent us brits good enough for the full version the Yanks even have Zach gowen on the game) I am appalled by their decision to give us a second class game But over all it is the best game on the market.… Expand
  10. AniarA.
    Nov 19, 2003
    5
    I give the game a five because there isn't a two player season mode and i also think it is dumb as hell that your created female can not do bra and panties match it is just not fair i also think you should still be able to use superstars face in create mode other than that the game is good.
  11. HenryT.
    May 30, 2004
    5
    This game is half wack because the old school undertaker should have his old music like the one he is using now with paul bearer and he should not come out in that little ring at entrance.
  12. The_D4RknesS
    Jun 20, 2023
    5
    I've tried to like this game but I can't! It has a very rotten and outdated gameplay unlike the WWE 2009/10/11 which in addition to the beautiful graphics also has a great gameplay. Maybe if I had played this in 2003 I would have liked it better
  13. LohG.
    Feb 7, 2004
    4
    This game is shallow and overrated, you freaks don't know anything about good games. The graphics arent, "good". The Models colide terribly, so when someone punches a fat wrestler, his hand goes through his abdomen, a little weird. All you horny 14 year olds got this game because of the bra and panties match, I bet. The grappling system is better, but still shallow, I think of it as This game is shallow and overrated, you freaks don't know anything about good games. The graphics arent, "good". The Models colide terribly, so when someone punches a fat wrestler, his hand goes through his abdomen, a little weird. All you horny 14 year olds got this game because of the bra and panties match, I bet. The grappling system is better, but still shallow, I think of it as advanced button mashing, and as all these guys say, its the best wrestling game ever, sadly, its not that good.… Expand
  14. GregM.
    Dec 19, 2003
    2
    There are a lot of wrestlers missing (la resistance,mark henry,maven,etc...)the royal rumble matches are cheap. royal rumble should be played like real life where you have to work to eliminate your opponent or cpu eliminate you. i started number 1 with goldberg, threw out half a dozen wrestlers then got punched twice by hurricane and knocked out. story mode should be longer in year termsThere are a lot of wrestlers missing (la resistance,mark henry,maven,etc...)the royal rumble matches are cheap. royal rumble should be played like real life where you have to work to eliminate your opponent or cpu eliminate you. i started number 1 with goldberg, threw out half a dozen wrestlers then got punched twice by hurricane and knocked out. story mode should be longer in year terms and player attributes shouldnt be based on winning matches. strength should be based on lifting weights in weightroom, speed and endurance based on running on tracks and city streets, technique and submission should be based on training in the ring. all belts should be able to be defended in exhibition. dissapointed that theres no commentery and voice overs. create mode should be upgraded. the ladies in bra and panty some should have thongs on. the legends suck because they dont have their original entrance music or moves. wrestlers should not get pinned after a little clothesline. some wrestlers stats are underrated(ex.haas, benjamin) … Expand
  15. BrianM.
    Nov 5, 2003
    1
    More smackdown drivel... When will THQ bring out the defining WWE game? I suppose never.. A wasted oppurtunity.. but than there is always next year.. here comes Smackdown 6 or WWE Smackdown YOU TAPPED OUT! cough
  16. BobD.
    Jan 17, 2004
    1
    It should be on PC.
  17. BOOKERT.
    Nov 17, 2003
    1
    This game aint da shiznit. story mode should be like madden franchise and it should be multiplayer like the original. the story mode should be changed to be a wrestler . here you practice , attend meetings and take your player through 10 + years . copy madden franchise mode but do it with a wrestling twist. these games grow old too fast!copy the madden franchise mode for a new be aThis game aint da shiznit. story mode should be like madden franchise and it should be multiplayer like the original. the story mode should be changed to be a wrestler . here you practice , attend meetings and take your player through 10 + years . copy madden franchise mode but do it with a wrestling twist. these games grow old too fast!copy the madden franchise mode for a new be a wrestler mode!!! I am genius!!!… Expand
  18. BenjaminH.
    Nov 7, 2003
    0
    It is a bag of rubbish and needs snapping in half!!!!
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Awards & Rankings

30
#30 Best PS2 Game of 2003
4
#4 Most Discussed PS2 Game of 2003
2
#2 Most Shared PS2 Game of 2003

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
85

Generally favorable reviews - based on 27 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 25 out of 27
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 27
  3. Negative: 0 out of 27
  1. IGN
    91
    One of the best wrestling games we've ever played...With its ultra-improved gameplay mechanics, enhanced visual engine, smarter career mode, and established create-a-character feature, Yukes and THQ are definitely the track to success.
    Read full review
  2. GamePro
    80
    How about a Bra & Panties mode where WWE Divas rip off each other’s clothes? It’s the raunchiest Teen-rated action you’ll find anywhere.
    Read full review
  3. PSM Magazine
    90
    An absolutely awesome wrestling experience...Thanks to features like improved graphics, more match types, and an overhauled grappling system, it's definitely the most realistic and rewarding WWE game on the market. [Dec 2003, p.56]
See all critic reviews »