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. Aidilgaming
    Aug 10, 2023
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Best wrestling game wwe smackdown ps2 10/10 world Indonesia love you game over… Expand
  2. AgentLvi
    Jun 26, 2023
    9
    Excellent game. The story is so enjoyable, scoring is really great, visual is decent, and the voice is stunning
  3. 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    I've tried to like this game but I can't! It has a very rotten and outdated gameplay unlike the WWE 2009/10/11 which in addition to the beautiful graphics also has a great gameplay.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
  4. Muzketin
    May 24, 2023
    10
    This is the most fun and epic wrestling game ever! Even today in 2023 i have more fun playing this than the latter sequels. Plus it features all the best wrestlers ever.
  5. JasonFajardo
    May 4, 2023
    10
    Best wrestling game of all time. Roster its full of legendary wrestlers like Kane, The Undertaker, John Cena, Batista, Eddie Guerrero, Rob Van Dam, Edge, Kevin Nash, Shawn Michaels, Triple H, Ric Flair, Stone Cold Steve Austin, The Rock etc. They din´t waste space on adding characters that nobody misses like Maven or La Resistance and dint flood the roster with unmemorable characters likeBest wrestling game of all time. Roster its full of legendary wrestlers like Kane, The Undertaker, John Cena, Batista, Eddie Guerrero, Rob Van Dam, Edge, Kevin Nash, Shawn Michaels, Triple H, Ric Flair, Stone Cold Steve Austin, The Rock etc. They din´t waste space on adding characters that nobody misses like Maven or La Resistance and dint flood the roster with unmemorable characters like they did in future games. The gameplay its fast passed and the matches are fire. Royal Rumble Match doesn't last an hour like in every other WWE game and its actually fun to play. Season Mode its re-playable and even in the 3rd o 4th run you can still find something new in the story-lines. The best experience for casual gamers or casual wrestling fans because matches don't last enough to get you bored, the game its still in 2023, 20 years later, the best representation of wrestling in video games.… Expand
  6. ricky1990ct
    Feb 6, 2023
    10
    Great career,roster,so fun and addicting.Really good mechanics, one of the best wrestling games of all time! Suggest you to play that game if you are a wrestling fan, NOW!
  7. Xavier2
    Jul 11, 2022
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I think that HCTP is one of the best for ps2 games and would recommend it for a wrestling game if you are looking for a wrestling game but also a fun game… Expand
  8. Nafea
    Feb 27, 2022
    9
    Legendary game great gameplay good graphics and fantastic rostar but the rostar can be batter overall one of the best wrestling video games of all time if not the best
  9. ECB19
    Sep 22, 2021
    9
    Even today it is still one of the best wrestling games, having the release date, good roster,good season mode and a more entertaining combat system than current games
  10. Ardho
    Aug 30, 2021
    9
    That graphics were amazingly good at that time, all the children here must have played this game, and at that time we were hype at our place
  11. VikiSetyah
    Aug 25, 2021
    10
    Still the best wwe games until now. Fluid mechanic, memorable song opening , and tons customizing is amazing
  12. YigidOx2
    Feb 12, 2021
    10
    World's best wrestling game. Nobody can oppose this. Different stories each time and they're all really good (okay maybe not all but most). 2K needs to make a MyCareer mode just like the season mode on HCTP. But 2K is a very lazy firm.
  13. Thunder95
    Feb 5, 2021
    10
    Nostalgic game.played it and fell in love with it.best wwe game in ps2 console
  14. Mirayaanali1234
    Dec 2, 2020
    10
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  15. BradE17
    Nov 7, 2020
    10
    This might still be the best wrestling game ever. I thought 2K18 and 19 were worth playing, but I haven't picked them up since they were a few months old. I go back and play HCTP every few years and love it. The lack of commentary is a plus in my opinion, because listening to Michael Cole just reminds me why I stopped watching WWE. The story mode is unbelievably entertaining. It'sThis might still be the best wrestling game ever. I thought 2K18 and 19 were worth playing, but I haven't picked them up since they were a few months old. I go back and play HCTP every few years and love it. The lack of commentary is a plus in my opinion, because listening to Michael Cole just reminds me why I stopped watching WWE. The story mode is unbelievably entertaining. It's linear, so you can only play through once unless you want the same exact story to happen again, but they did a great job with it. The gameplay is pretty basic, but very satisfying. If they remastered this game and added the ability to give your wrestler custom music, I would play it every year.… Expand
  16. Prisma
    Jul 23, 2020
    10
    The best WWE game, the sad part is that this a game of 2003

    The replayability is just insane
  17. Alexandersos97
    Jun 23, 2020
    10
    One of the best if not the best wrestling game to the date it have a hectic addictive crazy and fun gameplay it have a great season mode wrestlers finally bleed and take a lot of damage and you can't wrestle even outside the ring in a city and do an insane bunch of stuf
  18. JinDevil
    Aug 15, 2019
    10
    As a kid I used to play all day at this game,it’s mechanics were perfect,pure fun and a must when you just want to play something because it will always entertain you.
  19. Muzzu3010
    Aug 15, 2019
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Best wrestling game on PlayStation 2 Good graphics and good story line of wrestlers.… Expand
  20. evolution98
    Nov 12, 2017
    10
    I think this is the best wrestling game of all time. Even better than WWF No Mercy. I can see why people adore this game so much and why they want it to be remastered.

    The graphics were really impressive and realistic albeit cartoonish but have not really aged well. The soundtrack is perfect. The sound was so flawless. The gameplay is superb. Yuke's went all out on this game. We got    I think this is the best wrestling game of all time. Even better than WWF No Mercy. I can see why people adore this game so much and why they want it to be remastered.

    The graphics were really impressive and realistic albeit cartoonish but have not really aged well. The soundtrack is perfect. The sound was so flawless. The gameplay is superb. Yuke's went all out on this game. We got the Elimination Chamber and Bra and Panties match types and they were very fun. I liked the revamped controls and move animations. The finishers looked so satisfying and brutal. The roster was near perfect. It was missing many notable wrestlers and divas. So many wrestlers you could play as and the inclusion of legends made it even better to play with friends. The career mode is phenomenal. The create a wrestler and moveset mode was a massive improvement over Shut Your Mouth. There was no commentary which was a great idea as it would detract from the game. The AI was incredible.

    A absolute must have for wrestling fans and I would definitely recommend it.    … Expand
  21. 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.
  22. 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 .
  23. voronin31
    Jan 23, 2016
    10
    We have now 2016-and this games is even now in best 3 wrestling games ever!!!Cool unique modes,best rooster and great atmosphere!!!Great sound,matches,rooster, and modes!!You can have realistic matches or unrealistic matche for example in the middle of the street.
  24. Abhaygamin2002
    Jan 1, 2016
    10
    BEST WRESTLING GAME EVER!! not joking its better than any 2k 15,16 i still play it with it on party,s and its amazing.its felling nostalgic.its good and bought it at very low price.
  25. FrenziedPanda99
    Jul 17, 2015
    9
    Already spent about 12 years but this game still manages to be one (of all wrestling games) that gives me more pleasure and nostalgia playing.THe incredibly long , but very cool to play, Season Mode contrasts with the dull General Manage Mode . The Exhibition mode is very simple: choose a wrestler and fight but becomes a lot of fun when played with a friend . The trips to places likeAlready spent about 12 years but this game still manages to be one (of all wrestling games) that gives me more pleasure and nostalgia playing.THe incredibly long , but very cool to play, Season Mode contrasts with the dull General Manage Mode . The Exhibition mode is very simple: choose a wrestler and fight but becomes a lot of fun when played with a friend . The trips to places like behind the scenes , the locker room and abroad and the utilization of virtually all materials that are at our disposal make this a fantastic game.… Expand
  26. KAOS661
    Sep 4, 2014
    9
    Probably the best wrestling game ever.Hell, it aged so damn well. Great roster, exciting gameplay. Really an epic and also a revolutionary game at that time. There hasn't been any wrestling game since "Here Comes The Pain" that was better and more fun than that. A difficult wrestling game to top.
  27. bossbaskar007
    Mar 29, 2014
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. still the best wwe game ever would like this to be recreated for latest consoles with moderrn graphics same here comes the pain roster with latest added members 2014 and same fast gameplay with latest updated moves for analog controls voice and commentary and entrance all updated wold be a dream game if that happens hope all agree and like it… Expand
  28. Wolfie1987
    Mar 24, 2014
    10
    Still the best wrestling game ever created. The character creator & character customization modes are chock-full of content. There are so many battle modes to choose from, and the controls are impeccable, it blows my mind.
  29. Owaisqadri100
    Feb 15, 2014
    10
    This game is the best wwe game.The game play 100%.The sound 100%.The music in the background is the best and way better than commentary.The sound is 100%.The only one thing bad about it and most users would have said it.There was no Jeff Hardy or Hulk Hogan.Most of the character overalls were not that good.The season mode was the best thing about it.The season mode was about 1 year longThis game is the best wwe game.The game play 100%.The sound 100%.The music in the background is the best and way better than commentary.The sound is 100%.The only one thing bad about it and most users would have said it.There was no Jeff Hardy or Hulk Hogan.Most of the character overalls were not that good.The season mode was the best thing about it.The season mode was about 1 year long and it was fun.You could make your own character and move-set.You could even play season mode with your character.The music made in this game was the best.Commentary is useless.In every wwe game they should make music.I really hope they make another game like this.
    Thanks
    Owaisqadri100    … Expand
  30. Vegeta586
    Nov 13, 2013
    10
    KYR was fun, JBI was good, SYM was great, but HCTP was and always will be the Greatest Smackdown! Game of all time. Everything was awesome in this game.
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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 »