WWE 2K26

WWE 2K26 does exactly what a yearly sports game should do. It fixes some minor issues from the previous title. The Island mode is more enjoyable, going full in on the wacky version of what wrestling games can be...It’s expensive as heck if you want the top tier edition, coming in at an eye watering $150 MSRP in the US. If you’re happy with 2K25 there may not be enough here to warrant a full purchase, otherwise it’s an easy recommendation for fans of the industry.

WWE 2K26 is the best the series has to offer in the ring, and most game modes have been improved from last year, but the introduction of this new season pass may scare many away.

A downer to end with, but I do want to reiterate that the game otherwise is excellent in terms of quality. The roster (at least what is unlocked to start with) is stacked, the match types are more varied than ever, and there are so many modes here to play with I am honestly staggered how anyone could find the time to explore them all properly. Showcase does CM Punk justice, while MyRise is a great character builder for our custom superstar, and the creation suite is even more mind boggling in its scope than ever. If you’re even remotely into the world of professional wrestling, then WWE 2K26 is an absolute no brainer as the best game of graps out there.

Once again, WWE 2K26 delivers yet another fine bout of grappling, with a huge selection of modes and a colossal roster of Superstars, alongside a handful of meaningful refinements. The new reversal system might not be to everyone's taste, but there's no denying this remains an eminently playable wrestling experience.

WWE 2K26 is a massive effort from the team at Visual Concepts. They’ve spent the past 12+ months refining everything about WWE 2K25 to make an even better wrestling game. Every mode has been improved upon. The games roster is absolutely massive, with over 400+ playable characters. The biggest issue for these WWE 2K games is the significant learning curve and demand for perfect timing. It can be very intimidating for new players. The new Ringside Pass has presented a significant roadblock for enjoying the game, forcing players to grind it out just to unlock many different Superstars. Despite the issues, there is still a ton to appreciate about WWE 2K26.

WWE 2K26 isn't a perfect game. It suffers from too many technical issues, and I'm not sold on the tweaks to its core gameplay being a net positive, even though they make sense. That said, WWE 2K26 does so many good things that it's still worth it. This year's version of The Island is a massive improvement, and I cannot stop playing it, especially progressing through Tower runs. CM Punk's Showcase is an excellent presentation, and MyRISE is another successful story. Overall, WWE 2K26 is still another solid entry in the WWE 2K franchise, but I can't help but wonder where it could have landed. It reminds me of the recent LA Knight spot from this year's Men's Elimination Chamber match. He's got the crowd in the palm of his hand, he's ready for a big move off the rope...and he slips. He's still over with the crowd, and I think that's how things will ultimately land with WWE 2K26, but I have more reservations this year than I did last year.

Following up last year’s well-received game is an unenviable task, but WWE 2K26 manages to build on what’s come before with some game-changing mechanics and welcome refinements.

WWE 2K26 offers another net gain over its predecessor, ensuring the series continues to evolve in a positive direction. While its new reversal system will initially divide players and the spectre of microtransactions continues to loom over MyFaction, the overall package introduces more quality-of-life features to ensure each of its numerous modes is better than it was last time.

WWE 2K26 is without a doubt the most content-rich entry ever produced by 2K Games for the series, thanks to a massive roster, new match stipulations, and a robust set of modes that could keep you busy for hundreds of hours. The Showcase dedicated to CM Punk is genuinely enjoyable and entertaining, while MyRise can't rely on a storyline as compelling as last year's. Meanwhile, The Island once again highlights the issues of a scenario that proves surprisingly difficult to manage for a game that continues to experience ups and downs, both on a technical level and - above all - in terms of gameplay.