The WWE is in the run-up to the annual Royal Rumble event while AEW continues to build towards the release of its video game, Fight Forever. WWE 2K23 is yet to be revealed, but there are numerous other wrestling titles out there that don't get the credit they deserve, becoming largely forgotten.
These underrated gems fall across a variety of different eras, genres, and companies, but all offer up an experience that should give fans a taste of what it's like to be in the professional wrestling world. Who knows what title will capture the audience's attention next, but these are certainly games to currently revisit.
TNA Impact! (2008)
Developed by Midway Games for the PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360 and brought to the Nintendo Wii via Point of View, TNA Impact! attempted to take the popular wrestling company into the video game world at its absolute height. Its roster alone is certainly underrated.
With great graphics for the era, a fast-style of play, and an intriguing combination of both sim and arcade mechanics, TNA Impact! was fantastic for putting players directly in the action. It boasted a few unique modes as well that played on TNA's original match types, including Ultimate X.
Pro Wrestling Sim (2021)
A slightly more modern title currently available on Steam from a publisher of the same name, this title takes many of the features players hope to see from a sim game, such as general manager elements, matchmaking, and dream booking, and puts them in a realistic setup.
It's easy to use, especially with its drag-and-drop features and allows the player to utilize a range of original wrestlers in their personal indie companies. With massively positive reviews, while visually it isn't top of the line, this is a purist sim release that shouldn't be overlooked. As a basic start, this premise could convert anyone into a fan of wrestling.
Wrestle Kingdom 2 (2007)
While Yukes had brought out the original Wrestle Kingdom, it's the sequel on the PlayStation 2 that aided in the franchise fulfilling its absolute potential. Graphically this is genuinely gorgeous and features some of the most prominent stars in Japanese pro wrestling from the era.
Although it does not include the roster of Pro Wrestling Noah, it does boast both the talents of New Japan Pro-Wrestling and All Japan Pro Wrestling, with each match allowing for some creativity with the rules including a shoot and MMA-style setup. With a notable campaign mode and some excellent tournaments templates, this is one of the best wrestling titles ever.
Saturday Night Slam Masters (1994)
The fighting game developed by CAPCOM for Arcade, Sega Genesis, SNES, and FM Towns Marty, this is a retro throwback that captured the hearts and minds of players around the world at the time of its release. It's a three-button system that might limit the player's moves but maximizes the chaos within the match.
When modern fans talk about wanting an arcade-style wrestling game, Saturday Night Slam Masters really set the standard but has since been forgotten about. Many of the characters involved were spins on real-world wrestlers, with some actually appearing in previous and successive games in CAPCOM's universe.
Pro Wrestling (1987)
Compared to modern releases many would probably name this as one of the worst wrestling games, however, Pro Wrestling was a star of its era. Created by Nintendo R&D3 for Family Computer Disk System, NES, and Arcade, it's one step up from a traditional fighting title.
There are sim elements to the controls in the way the fighters react to one another, with strikes getting balanced out by genuine holds and familiar wrestling maneuvers. With 2-player options, a championship chaser mode, and a selection of 6 characters with unique move sets, it was obvious that the developers understood the sport itself when they created the game.
WWE 2K Battlegrounds (2020)
When it was announced that 2K and Saber Interactive were working on an arcade-style wrestling game using the WWE license many thought back to the retro hits that were pivotal for the gaming industry's development with the sport. WWE 2K Battlegrounds absolutely delivered in its over-the-top presentation.
Released on Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Google Stadia, the title didn't release that long ago but has already been overshadowed by the more realistic WWE 2K22. Yet, it's a title that may appeal to a more mainstream audience, with streamlined controls and hilarious fight sequences to explore.
Fire Pro Wrestling World (2017)
While the community's response is still very mixed between love and hate, Fire Pro Wrestling World was a recent addition to the wrestling landscape that delivered on what was promised. Developed by ZEX Corporation and published by Spike Chunsoft, the title managed to combine multiple eras in its development.
A complex gameplay style demonstrated how deep the controls were, while the graphics made the most of Windows and PlayStation 4. It's part of a much larger series that featured numerous extreme rules match variations and specifically included rosters from New Japan Pro-Wrestling and World Wonder Ring Stardom, alongside some nostalgic acts from long ago.
Indie Wrestler (2021)
Mobile gaming continues to rear its head in the wrestling industry and both AEW and WWE have made the most of the platform. However, Indie Wrestler is a recent release from Arren Marketing Ltd that allows players to create their own character and rise through the independent scene.
Championships can be won, promos can be cut and matches can be completed all within a game that has struck up multiple deals with independent companies and wrestlers including World Association Wrestling, Riot City Wrestling, Future Stars of Wrestling, and Limitless Wrestling.
WCW Vs. The World (1996)
It's always refreshing to play a title that isn't from WWE in the wrestling circuit, although WCW would eventually be bought out by the competition. The first of two titles featured here, WCW vs. the World for PlayStation, from The Man Breeze, Asmik Ace Entertainment and THQ wasn't setting the world on fire graphically.
However, with such an iconic roster to use that included original characters and some updated gameplay features including a spirit measure to build up a player's attack, the release ensured that the complex movements of the sport were respected and adapted beautifully.
WCW/nWo Revenge (1998)
WCW games continue to go by largely forgotten after the company folded but WCW/nWo Revenge was a standout. Developed by Asmik Ace Entertainment, AKI Corporation, and published by THQ, the game launched on Nintendo 64 and played into its sporting roots.
Attempting to move away from arcade mechanics, it was the innovative grappling controls that kept players coming back for more and allowed it to feel as if they had stepped inside the ring. The roster was packed with further favorites, and graphically speaking this had an edge over many other Nintendo 64 projects.