WWE 2K26: PS5 Review 

Developed by Visual Concepts
Published by 2K Games
Platform: PS5

The newest iteration of the wrestling franchise boasts its biggest ever itinerary of playable stars, new match types and a chance to play through the sport's history.

In many ways, the game is perhaps the ultimate collection of what a sporting title should be - but fans for the genre, who have to shell out annually for a new title, it still represents some of what the worst excesses of the game can be, thanks to in-game monetisation.

Three of the game modes, which got an airing in WWE 2K25, have been expanded into a fuller part of the gameplay and it's a welcome return for the I Quit, the Inferno match and the 3 Stages of Hell bouts. It's here that Visual Concepts starts to build on what's worked well previously and adapts it into something that feels like it's the kind of thing that's naturally at home.

Visually, the game's improved substantially, with many of the likenesses incredibly close to their real-life individuals. Most notably CM Punk, whose story fleshes out the history side of the game, feels like the closest to a real person the title's ever achieved before.

But if you're after gameplay mechanics changes, then you're really out of luck with WWE 2K26 as all the developers have done is to tweak existing basics and ensure that it works as well as it's done before. From playing with entrances of the wrestlers to adjustments to stamina, it's minor stuff that the casual gamer won't notice, but fans of the genre will appreciate the behind-the-curtains approach that Visual Concepts has deployed to ensure that it feels like they're in control of the stars they know the best.

However, importantly, the adjustments don't affect matches too much - and there's a feeling that the series is slowly moving forward, rather than launching major changes for the sake of it. It all comes down to the fact that generally, with an annual-release schedule, there's little to do to improve, but something must be done to ensure people are willing to part with their cash.

Perhaps the best game mode is the I Quit which sees you having to hit a series of points on your opponent before they decide to tap out. Obviously with each weakness, they get harder to achieve, but this is a fun way to play the game so many would have played with siblings in real-life.

Ultimately, this is enjoyable enough fare, but with progression occasionally locked behind the need for monetisation, the very worst ethos of the genre is coming to the fore - here's hoping that the next release will ease off on some of those excesses before they're knocked into submission for the future.