“Our primary objective is to strike the balance between making sure players can notice the frame rate improvements we’re making without disrupting their experience,” wrote the studio. Its efforts in this department have resulted in improved average frame rates by about 20 percent across systems running on a variety of hardware, ranging from minimum to recommended specifications.

In a series of bar graphs comparing frame rates across different PC setups between the launch version of Borderlands 4 and its 1.5 version from this month, the company has shown off how many improvements were made. On minimum specs with visuals upscaled to 1080p, it was capable of 53.1 FPS at launch, compared to 67.02 FPS now. Recommended PC specs upscaled to 1440p visuals could run at 64.02 FPS at launch and 75.72 FPS now. High-end hardware, like a PC with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080, could run the game at 86.87 FPS at launch, compared to the current 107.07 FPS.

For native resolutions, the minimum specs could manage 37.32 FPS at launch, while Borderlands 4 version 1.5 is now capable of running at 52.79 FPS. Recommended specs went from delivering 44.89 FPS to 56.54 FPS, and a PC running it on an RTX 4080 jumped from 54.96 FPS to 78.43 FPS.

“The roughly 20% increase in average FPS comes from combined efforts focusing on GPU, CPU, and general efficiency, with the Optimization Team identifying specific refinements to improve performance without being too noticeable in terms of visual fidelity,” wrote the company. These refinements were made to Shader PSOs (Pipeline State Objects), how GPU drivers identified randomized gun parts, and HLOD (Hierarchical Level of Detail), that manages how distant parts of the map are rendered.

There were also many tweaks to smaller aspects of Borderlands 4’s visuals to help boost frame rate, like trimming the polygon count for effects like thruster exhausts, particle effects for Action Skills, and Airship drop world events, among others. CPU strain was reduced thanks to refinements made to damage effects for the Cryo element, collision physics, and cloth simulation. Similarly, the team utilized Unreal Engine 5’s Virtual Shadow Maps technology to improve lighting effects throughout the game while reducing the GPU’s load.

“We’re proud of the work the team’s done to improve Borderlands 4‘s PC performance since launch, and we also recognize we have more to do,” wrote the studio. “We’re in it for the long haul!”

“We are doing all of this without removing the ability that players have had, and will continue to have, to self-tune their experiences to fit their playstyle preferences using the in-game graphics options and graphics card-based drivers and tools.”

Borderlands 4 is available on PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S. While a Nintendo Switch 2 release was originally planned, it eventually faced a delay. A report from last month then revealed that Gearbox Entertainment had decided to pause development of the port.

This WWE 2K26 guide is all about quickly and efficiently grinding for unlocks in just a few hours.

Ringside Pass XP (RXP)

Playing Island on easy is the fastest way to rack up plenty of early RXP from challenges and match actions. The Island Weekly, MyFACTION, MyGM Season challenges, will all contribute more recurring RXP than mere exhibition matches, whether won or lost.

One-shot sources of RXP include completion of Showcase Matches, the MyRise Story, Island Quests, and MyFACTION Lifetime challenges.

Showcase Gauntlet

The most important thing you can do to ease progression is navigate to the Gameplay settings and switch the Submission Mini-Game to ‘Slider’, rather than ‘Rapid’. This has you move a rotating slider to overlap or avoid opponents. Slider should greatly improve your ability to successfully clear submissions.

Just this setting should allow you to breeze through the showcase quickly and unlock everything related.

Grinding RXP

The easiest way to make up the remainder of the RXP you will need in order to reach Tier 40 is with matches in Falls Count Anywhere.

Begin by modifying some settings to eliminate downtime between rounds, since you will be repeating matches over and over for around two hours.

Head to the Gameplay settings, and change Difficulty to ‘Easy’, Weight Detection to ‘Arcade’, Allow Match Start Actions to ‘Off’, and Postmatch Replay to ‘Off’.

In the Advanced settings for the Submission Mini-Game, set both the Strength bars for the Player to 100, and the Penalty sliders to 0. Do the opposite for the AI’s sliders, so Strength to 0, and Penalty to 100. This should make Submissions a cakewalk.

Now load up Falls Count Anywhere, which is a mode where you can win by pin or submission anywhere in the arena.

• Select One on One.
• Choose any arena.
• Play as The Great Muta.
• Select Eric Bischoff as your opponent.
• Start the Match

The Submission Mini-Game advanced settings should let you get a successful submission within seconds of starting the match. The other settings should get you to the Ratings menu immediately after, where you can elect to just hit Rematch to rinse and repeat this method until you have filled out your RXP bar to its maximum.

If you find yourself getting bored with the same wrestler pairing, feel free to switch things up to other wrestlers with whom you have some grappling experience.

That is everything there is to know about grinding RXP in order to quickly max out the Ringside Pass at Tier 40 in WWE 2K26.

This guide for WWE 2K26 is a brief list of tips and tricks that you can use to easily subdue your opponents and win every match.

Easier Submissions

You can greatly improve submissions by weakening your opponent as much as possible first. Do this by targeting successive limbs, before finishing them with a submission.

Tag Team Stray Damage

During tag team matches, take every opportunity you can to weaken any of the opposing team members that are not actually in the ring. Doing this helps whittle down their bar well before you engage them in a proper fight. This is especially important in matches where you may be outnumbered.

Tag Out Often

Be sure to tag out frequently to avoid exhausting your wrestlers and keep the momentum going. Maintaining strength is an important factor in winning tag team matches. The best sequence is to smack your opponent, then target a random non-active opponent for some unsanctioned damage, then get another hit on the active one, before tagging out.

Unexpected Finishers

Delay finishers when you have the opportunity to perform them, especially if your opponent is already on the ground when they are anticipating it. Instead, trigger it unexpectedly, catching them off-guard and preventing them from pre-empting you with a counter-move.

Corner finishers are also some of the most predictable to counter, and should be avoided whenever possible.

Charged Finishers

Don’t bother charging finishers either, as that just gives opponents the opportunity to reverse it. You can always cancel them by using LB/L1.

Promos And Power Cards

Avoid using promo cards willy-nilly, as they can have a much more significant impact when used in the right context.

Save your power cards from commissioner goals, as they will boost ratings by quite a bit. Any others should be used sparingly based on necessity.

Those are a handful of tactics and strategies you can use to perform better in matches in WWE 2K26.

Even before the first bell, WWE 2K26’s focus on spectacle reveals itself. Interactive entrances, where you can spam pyro and crowd pleasing (or taunting) emotes on the walk to the ring project a self-curated atmosphere into an already-buzzing arena – for you and your opponent alike. Unexpectedly mercurial moments emerge: a chorus of boos overshadow the Undertaker’s gloomy entrance, for instance, his hooded silhouette lighting up as I button bash blue flames.

"Visual Concepts are leaning heavily into impact in this year’s iteration, with firmer bumps, tighter collision detection, and looser ragdoll physics elevating the drama of wrestling’s stage combat."

Then, seconds before the bell rings, you have the option to draw energy from the crowd, approach your opponent for a staredown, even offer them a handshake. Careful though, your opponent may land a cheap shot instead. Or, maybe, you’ll throw an unofficial blow yourself. I wouldn’t describe these actions as extensive, but they do bring an element of unpredictability which reinforces the sport’s theatricality. Yet, if you wish, you can skip all this pre-match pageantry and get straight to brawling – and this is where the game shines brightest.

Visual Concepts are leaning heavily into impact in this year’s iteration, with firmer bumps, tighter collision detection, and looser ragdoll physics elevating the drama of wrestling’s stage combat. Blows land with a satisfying thud, and your opponent recoils accordingly. Bodies connect with the ring’s environmental detritus with renewed force; chucking your opponent from the top rope onto steel steps, for example, lands sharply whereas earlier entries saw characters simply clip through to the floor.

However, it’s still not perfect – a table will slide under your feet, a traffic cone hits with the same force as Triple H’s sledgehammer, and ragdolled bodies will always recover no matter the height they’re launched from. More so, knowing that these mechanics were present earlier in the series makes it doubly frustrating that they’re not here now.

WWE 2K26 seems to be stuck in a middleground between arcade and simulation. Last year introduced slower, deliberate, and more methodical character movement, and whilst 2K26’s physics are undeniably crunchy the lack of material-specific consequences can be jarring. If you lob someone onto steel steps from an eight-foot height, that should be match-ending; not to mention the more ludicrous, damn-near fatal actions like slamming heads in ambulance doors.

We’ve seen motorcycle racing sim RIDE 6 toying with splitting arcade and simulation sensibilities into opposing styles that can be swapped in the game’s settings. Perhaps it’s time WWE 2K tried something similar? Of course, there are fans of the series who want to see the most outlandish moves that only a video game could produce, whilst others still appreciative of bloody mayhem might prefer more grounded action.

For me, I enjoy wrestling’s theatricality, and I understand that humour is a key part of the sport’s appeal. But should it overtake the more serious athleticism and melodramatic storylines? Having the option to switch between arcade-style lunacy and more realistic simulation settings could be the way forward. Visual Concepts – are you listening?

That said, I believe WWE 2K26 succeeds the most when it embraces wrestling’s absurdity. Of this year’s match types, the returning Ladder match is my favourite. I Quit is punishing, sure, doling out attack after attack to brute force your opponent into admitting they’ve had enough, whilst Dumpster is an unsurprising variation on Coffin and Ambulance matches.

Three Stages of Hell is a best-of-three mini-series, where you’re free to choose whichever match types you like. Of course, I find this works best when you select the most chaotic options: Hell in a Cell, Cages, Ladders, and so on. With stamina and injuries carrying over between rounds, Three Stages of Hell is a war of attrition, where grit can be a deciding factor.

The spectacle continues with WWE 2K26’s new and interactive environmental weapons. Two tables are now stackable while thumbtacks can be poured onto the floor to make a high-damage area (and permanent pins in your opponent’s back if you slam them just right). The shopping cart – found in the game’s newest backstage brawl zone The Scrapyard – is a humorous inclusion. Maybe this is supposed to be a comedy all along? Either way, you can dunk your stunned opponent into the trolley and parade them round the junkyard, smacking them in their slumber before tipping them over as they wake up.

Almost any arena – The Scrapyard included – reveals an issue with the game’s default camera. Throughout this scruffy backstage scrap, my vision was frequently impaired by stacked crates. Likewise, a concrete boundary masked my vision of Hulk Hogan as he strutted through the carpark, with the same issue arising behind near-sided barricades in more typical arenas. Third-person camera – introduced last year – alleviates this problem, immersing you closer to the action at angles you control. I struggled with the more fiddly inputs – pressing the right trigger to return the right thumbstick to its default purpose – so I would prefer the game’s default camera to be able to dynamically adjust to the proximity of the action. Likewise, an acrobatic, top rope finisher was spoiled somewhat by the camera cutting off at the torso and missing my pre-jump showboating. A minor niggle – I still won the match.

"The game’s revitalised commentary comes into its own during CM Punk’s Showcase too, expanding on the gravitas of each bout beyond a simple expanded script."

That moment was the climactic action of a thrilling CM Punk Showcase encounter. Through reliving the most pivotal moments in Punk’s career, and between-match narration from the man himself, this is the most engaging of WWE 2K26’s game modes. Punk’s detail adds context to each fight, and the whole experience is streamlined; you go from fight to narration to fight in slick, polished momentum. Detail extends to match recreation – arenas, entrances, outfits, even the bandages on Punk’s arms, are replicated true-to-life.

The game’s revitalised commentary comes into its own during CM Punk’s Showcase too, expanding on the gravitas of each bout beyond a simple expanded script. It’s another tick next to WWE 2K26’s rejuvenated presentation, and while the enthusiastic commentary isn’t as wide-ranging in other game modes, it’s definitely one of those iterative changes that enhances the game’s overall feel.

The slickness of Showcase mode isn’t replicated elsewhere, unfortunately. Throwing limbs in packed-out arenas, or duking it out in scrapyard brawls are the game’s strongest moments, so it’s a shame when the action is broken up by lengthy diversions that aren’t particularly engaging.

The Island comes with faction-based progression, upgraded quests, and a Mariana Trench-deep customiser, and whilst the mode pokes at an underlying narrative between warring organisations I just don’t find it as interesting as visiting CM Punk’s storied career. Worse still, wandering around feels clumsy, where awkward interactions with uncanny NPCs preface every fight. And these face-to-face meetings with some of wrestling’s biggest stars highlights the varying degree of attention each has received in development.

Some, like Randy Orton – standing at the entrance to The Scrapyard like a jilted security guard – are well realised in-game, whereas others are noticeably less detailed. With miniscule adjustments to ear lobe length and chin height sitting next to the more standard height, weight, and hair styles you have to wonder where the value in such complex customisation is if the character you create isn’t portrayed with the same fidelity as the sport’s biggest stars.

MyRise suffers from the same momentum-killing diversions as The Island. There’s a stronger narrative premise here, with this year’s iteration seeing you chart the resurgence of a once-retired star bent on making a tectonic comeback. But the in-ring action is broken up by strangely antagonistic backstage encounters and doomscrolling. If social media had any tangible effect on my character’s psyche then it might be worthwhile reading, but instead Liv Morgan’s detractive burn cuts to my heart and I have to reconcile that outside of the game.

Wooden dialogue continues here too, although some of the choices I made for my character yielded some unexpected, and admittedly hilarious outcomes. See, for his appearance I chose a flamboyant archetype. A guy who styles himself after Skeletor. So, consequently, I’m adorned in gothic facepaint – backstage, in the ring, at the post-match press conference. It became comedy gold when I realised that, with his facepaint peeling off in the ring through sweat and having his face pummeled, he must have reapplied his makeup before speaking to journalists.

Also, through dialogue choices I decided that the reason for his soft-retirement was to raise a family. To MyRise’s credit, this dialogue choice shapes future conversations, with my character chatting in the gym about carpooling his kids. But now, of course, I can’t avoid the image of him driving his children to school with a face fully covered in skull paint.

This funniness, I’m sure, is inadvertent. Visual Concepts likely didn’t conceive the potential for slapstick when developing this year’s entry, but now I’m certain comedy must play a bigger role in wrestling than I first realised. And, honestly, I think it’s all-the-better for it. Yes, there’s drama. Yes, there’s intrigue. Gutsy people displaying feats of acrobatic prowess; strong, highly skilled, determined people. But the humour makes it approachable.

Anyway, let’s carry on. MyFaction is the usual card collecting fayre you’re familiar with if you’re a regular annual sports game player. Get stuff, compete, get more stuff, and so on. Except, whilst I won’t say WWE 2K26 does anything different, it does have a wide range of activities to get involved in. Faction battles, live events, tower gauntlet runs, and the new match type Quick Swap which presents a fighting game style switch between your faction players.

There’s a surprising amount of strategy bundled in with what is essentially a quickfire tag-team match. The obvious occurrence is size mismatch, but you’re free to swap whenever you’re lucid. Another gambit is to switch fighters when your resources are drained, but you should know that if you warp back into the ring your vitals won’t have recovered. So, the question is: should I go hell for leather with a character close to KO, or switch fighters knowing I could be vulnerable later? Signature moves and finishers carry between characters, so I found myself bringing my most powerful participant to the fray when my enemy was nearing their end.

To sum up: Quick Swap is a fun new match type, and it’d be great to see it amongst all the other single player options; although, admittedly, its instantaneous teleporting isn’t based on real life like WWE 2K26’s other match types, so it won’t fit in unless the series ever goes full-arcade.

Elsewhere, WWE 2K26’s suite of sandbox and management tools remain extensive, though you’ll likely get more out of it if you’re familiar with the series or wrestling on the whole than if you’re a newcomer.

Whichever mode you play through, chances are you’ll accumulate XP that fills your tier meter. When going up a level, you’ll unlock items in the new Ringside Pass progression system. Both free and paid-for tiers exist, yet the switch to this system has been understandably contentious amongst the community. What I wanted to know before diving in is how much commitment to the grind am I going to need? Well, after my first five hours with the game, I was two-thirds of the way through tier one. I’d completed three Showcase fights alongside testing various other modes, so, from that, I’d surmise that it’s going to take a long time to unlock all the rewards.

Look – regardless, the best part of WWE 2K26 is the fighting. Although, while I have gripes with the slow momentum outside of matches in certain modes, there’s a handful of issues inside the ring too. For one, the reversal system is now closely aligned with stamina; a move which reportedly opens more opportunities for tactical, nuanced play.

"If you’re a newcomer, leaning into the humour – intended to this extent or not – is perhaps your clearest entryway."

In my experience, I can’t think of a time when I wouldn’t attempt a reversal, stamina or no. And, your opponent’s attention can stray during matches too, where AI inexplicably spares me from further embarrassment by indecisively patrolling the apron instead of landing a killer blow. Even Rey Mysterio once absent-mindedly slid out the ring to my bemusement. To be clear, these moments aren’t constant, but the series really should get a handle on it as I’m sure plenty of you out there will find this inexcusable.

However, I stand by what I just said – that the fighting is the best part of the game. I mean, it should be right? But these issues suggest to me that the simulation still needs work to reach its immersive potential. That said, for a round of burly entertainment, there’s plenty to grab onto here. For veterans and wrestling aficionados, the strong roster, engaging CM Punk Showcase, and raft of fantastical match types should satisfy your appetite.

If you’re a newcomer, leaning into the humour – intended to this extent or not – is perhaps your clearest entryway. Embrace the sheer daftness of it all, from electric arena walk-ins to throwing a road sign at someone’s head. WWE 2K26 is at its best when it’s inside the ring, whether you’re unloading power and technique at your opponent or just chasing irreverent humour.

This game was reviewed on the PlayStation 5.

No aspect of the experience has been spared, with a career mode that follows CM Punk, changes to The Island from 2K25, new match modes, and revamped mechanics that make the whole thing feel fresh. The massive roster of selectable fighters from various eras of wrestling history is just icing on the cake, making this one more than just an evolution.

2K26 is a title that could take the franchise’s best features and tune them up to a hundred. Why do we think so? Let’s get into it.

A Step Up From 2K25

One of the main reasons for us having as much faith as we do in 2K26 is in the manner in which it’s taken issues from the previous game and reworked those areas to retain their strengths while addressing weaknesses.

For instance, there were a lot of complaints about the commentary getting rather stale once you spent a few hours with the previous game. The new game directly addresses that, adding in famous names that most wrestling fans would be excited to hear into its broadcasting roster, with Wade Barrett and Booker T being our top picks among the new entrants. The commentary had been a sore spot even before 2K25, and this is a welcome change that’s a part of the new game’s spruced-up presentation, and might result in more dynamic and reactive commentary this time around.

The addition of interactive entrances is another highlight for us, as it builds on the great presentation in the previous game by giving us more control over what our favorite wrestler’s entrances look like as they happen. That’s going to make entrances feel way more immersive than they’ve ever been, and perhaps be a reason for players not to skip them after a few times, although that remains to be seen. But as an improvement, it’s a fairly bold and innovative choice. It ensures that there’s a meaningful upgrade to the previous game even before you set foot in the ring, after all.

The Island, and the way it’s changed, is another feature that we believe is an impressive step in the right direction for 2K26. Although the previous iteration of it was fairly fun with its Roman Reigns-focused storyline, it did have its share of haters thanks to a rather bland gameplay loop that saw it lose ground to modes like MyRise and the like.

But it’s a lot more vibrant this time around, with three factions vying for its top spot, along with the addition of the Scrapyard as a place to go when you want to take a break from the ring and engage in some brawling fun. That one of the factions is headed by CM Punk himself is a nice touch, typing The Island to MyRise and making it feel more connected with the overall game.

Furthermore, the fact that you need to choose a faction and take on other players and missions to rise up its ranks gives The Island a more competitive environment, and the choice to take your own custom wrestler and join them on a path to glory is more compelling in the new game, in our opinion. It also seems to be more engaging than its first iteration, and we can’t wait to see if this facet of the experience lives up to our expectations.

Rise With CM Punk

Another choice that has made us believe 2K26 is a definite step up from its predecessor is the new approach to MyRise. Instead of 25’s Bloodline-focused story, switching over to a single wrestler’s rise to fame is a smarter way to make the entire thing more focused, involved, and also engaging, considering CM Punk’s popularity and his brash, outspoken approach.

His rise to fame, aside from its potential intersections with other game modes like The Island, is beneficial in another important way. It streamlines the Fantasy Warfare portion of the experience, which we thought got too tedious in 2K25 thanks to how it followed several members of The Bloodline. By having it follow only a single character this time, it makes the entire thing a lot more palatable and leaves more time to engage with all the other features on offer. It helps that MyRise is designed for replayability in 2K26, ensuring that you keep coming back for more after the main campaign.

The playable roster is another major upgrade, with over 400 players in comparison to the previous game’s 300-strong roster. Yes, some of them are the same character from different points in their careers, while a few are DLC additions that might be locked to Battle Pass, but considering the possibility of stat differences and perhaps unique traits to each one, that’s still a lot of options that might just be of use in specific situations.

Of course, MyGM is always going to let you create a custom character if that’s how you choose to roll, and progressing through the game and unlocking upgrades is always going to be fun if you’re a pro wrestling sim fan. It’s the presence of options, and ones that are as engaging as they can be, that has us this optimistic for the game.

And as far as how you use those options is concerned, there’s a fair bit to look forward to on that front as well.

What’s New In The Ring?

The action is unmistakably the star of the show in any WWE 2K title, and the new entrant to the franchise’s line-up seems poised to deliver very well on that front thanks to a few key changes. New animations and refinements to your player’s movements were expected and aren’t much of a surprise. But that doesn’t mean that 2K26 doesn’t have a few tricks up its sleeve.

For starters, tying Reversals to your Stamina is a solid choice that adds a tactical layer to their use and is sure to have you planning their use as you go. You never know when your opponent is going to use one themselves, but having you watch stamina bars and expect one to come your way is a welcome change. A good fight is where you use your muscles and your brains after all.

Next up is the improvement of environmental interactions, which is a very welcome change in terms of the gameplay as well as immersion. We think we’re not alone in being disappointed with how collisions with objects looked pretty lackluster in the last game, but if the previews are anything to go by, things are a lot better this time around. Hitting your opponents with anything looks quite real now, and the shopping carts are a rather amusing addition that we’re quite eager to try for ourselves.

There’s also the addition of new match modes like Dumpster, I Quit, and more match types that we’re just itching to try out. Their presence is a fun alternative to the traditional format, and the Scrapyard Brawl option from The Island works very well with the new ones to ensure that there’s always going to be variety. Between different game and match modes, there’s a lot to keep you occupied, and 2K26 feels like a game that you could sink hours into without fatigue setting in, a facet of the experience that’s often felt too prominent in previous titles. However, that’s contingent on the assumption that you’re not a hardcore wrestling fan.

And that’s probably the best thing we have to say about 2K26. It seems designed to cater to both casual and hardcore wrestling fans, while it’s going to be welcoming to newcomers if its predecessors are an indication. It’s a game that you can pick up and lose yourself in once you get into the groove of things, and that might just turn out to be its biggest strength.

Dusting Off Our Gear

We’re pretty excited to get our hands on 2K26, no doubt about it, but we’re still remaining cautiously objective about the whole thing. For all of the things we’ve praised over the course of this one, the game’s success hinges on all of those elements coming together into one cohesive experience. That’s always something that could go either way.

But this is WWE 2K we’re talking about. The franchise’s pedigree speaks for itself, while it’s also been getting progressively better over the past couple of years. Based on that upward trend, and what we’ve been able to see of the game, we’d say things are looking pretty good for the new kid on the block, and this one might just be worth all the hype.

Thankfully, we won’t have to wait too long to find out if we’re right.

While that might seem like a tall order, there is good reason to believe that this one is going to be a title to remember in the franchise’s history. There are meaningful changes to its gameplay mechanics, a brand new 2K Showcase mode that follows CM Punk’s illustrious career, alternate timelines, an expanded Island with multiple factions, new match types, and a whole lot more. Suffice it to say that WWE 2K26 is going to keep you pro wrestling fans out there quite entertained while also being quite welcoming to potential newcomers to the franchise.

For our part, we’re pleased the developers are finally addressing the long-standing complaints about stale commentary and can’t wait to welcome Wade Barrett and Booker T to the announcer’s table. If you’ve pre-ordered the Standard Edition, you’re going to have to wait a while longer to dive into the fun, but the new trailer below should give you a good idea of what to expect when you do.

Whether you’re a fanatic wondering which edition to plump for, or a newbie stepping into the ring for the first time, here are fifteen essential things to know about WWE 2K26 before you buy.

Massive Roster Packed with 400+ WWE Superstars

WWE 2K26 boasts a colossal roster of over four hundred athletes, mixing the current stars of RAW, SmackDown, and NXT, alongside Hall of Famers and legends of sports entertainment. From the intimidating fearlessness of Undertaker to the gritty charisma of Shawn Michaels, with the largest lineup in franchise history you’ll be throwing more than Stone Cold Stunners – and that’s the bottom line.

A tiny caveat though: the 400+ roster includes multiple versions of the same wrestler – Triple H throughout the years, for instance.

New 2K Showcase Focuses on CM Punk

In 2K26, you’ll rewrite the history for one of WWE’s most infamously outspoken stars, as CM Punk headlines this year’s 2K Showcase. With narration from CM himself, you’ll clothesline through his career; reliving historical matchups alongside fantastical “what if” scenarios. First stepping into the ring at WrestleMania 41 and the Triple Threat Main Event between CM Punk, Roman Reigns, and Seth Rollins, you’ll then dive backwards – Punk versus Drew McIntyre at Bad Blood 2024, The Rock in 2013’s Elimination Chamber, or Randy Orton at Wrestlemania 27, you can approach these bouts, and more, as authentically as you please.

The Island is Revamped

WWE’s story mode is returning in 2K26 with necessary overhauls to its structure, leading to more meaningful and rewarding progression. Let’s be honest: last year’s was a grind. So, this year, with a premise centring on a power struggle between three factions, a move away from one-on-one matchups toward team-based, co-operative matches, plus exclusive content and storylines, The Island is shaping up to be a more worthwhile diversion. It’s playable on PC for the first time, too.

Gameplay Refinement Comes to Key Areas

Incremental change is typical for annual sports titles. However, 2K26 brings notable refinement in key areas through numerous gameplay adjustments.

A revamped reversal system now links to an athlete’s stamina, introducing strategic, on-the-fly decision making where every reverse drains energy. You can now trigger pyros and custom taunts from your controller, directly influencing your entrance atmosphere. Likewise, pre-match actions bring extra storytelling before the first bell, with surprise attacks, handshakes – both real and fake – cheerleading, stare downs, and more pushing rivalries to breaking point. And, you can now fight and execute moves on top of the barricade.

Tweaks to Game Modes

2K26’s game modes have also seen changes. MyGM now brings intergender wrestling alongside five, six, and eight-person matchups. You can expect more shows throughout the calendar too. MyRISE brings a WWE 2K19 feature back: you can now continue playing the mode even after the story is wrapped up. MyFACTION, like MyGM, supports intergender matches with mixed lineups, with a new “Quick Swap” mechanic bringing swift tags and strategy calls to your lineup. Faction chemistry, in-match run-in support, and community challenges make building the ultimate team a more rewarding experience.

Expansions to Creation Suite

With image capacity expanded to two-thousand slots on Community Creations, body and face morphing, two-tone hair colour blending, up to two-hundred save slots, and all-round better physics and athlete models, WWE 2K26’s creation suite arguably sees the most substantial expansion of any mode. This is the result of developmental freedom which follows dropping last-gen hardware, bringing unprecedented personalisation to your experience.

New Commentary Team Leads Presentation Refresh

WWE 2K26 sees more than just a few extra lines of recorded dialogue, with the game expanding its commentary team to include Michael Cole, Corey Graves, Booker T, Wade Barrett, and Byron Saxton. This is the most substantial overhaul of in-game commentary in a generation, and will lift matchup atmosphere alongside the aforesaid pre-match actions and ring-walk pyro controls. Cementing the presentation’s refresh further is reworked cameras and visual effects upgrades, including particle lighting, bringing the feel closer to authentic WWE broadcasts.

New Match Types

Leading this year’s new match types is I Quit, a submission-only bout where instead of pinning your opponent you beat them until they surrender. Dumpster matches make their debut; like a casket match, simply throw in your winded opponent and slam the lid. Three Stages of Hell is a best-of-three-falls match, where two stars go head-to-head across different, user-defined stages. The Island also offers a new Scrapyard Brawl, where you’ll square up for a scuffle surrounded by scaffolding.

Overhauled Weapon Physics

Addressing a long-time complaint, WWE 2K26 promises completely overhauled weapon physics, with enhanced collision detection and remodelled damage bringing more authenticity to every swing and slam. What’s more, athletes react to weapon blows more contextually. Put simply: if you smack them with a chair, they’re ragdolling like they’ve been smacked with a chair.

A major update is the addition of thumbsticks, a hardcore, high-impact weapon that’ll inflict serious damage on your opponent. The shopping cart debuts as a new usable object to pack in your opponent before taking them for a spin. Elsewhere, tables can now be stacked too.

AI Behaviour Receives an Upgrade

Underlining AI upgrades are new AI Sequences, allowing you to pre-define specific move chains that AI-controlled stars will attempt during a match, all designated via the Create-A-Moveset mode. With AI strategising its attack selection, matches should feel more deliberate. Further, AI opponents share the contextual reactions and animations we mentioned in the previous entry – they’ll function naturally, enhancing believability and immersion.

A Premium Battle Pass System Replaces DLC

Ringside Passes in WWE 2K26 are designed to offer more incentive to play through every game mode by offering XP. Each Ringside Pass features 120 total rewards across 40 free tiers and 40 premium tiers – that’s 60 rewards each for both tiers. Now, Ringside Pass Premium is where the franchise’s DLC model is replaced, with exclusive rewards such as current and legendary stars not available in the base game. Unlike previous years, you’ll need to unlock your DLC superstars by progressing through the Premium Ringside Passes.

Release Date, Platforms, and Price

WWE 2K26 releases worldwide on March 13th to PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC. There are, however, three special editions above the base game, and if you pre-order one of these you’ll get early access starting March 6th. The retail price for the Standard Edition across all platforms is £69.99 / $69.99, although, in the UK at least, Steam is currently offering the base game for £59.99.

WWE 2K 26 Universe

Universe Mode in WWE 2K26 now kicks off with a setup wizard that lets you lock in weekly shows, assign rosters and champions, and choose the month your calendar begins. Each show supports up to eight titles plus two briefcases, with championships in the mix. The WWE Draft is fully featured: you can schedule and brand your draft, tweak the rules, and move Superstars through configurable rounds during the week. Cash-ins are more flexible too, usable on any eligible title mid-match or after, backed by beefier promos, matchmaking sliders, and quick clear/reset tools.

Pre-Order Bonuses

Whichever edition you go for, pre-ordering nets you the Joe Hendry Pack, allowing you to play as the former TNA World Heavyweight Champion, with signature cosmetic shirt, MyFACTION Evo card, and exclusive Spin Island emote.

PC Requirements

As per the game’s Steam listing, to play WWE 2K26 at recommended spec you’ll need an Intel i7 or Ryzen 5 1500x CPU, and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 or AMD Radeon RX 5700 GPU. To hit the best performance, Steam lists these recommended specs: i7-7700 or Ryzen 5 2600 processor, and RTX 3060 or RX6700XT graphics. 16GB RAM is required as a minimum, as is 120GB storage space. As an additional note, your GPU must have at least 6GB of video memory.

For starters, there’s a whole new level of rare gear just waiting for you to find it. Pearlescent Gear comes with the benefit of having two elemental damage types on it, with enemy resistances and weaknesses causing your gear to automatically default to what will cause the most damage. Although you’re going to have to do a bit of farming to get them to drop, they’re well worth the effort when playing on harder difficulties.

As for the new missions, you’re going to be assisting Defiant Calder quell the influence of a malevolent presence in the mountains that the Augers have been appeasing with human sacrifices. Calder has decided that enough is enough and is going to join the Vault Hunters in eliminating it. Aside from new Ordonite-encrusted enemies and bosses, there’s a new Vault Card with a lot of cosmetic unlockables and some excellent rewards for finishing the main story missions.

Of course, there’s plenty more to come, including the first paid expansion, Mad Ellie and the Vault of the Damned. It’s out next month and adds a new playable Vault Hunter, C4SH.

Released in March 2021 for Nintendo Switch and only arriving in January 2023 for other consoles, Monster Hunter Rise is a more pared-down experience compared to World and Wilds. However, it offers the new Wirebug for getting around (and unleashing new skills), and players can also mount Palamutes to explore maps. There’s also the Rampage, a tower defense-style mission type.

Slime Rancher 2 was released last year after an extensive time in early access and serves as the follow-up to Monomi Park’s beloved farming title. Players venture to a new planet to raise slimes, which have new variants, and even uncover various new mysteries.

As for PGA Tour 2K25, it’s the latest title in 2K’s series developed by HB Studios, and offers several Championships, a new MyCareer mode, and more. Despite a solid launch, it received several egregious microtransactions shortly after, so be warned. Finally, there’s The Elder Scrolls Online Collection: Gold Road, which includes the 2024 expansion and everything else before, making it a decent entry point into the MMO.

All of the above titles are available from March 3rd to April 6th. Check out February’s offerings here and redeem them while you can.

Subscribers to all tiers of PlayStation Plus will reportedly get the chance to add PGA Tour 2K25 to their libraries from March 3rd onwards, until April 7th.

PGA Tour 2K25 was originally released back in February 2025, bringing in quite a few advancements to the golfing franchise. New EvoSwing mechanics brought in more options for players when it comes to shot types, and advancements in the engine made ball flights and roll physics more realistic. Its main career mode-dubbed MyCAREER-has also been described by the studio as being “the most immersive and customizable” version of the mode so far.

“The all-new EvoSwing system delivers players more authentic, realistic swing mechanics, creating an even more real-golf feel into PGA Tour 2K25,” explained HB Sports spokesperson in an interview. “EvoSwing timing adapts to input mechanics for a tailored rhythm, while a player’s swing path is based on their own swing bias as selected during MyPLAYER creation.The EvoSwing creates a more unique swing per player and gives MyPLAYER more customization.”

The title also brought in improvements to the Course Designer, giving players more options to create their own unique golf courses. Among other things, it features a higher-res terrain system, and new spline tools to create lakes and rivers, as well as quality-of-life updates like terrain painting and surfacing systems.

In our review of PGA Tour 2K25, we gave it a score of 8 out of 10 thanks to its top-tier animations and authentic commentary contributing to its excellent presentation. EvoSwing was also considered a notable and worthwhile addition to the franchise. However, we also criticized its progression system with low Virtual Currency gains, and the fact that MyCAREER “isn’t breaking the mold”.

February’s slate of PlayStation Plus games was headlined by Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 and Echoes of the End: Enhanced Edition. PS4 players also got access to Monster Hunter Stories and Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin so that they could catch up with the gameplay and story in time for the upcoming release of Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection. Other titles added to the service include Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown, Neva, Venba, Rugby 25, and Season: A Letter to the Future.

Additions were also made to the PlayStation Plus Classics catalog, which was headed up by PSP fighting game Tekken Dark Resurrection, and classic rail shooter Time Crisis. PS2 title Disney Pixar Wall-E was also added to the list of old-school games.

As you wait for the arrival of PGA Tour 2K25 on PlayStation Plus, you can check out everything you need to know here. It is worth noting that 2K hasn’t yet made any announcements of a brand new entry in the franchise. Since February is almost at an end, the company might skip this year to instead focus on 2027’s entry.