In a blog post discussing the changes made to Ringside Pass, the company has revealed that, starting with Season 2, all four DLC characters in future Ringside Pass Premium Seasons will be available in Tier 1 and will be automatically available to unlock for all Premium Pass owners when the season comes out. This means that players will no longer have to grind out their Ringside Pass tiers to get access to DLC characters that they already paid for.

The currently-ongoing Ringside Pass season is also seeing changes; all current and future players are being given enough RXP for the season 1 pass to unlock 20 tiers. Players that have linked a 2K account to the game and played it before the launch of the upcoming season 2 on April 15th will also get enough RXP to boost Ringside Pass Season 2 to unlock 20 tiers. General Ringside Pass improvements include a reduction in required RXP per tier from 800 down to 625. Consumable RXP Boosts will also offer more value going forward.

When it comes to general gameplay improvements, the Stamina costs in a typical match will start increasing more gradually, which means that wrestlers won’t start getting Winded early on. Reversals will also cost less stamina when fighting multiple opponents. The creation suite in WWE 2K26 is also getting improvements with various bug fixes across Create-A-Superstar, Create-An-Arena, Create-An-Entrance / Create-A-Victory, Create-A-Championship, Create-An-Image, and Create-A-Video. Players will also find new moves added to various wrestlers, including Chelsea Green’s Cradle Flatliner and Blake Munro’s Glamour Shot Finisher.

Check out full details for WWE 2K26’s latest update in the patch notes below. In the meantime, take a look at our review for more information about the game.

WWE 2K26 update 1.07 patch notes:

General

• Made Stability and Performance Improvements

Gameplay / Play

• Increased damage threshold for instant DQ from Referee.
• Stamina and Reversal adjustments:
• Adjusted stamina costs to increase more gradually over the duration of a match so players are less likely to become Winded early on.
• Reversals now cost less stamina when you are fighting more than one opponent.
• Improved thumbtack stability during online play
• AI now attempts reversals after transitioning from front to rear
• Addressed reported concern related to movesets reverting to defaults while using an alt attire during the match
• Updated VFX fade on Poison Mist to last longer
• Addressed reported concerns related to the wrong date showing up in MyStats
• Added new move – Chelsea Green’s Cradle Flatliner (Standing Front Grapple)
• Added new move – Blake Monroe’s Glamour Shot Finisher (Standing Front Grapple)
• Added new move – Solo Sikoa 1 (Standing Crowd/Opponent/Wake Up Taunt)
• Addressed reported concerns related to hair shine changes reverting to default when in gameplay
• Addressed reported concerns related to Superstars stepping down from the middle rope when playing Cage Matches

The Island

• Adjusted interior camera settings
• Added new shop and bundle items
• Updated the Prestige Flow; Can now Prestige from within the training shop.
• Added a Double VC earn event in the Order of Tradition (Solo PvP)
• Addressed reported concerns related to stability and UI issues

Create

CREATE-A-SUPERSTAR

• Addressed reported concerns related to the incorrect attire appearing when attempting to import a Superstar’s second attire.
• Addressed reported concerns related to the results of idling without saving for over 45 minutes when creating a custom Superstar.
• Addressed reported concerns related to a possible soft lock when the player applies a face photo after reaching the maximum layer point price under certain conditions in the Face and Body menus.
• Addressed reported concerns related to alignment with ears, earlobes, and eyebrows after maxing out sliders and backing out.
• Addressed reported concerns related to a soft lock potentially occurring when quickly selecting a second body part while creating a new Superstar on a new user account.
• Addressed reported concerns related to the Custom Superstar tab sometimes remaining visible after deleting a Custom Superstar.
• Addressed reported concerns related to image preview potentially failing to display during image placement after selecting “Switch Mapping.”
• Addressed reported concerns related to eyelashes becoming misaligned with a Created Superstar’s eyes.
• Addressed reported concerns related to shoulder button prompts vanishing when highlighting Nickname and Presentation name.
• Addressed reported concerns related to favorited masks appearing blank in the menu.
• Addressed reported concerns related to inconsistent removal functionality when editing body parts.
• Addressed reported concerns related to UI button display issues after editing color operation in the Parts Color menu.
• Addressed reported concerns related to Superstar’s face template and skin color inadvertently applying to a Persona Attire’s after selecting “Default” in face customizations.
• Addressed reported concerns related to selecting the camera option in the Height/Weight menu causing the slider to move with the camera settings.
• Addressed reported concerns related to button prompt functionality when saving a Custom Superstar across modes.
• Addressed reported concerns related to sample color functionality.
• Addressed reported concerns related to incorrect messaging when the maximum layer point price is exceeded in Face and Body menus.
• Addressed reported concerns related to the highlight cursor potentially disappearing on multi-row onscreen keyboards.
• Addressed reported concerns related to crowd signs appearing as generic or duplicated for certain Superstars.
• Addressed various Create-A-Superstar part clipping and deformation concerns.

CREATE-AN-ARENA

• Addressed reported concerns related to LED Aprons and Ring Posts being present when creating a Custom Arena after removing them and taking the arena into Gameplay.
• Note that all arenas made before this update will still be affected. Please edit or delete those arenas to completely address the situation.
• Addressed reported concerns related to copying arena props after a reverted change.
• Addressed reported concerns related to editing an announce table in certain templates with no announce table.
• Addressed reported concerns related to the inability to edit images placed on the announce table under certain circumstances.
• Addressed reported concerns related to base color options appearing incorrectly when editing multiple announce tables.
• Addressed reported concerns related to control prompts disappearing while moving props in Create-An-Arena.
• Reduced the scale limiter on images so that all Arena Images may reach larger sizes rather than having different resolutions result in smaller max scales.
• Addressed reported concerns related to the Custom Arena tab in Play mode not displaying the top row of arenas.
• Addressed reported concerns related to an interface issue where the accept prompt could fail to gray out when pasting while editing Arena lights.
• Addressed reported concerns related to various typos in Create-An-Arena parts.

CREATE-AN-ENTRANCE / CREATE-A-VICTORY

• Addressed reported concerns related to pyro placement failing to adjust when editing motions or placing the pyro too early in the Timeline in Create-An-Entrance.
• Addressed reported concerns related to pyro effects playing at the wrong time when setting Pyro blocks in the Ramp and Ring-In sections of the timeline in Create-An-Entrance.
• Addressed reported concerns related to edited cast changes sometimes failing to apply in gameplay for 5-person team victory motions.
• Addressed reported concerns related to timeline placement cancel and revert inputs overlapping in the Create-An-Entrance timeline.
• Addressed reported concerns related to players potentially triggering a soft lock when entering Create-An-Entrance from Universe mode under specific conditions.
• Addressed reported concerns related to stability when selecting a saved custom entrance using a deleted custom video from Create-A-Video.
• Addressed reported concerns related to button prompts failing to appear after copying a Superstar in Create-An-Entrance and Create-A-Victory.
• Addressed reported concerns related to incorrect button functionality in the Titantron Movie sub menu in Create-An-Entrance and Create-A-Victory
• Addressed reported concerns related to the timeline screen effect losing functionality when there is a top menu screen effect applied in Create-An-Entrance.
• Addressed reported concerns related to the player being redirected to “Edit Timeline” when selecting ‘Accept’ after making any changes in Edit Timeline in Create-An-Entrance.
• Addressed reported concerns related to light show changes in Create-An-Entrance sometimes failing to manifest in Gameplay.
• Improved stability in the Create a Victory menu.
• Addressed reported concerns related to a missing Pyro name in Create-An-Entrance.
• Addressed reported concerns related to an issue with D-Generation X screen effects remaining on screen while adding motions to the timeline in Create-An-Entrance.
• Addressed reported concerns related to an issue where the timing bar could freeze when replacing items on the timeline in Create-An-Entrance.
• Addressed reported concerns related to inconsistent “Accept” prompt functionality when players confirm while inside the Timeline of Create-An-Entrance.
• Addressed reported concerns related to the Superstar slot resetting when adjusting Cast Change and accepting in Create-An-Entrance and Create-A-Victory.
• Addressed reported concerns related to Tre and Marshall Thompson’s Cheer/Boo motions in Create-A-Victory.
• Addressed reported concerns related to fonts changing incorrectly under certain circumstances.

CREATE-A-CHAMPIONSHIP

• Addressed reported concerns related to previously saved customization on a side plate being removed when reverting out of a side plate selection.
• Added the ability to toggle visibility on Nameplates for relevant titles in Create-A-Championship.
• Addressed reported concerns related to front plate relief designs missing editing options when applied to custom items.
• Addressed reported concerns related to tiled front plate and side plate images sometimes vanishing when attempting to modify a strap.
• Addressed reported concerns related to image placement sometimes being reverted while customizing logos.
• Addressed reported concerns related to “relief” thumbnails not matching previews in Create-A-Championship.
• Addressed reported concerns related to “Color, Etc.” and “Pattern Placement” sometimes losing functionality after selecting the “Default” Pattern option for “Strap” in Create-A-Championship.
• Addressed reported concerns related to misaligned side plates on certain championships.

CREATE-AN-IMAGE

• Improved stability and performance in Create-An-Image.
• Addressed reported concerns related to some menu inconsistencies in Group Images.

CREATE-A-VIDEO

• Addressed reported concerns related to the preview and timeline bar sometimes falling out of sync.
• Addressed reported concerns related to button prompts vanishing when selecting any category after saving many video clips in Create-A-Video.
• Addressed reported concerns related to doubled functionality sometimes appearing in the UI when the player adds a clip to a Full Timeline in Create-A-Video.
• Addressed reported concerns related to an issue where Select and Back button prompts fail to display upon reaching maximum storage capacity.
• Addressed reported concerns related to an issue with inconsistent button functionality while selecting an Arena in Create-A-Video.
• Addressed reported concerns related to occasional screen flickering in the preview screen while editing cutscenes in Create-A-Video.
• Addressed reported concerns related to non-functional info button prompts in Create-A-Video.

Presentation

• Addressed reported concerns related to Elimination Chamber pods opening prematurely or not closing properly
• Improved selection of cameras in broadcast mode
• Improved camera collision for steel cage
• Improved entrance framing in Gauntlet matches
• Addressed reported concerns related to bad cameras in Create-a-Move
• Improved vertical tracking on high falls in brawls
• Royal Rumble PIP no longer fades when user interface fades
• Addressed reported concerns related to highlight reel where invisible characters were selected as camera targets
• Addressed reported concerns related to highlight reel, with characters jiggling in replays

Online

• Addressed reported concerns related to online stability issues

MyFACTION

• Pack Vouchers should now be immediately accessible to use without having to restart MyFACTION
• Made several improvements to the display of requirements across MyFACTION matches to help reduce confusion
• Moved the Update Line-Up notification to appear when attempting to start a match without meeting all the requirements instead of appearing when first entering the Match Details screen
• Addressed reported concerns related to a Superstar getting stuck in an animation during a Quick Swap
• Addressed reported concerns related to Run-Ins that could cause players to be stuck in an animation
• Addressed reported concerns related to a Run-In character attempting to complete a Ladder match objective
• Addressed reported concerns related to a Run-in preventing a First Blood match from being completed
• Addressed reported concerns related to a Faction Wars run not progressing or completing after finishing a boss match
• Addressed reported concerns related to a crash that could occur when completing a PvP match
• Addressed reported concerns related to a rare crash that could occur when loading into a MyFACTION match
• Addressed reported concerns related to the Loser’s Superstar card displaying as the Winner on the Titantron at the end of a Ranked match.
• Addressed reported concerns related to Vouchers not functioning correctly in certain regions
• Addressed reported concerns related to an infinite loading screen appearing after leaving a Card Trial
• Addressed reported concerns related to the Weapons Master badge incorrectly activating when brawling on top of a ladder
• Addressed reported concerns related to being unable to complete a Finisher or Signature match objective in I Quit matches

MyRISE

• Tuned rate at which players gain Match Stars in MyRISE to make it faster to earn Stars in RISE Matches
• Unlocked Barron Blade as a Manager

Universe

• Improved Universe overall stability
• Addressed reported concerns related to match cards being reset when players left Universe Mode
• Addressed reported concerns related to the Royal Rumble PLE generating 10-person Royal Rumble matches
• Addressed reported concerns that would cause the Superstar setting of Face/Heel to not save properly
• Addressed reported concerns that would cause Watch Show to lose crowd audio
• Addressed reported concerns related to custom superstars having 0 HP
• Addressed reported concerns causing Managers and named Referees to not be allowed to be Special Referee
• Addressed reported concerns related to Titantron movies reverting when viewing entrances
• Addressed reported concerns causing empty match cards to appear
• Addressed reported concerns related to camera issues when watching shows and during promos
• Addressed reported concerns causing matches to be copied between Day 1 and Day 2 of a PLE
• Addressed reported concerns related to Superstar positioning issues with Post Match Interviews
• Addressed reported concerns related to incomplete News when completing specific rivalry actions
• Addressed reported concerns related to multiple incorrect news issues during Rivalry Actions
• Addressed reported concerns related to microphone issues during Promos
• Addressed reported concerns causing Automatic Rivalries to happen even when turned off
• Addressed reported concerns causing selected rivalry actions to be overridden when saving changes twice
• Addressed reported concerns related to various issues with props in cutscenes
• Addressed reported concerns causing championship matches not to be created when selecting a title match during promos
• Updated various historical stats correctly
• Addressed reported concerns related to an issue where Royal Rumble matches were not being generated in Superstar Mode when selected from the Manage Superstar Menu
• Addressed reported concerns related to Superstar not assigned to shows appearing as selectable when assigning titles
• Made various Matchmaking fixes
• Addressed reported concerns causing the division screen to appear blank
• Addressed reported concerns causing the incorrect Superstar to be announced as the winner of the Royal Rumble or gauntlet match
• Addressed reported concerns related to swapping completed shows with active or upcoming ones
• Addressed reported concerns stopping players from editing AI attributes
• Addressed reported concerns related to incorrect belts were being assigned to matches
• Controller select will be shown before the match when using the “next match” button to go from one match to another
• Addressed reported concerns related to inaccurate “days held” stats being shown for certain women’s championships
• Addressed reported concerns related to vacant custom championships being removed from shows
• Addressed reported concerns related to triggering the “save changes to multiple modes” pop-up when there were no changes to save
• Addressed reported concerns related to several match types not being available when using a custom arena
• Addressed reported concerns related to managers and Bloodline Rules teammates receiving win/loss credit after a match
• Addressed reported concerns related to not being able to change the “Legend” classification when editing a superstar
• Added entrances to several Rivalry Actions with pre-match cutscenes
• Changed the MITB cash-in prompt to no longer stay active after triggering a cash-in
• Addressed reported concerns related to situations where the wrong referee attire would be used
• Expanded casual promo attire to apply to call-out and interrupt promos
• Addressed reported concerns related to the wrong belt being shown in cutscenes
• Addressed reported concerns related to incorrect information being shown when viewing a superstar with an alt attire set as their default attire
• Addressed reported concerns that could cause teams to disband
• Addressed reported concerns of some superstars becoming erroneously marked as locked after assigning an alt attire as their default attire
• Addressed reported concerns related to division rankings failing to save while editing a show
• Addressed reported concerns related to existing teams being disbanded when modifying allies/enemies
• Addressed reported concerns related to edited cast changes failing to apply for quint victory motions
• Addressed reported concerns related to challenging another superstar to a Special Guest Referee match during a promo not resulting in a Special Guest Referee match being created
• Made update to prevent editing divisions with no available candidates
• Disabled swapping to Superstar mode when calendar has no major shows
• Addressed reported concerns related to various HUD issues that could occur when cashing in during a special guest referee match
• Addressed reported concerns related to an issue causing custom superstars to have a 0 hit point ratio.

New Options

• Added “wear and tear” option to allow superstars to remain damaged when appearing multiple times on the same show
• Added “rivalry breaks” option to control whether rivalry matches or #1 contender vs. champion matches are prioritized at PLEs
• Added “watch show referee counts” option to control whether the HUD for referee count-outs and pins is shown in watch mode

Draft Specific Changes

• Improved Draft consistency and overall stability
• Addressed reported concerns related to issues causing roster to appear incorrectly
• Addressed reported concerns related to drafts completing prematurely when choosing champions
• Addressed reported concerns related to Legends missing from roster when viewed in drafts
• Addressed reported concerns related to drafts being active on the calendar without the proper amount of participants in shows
• Addressed reported concerns related to supplemental drafts not triggering
• Addressed reported concerns related to viewing “New” superstars assigned to shows
• Addressed reported concerns related to rivalries not clearing when Superstars are drafted to different shows
• Addressed reported concerns related to stopping users from creating group images from within the draft
• Addressed reported concerns related to draft completing early
• Added ability to view previous draft results from the draft select screen

Cutscenes

• Addressed reported concerns related to Create-An-Entrance
• Addressed reported concerns related to Superstar in a Victory being deformed or invisible
• Addressed reported concerns related to editing timeline in Create-An-Entrance that would cause a crash
• Addressed reported concerns related to clipping in various Create-An-Entrance motions
• Addressed reported concerns related to minor clipping issue in El Hijo Del Vikingo’s Entrance

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.

Crimson Desert

The big one, with arguably the most hype, is Crimson Desert. It’s been a long journey towards release, and no matter how many interviews or videos we see, it has something new to reveal every time. Can it meet all the hype? Maybe. Maybe not. One thing that’s for sure is we’re looking forward to scouring Pywel for secrets, learning the ins and outs of each character’s fighting style, and wreaking havoc with our favorite mech/dragon/bear mount when it launches on March 19th.

Pokémon Pokopia

A Ditto imitating a human deciding to open a farm and bring on other Pokémon to help from the team behind Dynasty Warriors – sounds about right. Far be it from Pokémon Pokopia, out on March 5th, to just be Nintendo’s take on “Palworld” but with a 20 to 40 hour story, post-game content and even four-player co-op, there should be just enough to hold you over until the next generation arrives.

Marathon

Even as a Destiny player who’s been disappointed by many Bungie decisions over the years, I have to admit – Marathon doesn’t look half-bad. Maybe it’s because the six Runner Shells actually have compelling kits, or due to the quality of life features, or the killer presentation – from that sick match loading screen to the extraction. Either way, Marathon should have some impact when it launches on March 5th – whether Bungie can keep that going is another issue.

Planet of Lana 2: Children of the Leaf

Following up on the original’s gorgeous hand-painted aesthetic and environmental storytelling, Children of the Leaf promises to be even bigger and more mysterious. Which is all well and good, but it’s also packing plenty of new mechanics, including expanded traversal options. If it can mirror the original’s cinematic excellence, Planet of Lana 2 could very well be a dark horse when it arrives on March 5th.

Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly Remake

If Fatal Frame proves anything, it’s that the camera is sometimes mightier than the gun and also sometimes just as ineffective against angry spirits if you can’t aim right. Fortunately, Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly Remake has a lot more going for it – including a new over-the-shoulder perspective, gorgeous overhauled visuals, and new features like holding hands – perfect for trying to survive the night. It’s out on March 12th for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, PC, and Nintendo Switch 2, and even includes a new ending over the original.

John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando

There’s something about the cheesy, 80s action movie-esque mayhem that Saber brings to the table in John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando. Maybe it’s also about seeing the Swarm Engine applied to zombies, ensuring plenty of massive hordes that you don’t know whether to shoot or gawk at (the former. Always the former). After the surprisingly fun demo, we’re keen to go commando even more when the full game launches on March 12th.

Docked

Of course, Saber Interactive doesn’t just want to cater to your urge for co-op chaos. No, it also knows there’s an audience for operating big machinery and solving real-world problems, like in Docked. As the lead operator of a dock wrecked by a hurricane, it’s your job to keep the cargo moving, managing and operating heavy equipment, bringing in contracts, and building it back up. It’s out on March 5th for just $29.99 on Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC.

Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection

Maybe you’re interested in the antics of Azuria and Vermeil, two kingdoms at odds while the Crystal Encroachment wreaks havoc. But if you’re just here for the monsters, Monster Hunter Stories 3, launching on March 13th, has plenty to throw at you. From old-school classics like Yama Tsukami to the contemporary, Malzeno, Narwa, Ibushi and Arkveld, there is a lot to choose from. And best of all, you can obtain variants with Habitat Restoration, including a fiery Zinogre.

Starship Troopers: Ultimate Bug War!

Speaking of surprisingly fun demos, Starship Troopers may very well be back courtesy of Auroch Digital’s raucous new first-person shooter, which launches on March 16th. No building or resource collection here – it’s a straight-up, Boltgun-style retro shooter where you slay many, many bugs. Does it feel a little Helldivers-esque at times, especially with the drop pods? Well, sure, but full circle and whatnot, and how can you possibly say no to Johnny Rico himself?

GreedFall: The Dying World

The other game to drop the “2”, that too before Overwatch, is GreedFall: The Dying World. Furthermore, it’s out on March 12th, finally exiting early access after an…ambitious entry on September 24th. But there’s new content, improved combat, more companions, additional quests, and even more to come, including a PS5 and Xbox Series X/S release. Maybe it can finally redeem the GreedFall name, such as it is.

Screamer

I’ll admit to some consternation, especially after JDM: Japanese Drift Master tried to fuse manga and street racing, but Screamer is clearly on another level. Boasting anime cutscenes, multiple playable characters, and the ECHO for power-ups like Strikes and Boosts, it’s a surprisingly intriguing mix. The futuristic setting and team racing modes, where your crew can take on others, are just the icing on top when Screamer launches on March 26th.

WWE 2K26

WWE Creative being dull and CM Punk headlining a new video game – name a more iconic duo. Thankfully, the latter means a new 2K Showcase focused on his best matches and some fantasy warfare against Legends that could have been. Other notable features include the return of Inferno, I Quit and 3 Stages of Hell matches, the ability to stack tables, and over 400 characters, perhaps the largest in history (and that’s not including DLC following the post-March 13th release).

Scott Pilgrim EX

Toronto’s time-space has been messed up, with fantastical threats like Robots and Vegans laying claim to the city. Who better to fight back, other than literally anyone else, than Scott Pilgrim and friends? Following up on Scott Pilgrim Takes Off, this is a new beat ’em up from Tribute Games with seven playable fighters, four-player local and online co-op (with drop-in/drop-out supported) and a progression system centered around Badges. If you enjoyed Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: The Game, then EX may be up your alley when it launches on March 3rd.

Mega Man Star Force Legacy Collection

Following up on the well-received Battle Network Legacy Collection, Mega Man Star Force gets its own compilation on March 27th with all three titles and their versions. And considering the dozens of hours you can invest in each, complete with a new gallery and online play for battling, it may be just what the Doctor (not Wily) ordered.

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach (PC)

One of the least surprising announcements of all time – thanks ESRB and Kojima – Death Stranding 2: On the Beach nevertheless promises to be the most stunning version when it releases on March 19th. It includes Ultrawide support, upscaling and Frame Generation across DLSS 4, FSR 3 and XeSS 2.0, and even lets you enable Decima’s own Pico upscaling tech. Combine this with hardware requirements that are more than achievable – just maybe buy a new SSD – and it may very well warrant another playthrough.

The Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns, has seen an end to his, well, reign over the island, and three new factions are vying for supremacy. Choose one, and rise to the top to take the crown. The Order of Tradition is led by none other than Cody Rhodes, while CM Punk is at the top of the Order of Anarchy. Rhea Ripley doesn’t shy away from the spotlight despite leading the Order of Shadows.

Choose one, and you’re going to have a lot of opportunities to rise through the ranks, unlocking cool customization options along the way and some unique perspectives, like CM Punk’s rise to glory, alongside potential alternate storylines. There’s also a new brawl environment, the Scrapyard, which sounds like the perfect venue for a vicious fight, complete with environmental objects for you to gain that extra edge. Of course, you can bring your friends along, and even take them on in the ring.

WWE 2K26 launches on March 13th for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, PC, and Nintendo Switch 2.

CM Punk enters the ring, accompanied by a voice-over from the man himself as he gravely informs us that his career was never about gaining popularity, but doing it his way, on his own terms. It seems that the developers are extending the same freedom to us, as we get to experiment with what could have been if he hadn’t left the spotlight.

The trailer shows off some of the most prolific matches of CM Punk’s career, alongside a few that we’re going to see for the first time courtesy of WWE 2K26’s Fantasy Warfare mode. Quite a few big names are fighting against the former indie star as the trailer takes us through several of the key moments of his career. From JBL at the 2008 Summer Slam all the way to his feud-ending match against Drew McIntyre in Hell in the Cell at Bad Blood 2024, expect to be witness to a wrestling career that’s right up there with some of the finest to date.

WWE 2K26 hits the shelves on March 13 with early access opening up from March 6 for more premium edition purchasers. It’s available on the PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch 2.