It’s WrestleMania season, and you know what that means. It’s time for 2K to release the newest installment in the WWE 2K franchise: WWE 2K24. And 2K game out of the gate swinging this year. With the announcement that “The American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes, Bianca Belair, and Rhea Ripley take center stage as the game’s cover stars.
2K could have stopped there. However, they instead decided to also drop the first trailer, and plenty of bonus information on their website. Perhaps in an attempt to skyrocket hype before the game’s March 8th release date. Or March 5th if you pre-order the Deluxe and/or Forty Years of WrestleMania Editions. So let’s take a look at everything we know so far.
Note: Ordering the game between now and April 14, 2023 means your copy will come with a code for 1 free month of the streaming service Peacock.
New Match Types & Gameplay
FINALLY. Special Guest Referee matches have come back to WWE 2K! Yes, the long-awaited return of the most requested match type is finally upon us. As 2K teased and later confirmed. Setting players up for a good time as they screw over their friends with slow counts, count fast for their opponents, and hit as many finishers as they please.
But that’s not the only new match type announced. Unlike last year when all they added was WarGames. WWE 2K24 also sees the addition of Ambulance matches, Casket matches, and Gauntlet matches. We don’t know if 2K has any more match types that they’re keeping hidden, but I wouldn’t be surprised. As they also updated backstage brawls to support more than two wrestlers and expanded on the environment and available weapons.
The Undertaker and Shawn Michaels in a Casket Match
The general gameplay also sees some improvements. With new “Super Finishers” and a “Trading Blows” minigame. On top of improved diving physics. And expansions to the creation suite. Adding Create a Referee and Create a Sign into the mix.
40 Years of WrestleMania
The 40th WrestleMania is taking place in Philadelphia on April 6th and 7th. Meaning WrestleMania has been around for 39 years. They didn’t start with WrestleMania 0, after all. WrestleMania I may not turn 40 for another year, but that doesn’t mean 2K can’t celebrate the Showcase of the Immortals.
“Forty Years of WrestleMania” is the focus of WWE 2K24‘s Showcase Mode. A sequel to WWE 2K14‘s “Thirty Years of WrestleMania.” Putting players in control of some of the most iconic WrestleMania matches of all time. Like the titanic clash between Hulk Hogan and Andre the Giant at WrestleMania III. Players can expect at least one match from every WrestleMania. Along with some of the biggest matches from the WrestleManias in the 30s, as 2K14 went up to WrestleMania 29.
Hulk Hogan and Andre the Giant face off at WrestleMania III
However, there are some problems. The departures of notable superstars like Daniel Bryan, Edge, and Sasha Banks prevents the inclusion of many deserving matches. Including but not limited to:
- Triple H vs. Daniel Bryan – WrestleMania XXX
- Randy Orton vs. Batista vs. Daniel Bryan – WrestleMania XXX
- Charlotte vs. Becky Lynch vs. Sasha Banks – WrestleMania 32
- Shane McMahon & Daniel Bryan vs. Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn – WrestleMania 34
- Daniel Bryan vs. Kofi Kingston – WrestleMania 35
- Sasha Banks vs. Bianca Belair – WrestleMania 37
- Roman Reigns vs. Edge vs. Daniel Bryan – WrestleMania 37
It will be interesting to see how 2K gets around the superstars they aren’t allowed to use. Especially when their matches are so closely tied to certain WrestleManias. Like not being able to use either main event from both nights of WrestleMania 37.
Unleashed & Undisputed
2K is sticking to the format they used for the career/story mode in WWE 2K23. With gender-exclusive campaigns that follow a pre-determined path, with slight deviations here and there depending on your choices. This year the two stories are “Unleashed” and “Undisputed.”
The two MyRise logos
WWE 2K23‘s “The Lock” and “The Legacy” had a lot of things to enjoy. The stories were pretty fun, the side missions were weird and enjoyable, and the fully voiced wrestlers added quite a bit to the experience. However, they did have some problems. They didn’t really feel like your career. Since you had to follow the story they were telling, and only make choices that impacted the story when they let you.
If 2K can find a proper balance between a strong narrative and creative freedom, I think they’ll strike gold. Not much is known about the modes, though I imagine more will be revealed as we get closer to release.
All Around Me are Familiar Faces
The trailer was brief and didn’t show much, but there’s still some recognizable faces in there. Like the three cover stars, for example.
Current superstars like Randy Orton, Kevin Owens, Solo Sikoa, Asuka, and a cameo from Charlotte Flair’s boot are all spotted briefly. On top of that, the 40 Years of WrestleMania Showcase also gave us glimpses at Hulk Hogan, Andre the Giant, Stone Cold Steve Austin, Bret Hart, The Undertaker, and Shawn Michaels. Along with the pre-order bonus revealing “Undashing” Cody Rhodes, Stardust, Dusty Rhodes, and Billy Graham. Though no in-game models were shown for them.
Cody Rhodes makes his entrance at WrestleMania 39
Perhaps most interesting of all, however, is a quick look at WWE referee Daphanie LaShaun. WWE 2K games have always used generic referees not based on any real people. However, the addition of special guest referee matches also comes with the addition of some of WWE’s most well known zebra-striped officials. Seven to be exact.
Old Modes Updated
MyGM and Universe are the two best modes when it comes to extending the shelf life of WWE 2K games. So, of course, they didn’t get any love in the trailer. However, 2K did sneak some announcements onto the official WWE 2K24 website.
More cutscenes and actions are being added to rivalries in Universe Mode. And matches can now be fought for two championships at once. Not to mention Loser Leaves Town matches. Hopefully they address some of the more glaring issues with Universe. Like the glitches, Premium Live Events not being allowed on Saturday, and WrestleMania still being stuck as a one-night event.
The Empress of Universe?
MyGM has the new feature of negotiating trades with rival brands. Potentially being able to trade superstars for money, or for other superstars. They also imply GMs will be able to steal talent from other rosters by offering better contracts. A classic feature from the GM Modes of old.
2K did a great job revealing just enough details about WWE 2K24 to get people excited, while potentially hiding more surprises for later. Though it’s entirely possible they revealed all their big surprises at once. You never really know if these yearly sports games are going to be good or not until after you’ve spent your money. Or until you read reviews of them. If you want to find out more, you can read the WWE.com announcement article.
