How WWE Video Games Are Doing Better Than Ever With 2K (& Why We Miss THQ)

In 2013, THQ shut its doors for good (kind of) and sold off all of its properties. One of those was the famous WWE series of video games, with publisher 2K later buying the rights to the franchise. Over the last decade since they've taken over, there has been a lot of good and a lot of bad in the WWE 2K series.

However, that was the case for THQ's time with the WWE franchise as well. All in all, both game publishers have their pros and cons, so let's take a look at them. While they've both made great games with the WWE license, they're each better at certain things than others.

10 THQ: (Lack of) DLC

Obviously, this is more something that has become more commonplace in gaming over the decade, with, or without 2K. Nonetheless, THQ had DLC in a lot of their later DLC titles, but it wasn't that bad, and it wasn't as promoted as it is today.

While WWE2K doesn't have as much over-the-top DLC as their NBA franchise, they still lock a lot behind a paywall. For example, Ronda Rousey, who won the Royal Rumble earlier in the year, was locked behind DLC for WWE 2K22. Just odd.

9 2K: Roster Size

While a lot of the names will be locked behind a paywall, WWE 2K has nailed the roster in recent years. This is another thing that isn't as much of a slight at THQ, as they just couldn't compete with the expanding world of professional wrestling.

Nonetheless, 2K typically has a massive roster on-launch day in recent titles. Furthermore, with the creation suite and online play, that roster will only get bigger. THQ's games are fun, but whenever you have playable wrestlers from decades and decades of history, that's a major pro for 2K.

8 THQ: Content

For what it's worth, it's not exactly like WWE 2K is lacking in content. In this year's title, they had MyCareer, GM Mode, Universe Mode, MyFaction, and Showcase Mode. That latter is arguably the best thing in the entire franchise, as fans can play through a wrestler's biggest moments.

That being said, it's easy to forget that the SmackDown vs. Raw franchise had a lot of those modes and did them better. Furthermore, THQ also had multiple storylines each year in the 'Road to WrestleMania' mode as well. For the most part, it's hard to run out of things to do.

7 2K: Graphics

This is another thing that THQ just couldn't compete with due to the passage of time. That being said, over the last decade, the 2K franchise has continued to look even better, as they've moved to the ninth-generation game consoles.

That being said, even after the buyout, you could tell that 2K put more of an emphasis on character models and graphical improvement. The game hasn't always played well, but it's looked incredible.

6 THQ: Story Modes

As previously mentioned, THQ really nailed the story mode in their WWE games. While they've had a lot of different story modes over the years, they really hit the nail on the head with the Road to WrestleMania mode.

Starting in SmackDown vs. Raw 2009, players would be able to play in the mode and guide one, or multiple wrestlers, to the big pay-per-view event. The fun part is that these storylines felt like watching a WWE television show, as they really nailed the feel of Vince McMahon-style pro wrestling.

5 2K: Creation Suite

Arguably the greatest part of the WWE 2K franchise today is the creation suite. If fans don't like the roster of available wrestlers, championships, arenas, etc., they can literally just make their own. Don't like your own? Well, you're in luck there as well.

Thanks to the online 2K community, players can find just about everything available for download. While THQ's creation suite was excellent as well, 2K just reigns supreme in this regard.

4 THQ: Simulation Modes

In addition to the story modes being better in THQ titles, they clearly had the simulation modes down perfectly as well. Universe Mode is fun in WWE 2K, as is the recently returned GM Mode.

That being said, they don't even hold a candle to SmackDown vs. Raw's GM Mode. You could just do more in the THQ era of the franchise in these modes, and easily sink hour after hour into them.

3 2K: Innovation

bray wyatt holding a lamp in wwe 2k23 — via 2K

In the SmackDown vs. Raw series, the gameplay was a lot of fun, as were a lot of the modes. That being said, the franchise was quite static by the end, and it felt like THQ was kind of releasing the same game over and over.

While 2K isn't having big leaps in game design year in and year out, it's clear that they've innovated and improved massively. Just looking at how the team responded after WWE 2K20, the worst game in the franchise, should be proof.

2 THQ: Gameplay

Ultimately, this is all about preference. That being said, the THQ style of wrestling video games is much different than 2K's style of wrestling video games. If one hasn't played in a while, the SmackDown vs. Raw video game series is much more creative, and arcade-feeling.

2K is more simulation-based, as they've tried to strike a balance between realism and arcade. While fun, THQ had it down perfectly. Things felt chaotic and fun, and that's how a wrestling game should be.

1 2K: Use of History

WWE 2K23 might not be the greatest WWE game, but the development team has created an excellent wrestling game. If there's one thing that they do better than THQ, they make use of the company's long and incredible history.

For example, there's a large amount of WCW arenas, old pay-per-view arenas such as Cyber Sunday, that are available for use. Furthermore, with wrestlers such as Harley Race on the roster, they're finally making use of the company's long history. That's not even touching on the Showcase mode, and getting to relive wrestler's greatest moments.