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WWE 2K26 review: A true new gold standard of wrestling games has been born

EXCLUSIVE: The Daily Star has been playing the new WWE 2K26 game for for the last several days already . . . and we really are hooked on this thing of absolute beauty

[The character models are impressive]

The character models are impressive

For many, wrestling games have never been the same since the great Smackdown vs Raw series or even No Mercy on the N64.

Well, that is until right now, with the release of WWE 2K26. The latest iteration of the popular series is due for release worldwide on March 13, but the Daily Star has been playing it for the last several days (on the XBOX Series X) already . . . and we are hooked.

Featuring a star-studded roster of 400+ featuring WWE legends alongside current WWE Superstars, a new and bigger The Island mode, improved MyGM and Universe modes and a MyFACTION mode that takes the feature to a whole new level, there's something for everyone and we love it all.

[The return of an old favourite]

The return of an old favourite

Over the last few years, the WWE 2K series has taken the wrestling game world by storm with the last two years especially building on solid foundations.

But having now ditched last gen consoles, the team at 2K have unleashed a true gaming beast that shows just where wrestling games can go in the next few years.

Graphically, it's a major improvement on last year's game. The character models are outstanding, and the ability to interact with entrances via pyro and cheering/booing gestures is a great add-on that I wasn't excepting to see.

While the actual gameplay is the same, it does feel fine-tuned to make the matches sharper and more of a challenge from the button bashing of previous years.

[CM Punk takes centre stage]

CM Punk takes centre stage

The roster is insanely large you will never get bored of it and the addition of AAA stars is a great one, which brings more eyes on that product from casual fans.

New match types, such as the Inferno Match, are there for the older fans, while newer fans will enjoy the Dumpster Match recently repopularised by Chelsea Green and Michin during an epic battle on Smackdown last year.

I'm probably one of the few that has always loved the MyFACTION mode, and it's great to see that 2K has really stepped up its game on that side this year. The presentation of it has improved 10 fold, while the new Quick Swap match is a genius little idea that brings a new element of fun to it.

[Hours of fun]

Hours of fun

I can't say much about the MyRISE storylines this year, but I've already completed one and it was something I could actually see taking place in the real world which I haven't been able to say in recent years.

The Showcase mode focuses on CM Punk this year, and is a fun little stroll down memory lane through the career of the Voice of the Voiceless.

There are a few bugs still in the game such as when you powerbomb someone onto the announce table and then you can't touch them at all for a good 60 seconds afterwards but overall, the game is polished, entertaining, engrossing and a real step up from previous years.

I'm giving this a 95/100, but if the few little bugs are ironed out then it's as close to perfection as a wrestling game has ever been.

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