WWE 2K25

WWE 2K25 is a professional wrestling sports video game developed by Visual Concepts and published by 2K. It is the twenty-fifth overall installment of the video game series based on WWE, the eleventh game under the WWE 2K banner, and the successor to WWE 2K24. It was released on March 14, 2025 for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Microsoft Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S, and was released on Nintendo Switch 2 on July 23, 2025.

WWE 2K25
Standard edition cover featuring Roman Reigns and Paul Heyman
Developer(s)	Visual Concepts[a]
Publisher(s)	2K
Series	WWE 2K
Platform(s)	PlayStation 4 PlayStation 5 Windows Xbox One Xbox Series X/S Nintendo Switch 2
Release	PS4, PS5, Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S March 14, 2025 Nintendo Switch 2 July 23, 2025
Genre(s)	Sports
Mode(s)	Single-player, multiplayer

The game received generally favorable reviews, with critics praising incremental improvements such as chain wrestling and other additions across its modes, although criticizing its new "The Island" mode (modeled after "The City" from sister franchise NBA 2K) for being underdeveloped and overemphasizing character upgrades purchased via microtransactions.

Gameplay

WWE 2K25 largely builds on the mechanics of its predecessor, including the "Chain Wrestling" mechanic, the new "Giant" class of wrestler (which have an additional life bar that must be drained before they are able to take damage), and new gimmick match modes such as "Underground" and "Bloodline Rules" (a no-disqualifications match inspired by the WrestleMania XL main event, which gives the wrestlers an ability granting up to three run ins who stay in the ring after they've been summoned).^[1] 2K25 is the first WWE game made by 2K to include support for intergender matches.^[2][3]

The Showcase mode is themed around The Bloodline and the Anoaʻi family, highlighting members such as Rikishi, Roman Reigns, Tamina Snuka, The Usos, and Yokozuna. MyFaction, MyGM, and Universe mode also make returns, with GM adding support for online simulation matches, and Universe reinstating support for promos. The MyRise campaign mode follows a group of NXT wrestlers attempting to take over Raw and SmackDown.^[2][3] A new mode known as "The Island" is an online PvPvE mode modelled after "The City" from recent NBA 2K games, which takes place in a Samoa-inspired setting and uses players' custom wrestlers.^[2][4] The Island is only available on current gen systems; Xbox Series, PS5, and Switch 2. The PC version of the game is considered to be last gen, alongside the Xbox One and PS4 — with all three lacking the mode.

Development

During the Raw premiere on Netflix on January 6, during a segment with Roman Reigns and Paul Heyman, WWE 2K25 was teased after Reigns told Heyman of his plans of having a massive platform to "acknowledge" the entire world as the "Tribal Chief", following his victory over Solo Sikoa in a Tribal Combat match, on January 27.^[5] On that aforementioned date, on an episode of Raw, Heyman revealed that Reigns would be the cover star for WWE 2K25.^[6][7] 2K then released a trailer the following day showcasing gameplay, special edition game covers, and upcoming dates for pre-orders.^[8]

On February 6, IGN released the first full gameplay trailer.^[9]

Release

WWE 2K25 was released on March 14, 2025; pre-order bonuses included a digital copy of WWE 2K24, and five Wyatt Sicks persona cards for MyFaction. Two deluxe versions were also announced: the "Deadman Edition" includes the pre-order bonuses and additional content and cosmetics related to The Undertaker,^[10] while the "Bloodline Edition" is a superset of the Deadman Edition that includes additional The Bloodline and WrestleMania 41-themed content, and provided early access to the game beginning March 7.^[11]

On July 1, 2025, 2K announced that a Nintendo Switch 2 version would be released on July 23, 2025.^[12]

Reception

Reception

Aggregate score

Aggregator	Score
Metacritic	(PS5) 80/100[13] (XSXS) 84/100[14]

Review scores

Publication	Score
Destructoid	8/10[15]
Digital Trends	3.5/5[16]
Game Informer	8.25/10[17]
GameSpot	8/10[18]
GamesRadar+	4/5[19]
Hardcore Gamer	4/5[20]
IGN	8/10[21]
Push Square	8/10[22]
Shacknews	8/10[23]
Video Games Chronicle	4/5[24]

WWE 2K25 received "generally favorable reviews", according to review aggregator website Metacritic.^[13][14]

IGN felt that the game was improved over 2K24, noting that "it looks fantastic, still feels good, and there’s a lot of it, including small but welcome updates like intergender matches or bigger updates like the new MyRise and Showcase modes"—with the latter being complimented for presentation improvements (such as in-engine cutscenes for in-match scenes that had used archive footage in 2K24). The Island was considered to be a "cool idea" with possibilities, but was criticised as being "mostly quiet, empty, and boring" in execution, and containing multiplayer PvP fights that were largely pay-to-win and dominated by "whales who will spend inordinate amounts to make their customized wrestlers beasts off the bat."^[4]

GameSpot was similarly positive, noting that changes such as chain wrestling allowed matches to play out more like those seen in actual shows, felt that the "Giant" archetype (which was compared to heavily-armored enemies seen in shooter games such as Destiny and The Division) demonstrated Visual Concepts' "keen understanding" of the differences between wrestling, other sports games, and traditional fighting games, and praised Paul Heyman's performance as host of the Showcase mode. It was noted that the MyRise storyline "awkwardly exists with a foot both in and out of kayfabe, telling a story that doesn't make a heck of a lot of sense if you look past the surface", while The Island was criticized as "simply awful" for being underdeveloped and emphasizing upgrades made with microtransactions.^[2]

Notes

1. Nintendo Switch 2 version ported by Shiver Entertainment.