WWE 2K24: Cover, Top Features and Additions to This Year's Roster

One of the most anticipated games of 2024 hits shelves this week with the release of WWE 2K24, the latest entry into a wildly popular franchise that rediscovered its way a year ago and for which fans have lofty expectations.

Developers have jam-packed the new release with several new match types, modes, and beloved WWE Superstars, not the least of whom will adorn the cover of this year's game.

Who are they, what are the new modes gamers will obsess over, and who are some of the most notable competitors to choose from?

Find out with this preview of the game.

Three Different Covers

WWE and 2K Games have produced three different editions of WWE 2K24, meaning there will be three different covers for fans to choose from.

The Standard Edition, releasing digitally and physically on March 8, features two-time Royal Rumble winner, "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes.

The timing is perfect, too, as the second-generation competitor is poised to challenge Roman Reigns for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship at WrestleMania 40, the second, consecutive year that those two competitors have headlined the biggest show of the year.

It is a testament to Rhodes' popularity that he not only received that nod from WWE but that 2K tapped him to be the face of this year's game.

The Deluxe Edition features a history-making cover as reigning Women's World Champion Rhea Ripley and former champion, "The EST of WWE" Bianca Belair, become the first two women to appear as co-cover stars in the game.

The only other woman to appear on the cover of the game, Becky Lynch, appeared on the cover of the much-maligned WWE 2K20.

Ripley and Belair headlined a class of NXT competitors that had the unenviable task of following Lynch, Charlotte Flair, Bayley, and Sasha Banks. Both have not only followed them, but established their own stars and built their own legacies.

Finally, the 40 Years of WrestleMania cover features top stars from every era of WWE's premier event.

It features The Undertaker, Triple H, John Cena, The Rock, Roman Reigns, and Andre the Giant, among others, and is the perfect collector's item for fans of every age.

Top Features

New Match Types

Many of The Undertaker's greatest foes met their fate in the dreaded Casket Match and the fan-favorite gimmick returns to WWE games this year as one of several new additions to the match lineup.

Joining The Deadman's specialty is the Gauntlet Match, which will pit you against numerous opponents with the idea being to beat each one in succession.

Fans will also have the opportunity to compete in the Ambulance Match, where the goal is to beat your opponent so badly you can place them in the ambulance and drive it out of the building.

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MyRISE

The MyRISE mode will allow players to take their created Superstars on two completely different story directions, Unleashed and Undisputed.

According to 2K Games press materials, "In Unleashed, the women's division experience, players step into the boots of a wrestler who founded the hottest promotion on the indie scene. But when given the opportunity to share her talents on the larger stage of WWE, will she "Unleash" her full potential, or hesitate and hold back?"

The developers continued, "In Undisputed, Roman Reigns follows in the footsteps of The Rock and heads to Hollywood, vacating his championship and leaving big boots to fill for our protagonist. But the "Tribal Chief" won't stay gone for long and doesn't appreciate a pretender to his throne."

Along the way, they will encounter twists and turns as they seek to prove they belong at the top of the pro wrestling world.

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Other Top Features

Players can celebrate 40 years of WrestleMania with the 2K Showcase of the Immortals mode, featuring 21 of the best matches in the event's long and illustrious history and the opportunity to unleash playable characters, historic arenas, and coveted championships.

The Universe mode allows fans to control the WWE Universe and create matches and rivalries of their own.

MyGM returns, allowing players to draft rosters, create match cards, and compete against opposing GMs while battling for pro wrestling supremacy.

Top Additions to This Year's Roster

The most exciting part of any edition of the WWE 2K franchise is the new and familiar faces that make up the roster.

The late Bray Wyatt returns to the franchise this year, with five different incarnations of his unforgettably enigmatic character, including two not seen since the Firefly Funhouse Match from WrestleMania 36.

The game also marks the return of The Fiend to the 2K franchise, a character sure to be a favorite of the WWE Universe.

Joining the many faces of Wyatt are the Three Faces of Foley (Mankind, Dude Love, and Cactus Jack), as well as rare appearances from Ken Shamrock, George "The Animal" Steele, and former WWE Champion "Superstar" Billy Graham (pre-order only).

Bronson Reed, Isla Dawn, Chelsea Green, and Maxxine Dupri make their first appearance with the franchise, and CM Punk, Jade Cargill, Women's Tag Team Champion Kairi Sane, The Dudley Boyz, and The Sandman headline the game's DLC content.

Cover athletes Rhodes, Ripley, and Belair are joined by fellow greats of today, including Roman Reigns, Randy Orton, Seth "Freakin" Rollins, and Becky Lynch.

Reigns is the game's highest-rated competitor at 97 while Ripley leads the women's roster at 96. The Undertaker is the highest-rated legend in the game at 95.

A jam-packed legends roster includes The Undertaker, "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, The Rock, Triple H, John Cena, and Hulk Hogan.

A roster as deep as any in WWE video game history, it provides fans the opportunity to create dream matches, first-time encounters, and epic rematches every time they turn on their console.

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