Top 10 THQ-Licensed WWE Video Games

Toy Head-Quarters, better known as THQ, is an American developer of video games.

THQ was founded in 1989 and has moved on from focusing on toys as a whole to focusing on video games. THQ has many internally formed game series including Saints Row and Red Faction.

Along with all of THQ's claims to fame, is an exclusive, long-term licensing agreement with one of the biggest names in entertainment, the WWE. 

Here they are, the best THQ-licensed wrestling video games. To construct this list, I have pulled from personal experience as well as IGN player reviews and ratings.

Enjoy!

10. WWE Day of Reckoning (Gamecube)

Nintendo's square console didn't have much success in the squared circle—that is, until the Day of Reckoning games came along. The WWE Day of Reckoning games for Gamecube are regarded as the best wrestling games for the console.

These games boasted a roster of over 40 superstars, a new and improved storyline system, a much deeper create-a-wrestler mode, and a wider selection of match types along with smoother, more polished gameplay. 

9. WWF Raw (Xbox)

WWF Raw was the first wrestling game released for the Xbox console.

THQ brought in Anchor to help construct the game, a company that developed the grappling system in the widely popular Ultimate Fighting Championship for the Dreamcast. 

Some of the big features for WWF Raw were hundreds of WWF signature moves, create-a-wrestler mode, authentic entrances, player-controlled interference, and multiplayer tag and handicap matches.

Raw brought an intuitive fighting system, requiring players to keep an eye on their energy meter.

Certain moves required more or less amounts of energy and how susceptible wrestlers were to being pinned or being forced to submit. 

For being the first WWF game for an amazing, new console, THQ definitely got this one right. 

8. WWF Smackdown 2: Know Your Role (Playstation)

"Know Your Role!"

One of the many phrases turned by the Great One, Dwayne Johnson.

The Rock was the poster boy for the PlayStation-specific wrestling games and they certainly lived up to their electrifying cover athlete. 

SmackDown 2 is widely regarded by gamers and reviewers as one of, if not the best, wrestling game for the original PlayStation. SmackDown 2 had a new and improved create-a-wrestler mode that would later be carried to the PlayStation 2 SmackDown games.

The graphics and gameplay were an improvement from the original SmackDown game, and while the storyline mode was a bit lacking, this game acted as a great bridge for wrestling games to the next generation of gaming.  

7. Wrestlemania 2000 (N64)

WrestleMania 2000 is essentially Frankenstein's Monster, if Frankenstein's Monster was a wrestling video game made in the late 90s. Developer Aki combined parts of WCW/nWo Revenge and WWF Attitude to produce the fighting engine for WrestleMania 2000.

This was THQ's first run at a wrestling game since taking the exclusive rights to the organization from Acclaim Entertainment.

WrestleMania 2000 involved a decent roster, including main eventers, mid-card superstars and even jobbers.

The game also featured a Create-a-Wrestler mode that gave WWF Attitude a run for its money. This game also took big strides in giving players the TV-broadcast feel with enhanced entrances, a better interface and Rumble Pak compatibility. 

6. WWE Raw 2 (Xbox)

WWE Raw 2 made fans of the original WWF Raw for Xbox notice that what they once thought was near-perfection was far from it. 

WWE Raw 2 improved in a lot of areas. They improved the grappling and moves along with polishing up the graphics. One of the big gameplay changes was the different situational moves that were now available.

You could force an opponent through the wall of a Hell in a Cell cage, climb to the top of the structure, chokeslam them down to the ground, and then hit a five-star frog-splash onto their nearly comatose body. 

Another big improvement was the Create-a-Wrestler mode.

Not only could you fine-tune the look of your wrestler, you could also create an entrance for your custom superstar which includes making your way to the ring accompanied by any song from any CD you have! 

WWE Raw 2 for Xbox took some very big strides for wrestling video games. The possibilities for creating your own superstar were nearly endless with a huge move library and tons of combinations for wrestler attire. 

5. WWF SmackDown (PlayStation)

This was one of THQ's first runs at a wrestling game after leaving Acclaim, so they had a lot to prove. The original SmackDown for PlayStation did just that. 

SmackDown was the first of its kind, the beginning of an era. SmackDown had great multiplayer exhibition play and an innovative storyline. The Create-a-Wrestler mode is very deep and allowed players to build a wrestler and toss him into the WWF in the season mode. 

The gameplay itself was fantastic. Thanks to Yukes' fighting system, button mashers had no chance. Grappling and counters were all about timing and required skill to beat your opponent.

SmackDown, while not perfect, was a great wrestling game for its time. It had improved, more precise, controls than the Nintendo 64, and was the best wrestling game out there for PlayStation until its sequel. 

4. SmackDown vs Raw 2006

SmackDown vs. Raw 2006 showed that fans do have an influence on the games they love.

After a few less-than-exciting wrestling games, THQ and Yukes listened to their fans and changed/improved everything.

One of the biggest changes was the actual gameplay.

Players now had to deal with stamina and momentum. Now, it wasn't feasible to hit 20 German suplexes until you had a finisher ready, hit your finisher, and get the pin.

If you didn't vary your attacks, the crowd wouldn't be behind you and it would take much longer to fill your finisher meter.

Another gameplay change was the counter system. You could now counter almost every move, and string together a chain of moves from a counter. SvR 2006 also improved the franchise's online gameplay, allowing you to research your opponent before you take them on virtually, along with a new and exciting General Manager mode. 

Overall, SmackDown vs Raw 2006 got the SvR games and THQ going in the right direction. The voices of fans were heard, and there were tons of improvements to gameplay and game modes.  

3. WWF SmackDown: Here Comes the Pain! (Playstation 2)

Here Comes The Pain was the fifth installment of Yukes-made wrestling games and was one of the best. 

Here Comes The Pain had the largest roster at the time, with 65 superstars and divas at your disposal—67 if you count the special use of Good Ol' JR and Jerry "The King" Lawler in story mode. This installment also added the First Blood match, the Elimination Chamber match and, of course, the bra and panties match.

THQ and Yukes also continued to improve on already good areas of their franchise.

They made the famous interactive backstage environments even more interactive, and has made new environments, like the Times Square area. 

The gameplay also saw improvements. The controls were polished and updated to flow better and allow for much smoother gameplay.

Overall, Here Comes The Pain was not only the best of the SmackDown games, but was arguably the best wrestling game exclusively on the PlayStation 2. The fighting engine was improved almost to perfection, and allowed for some of the most fun gameplay in wrestling video game history.  

2. SmackDown vs Raw 2010

The SmackDown vs. Raw franchise has taken a lot of steps to improve wrestling video games.

They have added Road to WrestleMania mode, which allows you to play through different story lines with different wrestlers, deeper customization, and even the new highlight reel editor. THQ had shown off these new features, among others, through a few different games, but SmackDown vs. Raw 2010 was the first time that they were all brought together. 

Another great part of SvR 2010 was the Create-a-Story mode. You could now create a totally custom, unique-to-you, storyline.

Have you dreamed of seeing Cena and the Rock be best friends and take the tag team division by storm?

You could do that.

SvR 2010 really brought wrestling video games to where they are today with deeper customization to allow each wrestling fan to play and enjoy the game in their own way. 

1. WWF No Mercy (N64)

WWF No Mercy had big shoes to fill. WrestleMania 2000 took the wrestling gamers by storm.

Would the sequel live up to its predecessor?

You bet your candy-a-- it would. This game was almost perfect.

A good portion of my free time in middle school was well-deservedly given to this masterpiece. This game had an amazing control system, a trail-blazing create-a-wrestler mode, great graphics (by N64 standards), and the best story mode ever. 

Lets start with the fighting system. The grapple controls from No Mercy can be seen in almost every wrestling game since. They were simple, but just felt right. There were tons of moves at your disposal and could allow players to construct move-sets that fit their wrestling style.

The roster for No Mercy was also impressive. There are 65 superstars, not including the numerous secret wrestlers that you could unlock throughout the story mode. 

The story mode, oh my gosh, the story mode. This is still my favorite wrestling video game story mode to date. You start with any wrestler, even a created superstar.

Then, depending on whether you win or lose, you would please and anger different people, forming friendships and making enemies. The storylines were so deep that you always had a different experience. 

There are so many more amazing things about WWF No Mercy, and for that I thank THQ for doing it the right way. No Mercy was, to me, the most enjoyable wrestling video game experience I've had to date.

The controls made sense, the gameplay modes were enough to stay interested, and the story line was perfect. If THQ was to find a way to port No Mercy to Xbox 360, they would have a buyer in me and I'm sure many more. 

What Do You Think?

There you go. You've seen how I feel. What about you? Was I right or was I ay off? Do you think No Mercy is the best THQ-licensed wrestling game ever? 

Let me know what you think and leave a comment. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to find my old N64 and No Mercy.