WWE 2K15: Release Date, New Features, Preview and More

There are two WWE 2K15 releases on the way in the next three weeks. The first will be for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. It will arrive on Oct. 28. That was originally the day the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One version was set to drop, but the release date for that version of the game was pushed back to Nov. 18.

Consider this your preview for the last-generation version of the new game. Is that confusing? Probably a little bit, but it's the best way to properly structure any content related to WWE 2K15 this year. Per Gamestop, here's a summary of what to expect from the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions:

• Presentation Overhaul: Listen to Jerry Lawler and Michael Cole call the action with the best commentary featured in a WWE game to date, with more than five times the lines recorded than any other year. WWE 2K15 will also feature a custom soundtrack featuring today's hottest artists, curated by John Cena.
• Introducing: 2K Showcase: Relive the groundbreaking rivalries of John Cena vs. CM Punk and Triple H vs. Shawn Michaels in a new single-player campaign told through your gameplay and historic WWE footage.
• WWE Universe and Creation Suite: Create your own Custom Superstar, or customize WWE Superstars and Divas, Move-Sets and entrances. Take control of WWE as your actions shape your Universe: storylines, schedule, rivalries, alliances and more.

Besides visual quality, there is one distinct difference between the last-gen and current-gen versions of the game. The XB1 and PS4 gamers will enjoy the new MyCareer mode popularized by the NBA 2K series.

Gamers who haven't made the jump to new consoles won't have MyCareer, but the newest single-player campaign called 2K Showcase is in.

image provided by 2K Sports

As mentioned above, the mode focuses on classic rivalries from the WWE's history. It doubles as an interactive journey through a specific storyline and challenge-based gaming experience. New rivalries will be added post-release and can be downloaded for individual costs, or obtained collectively for gamers who subscribe to the Season Pass for $24.99.

Here's a breakdown of the contents of the Season Pass:

"

Accelerator

• Players will gain instant access to all unlockable content available in the game (excluding downloadable content);
• The Accelerator will be available for a suggested price of $1.99.

2K Showcase: One More Match

• Story focused on the rivalry between WWE Superstars Randy Orton and Christian in 2011;
• Playable WWE Superstars: Christian, Randy Orton, Edge, Mark Henry and Sheamus; 
• Playable arenas from 2011: SmackDown, Extreme Rules, Over the Limit® and Capitol Punishment; 
• 2K Showcase: One More Match will be available for a suggested price of $9.99.

2K Showcase: Hall of Pain

• Story focused on top matches for WWE Superstar Mark Henry;
• Playable WWE Superstars: Mark Henry, Big Show, Kane, Jey Uso, Jimmy Uso, Sheamus, The Great Khali, Randy Orton, Daniel Bryan and Ryback; 
• Playable arenas: SmackDown (2011), Vengeance (2011) and WrestleMania 29;
• 2K Showcase: Hall of Pain will be available for a suggested price of $9.99.

2K Showcase: Path of the Warrior

• Story focused on the career of WWE Hall of Famer Ultimate Warrior; 
• Playable WWE Hall of Famers: Ultimate Warrior, Hulk Hogan, Andre the Giant and Sgt. Slaughter;
• Playable WWE Legends: Honky Tonk Man, Rick Rude, Macho King and Colonel Mustafa;
• Playable WWE Superstars: Undertaker and Hunter Hearst Helmsley;
• Access to WWE Hall of Fame ring announcer Howard Finkel and WWE managers Jimmy Hart, Bobby Heenan, Paul Bearer, Sherri, Sid Justice and General Adnan;
• Playable arenas: WrestleMania VI, VII and XII; SummerSlam® (1988, 1990 and 1991); Saturday Night’s Main Event XXIV and Madison Square Garden;
• 2K Showcase: Path of the Warrior will be available for a suggested price of $9.99.

WCW Pack

• Playable WCW Superstars: Fit Finlay, Lord Steven Regal, Bam Bam Bigelow, Diamond Dallas Page and Lex Luger;
• The WCW Pack will be available for a suggested price of $7.99.

NXT Arrival

• Playable NXT Superstars: JBL, Adam Rose and The Ascension (Konnor and Victor);
• Playable NXT Diva: Emma;
• NXT Arrival will be available for a suggested price of $6.99.

New Moves Pack

• Moves Pack: More than 30 new moves, including an alternate version of Sister Abigail (performed from the ring corner and made popular by Bray Wyatt) and Multiple Gut Wrenches (made popular by Cesaro);
• The New Moves Pack will be available for a suggested price of $3.99.

"

The WCW Pack, NXT Arrival and New Moves Pack aren't included in the Season Pass. Gamers will have to spend and additional $18.97 to get all of the content.

Anything Else New?

The answer to that question as it relates to the last-generation version is likely: No. Much of the time and attention for this development cycle was dedicated to the current-gen version of the game. The November release has remarkable visuals and MyCareer.

Collectively, those two things are designed to be the biggest difference between the product we played last year and the upcoming one.

WWE Games confirmed the rosters for both versions are identical.

The game releases in three days. It is extremely rare—if not unprecedented—that significant new features would be announced this late in the process.

As far as gameplay, we haven't seen any trailers or videos from Xbox 360 or PS3. We'll have to wait and see if the gameplay engine is from WWE 2K14, or if it emulates the more simulation-style employed in the current-generation version of WWE 2K15.

Ideally, we'd have more information at this point, but that's not that case this year. Hopefully, the game delivers on all consoles.

Follow Brian Mazique aka FranchisePlay, the Sports Video Game Journalist.