WWE 2K17 Wishlist: 17 Suggestions to Improve Upcoming Wrestling Game

There were a good number of things to like about WWE 2K16, but the series still has a way to go before it's on the level of 2K's other sports-related franchise, NBA 2K.

In most cases, a vast improvement in a sports video game from one version to the next can be drawn to feedback from the community. We're not talking about the guys or girls who simply make comments like, "This game sucks," or "Fix the servers." 

That type of feedback doesn't do much to better the game from year to year. However, gamers who take the time to make legitimate suggestions are as valuable to the process of creating better games as the men and women who work hard to develop them.

With that said, here's a wishlist of features we can only hope are added into WWE 2K17 to make it even better than its predecessor.

Gameplay: Fighting into Crowd and Backstage

There was a glitch in WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2008 that allowed you to take your Superstar into the crowd. However, you couldn't do anything besides run straight through the sea of virtual humanity.

In WWE 2K17, it would be great if the fight could spill into the crowd the way it periodically does on real WWE programming. Obviously, there would need to be certain barriers that divided the players from the fans, but battling into the crowd is a long-overdue feature.

Previous WWE games used to allow Hardcore and No Disqualification matches to take place in backstage areas of the arena. WWE 2K16 brought back Backstage Brawls on the latest generation of consoles, but as you can see from the video above from YouTuber TonyPizzaGuy, it's more of a minimode that doesn't exactly capture the hardcore, no-DQ experience.

This shouldn't be a difficult feature to add to the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One match list.

Gameplay: Rag-Doll Physics and Improved Object and Human Detection

One of the most underrated skills in pro wrestling is the ability to properly sell an opponent's moves. You don't want to overdo it (cough...Dolph Ziggler), but you do want to put some level of dramatics into it (see: Seth Rollins, Sami Zayn and AJ Styles).

The physical response to moves in WWE 2K16 could use a sprinkle of Rollins, Zayn and Styles. It's a video game, so we want to see absolute carnage when a huge move is executed or you're able to complete an awesome spot.

Adding in rag-doll physics on opponents with depleted energy meters could help take the game to another level. Imagine having an opponent damaged on the top rope and then knocking him from the highest turnbuckle onto the floor outside the ring. 

If he were to spill off the top rope in a limp-bodied style, it would add some "O" to that OMG moment. This amplification of the physics engine could make the already solid gameplay even better.

Gameplay: Weight Detection in Every Facet of Gameplay

Early WWE games had no elements of weight detection. Thankfully, WWE 2K16 didn't allow cruiserweights to do lifting moves against super heavyweights.

However, those weight-detection principles went out the window when it came to reversals, signatures and finishers. In one sequence, you'll see Tyson Kidd's lifting moves against Rikishi stumped because of the latter's girth and the former's smaller stature.

In the next minute, Kidd counters Rikishi with a hip throw, hip toss or arm drag. It would be great to see those animations and counters replaced with more feasible moves.

MyCareer: 'This Is Awesome' Chants for Excellent Action Sequences

"This is awesome" (TIA) is one of the most overused chants from WWE audiences; "What?!" might be the only one that's worse. That said, there are times when TIA chants are totally on point. After a furious sequence that features great offensive maneuvers and selling, the performers deserve to be recognized by the crowd.

Whether it's in MyCareer, Universe or online, gamers should experience the same adulation when they put on great matches. 

In the MyCareer mode, obtaining a certain amount of TIA chants should be an objective, or perhaps an achievement/PS award. It's a small but cool thing.

MyCareer: Record and Perform Your Own Promos

Personality is the one quality that separates wrestling from other sportslike presentations. Where else can a guy like Bray Wyatt be such a captivating star? He's one heck of an athlete for a man his size, but what makes Wyatt special is his persona.

Gamers need to be able to create their own personas by cutting their own promos. 

The Xbox 360 had an app/game called Avatar Kinect that allowed you to animate your avatar and record voice-overs. It would be great to see 2K utilize a similar technology to allow you to do your own mic work.

Take a look at the video above to get an idea of the concept.

Presentation: Reworked Commentary

To put it plainly, the WWE games have the worst commentary of any sports gaming franchise. There's little to no conversational value between Michael Cole, Jerry Lawler and John Bradshaw Layfield, and the amount of repeat lines is too much to bear.

This aspect of the game needs to be reworked from the ground up. The members of the commentary team need to record their lines together, much like Kevin Harlan, Clark Kellogg and Greg Anthony did for NBA 2K16.

That creates the back-and-forth necessary to improve the game's audio presentation.

Presentation: Instant Replay Suite

As a YouTuber, I can personally say the return of an instant replay suite is a much-needed tool. If you're trying to make a video to show off a spectacular move, you're at the mercy of the limited automatic replay at the end of every match.

Oftentimes, it doesn't even capture the aspect of the action you wanted. Even if you're not a YouTuber, chances are you'd still like to control your replays. 

It's perplexing that this wasn't an option in WWE 2K16.

Modes and Options: Roster Updates

The WWE 2K16 roster was big. It featured a good number of current stars, up-and-comers and legends. That said, there were still a number of notable Superstars missing. 

Licensing issues will always limit the amount of legends who appear in the game, but there's no reason why more Superstars from the current roster shouldn't be included. 

Having each Superstar in at the initial time of release may not be realistic, but that's why the WWE 2K franchise should start to include roster updates. The franchise most often seems to associate itself with the sports video game genre, and most, if not all games under that umbrella have roster updates through the year.

EA Sports UFC is a perfect example. 

EA Canada consistently produced new fighters and updated ratings for the active members of the roster post-release. The WWE's yearly campaign functions differently because the action is scripted, but there are Superstars who gain and lose popularity.

That power ranking concept could serve as the foundation for dynamic Superstar ratings.

Despite rising to fame just before WWE 2K16 was released, Sasha Banks, Bayley, Becky Lynch nor Charlotte were included in the game. Seeing them added via a roster update would have been sweet for fans.

Modes and Options: The Return of Classic Match Types

There have been hundreds of different match types over the course of wrestling history. No one expects the WWE 2K series to feature all of them. However, more of the notable and fun stipulations would be nice.

WWE 2K16 didn't have any of the following matches: Ambulance, Hardcore, Lumberjack, First Blood, Tornado Tag Table, Prize-on-a-Pole or Three Stages of Hell.

There are others that fans would also request, but those seven jump to the forefront of the brain almost immediately.

Theme matches have appeared in WWE games in the past. YouTuber Smacktalks' video shown above has footage of the Ambulance match type that appeared in WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2010 on the Nintendo DS. We need some of that in WWE 2K17.

Modes and Options: Create-a-Finisher

One of the best parts of creating a Superstar on previous WWE games was crafting your own finishing move. In WWE 2K16, you can only give your created guys and girls one of the moves stored in the game.

Take a look at the video above from The 101's YouTube channel, and you can get a glimpse of what could be created when we were allowed to make custom finishers.

These slides aren't arranged by priority, but if they were, this would be near the top.

Modes and Options: Create-a-Taunt

Just as the ability to create a finisher adds to the individuality of your custom Superstar, so too does the freedom to craft a unique taunt.

This is going to sound like a broken record, but we could do it in Smackdown Here Comes the Pain, so it only makes sense to assume the functionality is there for it to be included in WWE 2K17.

Taunts play a significant role in WWE 2K gameplay. They're used to accelerate your finisher and signature moves meter. You may as well be looking at your own created taunt as you cheese your way toward the biggest maneuvers in your arsenal.

Modes and Options: Enhanced Create-an-Arena

The Create-an-Arena option was in WWE 2K16, but all of the customizations were cosmetic. The feature needs to be less cookie-cutter in WWE 2K17. 

This goes back to the hope for ring environments that are interactive. If the gameplay is still restricted to the same areas, the arena design will be irrelevant.

However, if there's more freedom allowed when battling outside the ring, up the ramps and into the crowd, then having the option to position props and other structures throughout the venue could make the design process fun.

Modes and Options: Create-a-Story

This is the last creation request, but it's a necessary one.

By now you can tell that fans of wrestling video games love to create stuff. Stories are the main ingredient for a great wrestling product, and that's why creating stories in wrestling games is so important.

This feature was available in WWE 2K14 for the last generation of consoles, but it hasn't made its way to the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One yet. 

This should be the year that 2K Sports gives all the wannabe bookers their favorite tool.

Modes and Options: Fleshing out Universe Mode

The Universe mode is a huge and fun feature, but it needs some spice. There's already tons of customization in the mode, including show creation and editable attributes. 

Still, it doesn't feature enough cutscenes or variations in the developing storylines. The only ways to improve the Universe mode is to add more storyline variations and better matchmaking. There are times when the matches that are made make no sense.

Established feuds are dragged on too long, and other potentially compelling angles are ignored. Somewhere, someone is saying, "Oh, so it's like the real WWE."

In any case, that's not ideal.

Modes and Options: Add MyTeam/Faction Mode

MyTeam is one of the most popular modes in NBA 2K16. It piggybacked off the success from EA Sports' Ultimate Team concept that blends card collecting with fantasy sports.

Everything about that mix fits perfectly with virtual WWE action.

Imagine a mode that allows you to collect virtual cards of current and legendary WWE Superstars. Attaining those cards gives you access to playable versions of the wrestlers to take online to compete against other gamers.

There could also be an offline, challenge-based component. NBA 2K has Moment Cards that are created after a player performs well in real life. How cool would it be to see Moment Cards for Superstars after pay-per-views?

Flashback Cards from Superstars in legendary matches from the past would be equally as cool. 

Perhaps the best part about this concept in a WWE 2K game is the many different match types you could play. Online cage, ladder and No Disqualification matches could be epic. Some brawls might only allow you to use a silver card, others a gold or bronze.

Also, creating your own tag teams from the Superstars on your squad would be arguably even more fun than building a lineup in NBA 2K. This is creating your own faction, and that's compelling.

Modes and Options: Push an eSports Option

The eSports phenomena is far-reaching. Any game that can feasibly incorporate elements of eSports into its overall packaging would be wise to do so. 

WWE 2K already has the King of the Ring component in its feature package. This is perfect for tournament-style gameplay, but if 2K wants to push it to the next level and add its own flair, it could incorporate some of the gimmick events.

A decathlon of matches would be an excellent way to gauge which players are the best all-around performers. To put this concept over, it has to be properly marketed. The best way to do that is with a weekly YouTube series featuring top players from the community.

The drama and exciting gameplay would be interesting to watch and different from other eSports formats.

Modes and Options: WWE Network Showcase

The Showcase mode is always the theme of the single-player campaign adventure. In previous years, the mode has focused on specific eras or the careers of legendary Superstars. 

In WWE 2K17 and moving forward, the Showcase mode should spotlight the organization's massive video library and professional wrestling assets.

Abandoning the specific themes, the single-player campaign should take us on a journey through matches from the WWE, WCW, WCCW, AWA and ECW history. In fact, there should be a set of matches to complete under each banner to conquer the campaign.

Those matches would ideally be presented with the same camera filters from those times and networks. If the menu was made to look exactly like the WWE Network, it would be a great connection between the company's primary product and the video game.

There are a good number of suggestions made in this article, but if there's one that just has to be included in WWE 2K17, it's this one.