Finally! Rasslin’s has come back to consoles, but is the new ownership under 2K Sports putting the WWE video game franchise back into the limelight of the 90s or does it reach a stand still.

WWE 2K14 is a 2013 professional wrestling video game, it is developed by Yukes and published by 2K Sports, and is available on Playstation 3 and Xbox 360.

Pfft, show off.

I’ve been watching professional wrestling since I was about 8 years old I recall tibids of WCW (memory is pretty shot on the promotion, despite watching it more than WWE/F), and WWF now known as the WWE due to a incident with the World Wildlife Foundation. I remember the fun to downright ridiculous storylines and segments of the Attidue Era in orcer to compete with ECW’s hardcore wrestling style that was slowly making it’s way up the ranks in competition with the aforemention promotions. I remember Steve Austin driving the truck into the arena, the NWO, and a number of great (and not so great) storylines during that time period, but a lass professional wrestling has lost a lot of the boom that ocurred during the “boom period” of that time. Still WWE 2K14 allowing players to relive those matches and even some of those great in-ring moments from of that time makes it well worth any former or current fan’s time.

Belt Creator returns in WWE 2K14.

THE GOOD: WWE 2K14’s roster is incredible compared to recent releases, full of both current and retro/legendary characters of the past of current and former stars, inlcuding John Cena’s old “rap gmmick” “The Doctor of Thuganomics”, “Hollywood” Hulk Hogan (you heard right Hogan is back in a WWE game), The Rock, Triple H, Kane. Randy Orton, Daniel Bryan, AJ Lee, and others. This gives players a lot of possibilities in the “story creator” which has been a staple part of the franchise since SmackDown Vs Raw 2011 I believe.

The Wrestling God!

The Former “Belt Creator” mode returns in WWE 2K14, a mode that was removed long ago, with even more options to create than ever before, WWE 2K14’s emphasis on player creation is awe inspiring, and should make for a vast amount of content in the game’s Community Creations. Speaking of which there is now an option to edit an ACTUAL WWE Superstar’s face after gaining the ability to create custom threads for real WWE Superstars a year or so ago, players can now make the long dreamed about heel John Cena persona (face and threads wise).

Rey Mysterio eats a drop kick from Dolph Ziggler.

30 Years of WrestleMania was a fantastic way of introducing players to Legendary wrestlers such as the aforementioned Hulk Hogan, “Stone Cold” Steve Austiin, Bret “The Hitman” Hart, Yokozuna, Andre “The Giant” King Kong Bundy, and The Undertaker, as well as some not so old but currently active wrestlers’ past such as Chris Jericho, Triple H, John Cena, Randy Orton, and others. There was also a “Streak Mode” where players controlled the Undertaker as he defended his streak at WrestleMania 30 against an onslaught of wrestlers on the entire roster in a slobber-knocker match which also made it’s return in this year’s release. AI for the CPU was greatly improved upon this year, with the CPU reversing not only basic moves, but finishers and signatures more frequently than before.

A classic WrestleMania moment with Hogan and Rock.

THE BAD: Despite the nicely sized roster. there are the same errors. One such error involving the Usos being DLC again angered me as a wrestling fan, as they have been on the main roster for well over a year now. So it was pretty difficult understanding why they couldn’t make the cut for the pre-game roster again this year (disc size issues?). “Streak Mode” wasn’t what I was hoping it would be, which was upsetting.  Even with the improved AI, CPU opponents still come off as stupid sometimes.

The Deadman Rides.

OVERALL THOUGHTS: WWE 2K14’s immense roster and 30 Years of WrestleMania mode gives players so much nostalgia that it’s a game a diehard fan can’t miss out on. Improved AI and huge customization options give seasoned players a nearly endless amount of content to imagine up. The AI still comes off as stupid sometimes, and the “Streak Mode” featuring The Undertaker was a bit disappointing.