New features on every game mode, or almost
First of all, you should know that we were able to get our hands on an almost definitive Xbox Series WWE 2K26and that we had access to the game in its entirety. This allowed us at least to have a vague overview of what the title will offer when it is released on March 6 for those with early access, and March 13 for everyone. Moreover, we started our session directly with Showcase mode, systematically retracing the careers of various wrestlers or groups.
And after Bloodline’s Dynasty, CM Punk was chosen. A bit like the previous opus, know that there will be very few changes in this mode in its pure structure. Indeed, we will play some legendary matches of the “ the best in the world“, and where freedom will still be in place. You will have to achieve objectives that are given to you during the match which, if they are completed, will allow you to collect some rewards at the end of the match. A path similar to the previous part in this mode, however with the secondary mode of Showcase making its appearance, with Gauntlet.
If you can indeed win all the matches in the classic way (this will however be confirmed during our final test), you can chain the matches together here. In fact, this variant grafted to Showcase is a sort of “what if”, in order to try to win matches that CM Punk has never won. As a result, you will glean many more rewards. Note that we could also choose AJ Lee as a wrestler, but we did not have time to take control of her in this short preview. In idea, the showcase mode still seems to be based on solid foundations, and we are curious to dig a little deeper into this Gauntlet variant, which is basically interesting and diversifies the Showcase experience, which is already very immersive.
Concerning the My GM and My Ascension modes, don’t expect a blatant revolution, the loop remains identical to the previous opus, at least on my GM. The most interesting will be My Ascension which will have two new scenarios like WWE 2K25either on the men’s and women’s division. Interest will be certain to launch in this mode, although we remain exactly on the same bases as its predecessor. Or successions of dialogues with choices conditioning you as a hero or villain, which will change certain elements in the scenario, and especially the succession of matches which follows. Improving your personalized superstar does not change in terms of interface, similar to the previous part, even if there have been slight alterations to the visual.
You will have understood, these two modes do not shine with renewal, but remain the most complete while caressing the fans in the right direction. Of course, universe mode will also be back, with an even more modular aspect. As for the My GM mode is exciting with the possibility of creating your own show and choosing your superstars via draft while competing with other shows, this Universe mode allows you to create it from scratch, without limits. You will have, as in the previous opus, the possibility of doing your show in classic mode (with more freedom), or Superstars, or with the wrestlers from each show already in place. And surprise, know that this Universe mode offers many more possibilities than WWE 2K25. Indeed, expect to, at first, schedule drafts on the calendar as you see fit, if you want to add a little spice to your show.
In addition, know that before starting your Universe part, you will have the ability to choose, at least in classic mode, the type of show you want to include among five basic ones (Raw, NTX, Smackdown, WCW Nitro, ECW), or personalized creations. The icing on the cake is that you can also choose when to start, and with which special shows among a bunch (Summerslam, Vengeance Day etc.). Here alone, the diversity is just immense when it comes to customization, and fans who don’t want to play the matches will be allowed to watch their own show, as if they were watching it on Netflix live after all. Know that due to lack of time, we were not able to see everything in this mode, but in absolute terms, between adding more images and especially with the fact of sharpening more precisely the various rivalries between superstars, the Universe mode of WWE 2k26 promises to be thrilling. The whole thing will have to be confirmed on the test but in any case, the additions to the mode are more than exhilarating, like The Island.
Appreciable continuity in The Island
With the introduction of The Island mode last year, it was obvious that Visual Concepts was going to make this new mode more NBA 2K in spirit. Already, say goodbye to the tribal aesthetic for a new card, the discharge. Here, you will meet various wrestlers like CM Punk and even Randy Orton in a new scenario. Unlike the previous opus, that’s it, the whole thing is a little more lively with cutscenes which manage to energize the narration. From what little we’ve seen, it’s both brilliant and laughable in some situations, and should entertain fans and newcomers alike. However, we are waiting to see what our final verdict will be, but the framework will surely be the same.
What’s more, the title will ask us to choose from 3 distinct factions between the order of Chaos of CM Punk, the anarchy of Cody Rhodes or even the shadow with another wrestler. This will allow you to obtain rewards from the chosen faction, while increasing reputation with the latter. The loop will also be closed, with the fact of being able to make matches for the other two factions, allowing you to unlock the other cosmetic rewards for them.
Undeniably, The Island always seems fun to explore. Note that in addition to the various shops allowing you to change the look of your protagonist (importable from My Ascension mode), as well as other places where you can make matches with specific rules, the cutscenes still have dialogue choices. We will have to check during our final test if this will have an impact on the narration.
Also, we are waiting to see if the microtransaction aspect will not be too invasive, notably with the Ringside Pass, the franchise’s new Battle Pass system. We tend more towards the negative on this point, but are waiting to test this aspect at length during our test in order to be sure. But in short, WWE 2K26 will be colossal with its ultra generous content, still managing to go from a roster of 300 wrestlers to more than 400 playable in this episode alone. It’s gargantuan, even if there are also a few variations of superstars in the mix who swell the figure.
Gameplay and technique better refined, or almost
For the gameplay, the baby from Visual Concepts agreed to make a big effort. Already in terms of handling, the software is much more responsive, while having even more impactful blows than in the previous part. And we are forced to admit, the variety of blows and holds to perform on our opponents is most enjoyable. Add to this new weapons with the nails to scatter in the ring or the bat, and we obtain a combat-oriented title which gives us the weapons to give us instant gaming pleasure and an addictive side that is not really unpleasant.
Likewise, the software is a little more tactical, with again and again the parts of the body to damage, but also the endurance to manage. It won’t really be a question of hammering the attack buttons and tiring yourself out unnecessarily, but rather of acting methodically to weaken your opponent intelligently, until you succeed in your signature finish move or special move once the gauges are full.
It’s still fun as can be, even if nothing really changes in the mini-games for submission or pinfall, or even counters. They are nonetheless still fun to make, but it should be noted that the counters supposed to be a little more permissive in this episode oscillate between hot and cold. The window for achieving them is sometimes so small that you have to have a superhuman reflex to manage to stay on schedule. In addition, small inaccuracies remain on certain actions that we want to carry out. However, as we suspect, everything should, we hope, be corrected when it is released on March 6 or 13. Let it be said, the gameplay has sharpened considerably this year, and the studio’s efforts to provide better-refined gameplay are more than appreciable, because this makes the experience just as exhilarating as it is exhilarating.
Finally, there remains the appearance of four new match types, bringing a little more spice. With the Inferno, Dumpster, Three Stages of Hell and I Quit Match matches, players will be able to discover other ways to play with these wacky rules. The first two mentioned consist of sending the wrestler into the flames and into a dumpster to win. As for the others, it will be about winning three rounds, and each round will be totally different. And finally for I Quit Match you have no rules, and your opponent will have to avoid saying “I Quit” via a mini-game system, at the risk of losing. Basically, there will be plenty of fun to be had with these four new, moreover, crackers.
Finally technically, you should know that WWE 2K26 remains within the franchise’s standards. Either models of wrestlers still as well detailed, some credible animations, but with a slightly dated coating on the engine. Some textures unfortunately leave something to be desired, but the optimization on Xbox Series It won’t be this year that WWE 2K26 will be a graphic revolution but in absolute terms, it remains between the beautiful and the correct, without breaking any bricks.
WWE 2K26 is it set to be the founding episode of the franchise? Well, since its successful reboot with WWE 2K22it is clear that the path accomplished for the Visual Concepts catch license is a great success. By offering content that will be colossal but above all improvements noted in a lot of game modes as well as gameplay, WWE 2K26 will potentially be THE wrestling game that will satisfy longtime fans and newcomers alike. We still have reservations about certain aspects of the software which could do much better, but the gaming experience should be sufficiently fleshed out and personalized to make us spend hours without getting tired. The impression left is positive, and look forward to its release on March 6 for early access owners, and March 13 for those with the standard edition to discover our final verdict.