This is the sandbox career mode where you run Raw, SmackDown, and Pay-Per-Views.
WWE 2K14 (released October 2013) marks a pivotal transition point in wrestling video games. It was the final game developed by Yuke’s under the SmackDown vs. Raw naming convention (dropped after WWE ’13) and the last title released before 2K Sports fully rebranded the series to WWE 2K15. It is widely considered the peak of the arcade-simulation hybrid era, refining the gameplay engine introduced in WWE ’12.
Platforms: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
Cover Superstar: Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson
On PC (via unofficial ports/emulation) and console communities, players invested in custom content, arena edits, and roster updates. The franchise’s create tools fostered a robust user-generated content culture—custom wrestlers, attires, arenas, and storyline permutations proliferated on forums and file-sharing sites. Online communities also documented strategies, created challenge modes, and preserved classic match recreations.
WWE 2K14 has over 80+ superstars. Key names include:
While WWE 2K16 later attempted a similar "Stone Cold" showcase, 2K14’s flagship mode remains untouchable. "30 Years of WrestleMania" wasn't just a series of matches; it was an interactive museum.
Spanning from Hulk Hogan vs. Andre the Giant at WM III to The Rock vs. John Cena at WM 29, the mode recreated 46 iconic moments. But the genius was in the "Objective System." You weren't just trying to win; you were trying to relive history. Miss throwing Shawn Michaels through the glass of the barber shop? You fail the objective. Didn't kick out of the Pedigree at 17 as Hulk Hogan? Restart.
This forced a level of gameplay tension that modern, more passive cutscene-heavy modes lack. It also delivered the single greatest "what if?" moment in wrestling game history: "The Streak" mode. Playing as The Undertaker, you faced a gauntlet of legends. But the real magic was playing against Taker. The game would literally ramp up the AI difficulty mid-match—opponents would kick out of finishers, counter everything, and the screen would turn monochrome. It’s the only time a wrestling game ever genuinely made you fear the AI.
Platform: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 Developer: Yuke's / THQ
WWE 2K14 is often considered one of the greatest wrestling games of all time because of its massive roster, deep creation tools, and the nostalgia-heavy WrestleMania mode. wwe smackdown vs raw 2k14
Is WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2K14 worth revisiting over a decade later? Absolutely.
Modern WWE games (2K22, 2K23, 2K24) have superior graphics and smoother grappling mechanics (thanks to the switch to the "2K Engine" in 2K22). However, they lack the charm of the THQ/Yuke's era.
WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2K14 is a relic of a simpler time in wrestling games. It is bloated, loud, and occasionally broken—just like the Attitude Era it loves to celebrate. It sent the "SmackDown vs. Raw" name off into the sunset with a massive, crowd-popping finisher.
Final Score (Retrospective): 9/10
It remains the definitive "Legends" wrestling game of the 2010s. If you own an Xbox 360 or PS3 and see a dusty copy at a garage sale, buy it. Turn off the music, blast the entrance themes, and relive the 30 Years of WrestleMania. You won't regret it.
Do you have a favorite memory from WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2K14? Was it the first time you body-slammed Andre the Giant, or did you prefer building a custom Universe Mode? Share your nostalgia below!
: The End of an Era WWE 2K14 is often hailed by fans and critics alike as the peak of the seventh-generation wrestling games, serving as the bridge between the old THQ era and the modern 2K series. Originally slated to be titled WWE 14 before 2K Sports acquired the license from the bankrupt THQ, it remains a "gold standard" for its blend of arcade-style speed and deep simulation elements. Key Game Features
30 Years of WrestleMania: The game's flagship mode allowed players to relive 46 iconic matches spanning from WrestleMania 1 to WrestleMania 29.
The Streak: A dedicated mode focused on The Undertaker, where players could either try to defend his legendary WrestleMania undefeated streak or attempt to "Defeat the Streak" against a highly difficult version of the Deadman. This is the sandbox career mode where you
Deep Creation Suite: Regarded as one of the most comprehensive in the series, it featured the last appearance of Create-a-Story and extensive options for Create-a-Superstar and Create-an-Arena.
Universe Mode 4.0: Offered players more control than ever before with the "Rivalry Manager," allowing for custom-booked feuds and the inclusion of King of the Ring tournaments. Gameplay and Graphics
Released in late 2013, is widely considered the peak of wrestling games from that era. It marked a major turning point as the first title published by 2K Sports after acquiring the license from the bankrupt THQ. While it technically dropped the "SmackDown vs. Raw" branding, it was the direct spiritual and mechanical successor to that legendary series. Game Overview Release Date: October 29, 2013 (North America). Platforms: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360. Cover Athlete: The Rock. Developer: Yuke's & Visual Concepts. Standout Game Modes
The game's legacy is built on its deep, nostalgic single-player content: 30 Years of WrestleMania
This massive campaign allows players to relive over 45 historic matches from WrestleMania I to WrestleMania 29. It includes classic video packages, era-specific filters, and historical objectives to unlock legends and alternate attires. The Streak
A dedicated mode honoring The Undertaker’s legendary undefeated streak.
Defeat the Streak: A "boss battle" style mode where you face an ultra-difficult Undertaker.
Defend the Streak: A gauntlet match where you play as "The Phenom" against endless waves of opponents. Universe Mode
Though there isn't a game officially titled " WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2K14 "—as the series rebranded from SmackDown vs. Raw ) starting in 2011— WWE 2K14 has over 80+ superstars
is widely considered the peak of that transitional era. It was the first game published under the 2K Sports banner but the last to be fully developed using the engine and "feel" of the classic SmackDown vs. Raw Still Reigns Supreme 30 Years of WrestleMania
: This is the game's flagship mode. It features over 45 historic matches, allowing you to recreate iconic moments from the first 30 years of WrestleMania with high-quality cinematics and period-accurate arenas. The Streak Mode
: A unique addition where you can either defend The Undertaker's legendary WrestleMania win streak against an endless wave of opponents or attempt to break it yourself in an incredibly difficult boss-fight setting. Perfect Gameplay Balance
often cite it as the perfect blend of arcade-style speed and modern simulation mechanics. It includes "OMG! Moments" like breaking the ring or double-finishing moves that were more fluid than in later entries. Massive Legends Roster
: Because of the WrestleMania focus, the game features one of the best "Old School" rosters in the series, including Hulk Hogan, Ultimate Warrior, Macho Man Randy Savage, and multiple versions of stars like The Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin. Pro-Tips for Players Unlocking Everything
: You don't have to grind for every character. If you have the "Accelerator" DLC, you can go to Options > Unlockables and press a single button (X on PS3 or A on Xbox) to unlock all superstars instantly Hidden Unlockables
: Some characters have obscure requirements. For example, to unlock Eddie Guerrero
, you must beat Brock Lesnar on Legend Difficulty in an Exhibition match at the No Way Out 2012 arena. Community Creations
: While official servers have long since closed, the game was famous for its "Create-a-Finisher" and deep "Create-a-Superstar" tools, allowing players to build massive rosters of wrestlers from other promotions. Are you looking to revisit this classic on a specific console, or are you trying to find a modern alternative with similar gameplay? WWE 2K14 user reviews - Metacritic
The 30 Years of Wrestlemania Campaign is the main selling point of this game. it has lots of classic matches from the 80s and 90s. Metacritic
This is the defining single-player experience of 2K14 – a robust, lovingly crafted historical campaign replacing the usual "Road to WrestleMania."