{"id":589308,"date":"2026-03-18T13:15:42","date_gmt":"2026-03-18T13:15:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/arcader.org\/wrestling-games-should-expand-to-more-genres\/"},"modified":"2026-03-18T13:15:42","modified_gmt":"2026-03-18T13:15:42","slug":"wrestling-games-should-expand-to-more-genres","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/arcader.org\/news\/wrestling-games-should-expand-to-more-genres\/","title":{"rendered":"Wrestling Games Should Expand To More Genres"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Pro wrestling is a combat sport. Scripted, yes, but the crux is two superstars stepping into a ring and (mostly) pretending to beat the snot out of each other. That\u2019s why it\u2019s been understandably boxed into the fighting\/simulation genre. Outside of a few collectible card games and general manager sims, the genre has rarely strayed beyond its competitive roots, and I think that\u2019s a shame. Wrestling can offer so much more to video games.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The upcoming WrestleQuest<\/a> is a great example of what you can do with wrestling games if you apply a bit of creativity. The title transforms the core concepts of the sport into a 16-bit RPG inspired by games like Final Fantasy VI and Chrono Trigger. It\u2019s such a refreshing idea, and I can\u2019t wait to see how it turns out when it launches later this year. WWE recently announced plans to develop a role-playing game<\/a> as well. Whether or not that\u2019s a response to WrestleQuest is unclear, but it\u2019s welcomed news regardless. Rumbleverse<\/a> applies the\u00a0sport’s tropes to a battle royale. Now let\u2019s keep that momentum going.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\" WrestleQuest <\/p>\n

Drama is an essential element of wrestling. Highlight that aspect\u00a0in a choice-driven narrative adventure game the caliber of a Quantic Dream or Telltale Games title.\u00a0Instead of emphasizing action, let me choose alliances, championships to chase, my heel\/face alignment, and make other pivotal decisions. Imagine having the staggering web of possibilities present in games like Heavy Rain or Detroit: Become Human. Present multiple endings based on my decisions. Do I wind up at the top of the promotion by aligning myself with an unstoppable faction? Should I betray my tag team partner to strike out on my own, and how does that affect this fictional universe? WWE game modes such as 2K22\u2019s MyRise have traditionally offered relatively barebones versions of this for years, but it can be fleshed out into a separate, deeper experience. Best of all, anyone could play this. With a lighter touch of interactivity, there\u2019s no need to memorize complicated movesets or button inputs.\u00a0<\/p>\n

However, a wrestling adventure\u00a0doesn’t\u00a0have to be the cliche rags-to-riches stories of a rookie climbing the ranks, winning titles, and becoming a household name. Films such as The Wrestler<\/em> show that you can tell an engaging human drama about life outside of the ring as well. Imagine a third-person action-adventure game set in the \u201870s\/\u201980s starring a washed-up journeyman wrestler struggling to make ends meet. He travels the country \u201cmaking the towns (brother)\u201d while grappling with conflicts, internally and externally. Perhaps the story is a larger crime drama because the protagonist associates with some unsavory individuals a la Dino Bravo, paving the way for combat and even gunplay. I could see a studio like Naughty Dog or Rockstar pulling off what would essentially be a gritty period piece that just happens to star a wrestler.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\" WWE Crush Hour <\/p>\n

Remember WWE Crush Hour? WWE\u2019s bizarre take on Twisted Metal-style car combat? That was a super dumb idea. Let\u2019s bring that back too because why not? A rhythm music game featuring entrance themes! We can only upload Sami Zayn\u2019s old song<\/a> to Beat Saber for so long. How about a Coffee Talk-style restaurant sim where you run a Waffle House and treat traveling wrestlers to chicken breasts and egg whites as they regale you with road stories?\u00a0<\/p>\n

Expanding\u00a0the scope of wrestling games positions\u00a0the sport in front of new audiences who may not encounter it otherwise. Those who may not love the in-ring action may fall in love with wrestling’s over-the-top presentation and quirks. Even diehard fans can benefit; some folks simply don’t excel at or enjoy\u00a0a mechanics-laden grappling sim.<\/p>\n

You can do quite a bit with sports entertainment in video games. I just hope more developers \u2013 and wrestling companies, for that matter \u2013 see this potential and become more willing to take a chance.<\/p>\n

Source<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Pro wrestling is a combat sport. Scripted, yes, but the crux is two superstars stepping into a ring and (mostly) pretending to beat the snot out of each other. That\u2019s why it\u2019s been understandably boxed into the fighting\/simulation genre. Outside of a few collectible card games and general manager sims, the genre has rarely strayed beyond its competitive roots, and I think that\u2019s a shame. Wrestling can offer so much more to video games.\u00a0 The upcoming WrestleQuest is a great example of what you can do with wrestling games if you apply a bit of creativity. The title transforms the core concepts of the sport into a 16-bit RPG inspired by games like Final Fantasy VI and Chrono Trigger. It\u2019s such a refreshing idea, and…<\/p>\n

Read More…<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":589309,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-589308","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-game-informer"],"yoast_head":"\nWrestling Games Should Expand To More Genres | Arcader News<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Pro wrestling is a combat sport. 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