Wrestling fans are a fickle bunch, but we all share one weakness: nostalgia. 2K Games knows this. They’ve leaned into it so hard this year that it’s almost overwhelming. If you’ve been hovering over the "buy" button for the WWE 2K24 40 Years of WrestleMania edition, you’re likely wondering if it’s a genuine tribute to four decades of "The Grandest Stage of Them All" or just a shiny, expensive digital coat of paint. Honestly, the answer depends entirely on how much you value a specific roster of legends and whether you actually enjoy the Showcase mode.
The Reality of the 40 Years of WrestleMania Showcase
Most people jump into this version for the Showcase mode. It’s the centerpiece. 2K markets it as a definitive journey through history, starting from the early days of Hulkamania to the modern era of Roman Reigns. But here is the thing—it isn’t a complete history.
Licensing is a nightmare. Because of that, you aren’t getting every iconic match. You won't see certain superstars who are currently signed with other promotions or those who have fallen out of favor with the company. It’s a curated list. A "Greatest Hits" album where some of your favorite tracks were left off because of legal disputes.
The gameplay within the Showcase uses the "Slingshot Tech" again. This is where the game seamlessly transitions from your digital match into real-life historical footage. When it works, it’s incredible. It gives you chills. However, when you’re forced to pause the action to complete a specific objective—like "Damage your opponent with a heavy strike in the corner"—it can feel more like a chore than a wrestling match. You aren't just playing; you're checking off a grocery list of historical spots.
Why the Roster Matters More Than the Mode
If you buy the WWE 2K24 40 Years of WrestleMania edition, you’re really paying for the "Forty Years of WrestleMania Pack." This is where the value proposition gets real.
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You get specific, era-accurate versions of legends. Think "Macho King" Randy Savage from WrestleMania 6 or the "Great One" The Rock from WrestleMania 18. You also get the WrestleMania 40 arena itself, which is massive. 2K also threw in some gold MyFACTION cards, but let’s be real: unless you’re deep into the card-collecting grind, those are just digital fluff.
The real draw is playing as the 2014 version of Charlotte Flair or the WrestleMania 30 version of Triple H. For some, that’s worth the price hike. For others, it’s just a skin. You have to decide which camp you fall into. The base game is already packed with talent, so this is for the completionists who need every version of "Stone Cold" Steve Austin available.
Changes to the Gameplay Loop
The core mechanics of WWE 2K24 haven't been reinvented, but they’ve been refined. The "Trading Blows" mini-game is a small but chaotic addition. You hold a button, time it right, and exchange strikes until someone gets wobbled. It captures that "fighting spirit" vibe you see in Japanese wrestling or big main events. It's fun. It's simple.
They also brought back Special Guest Referee matches. This was a huge community request. Playing as a crooked ref and fast-counting your friends is peak multiplayer entertainment. Then there's the Ambulance Match and the Casket Match. These aren't just reskinned regular matches; they have their own specific mechanics. Trying to shove a resisting Cody Rhodes into the back of an ambulance is surprisingly stressful.
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Graphics, Glitches, and the "2K Tax"
Visually, the game is a powerhouse. The lighting in the arenas looks better than ever, especially during the outdoor WrestleMania sets where the sun sets as the show progresses. Hair physics still act a bit weird sometimes—Bianca Belair's braid occasionally develops a mind of its own—but overall, it's the best-looking wrestling game ever made.
However, we need to talk about the bugs. It’s a 2K game. You will see a character’s leg clip through the ropes. You might see a title belt floating three inches off a wrestler's waist. Most of these are harmless, but they persist year after year. It's the "2K Tax." You accept the jank because the rest of the package is so deep.
Understanding the Different Versions
Choosing which version to buy is unnecessarily confusing. You have the Standard Edition, the Deluxe Edition, and then the WWE 2K24 40 Years of WrestleMania edition.
The Standard is just the game. The Deluxe gives you the Season Pass (five DLC packs) and some early access stuff. The 40 Years edition gives you everything in the Deluxe PLUS the WrestleMania-specific legends and the WrestleMania 40 arena.
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If you are a casual fan who just wants to play as Roman Reigns or Rhea Ripley, the Standard edition is fine. If you want the extra wrestlers like CM Punk or Post Malone (yes, he's in the DLC), you need the Season Pass. The 40 Years edition is purely for the hardcore historian who wants those specific "Alternate Attires" and the sense of completion.
Community Creations: The Lifeblood of the Game
Regardless of which version you buy, the Community Creations suite remains the best part of the experience. The community is insanely talented. Within 24 hours of launch, people had already uploaded perfect versions of wrestlers from other companies.
If you feel like the 40 Years of WrestleMania edition is missing someone—maybe a certain "American Nightmare" rival or a legend whose rights are elsewhere—chances are someone has built a near-perfect version of them for you to download for free. This makes the "exclusive" roster of the higher-tier editions feel a bit less vital, though the official models always have better commentary and unique entrance motions.
Practical Steps for New and Returning Players
If you’ve decided to take the plunge into the WWE 2K24 40 Years of WrestleMania experience, don't just dive into the deep end without a plan. The game is massive and can be intimidating.
- Master the Combo System First: Go into the tutorial. 2K shifted away from the old grapple-heavy system a couple of years ago. It’s more like a fighting game now. Learn the "Light, Light, Heavy" combos. It makes the gameplay feel much more fluid.
- Prioritize the Showcase Mode: Play through the 40 Years of WrestleMania Showcase early. It unlocks a ton of arenas and legendary superstars that you can't use otherwise. It’s the fastest way to populate your roster.
- Check the Sliders: If the AI is pinning you too easily or the matches are ending too fast, go into the settings. Adjust the "Frequency of AI reversals." The default settings can sometimes feel a bit robotic, but tweaking the sliders makes the matches feel more like what you see on TV.
- Manage Your Storage: This game is a beast. With all the high-res textures and the massive amount of audio for commentary, it eats up hard drive space. Ensure you have about 90GB to 100GB free, especially if you plan on downloading dozens of community-created wrestlers.
- Ignore MyFACTION (Unless You Love Grinding): MyFACTION is 2K’s attempt at a "Ultimate Team" mode. It's filled with microtransactions. You can have a perfectly great time with the game without ever touching this mode. Don't feel pressured to spend extra money on virtual cards.
The WWE 2K24 40 Years of WrestleMania edition is a love letter that occasionally forgets a few lines of the poem. It’s not perfect, but for someone who grew up watching the sport, seeing the recreation of the Savage vs. Steamboat ring or the spectacle of modern-day 'Mania is undeniably powerful. It’s less about "is it a good game"—because it is—and more about how much those specific historical memories are worth to you personally. Focus on the modes you love, ignore the microtransactions, and use the creation suite to fill the gaps. That’s how you get the most out of this year’s entry.