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.
Critical and player reception was mixed-to-positive. Praised aspects:
Criticisms included:
Overall the title appealed strongly to fans who valued roster size, historical content, and customization more than radical gameplay innovation.
Retained:
Notable Absence:
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
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!
While there is no single official game titled "WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2K14," the name represents a fascinating crossroads in wrestling game history. Released in October 2013, WWE 2K14 was the first entry under the 2K Sports banner following the bankruptcy of THQ . Despite the new branding, it is widely considered the ultimate "love letter" to the SmackDown vs. Raw era, as it was the final title developed using that generation's engine and philosophy. The Bridge Between Eras: THQ Soul, 2K Branding
For many fans, the keyword "WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2K14" signifies the transition from the experimental WWE '12 and WWE '13 games back to the polished, fast-paced action of the classic series.
Developer Heritage: Although published by 2K , the game was largely completed by Yuke's , the same team behind the beloved SmackDown vs. Raw series.
Visual Identity: It was the final game to feature the iconic WWE "scratch" logo before the company transitioned to the modern network logo.
Platform Peak: Released exclusively for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, it represented the technical peak of that hardware generation before the series moved to the more "sim-heavy" PS4 and Xbox One era. Key Features and Game Modes While WWE 2K16 later attempted a similar "Stone
WWE 2K14 is often ranked as one of the best wrestling games of all time due to its massive content suite. 30 Years of WrestleMania
While "WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2k14" is a common search term, it technically blends two eras of wrestling games. WWE 2K14, released on October 29, 2013, was the first entry in the 2K series, succeeding the long-running SmackDown vs. Raw and WWE '12/'13 lineage.
Developed by Yuke’s and published by 2K Sports for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, it is widely regarded by fans as the "True End of the Golden Age". It was the final game to feature the classic WWE "scratch" logo and the last developed before the series transitioned to next-generation consoles like the PS4 and Xbox One. Reliving History: "30 Years of WrestleMania"
The flagship mode of WWE 2K14 was 30 Years of WrestleMania, a nostalgic single-player campaign that allowed players to relive 45 iconic matches from WrestleMania 1 through WrestleMania 29.
Historical Objectives: Players didn't just win; they had to complete specific tasks—like hitting a particular finisher or recreating a famous ringside moment—to unlock legends, arenas, and attire.
The Streak Mode: A dedicated tribute to The Undertaker allowed you to either "Defend the Streak" against an endless gauntlet of opponents or "Beat the Streak" in a boss-battle style match against a hyper-difficult version of the Deadman. The Roster: A Bridge Between Eras
WWE 2K14 featured one of the most comprehensive rosters in the franchise's history, totaling nearly 100 characters when including DLC. 2k14 vs '13 - WWE 2K14 Chat - Forums - Smacktalks.Org
The title " WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2K14 " is a common misnomer. The official game is titled
. It represents a major turning point in the franchise as the first game released under the Criticisms included:
brand following the bankruptcy of the previous publisher, THQ. Core Overview Release Date:
October 29, 2013 (North America) and November 1, 2013 (Europe/International). Platforms: Released exclusively for seventh-generation consoles: PlayStation 3 Cover Athlete: Developer: Developed by with assistance from Visual Concepts. Major Game Modes
This report covers its development context, gameplay mechanics, roster, flagship features, and its legacy within the wrestling game genre.
The SmackDown vs. Raw franchise began in the early 2000s as a consolidation of two earlier series and became the primary annual WWE game line. By 2013 the market for licensed wrestling games had shifted: THQ’s bankruptcy and 2K Sports’ acquisition of the WWE license reshaped publishing. SVR 2K14 emerged as the last entry explicitly titled with the SmackDown vs. Raw brand; subsequent releases moved fully to the WWE 2K moniker. The game launched during a period of roster changes in WWE (emergence of new talents, return of veterans) and rising interest in deeper, nostalgia-driven game modes.
Looking back, the roster for 2K14 is a strange, beautiful anomaly. You had the "Reality Era" rising stars (The Shield, Fandango) rubbing shoulders with Legends (Macho Man, Ultimate Warrior) and the "Attitude Era" cast. But the crown jewel was "Big Show: The Giant" as a pre-order bonus.
However, the true highlight is the inclusion of WrestleMania 29 specific models. The sweat, the bruises, the specific gear—it was a level of polish that the series has since traded for massive, less-detailed rosters.
WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2K14 (SVR 2K14) is a professional wrestling video game developed by Yuke's and published by 2K Sports for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, released in October 2013. As the final installment in the long-running SmackDown vs. Raw series before the WWE 2K branding fully consolidated, SVR 2K14 occupies a transitional position in wrestling-game history. This paper examines its design, gameplay systems, modes, roster and presentation, reception, historical context, technical limitations, community impact, and legacy.
The crown jewel of WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2K14 is undoubtedly "30 Years of WrestleMania." This single-player campaign is widely considered the gold standard for wrestling game story modes.
Instead of a linear career, the mode lets players relive (and rewrite) 46 iconic matches from WrestleMania I to WrestleMania 29. You don't just play as modern stars; you step into the virtual boots of Hulk Hogan (1980s red & yellow), "Macho Man" Randy Savage, Andre the Giant, Bret Hart, Shawn Michaels, The Undertaker (every era), Stone Cold Steve Austin, The Rock, and John Cena.
What makes it brilliant is the objective system. You aren't just trying to win; you are trying to recreate history. In the Hogan vs. Andre match, you have to "Hulk Up" (no-sell punches, point, finger wag) before hitting the leg drop. In the Michaels vs. Razor Ramon ladder match, you have to put Razor through the ladder specifically. Each match includes vintage video packages and commentary from Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler, making it feel like an interactive documentary.
The "3D" cutscenes are clunky by today's standards, but the emotional payoff of unlocking legends like "Hollywood" Hulk Hogan or 1998 "Kane" is unmatched.