Why WWE 2K26 Leaving Last-Gen Consoles Out to Dry is a Good Thing

There are several big name franchises that are still offering past-gen ports. One of the most notable of the past few months was Call of Duty: Black Ops 7. It makes sense for Activision to cater to past-gen consoles because of the franchise’s popularity, but even Call of Duty is going to leave behind the older models eventually. Now that WWE 2K26 is exclusive to current gen consoles, there are bound to be PS4, Xbox One, and Switch players who are disappointed. It’s time, though, and it honestly has been for a while now. The past generation had an incredibly impressive run, but WWE 2K26 has to move on in order for the franchise to continue improving.

WWE 2K26 Being Current Gen-Only Already Has Some Major Benefits

Last week, 2K Games revealed a ton of WWE 2K26 details. From the roster to match types, there are a lot of exciting features planned for WWE 2K26. Many of these features have been franchise staples, but 2K Games has already been teasing how current gen tech will improve the overall quality of the game.

2K Games Promises WWE 2K26 Will Get a Big Gameplay Upgrade

In the official press release, 2K Games states that the game will have “upgraded physics interactions that make the action feel more dynamic and dangerous.” Of course, this is a pretty vague statement, but the differences can even be seen from simply watching the trailer. WWE 2K25 still had decent graphics for what it was, but WWE 2K26 clearly has higher quality visuals. Yes, some details, like the fire in Inferno matches, still look dated, but the quality of the wrestlers themselves is noticeably improved. It may not be a drastic change, but it’s still a solid step toward stronger visuals down the road. Comparing WWE 2K26 to WWE 2K25 is easier from a visual perspective, but the physics can’t fully be judged until the game launches.

Imaga via 2K

However, it’s hard to imagine a scenario where current gen hardware didn’t prove to be a big improvement gameplay-wise. WWE 2K26‘s match types are promising plenty of action-packed moments, and it will be fascinating to see how the upgraded physics feel.

Leaving Behind the Old Generation Means That WWE 2K26 Can Go Bigger Than Ever

• Improved Creation Suite
• More memory
• Larger roster of superstars
• Improvements to The Island
• Switch 2-specific features

This is just a general overview of what current gen hardware means for WWE 2K26, but it covers a lot of important ground. One of the most impressive changes being made is the upgrades to the Creation Suite. WWE 2K25 featured 100 custom character slots, but WWE 2K26 is doubling that with 200 save slots. This not only adds to replayability with brand-new characters, but it allows for even more player creativity. The current gen consoles simply give WWE 2K26 a lot more memory, and that alone is a big difference.

The Island and Fighter Roster Also See Big Changes

The Island returning to WWE 2K26 is a bit controversial, since the online multiplayer mode had its own issues that got in its way. However, this newer version of The Island isn’t just bigger, it’s more interactive. Players will be able to choose from three different factions in order to fight for control over the map. This mode will still potentially be divisive with its microtransactions, but players who enjoyed The Island are getting an even more immersive iteration because of what current gen consoles can support. Also, 2K Games has confirmed that there will be over 400 playable characters in WWE 2K26. That’s the biggest roster the franchise has seen yet, which is further proof of how much extra space current gen allows.

Switch 2-Specific Features Could Make the Console One of the Best Ways to Play WWE 2K26

Because of the Switch 2’s special features, playing on the Nintendo console brings a blend of PC and console controls for players to experiment with. The Switch 2’s mouse controls are one of the console’s most unique features, and WWE 2K26 is fully embracing the tech. The mouse controls can be used for building more detailed custom fighters in the Creation Suite, while GameShare and GameChat will be supported to bring some great multiplayer options to Switch 2 users.

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WWE 2K26 Focusing On the Current Gen Was Going to Happen Sooner or Later

It’s taken a while for some franchises to catch up and only focus on current gen, but it’s an inevitable shift that adopters of current consoles have been waiting on for ages. This shouldn’t be seen as leaving behind the PS4, Xbox One, and Switch; it should instead be viewed as the natural step forward, allowing new releases to finally feel cutting edge. There is already discourse and rumors about the PS6 and the next Xbox, so 2K Games’ window to showcase what WWE 2K looks like on modern hardware is dwindling. This is the only way for WWE 2K26 to get access to better physics, more memory, and hopefully, greater performance across the board.

Creating ports for both current gen and last gen consoles while also attempting to one-up the previous game is incredibly challenging. WWE 2K26‘s graphics may not be the mind-blowing leap that some expected, but its visuals are still an overall improvement. The main differences are going to be felt in the actual gameplay, though, which is good since quality gameplay is ultimately more important than impressive visuals, anyway. Still, WWE 2K26 is the first step in the game’s graphics eventually catching up with the evolving mechanics. and WWE 2K27 will hopefully look even better because of this shift. 2K26 marks a major transition for the WWE 2K series, and it will be fascinating to see how this chapter impacts future entries.