Parents' Guide to

WWE 2K19

By David Chapman, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 13+

Violent wrestling game takes the sports entertainment crown.

Game PlayStation 4 , Windows , Xbox One 2018
WWE 2K19 Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this game.

Community Reviews

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age 9+

Based on 1 parent review

Awesomemama
Awesomemama Adult
April 2, 2019
age 9+
I really don’t think it’s that bad because you can turn off the blood setting and you can switch the match attire to make the wrestlers not expose skin. Also, my kid has played it and he has not been violent. I was adding that because I have talked to other parents about this and that is what they were worried about.
1 person found this helpful.
See all 1 parent review

What’s It About?

It's time to return to the squared circle with WWE 2K19, the latest entry in 2K Games' best-selling sports entertainment franchise. You can replay classic matchups or create new rivalries with a massive roster of more than 190 WWE superstars from the past and present, as well as future superstars eager to rise through the ranks. Players can use the in-game tools to create their own custom matches, events, and even title belts. There's also the option to play through the single-player Showcase mode to follow the career of Daniel Bryan, from his early days in WWE development to his first championship title win, and from his heartbreaking forced retirement to his triumphant ring return against all odds two years later. Better still, you can create your own wrestler and forge your own legacy, as you rise through the ranks and fight your way to headline the grandest stage of all: WrestleMania.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (1 ):
Kids say (7 ):

The best way to describe the action in this WWE game is one part comic book, one part live stunt performance, and one part B-movie acting ... and fans wouldn't have it any other way. WWE 2K19 brings that showmanship home once again with the biggest entry yet in the sports entertainment franchise. There's no denying this game is bursting at the seams with content. The roster has more than 190 superstars from WWE's past and present, not counting any future downloadable content. The game features more elements to create your own custom content, from wrestlers to belts to events. There's a much more authentic MyCareer mode that actually (and finally) features voice-overs from the wrestlers, and WWE 2K19 also marks the long-awaited return of the single-player Showcase mode, which has been absent the past couple of entries. All of this adds up to make WWE 2K19 a heavyweight in terms of in-game content.

But just like in the WWE, a good gimmick will only take you just so far; it's how you perform in the ring that counts. Thankfully, WWE 2K19 is a pretty strong performer, though this is mainly due to experience more than anything. From a gameplay perspective, WWE 2K19 seems to follow the "If it ain't broke" philosophy. Most of the changes are incremental polishing and tweaks added to a tried-and-true formula. That's not to say WWE 2K19 is perfect. Far from it. Sure, the visuals are a little more detailed, the controls are a little more responsive, and the movements are a little more fluid, but occasional glitches still rear their ugly head. A character might get stuck in the ropes for a few seconds, or a punch that seems wide might connect in a physics-defying way. These are minor nuisances, but they exist nonetheless. The simple truth is that the series has gotten to the point where there's only so much that can be done without a complete overhaul. In the meantime, WWE 2K19 still rules the ring and takes home the championship belt as the best game the franchise has seen to date.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about violence in video games. Is the impact of the violence in WWE 2K19 affected by the fact that many of these moves and performances are staged instead of intentionally being used against people? What are the possible risks of imitating the moves performed in the game or on television? How do WWE superstars train to perform without serious injury, and what dangers can they still face?

  • How do customization options give players a more personal experience when it comes to creating characters and events? What sort of characters are you most likely to play: a heroic babyface or a villainous heel?

Game Details

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