Every feature has been confirmed for WWE 2K26 so far

The wait for WWE 2K26 just got a little shorter, as a release date was finally made official last week. Players who are hungry for the next era of WWE 2K will want to mark their calendars for March 13, as the series continues its tradition of releasing during this month. WWE 2K26 making some big changes this time as well. WWE 2K26 leaving the last generation of consoles behind and finally bringing the series fully into the modern era. On top of that, a stacked playlist, improved gameplay and a wide range of match types promises one of the most action-packed WWE 2K game yet.

WWE 2K26's The Island is getting a makeover, CM Punk will be in the spotlight, and players will have plenty of ways to live out their WWE fantasies. 2K Games mixes new ideas with classic ones WWE 2K staples, and there's a lot to unpack before the game's launch in March.

WWE 2K26 brings players a roster packed with legends both new and old

One of the biggest features is of course the fighter roster. WWE 2K26s roster of wrestlers is absolutely stacked this year with currently active WWE members and some of the company's most iconic names. So, regardless of which era of WWE is a player's favorite, WWE 2K26 has it covered with a long list of fighters from different brands.

Confirmed Brands and Fighter Count for WWE 2K26 so far

• RAW Roster – 34 Superstars

• Smackdown Roster – 31 Superstars

• NXT Roster – 12 Superstars

• Legends Roster – 32 Superstars

When it comes to the RAW lineup, superstars like Rhea Ripley, Jey Uso and Seth Rollins are back in action, while Smackdown showcases other wrestling legends in the making, like Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns. For many, one of the most intriguing lineups will be the legendary roster. Longtime fans will get to play as Andre the Giant, The Rock, John Cena and Chyna. Some wrestlers have already even confirmed that they have alternate versions that will be DLC.

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WWE 2K26 doesn't suffer from a lack of match type or gameplay improvements

In total there are 33 different match types in WWE 2K26. There are four new match modes in the lineup as well: 3 Stages of Hell, Dumpster, I Quit and Inferno. Before 2K Games confirmed the matches, there was speculation that these four options would be added to the mix, so it's exciting to see that these predictions turned out to be true. The four new match modes aren't the only ones worth looking forward to either. Ambulance matches, Battle Royal, Brawl and Hell in a Cell are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to returning modes. However, one of the highlights revolves entirely around CM Punk.

CM Punk gets this year's WWE 2K26 Showcase Spotlight

WWE 2K26's CM Punk Showcase has been rumored for a while now, but it's finally been made official. 2K Showcase: Punked honors the legacy of longtime wrestling legend, CM Punk. Over the years, CM Punk has gone through many different transformations, and that makes him perfect for the Showcase. He even narrates the mode himself, bringing an even deeper personal touch to the various stories and fights that players get to experience for themselves.

The game is getting an upgrade across the board

More match options and a CM Punk Showcase aren't the only ways it WWE 2K26 plans to take the franchise to the next level. New items like staples bring even more pain in the ring, while the current gen console allows for better physics and controls. The Custom Character Creation Suite also doubles the number of save slots this year, going from 100 to 200. Body and face transformation tools are teased as the series' best ever, allowing players to create even better unique wrestlers. With a closing date for WWE 2K25 already confirmed, WWE 2K26s revamped gameplay and embrace of current-gen consoles shows that 2K Games is looking to the franchise's future.

Despite its controversial debut, the island returns to WWE 2K26

The island is a cool concept, but its potential was ruined by a huge amount of microtransactions. Understandably, this frustrated many fans. However, WWE 2K26 brings back the online mode, but this time with some interesting tweaks. Now, WWE 2K26's The Island will have three factions to stand on. With a new progression system, the three factions will fight for dominance on the island. Of course, there will still be shops and other ways for The Island to host microtransactions, but the three-faction system sounds like a fun spin that could be just what the online mode needs to reach its potential.

There are four editions to choose from

Each edition depends on a player's preference, but the higher editions are sure to attract collectors and the most die-hard fans. The higher the price tag, the more extra perks included in the game. However, all editions include the base game, which is obviously the most important part to have. WWE 2K26's Monday Night War Edition has a shockingly hefty price tag, but it also has many in-game additions, such as the Wrestlemania 42 Pack that is scheduled to arrive this summer. It includes the season pass as well as the packs from the other editions, with 3 exclusive wrestlers (DX Shawn Michaels, Macho Man '98 and Roddy Piper '98), a WCW arena and DDP emote exclusive to the most expensive version.

No matter which of the four WWE 2K26 editions a player gets, 2K Games makes it clear that the developer hopes this entry is one of the franchise's best. Its launch and post-launch content will be the deciding factor in how it's received, though WWE 2K26The extensive features suggest that it can be an exciting wrestling game.