Why WWE 2K26 leaves last-gen consoles out in the cold is a good thing

There are several big name franchises that still offer ports from previous generations. One of the most notable in recent months was Call of Duty: Black Ops 7. It makes sense for Activision to cater to previous generation consoles due to the popularity of the franchise, but also Call of Duty will 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 disappointed. However, the time has come, and frankly it has been for a while now. The past generation had an incredibly impressive run, though WWE 2K26 must move forward for the franchise to continue to improve.

WWE 2K26 being current Gen-Only already has some big advantages

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

2K Games promises that WWE 2K26 will receive a major gameplay upgrade

In the official press release, 2K Games states that the game will have “upgraded physics interaction that makes the action feel more dynamic and dangerous.” Of course, this is a rather vague statement, but the differences can be seen even from just watching the trailer. WWE 2K25 still had good graphics for what it was, though WWE 2K26 clearly has higher image quality. 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 towards stronger images down the road. Comparative WWE 2K26 to WWE 2K25 is easier from a visual perspective, but the physics cannot be fully assessed until the game launches.

Image via 2K

However, it's hard to imagine a scenario where current gen hardware didn't turn out to be a huge improvement in terms of gameplay. WWE 2K26s match types promise plenty of action-packed moments, and it will be fascinating to see how the upgraded physics feel.

Leaving the old generation behind means WWE 2K26 could be bigger than ever

• Enhanced Creation Suite

• More memory

• Larger list of superstars

• Improvements to the island

• Switch 2 specific functions

This is just a general overview of what current gen hardware means WWE 2K26but it covers many important areas. One of the most impressive changes being made is the upgrades to the Creation Suite. WWE 2K25 contained 100 custom character slots, but WWE 2K26 doubles it with 200 save slots. Not only does this increase replayability with brand new characters, but it allows for even more player creativity. The current gen consoles simply deliver WWE 2K26 much more memory, and that alone is a big difference.

The Island and Fighter Roster also see big changes

The island returns to WWE 2K26 is somewhat controversial, as the online multiplayer mode had its own issues that got in the way. However, this newer version of The Island isn't just bigger, it's more interactive. Players will be able to choose between three different factions to battle for control of the map. This mode will still potentially be divisive with its microtransactions, but players who enjoyed The Island will get an even more immersive iteration due to what current-gen consoles can support. Additionally, 2K Games has confirmed that there will be over 400 playable characters WWE 2K26. It's the largest roster the franchise has seen to date, which is further proof of how much extra room the current gen allows.

Switch 2-specific features could make the console one of the best ways to play WWE 2K26

Due to the Switch 2's special features, playing on the Nintendo console gives gamers a mix of PC and console controls for gamers to experiment with. The Switch 2's mouse controller is one of the console's most unique features, and WWE 2K26 fully embraces technology. The mouse controls can be used to build 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 generation was bound to happen sooner or later

It's taken a while for some franchises to catch on and just focus on current gen, but it's an inevitable change that current console users have been waiting for forever. This shouldn't be seen as leaving the PS4, Xbox One and Switch behind; instead, it should be seen as the natural step forward, allowing new releases to finally feel groundbreaking. 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 decreases. This is the only way for WWE 2K26 to gain access to better physics, more memory and hopefully better performance across the board.

Creating ports for both current and last generation consoles while trying to improve upon the previous game is incredibly challenging. WWE 2K26s graphics may not be the mind-blowing leap some expected, but its graphics are still an overall improvement. However, the biggest differences will be felt in the gameplay itself, which is good because quality gameplay is ultimately more important than impressive visuals, anyway. Still, WWE 2K26 is the first step in the game's graphics that will eventually catch up with the mechanics in development. and WWE 2K27 will hopefully look even better because of this shift. 2K26 marks a major transition for WWE 2K series, and it will be fascinating to see how this chapter affects future entries.