3. WWE Smackdown! Here Comes The Pain
The Smackdown series had been toying with greatness for some time before the release of 2003’s Here Comes The Pain, but found itself falling just short by failing to really capture that “it” factor would turn the games into something special.
Here Comes The Pain would find its “it” factor in the form of a proper career mode. Never before had a wrestling game aimed to recreate the storytelling style of WWE programming so faithfully and never before had one succeeded so clearly in doing so. On top of that, you’ve got an accurate recreation of the greatest roster WWE ever assembled as well as a game that’s equally concerned with cultivating a sense of fun as it is with recreating the product. It’s a delicate balance, but Here Comes The Pain nails it.
Modern day wrestling games have been chasing the accomplishments of Here Comes The Pain since its release and we’re still waiting to see if one will come along to beat it.
