WWE Day of Reckoning

Last updated
WWE Day of Reckoning
Day of Reckoning.jpg
North American cover art featuring Trish Stratus, Triple H and Randy Orton
Developer(s) Yuke's
Publisher(s)
Platform(s) GameCube
Release
  • NA: 30 August 2004
  • EU: 17 September 2004
  • AU: 24 September 2004 [1]
  • JP: 13 January 2005
Genre(s) Sports (fighting)
Mode(s) Single-player, multiplayer

WWE Day of Reckoning is a 2004 professional wrestling video game released for the GameCube console by THQ. The game is based on World Wrestling Entertainment, and many of the wrestlers who were on the WWE roster at the time of release were included as player characters. The game also features the option to create wrestlers.

Contents

The game's single-player mode involves the player guiding a created wrestler through the ranks as a rookie and into main event stardom on either of WWE's brands Raw or SmackDown! .

Gameplay

The game features a control system similar to that of AKI's Nintendo 64 wrestling games, with weak/strong grappling attacks and strikes. Players can also counter to their opponents' attacks with a timed button press. One of the game's unique features is the "Momentum Shift" move — a desperation attack that gives a character an instant advantage during the match. [2] The game's Exhibition mode allows players to wrestle in various match types including Hell in the Cell and Iron Man matches. [3] The game's Story Mode allows players to take a created wrestler from WWE developmental to main event status by achieving various goals during matches. [2]

Plot

The player creates a new WWE developmental superstar and assumes their role in the game. The created superstar starts off as a new wrestler signed to a WWE contract attempting to work his way up to the main roster. After this series of matches and cutscenes, the superstar is allowed to perform on Sunday Night Heat , before he finally is allowed to join the main roster. There are two different brands to choose from ( Raw or SmackDown! ), each with their own distinct roster of wrestlers. As an effect, this will also choose which stable they will join. Choosing Raw results in joining Triple H's Evolution. Choosing SmackDown! results in joining The Undertaker's New Ministry.

The superstar goes on and works his way up the "rungs of the ladder" in a series of matches, ultimately resulting in the acquisition of the show's World Championship. If the player has chosen Raw, the World Heavyweight Championship will be awarded. If SmackDown! was chosen, the WWE Championship will be awarded.

As the story progresses, Triple H or The Undertaker starts kicking people off the team as they fail him or (as in the case of the created superstar) become a threat to his championship. The final battle is an Iron Man match at WrestleMania XX for the championship.

The story is continued in the sequel, WWE Day of Reckoning 2 , though under the assumption that the superstar chose Raw.

Reception

GameSpot's Alex Navarro lauded the game for its improved story mode and graphics compared to the WWE's previous GameCube game WWE WrestleMania XIX , as did IGN's Matt Casamassina. However, both sites found fault with the game's limited selection of wrestlers. [2] [3] The game itself received "favorable" reviews according to video game review aggregator Metacritic. [4] In Japan, Famitsu gave it a score of one eight, one seven, one eight, and one six, for a total of 29 out of 40. [6]

Sequel

The game was followed by a sequel released in 2005, titled WWE Day of Reckoning 2 .

See also

Related Research Articles

<i>WWE 2K</i> Video game series

WWE 2K, formerly released as WWF SmackDown!, WWE SmackDown!, WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw, WWE SmackDown vs. Raw, WWE, and Exciting Pro Wrestling in Japan, is a series of professional wrestling sports simulation video games that launched in 2000. The premise of the series is to emulate professional wrestling, specifically that of WWE, formerly known as the World Wrestling Federation (WWF). The series began with WWF SmackDown! on the original PlayStation and has continued as an annual release. It was originally exclusive to PlayStation platforms until 2006's WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2007, which expanded the series to other platforms. In 2013, the series was rebranded as WWE 2K, beginning with WWE 2K14.

<i>WWF WrestleMania X8</i> (video game) 2002 video game

WWF WrestleMania X8 is a professional wrestling video game developed by Yuke's and released on the GameCube by THQ in June 2002.

<i>WWE WrestleMania XIX</i> (video game) 2003 video game

WWE WrestleMania XIX is a professional wrestling video game released for the GameCube by THQ in 2003. Based on the professional wrestling promotion World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), it is the sequel to WWF WrestleMania X8. The roster consists of around sixty-nine WWE wrestlers between May 2002 and March 2003, as the WWE was beginning to shift its momentum from the Attitude Era into the Ruthless Aggression Era.

<i>WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw</i> 2004 professional wrestling video game

WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw is a professional wrestling video game developed by Yuke's and published by THQ for the PlayStation 2 on November 2, 2004, in North America. It is the sixth installment of professional wrestling promotion World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE)'s video game series, the sequel to 2003's WWE SmackDown! Here Comes the Pain, and the first game to be released under the SmackDown! vs. Raw title. The game series was rebranded after the introduction of the brand extension which divided WWE's roster into two brands, the latter brand in the game's title being named after WWE's weekly Monday Night Raw program.

<i>WWE Day of Reckoning 2</i> 2005 video game

WWE Day of Reckoning 2 is a 2005 professional wrestling video game released for the GameCube by THQ. It is the sequel to WWE Day of Reckoning. The soundtrack features music by industrial metal group A Dark Halo, who performed two songs in the game including its theme song "Burn It All".

<i>WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw 2006</i> 2005 professional wrestling video game

WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw 2006 is a professional wrestling video game and developed by Yuke's that was released on the PlayStation 2 and PlayStation Portable by THQ in 2005. It is part of the WWE SmackDown vs. Raw video game series based on the professional wrestling promotion World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), and is the successor to the 2004 game of the same name. SmackDown! vs. Raw 2006 was also the first game in the series to be released on PlayStation Portable and the last game in the SmackDown!/SmackDown! vs. Raw series that was PlayStation exclusive.

<i>WWE SmackDown! Shut Your Mouth</i> 2002 professional wrestling video game

WWE SmackDown! Shut Your Mouth is a 2002 professional wrestling video game released for the PlayStation 2 by THQ and developed by Yuke's. It is the fourth game in the WWE SmackDown! video game series, based on the professional wrestling promotion World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), and the sequel to WWF SmackDown! Just Bring It. It is also the first game in the series to be released under the "WWE" banner.

<i>WWE Raw 2</i> 2003 video game

WWE Raw 2 is a professional wrestling video game released for the Xbox console by THQ in 2003, and developed by Tokyo-based company Anchor Inc. It is the sequel to the WWF Raw game that was released in 2002. WWE Raw 2 is the last Raw video game to be released on the Xbox and was succeeded by WWE WrestleMania 21.

<i>WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2007</i> 2006 professional wrestling video game

WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2007 is a professional wrestling video game developed by Yuke's and published by THQ in 2006. It is the third game under the WWE SmackDown vs Raw name, the eighth game overall in the video game series based on the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) professional wrestling promotion, and is the successor to 2005's WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw 2006. The game was released worldwide in November 2006 for PlayStation 2 and Xbox 360, and a month later for PlayStation Portable. The Xbox 360 version was the first game in the series to be published on a seventh-generation video game console. A PlayStation 3 version was also planned as a launch title but was later canceled.

<i>WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008</i> 2007 professional wrestling video game

WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008 is a professional wrestling video game published by THQ in November 2007, and developed by Yuke's for the PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Wii, and PlayStation Portable video game consoles, with Amaze Entertainment overseeing development for the Nintendo DS version.

<i>WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009</i> 2008 professional wrestling video game

WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009 is a professional wrestling video game developed by Yuke's and published by THQ for the PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, Wii, and Xbox 360 video game consoles, with TOSE overseeing development for the Nintendo DS version. The game was first released on November 9, 2008, in North America. It is the tenth overall installment in the video game series based on the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) promotion, and the fifth game under the SmackDown vs. Raw name, named after the promotion's Raw and SmackDown brands. It is the sequel to 2007's SmackDown vs. Raw 2008 and the second game to feature the promotion's ECW brand.

<i>WWE Legends of WrestleMania</i> 2009 video game

WWE Legends of WrestleMania is a professional wrestling video game featuring legends of the professional wrestling promotion, World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), who have appeared at WrestleManias 1 to XV in the 1980s and 1990s; during that time, WWE was known as the World Wrestling Federation (WWF). The game was released for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in March 2009 to coincide with WrestleMania 25. The game was developed by Yuke's and published by THQ, the same developer and publisher for the WWE SmackDown vs. Raw video game series. The retro WWE logo featured in the game was a slight modification of the 1980s and early 1990s WWF logo to match the letter design of the current logo. Unlike all other WWE Smackdown vs. Raw games released, this game was not ported over to the PlayStation 2 or Wii.

<i>WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2010</i> 2009 professional wrestling video game

WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2010 is a professional wrestling video game developed by Yuke's and published by THQ for PlayStation 2 (PS2), PlayStation 3 (PS3), PlayStation Portable (PSP), Wii, Nintendo DS, Xbox 360, and iOS. It was released worldwide in October 2009, with the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions for Japan in January 2010. TOSE oversaw the development for the Nintendo DS version, which was the last installment to be released for the handheld. 2010 was also the first installment to be released as an iPhone app, launching on App Store on December 23 the same year.

<i>WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2011</i> 2010 professional wrestling video game

WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2011 is a professional wrestling video game developed by Yuke's and published by THQ for PlayStation 2 (PS2), PlayStation 3 (PS3), PlayStation Portable (PSP), Xbox 360, and Wii systems. The game was released worldwide in October 2010, with the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions for Japan in February 2011.

<i>WWE All Stars</i> 2011 professional wrestling video game

WWE All Stars is a professional wrestling video game published by THQ and developed by THQ San Diego for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 systems and Subdued Software for the PlayStation Portable, Wii, Nintendo 3DS and PlayStation 2 systems. The game features current and former WWE wrestlers competing in fast-paced wrestling matches. It was released on March 29, 2011, in North America and April 1, 2011, in Europe. It is also the only WWE video game to be available for the Nintendo 3DS and the last WWE video game to be released on the PlayStation 2 and PlayStation Portable.

<i>WWE 13</i> 2012 wrestling video game

WWE '13 is a professional wrestling video game developed by Yuke's and published by THQ for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and Wii. It was released on October 30, 2012, in North America and November 2, 2012, in United Kingdom. It is the fourteenth overall installment in the WWE series, the sequel to WWE '12, and the last installment to be released on a Nintendo Wii console until WWE 2K18 in 2017. It was also the last WWE-licensed game to be published by THQ before the company's demise in January 2013, ending their relationship with WWE after 14 years. Following THQ's liquidation, Take-Two Interactive would acquire the publishing rights to future games, as the WWE series would be rebranded as the WWE 2K series and would be published by 2K.

<i>WWE 2K15</i> 2014 video game

WWE 2K15 is a professional wrestling video game developed by Yuke's and published by 2K for PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One and Microsoft Windows. It is the sequel to WWE 2K14, and was succeeded by WWE 2K16. It was released on October 28, 2014, in North America and on October 31, 2014, in Europe for last generation consoles and released on November 18, 2014, in North America and on November 21, 2014, in Europe for current generation consoles. It was released for Microsoft Windows on April 28, 2015, and was the first WWE game to be released on the platform since WWE Raw, which was released in 2002. Online server play was shut down on May 31, 2016. It is the first game in the series to use the new WWE logo since it was introduced earlier in 2014, which was originally used as the logo of the WWE Network.

<i>WWE 2K16</i> 2015 video game

WWE 2K16 is a professional wrestling video game developed by Yuke's and published by 2K for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360 and Xbox One. It is the sequel to WWE 2K15, and was succeeded by WWE 2K17. It was released on October 27, 2015, in North America and on October 30, 2015, in Europe, while being released on PC on March 11, 2016.

<i>WWE 2K18</i> 2017 video game download

WWE 2K18 is a professional wrestling video game developed by Yuke's and published by 2K. It is the nineteenth instalment in the WWE game series and a follow-up to WWE 2K17. It was released worldwide on October 17, 2017, for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch. With its release, WWE 2K18 became the first in the series to be exclusively released on eighth generation hardware and also the first in the series to be released for PC and consoles simultaneously. A Nintendo Switch version followed on December 6, 2017, the only release of the series for the Switch and the first WWE game to be released for a Nintendo platform since WWE '13.

<i>WWE 2K22</i> 2022 video game

WWE 2K22 is a 2022 professional wrestling sports video game developed by Visual Concepts and published by 2K. It is the twenty-second overall installment of the video game series based on WWE, the eighth game under the WWE 2K banner, and the successor to 2019's WWE 2K20. It was released on March 11, 2022, for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. The follow-up title, WWE 2K23, was released on March 14, 2023.

References

  1. van Leuveren, Luke (August 30, 2004). "Updated Australian Release List - 30/08/04". PALGN. PAL Gaming Network. Archived from the original on September 10, 2006. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Navarro, Alex (30 August 2004). "WWE Day of Reckoning Review". GameSpot . Archived from the original on 13 July 2016. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
  3. 1 2 3 Casamassina, Matt (27 August 2004). "WWE Day of Reckoning". IGN . Archived from the original on 3 April 2015. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
  4. 1 2 "WWE Day of Reckoning for GameCube Reviews". Metacritic . Archived from the original on 4 March 2015. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
  5. EGM staff (November 2004). "WWE Day of Reckoning". Electronic Gaming Monthly . No. 184. p. 151.
  6. 1 2 "Famitsu scores (GT4!)". NeoGAF. 5 January 2005. Archived from the original on 20 April 2016. Retrieved 8 April 2016.
  7. Zoss, Jeremy (October 2004). "WWE: Day of Reckoning". Game Informer . No. 138. p. 137. Archived from the original on 28 April 2009.
  8. Manny LaMancha (November 2004). "WWE Day of Reckoning Review for GameCube on GamePro.com". GamePro . p. 110. Archived from the original on 4 February 2005. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
  9. Reilly, Mike (20 September 2004). "WWE Day of Reckoning Review". Game Revolution. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
  10. Leeper, Justin (2 September 2004). "GameSpy: WWE Day of Reckoning". GameSpy. Archived from the original on 2 December 2005. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
  11. Bedigian, Louis (13 September 2004). "WWE Day of Reckoning - GC - Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on 1 November 2008. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
  12. "WWE Day of Reckoning". Nintendo Power . Vol. 185. November 2004. p. 130.
  13. Villoria, Gerald (18 October 2004). "WWE Day of Reckoning Review". X-Play. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
  14. Steinberg, Scott (31 August 2004). "WWE Day of Reckoning". Maxim . Archived from the original on 28 August 2004. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
  15. Herold, Charles (30 September 2004). "GAME THEORY; The Art of the Takedown, by Car, Fist or Robot". The New York Times . Archived from the original on 5 April 2015. Retrieved 7 March 2015.