Simply put, the best WWE game of all time. WWE SmackDown! Here Comes The Pain couples the frenetic pace of the earlier SmackDown titles with fantastic graphics and an second to none grappling system making for unrivalled gameplay. We saw damage meters for the first time while individual character scales that consisted of stats such as strength, endurance and speed, and submission were also introduced. Facets that every WWE game has used since. Gimmick matches like the Elimination Chamber and Bra & Panties matches were seen for the first time which made the experience an almost perfect one. Legends such as Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka, "Rowdy" Roddy Piper and early 90s Undertaker were used and came to the ring with no music but in the small rings that ferried the superstars to the ring at WrestleMania III making them seem almost immortal. A nice touch. The roster was arguably the greatest ever seen. Here Comes The Pain marked the debut of John Cena, Batista, Chavo Guerrero and Rey Mysterio while it would be the last game Brock Lesnar appeared in until WWE '12 and Goldberg till WWE 2K14. Plus, HCTP marked The Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin's last appearance as non-legend players. Here Comes The Pain also got rid of the awful commentary that has blighted so many titles. Maybe WWE 2K16 should take notice of this. This was the Lex Luger of WWE games. The Total Package.
