91
One of the best wrestling games we've ever played...With its ultra-improved gameplay mechanics, enhanced visual engine, smarter career mode, and established create-a-character feature, Yukes and THQ are definitely the track to success.
80
How about a Bra & Panties mode where WWE Divas rip off each other’s clothes? It’s the raunchiest Teen-rated action you’ll find anywhere.
90
An absolutely awesome wrestling experience...Thanks to features like improved graphics, more match types, and an overhauled grappling system, it's definitely the most realistic and rewarding WWE game on the market. [Dec 2003, p.56]
10
Loved this game spent hours playing it! So good. You won't get bored with it and season mode was fun as.
9
I’ve played many WWE games that are widely considered the best WWF No Mercy, WWE 2K14, WWE All Stars, WWE 2K19, and SmackDown vs. Raw 2007. All of them are excellent in their own ways. However, despite all that, this game stands above the rest for **** gameplay is the biggest reason. It’s incredibly engaging and never feels boring. Every move looks devastating, impactful, and satisfying, which makes every match feel intense and meaningful. There’s a real sense of weight and power behind each action that keeps me coming **** Season Mode may not be perfect, but it’s still fun and enjoyable, offering enough variety to stay entertaining. On top of that, the roster is fantastic—stacked with memorable wrestlers that add even more value to the experience.Overall, I absolutely adore this game. Even today, it remains one of the best WWE games ever made—period.
10
One of the greatest Wrestling game if not in a-lot of fans perspective the greatest wrestling game with honestly not many besides WWF No Mercy on N64 are keeping up with this game as the gameplay and mechanics are just in my opinion near perfect a perfect entry into the SmackDown! Series and possibly the greatest if not one of the greatest titles THQ and WWE have ever released set such a great standard as future titles like some entries of SmackDown! vs Raw couldn’t even compare to Here Comes The Pain. For the diehard or even casual Wrestling fan gamer this should be in your PS2 catalog.
WWE SmackDown! Here Comes the Pain
PlayStation 2
Released On:
Oct 27, 2003
Metascore
Generally Favorable
85
User score
Generally Favorable
8.9
My Score
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All Platforms
Metascore
Generally Favorable
93% Positive
25 Reviews
25 Reviews
7% Mixed
2 Reviews
2 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
100
The best wrestling game on the market for any platform.
92
Bar none, the best WWE wrestling game of the series and one that will leave fans more than satisfied.
User score
Generally Favorable
90% Positive
188 Ratings
188 Ratings
8% Mixed
16 Ratings
16 Ratings
2% Negative
5 Ratings
5 Ratings
Mar 16, 2026
10
Loved this game spent hours playing it! So good. You won't get bored with it and season mode was fun as.
Nov 18, 2025
10
One of the greatest Wrestling game if not in a-lot of fans perspective the greatest wrestling game with honestly not many besides WWF No Mercy on N64 are keeping up with this game as the gameplay and mechanics are just in my opinion near perfect a perfect entry into the SmackDown! Series and possibly the greatest if not one of the greatest titles THQ and WWE have ever released set such a great standard as future titles like some entries of SmackDown! vs Raw couldn’t even compare to Here Comes The Pain. For the diehard or even casual Wrestling fan gamer this should be in your PS2 catalog.
90
A severe, albeit pleasant, shock to system. The game has grabbed me in a way that only “No Mercy” has ever topped.
88
Probably the best wrestling game to come out since "No Mercy" on the N64. Yukes seems to have finally combined what was great in the AKI games on N64 and what was great in the Smackdown games.
83
The lighting effects and polygonal detail has been kicked up a few notches, and for those of you who don't like your grapplers dipped in corn oil, HCTP has the best looking character models on the market - more realistic in motion, musculature and personal detail than Raw 2's sweaty oafs.
80
As the wrestling game with the most depth, great playability, impressive visuals, and slick presentation, SmackDown! Here Comes the Pain delivers in all the categories WWE fans hold in high regard.
70
The first game in the series that tries to accommodate both sides by combining quick action with the technical elements of wrestling, and it works -- almost. [Jan 2004, p.132]
Aug 11, 2025
10
out of all the wrestling games that released after no mercy the only one that is possibly better then no mercy is this game
Mar 11, 2025
10
No Wrestling Game can top Here Comes The Pain. It's not just the best Wrestling Game but a great Game.
Mar 13, 2024
10
Best Wrestling game ever created, hands down!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jun 20, 2023
5
I've tried to like this game but I can't! It has a very rotten and outdated gameplay unlike the WWE 2009/10/11 which in addition to the beautiful graphics also has a great gameplay. Maybe if I had played this in 2003 I would have liked it better
SummaryFeatures an exclusive story mode with original storylines developed by WWE. Unique Superstar abilities featuring real-life attributes of strength, submission, technique, speed and stamina. New and improved controls including an in-depth countering and interactive submission system. All-new match types including Bra & Panty, First Blood a... Read More
Rated Tfor Teen
