WWE 2K26 Introduces Battle Passes and Mouse Controls for Switch 2

With the Royal Rumble set for January 31, the excitement is building as new images from the upcoming WWE 2K26 video game have been unveiled, with a release date of March 13. Fans are eager to see cover star CM Punk, the reigning World Heavyweight Champion, who last graced the cover of a wrestling game with WWE 13 before his departure from the company, only to make a triumphant return in 2023.

The latest entry in 2K’s series promises a host of updates and new features that will enhance gameplay. While some elements remain consistent, such as the multiple editions—King of Kings, Attitude Era, and Monday Night Wars—and the familiar game modes, a significant shift is happening with the approach to downloadable content (DLC).

DLC is being replaced by battle passes. The Ringside Pass will take the place of traditional DLC packs from previous titles, unlocking additional content and offering a free tier of rewards that players can earn without spending extra cash.

This free tier will feature 60 items, while the premium tier will add another 40 items, all available in the first pass. 2K has indicated that there will be multiple passes throughout the game’s lifecycle, and none will expire. So, if you decide to jump in during the holiday season, you can still earn rewards from earlier Ringside Passes.

As for the rewards, expect a mix of what would have been included in DLC packs, plus some extras. A press release highlights “superstars, cosmetic and customization items, VC, MyFaction and The Island content, and more” as part of the offerings. The first pass will be available at launch in early March.

CM Punk will be featured on the cover of the standard edition, priced at $69.99, which includes over 400 playable superstars, access to the Ringside Pass, and a pre-order bonus bundle themed around Joe Hendry, a former TNA champion and current NXT star.

The Joe Hendry pack includes:

Preordering any version on PS5, Xbox Series X, or PC will also grant you last year’s WWE 2K25 base game for free.

Beyond the standard edition, there are three premium versions packed with extras. The King of Kings edition, featuring Triple H on the cover, retails for $99.99 and includes everything from the base game along with several bonuses. Here’s what you can expect from the King of Kings edition:

Next up is the Attitude Era edition, priced at $129.99, which brings back beloved characters and storylines from WWE’s late ’90s era, often regarded as the pinnacle of WWE programming. This edition includes all content from the Standard and King of Kings editions, plus additional features:

Finally, for the ultimate collectors, the super-premium Monday Night Wars edition is available for $149.99, incorporating elements from the rival promotion WCW. While some iconic WCW stars like Sting and Ric Flair are absent due to their AEW contracts, this edition still offers a wealth of content beyond the Standard, King of Kings, and Attitude Era editions. Check out the offerings below.

If you’ve been following WWE recently, you’ll recognize some of the new match types. The standout is the Three Stages of Hell match, where two superstars compete in a best-of-three falls format with different match types for each fall. The latest match saw Drew McIntyre defeat Cody Rhodes to claim the WWE Championship, harking back to the original match type introduced in 2001 when Triple H faced “Stone Cold” Steve Austin.

Another new match type is the dumpster match, where the objective is to toss your opponent into a dumpster and close the lid. This is reminiscent of the casket match from WWE 2K24 but with a lot more trash involved. A memorable dumpster match in 2024 featured Chelsea Greene and Michin, ending with Greene covered in refuse.

Additionally, two classic match types are making a return: the I Quit match, where you must inflict enough damage to force your opponent to say “I quit,” and the Inferno match, a dangerous spectacle from the Attitude Era that features a ring surrounded by flames.

In addition to these new matches, there are numerous upgrades on the horizon. The Island, first introduced in WWE 2K25 as a gamified hub for earning and purchasing cosmetics, returns with a fresh story and is now available across all platforms. Last year, it was exclusive to Xbox Series X and PS5, leaving Switch 2 and PC players out in the cold, which was particularly disappointing for Switch 2 users.

Fortunately, 2K has enhanced the experience for Switch 2 players, adding unique features like GameShare and GameChat, as well as the ability to play with a single Joy-Con. The most exciting addition is touchscreen and mouse support for the Creation Suite, allowing players to design their perfect wrestler with swipes instead of relying solely on a controller.

Other enhancements include more slots for created wrestlers, updated versions of MyFaction, MyRise, MyGM, and Showcase mode, which this year focuses on CM Punk. 2K has also made notable changes to Universe mode, allowing players to craft their own wrestling world, complete with the WWE draft, new promo types, and improved Money in the Bank cash-ins.

And of course, no wrestling game would be complete without an arsenal of weapons. This year, 2K is introducing a long-requested item: thumbtacks. While the exact damage they inflict remains to be seen, it’s about time players can powerbomb opponents onto those tiny metal spikes. Other weapons include shopping carts and stackable tables, all set to add chaos to the ring.

WWE 2K26 is set to launch on March 13 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC. Players who opt for the King of Kings, Attitude Era, or Monday Night Wars editions will gain early access on March 6.