WWE All Stars was released on March 29th, 2011 for the seventh generation consoles, and it stood apart. At the time when the game was released, the WWE was only making the popular SmackDown vs. Raw series. So, when the spin-off title was announced, it was a shocker to video game fans.
RELATED: 10 Things We're Tired Of In WWE Video Games
However, upon release, the game was well-received, with some reviewers stating that the title was the best wrestling game in years. Now, over a decade since its release, many WWE fans might even know that the game was released. This is a shame, given that the title is one of the best wrestling games ever.
10 It's An Arcade-Style Game
When gamers picked up WWE All Stars in March 2011, many likely didn't know how the title would play. However, they knew one thing, it wasn't like SmackDown vs. Raw or any title that came before it. No, this title was an outlandish, arcade game.
Players did battle in a fighting game closer to Mortal Kombat than SmackDown vs. Raw. The colorful, bright graphics were the perfect backdrop for the title and helped cement that this WWE game was different.
9 Designed by Sal Divita
Part of the reason why the title looked so colorful and different was thanks to designer Sal Divita. The veteran game developer isn't likely known to many fans, but he had a big impact on pro-wrestling video games.
In fact, Divita was also the designer behind the extremely popular WWE WrestleMania: The Arcade Game which was released in 1995. Playing WWE All Stars today, it's very clear that the famous arcade title inspired the 2011 game.
8 Wrestlers Had Exaggerated Looks
With the game being an arcade title, THQ decided that they had to make the wrestler's models stand apart from their simulation counterparts. So, they decided to go bold and make them have extremely exaggerated looks, to put it lightly.
RELATED: The 10 Wrestling Video Games With The Best Rosters
For example, John Cena is in great shape in real life, and that is reflected in games like WWE 2K. However, he looks like an almost completely different person in WWE All Stars. Cena and the entire roster look like they got a Captain America-esque serum.
7 The Gameplay Was Unique
In case it's not clear, the team over at THQ was intent on making something new and unique. They had an arcade game, and they made it extremely colorful, with the wrestlers having cool looks. However, it wouldn't matter if the gameplay wasn't good.
Luckily, it was very good. The gameplay in WWE All Stars is combo-based and sees wrestlers flying through the air to do attacks and work to secure their finisher. The most interesting thing about the gameplay is that any move can be reversed at any time, making sure that players are always in the match.
6 Path of Champions
While normal WWE games have stuff like MyPlayer and Universe, WWE All Stars decided to have some unique modes. One of those modes was titled 'Path of Champions', and it was a gauntlet-based mode featuring three different paths.
In Path of Champions, players can select and battle legends, modern-day superstars, and tag teams. The mode is also stitched together using cutscenes from names such as The Undertaker, Randy Orton, Triple H, and Shawn Michaels.
5 Fantasy Warfare
The other major mode in WWE All Stars is titled 'Fantasy Warfare'. The idea behind the mode is that it features dream matches between generations. Before each match, a detailed video package is made featuring archival footage to make a storyline between the two.
The packages were amazing and helped build the stage perfectly for the dream matchups. Most importantly, this mode is the way to unlock the entire 30-wrestler roster and secure names such as Mr. Perfect and Eddie Guerrero.
4 WWE All Stars Was Well-Received
One of the reasons why WWE All Stars is still remembered today is that it's unlike any other game that is released today. It also helps that the title itself is actually really, really good. The game received great reviews from fans and reviewers alike.
RELATED: The 10 Best Wrestling Video Games, According To Ranker.com
The title received a 75/100 on Metacritic, which is solid. However, the title has aged even better with time, as other wrestling games have since been released and not played nearly as well as WWE All Stars.
3 It Was The Last PS2 WWE Game
The PS2 generation of WWE games was all classics. During that era, it seemed like the company couldn't miss when it came to titles. On the PS2, WWE released gems such as SmackDown: Here Comes The Pain, Just Bring It, and even more niche games such as Crush Hour.
By March 2011, the PS2 was already headed toward the end of its life span. In the end, WWE All Stars ended up as the last title to be released for the console. A fitting end for a great period of time for WWE games.
2 There Wasn't A Lot Of Customization
One of the best features of WWE games has always been the customization, and the wide array of things for fans to do. They can create a wrestler, make an arena, make new match types, make titles, and so on and so forth.
However, WWE All Stars is a bit different. The game doesn't have many match types or arenas. To top it off, there are not too many customization options except for a limited Create-a-Wrestler mode.
1 There Was Supposed To Be A Sequel
Following the release of WWE All Stars, a spiritual successor was announced, by the name of WWE Brawl. The gameplay was very similar but would take wrestlers outside the ring and have them compete in unique environments. The title was supposed to be released in 2012.
Sadly, the game was never released, as THQ San Diego closed down the following year. The gameplay of the game has been leaked in the last few years, showing a game that had the potential to be a classic. Sadly, the title was canceled, and the closest thing to a sequel that All Stars fans have gotten was 2020's WWE Battlegrounds, which was panned.
