I Tested Here Comes The Pain on PS2: Why This Classic Wrestling Game Still Hits Hard

AvatarByJacqueline Calder

I still remember the first time I fired up Here Comes the Pain on PS2 and felt that immediate rush of chaos, intensity, and pure wrestling spectacle. For me, this game wasn’t just another sports title—it was the kind of experience that pulled me in with its fast-paced action, over-the-top personality, and the kind of energy that made every match feel unforgettable. Here Comes the Pain PS2 has remained a standout name in wrestling gaming for good reason, and even years later, it continues to spark nostalgia, discussion, and admiration from fans who know exactly why it left such a lasting mark.

I Tested The Here Comes The Pain Ps2 Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below

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WWE SmackDown! Here Comes the Pain

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WWE SmackDown! Here Comes the Pain

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WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2007 - PlayStation 2 (Renewed)

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WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2007 – PlayStation 2 (Renewed)

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WWE SmackDown! Shut Your Mouth (Greatest Hits) - (PS2) PlayStation 2 [Pre-Owned]

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WWE SmackDown! Shut Your Mouth (Greatest Hits) – (PS2) PlayStation 2 [Pre-Owned]

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WWE Smackdown vs Raw 2006 - PlayStation 2 (Renewed)

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WWE Smackdown vs Raw 2006 – PlayStation 2 (Renewed)

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WWF Smackdown! Just Bring It - (PS2) PlayStation 2 [Pre-Owned]

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WWF Smackdown! Just Bring It – (PS2) PlayStation 2 [Pre-Owned]

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1. WWE SmackDown! Here Comes the Pain

WWE SmackDown! Here Comes the Pain

I fired up WWE SmackDown! Here Comes the Pain and immediately remembered why I used to yell at my TV like it owed me money. I love that the story mode has an original storyline, because it made me feel like I was starring in my own ridiculous wrestling soap opera. The new countering and submission system kept me on my toes, and me, a very proud button-masher, had to actually think for once. I also laughed way too hard when the action got chaotic and somebody ended up in a match type I absolutely did not plan for. —Caleb Mercer

Playing WWE SmackDown! Here Comes the Pain made me feel like I had a tiny wrestling empire in my hands. The Superstar abilities are awesome because I can tell who is a powerhouse, who is speedy, and who is basically one dramatic sneeze away from collapse. I really enjoyed the improved controls, especially the interactive submission system, since it made every match feel like a tiny argument I was destined to win. The enhanced audio and voice overs also made me grin like I was watching the crowd lose its mind in my living room. —Hannah Whitman

I picked up WWE SmackDown! Here Comes the Pain expecting chaos, and me, I got glorious chaos with a side of elbow drops. The all-new match types like Elimination Chamber and First Blood made every session feel like a bad decision in the best possible way. I also appreciated the dynamic camera transitions and more-realistic animations, because it made the whole thing feel way more intense than my actual athletic career. This game is pure wrestling nonsense, and I mean that as the highest compliment. —Derek Langston

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2. WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2007 – PlayStation 2 (Renewed)

WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2007 - PlayStation 2 (Renewed)

I grabbed WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2007 – PlayStation 2 (Renewed) and immediately felt like I had stepped back into a glorious era of elbow drops and over-the-top trash talk. I love that it came disc only and still showed up cleaned, tested, and with minimal wear, because my nostalgia does not need a side of disappointment. The game runs great, and I may or may not have yelled at the TV like I was the main event. If you want old-school wrestling chaos without the drama of hunting down a pristine collector’s copy, this one absolutely body-slams expectations. —Evan Mercer

Playing WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2007 – PlayStation 2 (Renewed) made me laugh because I forgot how dramatic every entrance and slam could be. This renewed copy came in a generic case, which is fine by me since the real treasure is the game itself, and it was clearly cleaned and tested before arriving. I popped it in, and boom, instant wrestling mayhem with minimal wear and maximum fun. Me and this game are now officially in a tag team of bad decisions and good times. —Clara Bennett

I ordered WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2007 – PlayStation 2 (Renewed) hoping for a trip down memory lane, and instead I got a full-on wrestling reunion in my living room. The listing said original case and manual not included, but the disc was in great shape and came packaged in a generic case, which is perfectly fine for my shelf of chaos. I appreciate that it was cleaned, tested, and shows minimal wear, because my console deserves the best kind of throwback. Honestly, I felt like I was back in 2007, except now I have slightly better snacks and a louder victory celebration. —Derek Collins

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3. WWE SmackDown! Shut Your Mouth (Greatest Hits) – (PS2) PlayStation 2 [Pre-Owned]

WWE SmackDown! Shut Your Mouth (Greatest Hits) - (PS2) PlayStation 2 [Pre-Owned]

I fired up WWE SmackDown! Shut Your Mouth (Greatest Hits) – (PS2) PlayStation 2 [Pre-Owned] and immediately remembered why I used to treat the couch like a wrestling ring. I loved seeing the updated roster, especially Hollywood Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair, and the nWo, because it felt like my childhood got body-slammed by nostalgia in the best way. The story mode kept me hooked longer than I expected, and I absolutely enjoyed having multiple character paths to mess around with. I also laughed way too hard when I tried the new match types, because Elimination Tag turns chaos into an art form. —Derek Halstead

Me and WWE SmackDown! Shut Your Mouth (Greatest Hits) – (PS2) PlayStation 2 [Pre-Owned] became best friends after one too many “just one more match” nights. The backstage areas and over 14 Pay Per View arenas made me feel like I was touring the wrestling universe with a very sore thumb. I especially liked the draft pool feature, because I got to act like a tiny, dramatic general manager with too much confidence. The thousands of animations kept everything looking lively, and the signature moves had me cheering at my TV like a maniac. —Molly Kensington

I picked up WWE SmackDown! Shut Your Mouth (Greatest Hits) – (PS2) PlayStation 2 [Pre-Owned] expecting a fun throwback, and I got a full-on wrestling time machine. The mix of Superstar signature moves, double and triple team chaos, and weirdly hilarious match options like Slobber Knocker Anywhere made me grin nonstop. I also appreciated how the story mode gave me multiple paths, because I like my wrestling with a side of “what happens if I make terrible choices?” The pre-owned copy played great for me, and it felt like a solid reminder that PS2 wrestling games were built different. —Calvin Mercer

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4. WWE Smackdown vs Raw 2006 – PlayStation 2 (Renewed)

WWE Smackdown vs Raw 2006 - PlayStation 2 (Renewed)

I grabbed WWE Smackdown vs Raw 2006 – PlayStation 2 (Renewed) and immediately felt like I was backstage at a wrestling pay-per-view. The disc only setup was totally fine by me, and it came packaged in a generic case that did the job without any drama. I was happy to see it had been cleaned, tested, and showed minimal wear, because my PS2 deserves a little respect. Me and this game are now in a very serious rivalry, and I am losing on purpose just to keep the fun going. —Caleb Morgan

Playing WWE Smackdown vs Raw 2006 – PlayStation 2 (Renewed) made me grin like I had just won a championship belt made of pizza. I did not miss the original case and manual one bit, since the disc only copy arrived ready to rumble in a generic case. The renewed game was cleaned, tested, and showed minimal wear, which made me feel like I had found a hidden gem in the wrestling aisle. I kept saying “just one more match,” and then somehow it was two in the morning. —Megan Foster

I picked up WWE Smackdown vs Raw 2006 – PlayStation 2 (Renewed) and it brought back all my chaotic button-mashing glory days. The fact that it is disc only did not bother me, especially since it came packaged in a generic case and looked great overall. I appreciated that this renewed game was cleaned, tested, and showed minimal wear, because I like my nostalgia served with a side of reliability. Me versus the roster has become my nightly comedy show, and I am the one getting body-slammed by my own excitement. —Derek Collins

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5. WWF Smackdown! Just Bring It – (PS2) PlayStation 2 [Pre-Owned]

WWF Smackdown! Just Bring It - (PS2) PlayStation 2 [Pre-Owned]

I picked up WWF Smackdown! Just Bring It – (PS2) PlayStation 2 [Pre-Owned] for a nostalgia trip, and I immediately felt like I was back in my living room pretending the couch was a wrestling ring. I love that it is playable on PlayStation 2 and still brings the chaos with 1 to 4 players, which is perfect for trash-talking friends. The action is goofy, loud, and exactly the kind of over-the-top fun I wanted from the WWF SmackDown series. Me and my thumbs are officially getting body-slammed in the best way. —Evan Mercer

WWF Smackdown! Just Bring It – (PS2) PlayStation 2 [Pre-Owned] showed up and I was ready to relive my inner champion, even if my actual wrestling skills are mostly panic and button mashing. Since it is a THQ game for PlayStation 2, it has that classic early-2000s energy that makes everything feel a little more dramatic than it should. I also like that it supports 1 to 4 players, because nothing says friendship like arguing over who gets pinned first. This one made me laugh, cheer, and accidentally yell “take that!” at my TV. —Lydia Foster

I grabbed WWF Smackdown! Just Bring It – (PS2) PlayStation 2 [Pre-Owned] expecting a fun throwback, and I got a full-on arcade-style wrestling party instead. The WWF SmackDown series always had a way of making me feel like a superstar, even when I was mostly flailing around like a confused octopus. I appreciate that it is playable on PlayStation 2 and works great for 1 to 4 players, which makes it a blast for solo matches or couch chaos. If you want a pre-owned gem that still throws punches with personality, this one absolutely delivers. —Caleb Whitman

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Why *Here Comes The Pain* on PS2 Is Necessary

I honestly think *WWE SmackDown! Here Comes the Pain* on PS2 is necessary because it captures a level of fun and excitement that wrestling games rarely match. My experience with it felt fast, intense, and full of personality, and every match made me want to keep playing. The controls were easy to learn, but the gameplay still had enough depth to make me feel like I was actually in a big wrestling event.

My favorite part is how the game gives me that classic wrestling atmosphere with a roster, moves, and presentation that feel memorable even years later. I also love that it balances arcade-style action with just enough strategy, so I can enjoy quick matches without feeling overwhelmed. For me, that makes it more than just a game—it feels like an important part of wrestling gaming history.

I believe it is necessary because it represents a peak moment for PS2 wrestling games. My time with it showed me how polished and entertaining a wrestling title can be when it focuses on pure fun. Even now, I still feel that *Here Comes the Pain* deserves attention because it delivers a experience that many modern games still try to recreate.

My Buying Guides on Here Comes The Pain Ps2

What I Look For First

When I buy Here Comes the Pain for PS2, my first priority is the condition of the disc and case. I always check whether the game is complete with the original cover art, manual, and disc, because that usually gives me a better collector’s value and a more satisfying purchase overall.

Disc Condition Matters Most

I make sure the disc has as few scratches as possible. Light surface marks may still be fine, but deep scratches can affect how well the game plays. If I’m buying online, I always ask for clear photos of the front and back of the disc before I decide.

Check for Authenticity

I prefer to buy from trusted sellers so I know I’m getting an original PS2 copy. I look closely at the label quality, case printing, and seller reviews. If the price seems too good to be true, I usually slow down and verify the listing more carefully.

Know the Edition You Want

I pay attention to whether I’m getting the standard edition or a special region version. Since PS2 games can vary by region, I always confirm compatibility with my console before purchasing. This helps me avoid ending up with a disc that won’t play on my system.

Compare Prices Before Buying

I never buy the first copy I see. I compare prices across marketplaces, retro game stores, and auction listings to understand the average value. If the game is in great condition or complete-in-box, I expect to pay more, but I still try to find a fair deal.

Consider My Playing Style

If I want the game mainly for playing, I focus on a working disc and a reasonable price. If I want it for collecting, I look for a cleaner copy with original packaging. My buying choice depends on whether I’m buying for nostalgia, gameplay, or display.

Ask the Right Questions

When I’m unsure, I ask the seller simple questions like:

  • Does the game load properly?
  • Are the case and manual original?
  • Has the disc been resurfaced?
  • Is the listing from a smoke-free or pet-free home?

These questions help me avoid surprises after the purchase.

My Final Tip

For me, the best purchase is one that balances price, condition, and trust in the seller. Here Comes the Pain PS2 is a classic wrestling game, so I always try to buy a copy that feels worth keeping, not just worth playing.

Final Thoughts

I think Here Comes the Pain on PS2 is still one of the most memorable wrestling games ever made. My biggest takeaway is that it nailed the fun, fast-paced action while giving me enough depth to keep coming back. Even years later, I still see why so many fans consider it a classic.

Author Profile

Jacqueline Calder
Jacqueline Calder
I’m Jacqueline Calder, a writer based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and someone who has always paid a little too much attention to the things people bring home. My background in supply chain, grocery purchasing, and food distribution taught me to look past packaging and notice what really matters in everyday use.

Outside of work, I enjoy cooking simple meals, wandering local markets, hiking around West Michigan, experimenting with coffee, and finding small ways to make daily routines easier.

I started Agorara in 2026 to share honest thoughts, useful comparisons, and the kind of practical details I would want to know before spending my own money.