The games introduced a more advanced and extensive grappling system, while still retaining the series' fast
gameplay. Alongside a new grappling system, body damage displays and submission meters (for both the person applying the move and the person breaking out of the move), as well as the ability to break the submission hold when grabbing the ropes, and individual character attributes that consisted of statistics (such as strength, endurance, and speed) were all introduced to the series for the first time.
Here Comes the Pain also marks the first time the
Elimination Chamber and the
Bra and Panties Match would be featured in a wrestling game. Alongside a playable roster of over 50 Superstars who were active members of the WWE roster at the time of the game's release, legends were introduced for the first time in the series, which included wrestlers such as
Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka and
"Rowdy" Roddy Piper, as well as former iterations of current wrestlers, such as
The Undertaker with his original "Deadman" gimmick. It also marks the final time that The Rock and
Stone Cold Steve Austin would appear in a WWE game as non-legends, and is the first WWE game to feature future mainstays
John Cena,
Batista, and
Rey Mysterio as playable characters. It is also the first game to depict
Kane without his mask. Additional updates were also made to Season Mode, with decisions being made on a new menu screen in the locker room, while players could enter the General Manager's room to ask for title shots and brand switches, as well as having the opportunity to talk to various wrestlers appear backstage. There are multiple titles to go after depending on if the players go to
SmackDown! or
Raw. == Development ==