Roster 2K announced on their social media accounts that
WWE 2K16 will feature the "largest roster in the game's history", featuring over 120 unique playable characters, nearly double the 67 that were in last year's game. A developer for the game then clarified that the 120 unique playable characters count does not include potential DLC, and that all 120 characters are included and will be released with the game. 2K revealed that despite "push(ing) as hard as we could" to include them, for "various reasons,"
Sasha Banks,
Charlotte,
Becky Lynch, and
Bayley (the
Four Horsewomen of NXT) will not be in the game or included as
DLC.
Hulk Hogan was announced as being part of the game, but was cut late in development due to the release of
controversial racial statements he had made previously.
2K16 features 26 wrestling superstars making their WWE games franchise debut.
Visuals and audio 's character model The commentary team has been expanded to three members, with
John "Bradshaw" Layfield joining the returning
Michael Cole and
Jerry Lawler. The game features new cloth physics and animations, creating more realistic attire. In the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions, which follows the same gameplay blueprint from
WWE 2K14, only Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler are present for commentary outside of Showcase mode.
WWE 2K16 features a licensed soundtrack that consists of twelve songs, as well as users, can use entrance theme song of superstar/Diva to be played in the menu.
Game modes 2K Showcase The 2K Showcase mode also returns, with the showcase detailing the career of the cover star "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, from his
King of the Ring 1996 matchup against
Jake Roberts in the final match of the 1996 King of the Ring tournament, to his
WrestleMania XIX matchup against
The Rock. A second showcase becomes available only with purchase of the 'Hall of Fame' DLC pack, a collection of classic matches featuring each of the
WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2015 entrants (excluding Celebrity Wing recipient,
Arnold Schwarzenegger) in order, from
Randy Savage VS. Jake Roberts at
This Tuesday in Texas to
The Outsiders (
Kevin Nash and
Scott Hall) VS.
Harlem Heat (
Booker T and
Stevie Ray) at
WCW Halloween Havoc 1996, including a fictional match between
Alundra Blaze VS.
Paige at the
WrestleMania 31 arena.
MyCareer MyCareer returns from
2K15, with 2K claiming the mode will be significantly expanded from last year's game. Several changes have been made in order to give the player more control over their superstar. The character's personality can be influenced through actions, such as forming alliances and rivalries.
The Authority are featured in the mode, with the player having the option to support or defy them, causing their career to be influenced. Players are also able to interfere in other superstar's matches in order to create rivalries.
Universe WWE Universe mode allows the player to create their own WWE shows and pay-per-view events, allowing them to create rivalries and feuds for singles wrestlers and/or tag team wrestlers, and will let them create custom arenas and championship titles.
Online Players were able to have a variety of different matches connecting with other players online. The online mode was discontinued on May 31, 2017, after 2K's announcement on Twitter.
Creative Suite Create a Diva, Create a Show, Create an Arena, and Create a Championship features that were removed in
WWE 2K15 have returned in
2K16. The create a superstar feature includes several new features, such as hair dye, change material properties (for example, having a mask or shirt be vinyl, cloth or satin) and new face photo importing tool. The amount of available save slots for created superstars has been increased to 100, the same number as in
2K14 and four times the amount available in
2K15. == Upgrades from previous games ==