GameCube

Def Jam: Vendetta

Other than those few small nitpicks, Def Jam Vendetta succeeds as well on the GameCube as it does on the PS2. It’s exactly the sort of creative shot in the arm wrestling games need these days.

Simply put, if you own a PS2 or a Gamecube, Def Jam Vendetta deserves to be in your library, even if you don’t like wrestling or fighting games. There’s a ton of replay value with the numerous game modes, and the computer opponents can always be counted on for a challenge, especially with the expansive number of moves for each fighter. Plus, once you’ve made the computer beg for mercy, it’s a great game to whip out on friends and beat each other up with, especially because of its short learning curve. Bump your speakers and bob your heads to this one; it’s time to get dirty with Vendetta.

If you played Wu Tang: Shaolin Style on the PS1 and have since been scared of rapper fisticuffs ever since, don't worry. Def Jam Vendetta represents both the culture and the clash to the highest degree. Besides, word on the streets is that Method Man himself thought the Wu-Tang Clan game was whack, so you're not alone. When it comes to two-player action, you'll be hard-pressed to find a smoother, slicker slobber knocker than this wrestler. It's the game that makes The Rock look like a pebble and is a must-buy for all fans of the genre. And, as you can see by the score, it's the highest rated wrestling game on the site.

Def Jam Vendetta features an impressive roster of fighters (44 in total) and every character is very unique and stylized in their own right. But the most interesting fighters are undoubtedly the Def Jam Records artists like Method Man, Redman, DMX, Scarface, Ghostface Killah, and others. Word on the street is that the rappers actually had a lot of influence over how their digital representations would fight and move, and after witnessing some of the more brutal special moves that these characters are capable of; I’d tend to believe it. Like Scarface’s Hammer Throw where he picks up his opponent by the legs, slams him down on the ground like a rag doll then picks him back up and spins him around a few times before hurling him face first into the ground.

Def Jam Vendetta est une réussite à tous les niveaux. EA Sports BIG nous démontre encore une fois tout son talent et dispose désormais d'un nouveau titre fort à son palmarès. A croire que le studio est capable de transposer n'importe quel sport en véritable hit. Je suis sûr que passé entre leur mains, même le curling peut devenir intéressant !

As a wrestling game, Def Jam Vendetta manages to succeed on most every level, providing surprisingly deep gameplay, quality graphics and sound, and a distinctive atmosphere. And while the game could have used a few more real-life artists and a bit more depth, Def Jam Vendetta is still strong enough in its execution to make it a perfect alternative for fans who have grown weary of the standard WWE-style games. Vendetta is truly a great wrestling game that any fan of the genre should try.

Putting these complaints aside, there's no denying that DJV is an awesome game with a lot of flash, charisma, style and action. AKI has done a grand job of creating a game engine that (I hope) will evolve into the foundation for a formidable and robust franchise. This first iteration of the engine is great but there's room for improvement. DJV is a must buy for fight/wrestling game fans even though it's missing a few important features and game modes that are a staple of the wrestling/fighting game genre.

Dieser Wrestling-Titel fällt nicht nur wegen seiner andersartigen Präsentation aus der Rolle. Besonders gelungen sind die kleinen Filmchen vor den Kämpfen, die gekonnt auf die Hinterhofkeilerei einstimmen. Spielerisch gehen die kompliziertesten Moves schnell von der Hand und auch im Mehrspielermodus ist der Titel für lange Zeit unterhaltsam. Als nette Dreingabe gibt es nicht nur reale Rapstars zum Verkloppen, sondern auch Bildergalerien mit hübschen Mädels.

Overall, even with its faults, Def Jam Vendetta is the best wrestling game released on the GameCube to date. While it can become excessively frustrating in single player mode, multiplayer mode really shines and will, ultimately, be the draw of people to the game. Even if you aren’t a fan of the Def Jam artists, the game play—especially in multiplayer—will draw you in.

When a company like EA releases a game, they usually acquire the license of something expensive so that they can use it in the game. (e.g. all the car brands in Need For Speed). This usually makes the game more appealing for consumers.

Def Jam Vendetta is an exceptional wrestling game and really shows that wrestling doesn't have be just about lycra wearing men as it is in the WWE and its games. Def Jam Vendetta mixes the wrestling world with the music world and provides something that is much more fresh and different to any other wrestling game ever made. It is a game that anyone whether you like wrestling or not should defiantly think about giving this game a look. The only bad thing is the lack of options and modes but still, the simplicity of the gameplay and the sublime graphic engine make this a great game.

The game was developed by Aki (who have done a few other wrestling games) under the EA Big umbrella, the same studio that brought us such sweet gaming crack as the SSX games and NBA Street. But while those titles were chock full of interesting gameplay ideas, this one is basically just a hip-hop version of any decent wrestler.