Def Jam Vendetta

The unlikely combination of Def Jam recording artists and underground wrestling is the subject of this Electronic Arts release, which features the 3D likenesses of such musicians as Ludacris, Redman, DMX, Scarface, Ghostface Killa, Method Man, and more as playable characters. Developed by AKI Corporation, whose previous experience in the genre includes titles WWF No Mercy and WCW/NWO Revenge, Def Jam Vendetta offers an estimated 1,500 animations for each of the 45 included characters. A total of ten different venues are available, and one of the featured modes offers a storyline complete with soap opera-style drama to go along with the suplexes and body slams. Up to four players can compete in Single, Tag-Team, Handicap, or Battle Royale matches.

Released: 31 March 2003
Platforms: GameCube PlayStation 2
Genres: Fighting Professional wrestling Sports
Developers: Syn Sophia
Publishers: EA Sports Big
Series: Def Jam
Modes: Multiplayer Single-player
Perspective: Third person
Themes: Action
Country: Japan
Age ratings: ESRB T
Languages: English

About

Def Jam Vendetta is a 3D professional wrestling fighting video game developed by AKI Corporation and EA Canada and published by Electronic Arts under the EA Sports BIG label. It was released for the GameCube and PlayStation 2 in April 2003. The game is the first main installment in EA's Def Jam-licensed hip-hop video game series. It was the publisher's first attempt at a wrestling video game since WCW Backstage Assault.

, Capone, Scarface, Ghostface Killah, Keith Murray, WC, Joe Budden and DJ Funkmaster Flex. Christina Milian was featured in the game as "Angel". Def Jam Vendetta was followed up by a direct sequel in 2004, titled Def Jam: Fight for NY.

Keywords

martial arts
wrestling
silent protagonist
hip-hop
polygonal 3d
melee
difficulty level
bots
spike video game awards 2003
player's choice

Media

The articlegameplay, story, development, reception

Gameplay

Def Jam Vendetta features a largely unmodified AKI engine, used in the company's Virtual Pro Wrestling games and its spinoffs with some minor "button mashing" elements added and more of an arcade than a simulation. The game plays very similarly to WWF No Mercy, and features a lengthy story mode that allows you to level up and enhance one of four player characters in your quest to become the most well known star in the urban fighting league and fight the undefeated underground boss, D-Mob (voiced by actor Christopher Judge).

Players can win in one of three ways; pin, submission or KO. Pins are done by pinning the opponent for 3 seconds before he can kick out. The player can trap opponents in holds that gradually weaken one of their body parts (head, body, legs and arms). This hold can be broken by touching the ropes.

Story

The player (or the Protagonist) can choose to play as one of four street fighters: Briggs, a dishonorably discharged soldier; Proof, an ex-superbike racer; Tank, a massive Japanese fighter, and the DJ Spider, although the story is the same for each of them.

Upon selecting their street fighter, the Protagonist is called to help out their friend Manny by taking his place in a street fight. Once the Protagonist wins a certain number of fights, they fight the rapper Scarface. Once the Protagonist defeats him, they get their first girlfriend, Deja. Other girls come up to the Protagonist every couple of street fights, and eventually the Protagonist chooses one to be their new girlfriend, resulting in them fighting each other.

Reception

By July 2006, the PlayStation 2 version of Def Jam Vendetta had sold 750,000 copies and earned $30 million in the United States. Next Generation ranked it as the 82nd highest-selling game launched for the PlayStation 2, Xbox or GameCube between January 2000 and July 2006 in that country. Combined sales of the Def Jam series reached 1.8 million units in the United States by July 2006.

The Cincinnati Enquirer gave it a score of all four stars and stated: "Electronic Arts deserves kudos for breathing new life into the aging fighting genre with this title's fresh approach". However, The Village Voice gave it a score of six out of ten and said: "If only DMX could sic his pit bulls on you, Funkmaster Flex burst your eardrums ID'ing himself, or Redman burn you with a blunt". Entertainment Weekly gave it a C+ and called it "an uninspired wrestling title that lacks Def Jam's trademark sheen".