Def Jam Vendetta

"Shades of N64"

Overall Review Grade: 9

Gameplay: 9
Gameplay is solid. Plays smooth, has nice animations. Features a great replay and slow mode when you hit a big move, or when your hit by the big move. It plays a lot like any of the THQ wrestling games on Nintendo 64. Its story mode throws you into the shoes of one of four fantasy wrestlers. You go through the underground wrestling circuit. At times you must make choices. For example when two women fight over you, you must choose who you will control and settle it in the ring.

Controls: 10
This game is great there is a solid control theme. There are strong and weak graples. Two different reverse buttons, so this aint your smackdown style button masher. You get bonuses for stringing good moves together with being too repetitive. It features a momentum meter that will make or break you in a match. Once you become accustom to the controls you are ready to take on D Mob. The controls are very similar to any of the THQ wrestling games on Nintendo 64.

Sounds: 10
Features a variety of old school, and current hip-hop hits. Aside from the action packed soundtrack there are many other features in the sound department that add to the sounds score. When a new song begins a small grey box pops up in the lower left hand corner and tells you the Name and artist. The sounds when hitting an opponentor when landing on the mat are true to life. You can feel the hits landing just by hearing them.

Features: 7
Many of todays hot stars such as DMX, Method Man, and Red Man.
Many fantasy wrestlers of all styles
Unlockable characters
Money based evolution system
Story Mode
1-4 player action
Specific body part damage, slap on a submission and a small meter comes up and indicates the part condition.

Rent or Buy
I just bought it today and I have no regrets. If you are a fan of arcade style wrestling, or love the N64 style of game then go out and buy it.
If your a Smackdown only fan then rent.
If you love Legends of wrestling, but want something slightly more fast paced then buy this game.

Final Thoughts
A solid arcade style fighter with great replay ability. It only lacks a create a wrestle mode and some of the more exotic matches, but overall a great buy!

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 04/05/03, Updated 04/05/03