Def Jam Vendetta

"This Game Has Part 2 Written All Over It"

Despite my synopsis, don’t miss on this opportunity to try one of the better wrestling games out there. And that game is Def Jam Vendetta. It’s a decent fighting/wrestling game that’s not under any wrestling federation license but under a rap recording company. Yeah, I laughed at first… rappers wrestling? what a joke!!! well that was then and this is now. Call it whatever you want, fighting or wrestling. It’s definitely fun and is the newest baby belonging to AKI, the developers of the beloved Nintendo 64 wrestling games.

Story: 3/10
This is a wrestling/fight game so don’t expect a lengthy story. Fight for money in an underground arena, beat the boss, and then take the girl. Story mode has you going through a series of lengthy ladder matches. You can choose your girlfriend and have her fight with another. With each girlfriend comes a series of pictures, which can be earned during this mode.

Graphics: 8/10
Pretty solid in this department. The N64 No Mercy has gone from blocky figures to this eye-catching beauty. The characters are extremely detailed but seem to be out of place. among some others. Some taller characters heads are smaller than those of shorter ones, which is quite noticeable. The height listed under the characters seems to be incorrect too. Too bad there’s no blood.

Music/Sound: 8/10
Music is done by the Def Jam Artists themselves. So expect lots of rap and hip hop beats. There isn’t any commentating, but you’ll hardly care about it when you’re playing.

Control 8/10
The controls are really simple to learn how to use. Grapple and attacks consists of both light and hard. It doesn’t have a controller configuration option so your struck with default.

Gameplay: 8/10
Everything you love about Aki’s wrestling games is back. Veterans of the N64 games should be able to adjust immediately. You’ll notice that the old moves have been upgraded, as well as additions of new moves from moves you seen on T.V. The Blazing moves are wicked looking. It’s like a super combo or over exaggerated wrestling finisher that normally ends your opponent in K.O. if they are in danger state.

Overall Score: 8/10
This is what it should deserve. I don’t believe it deserves anything other a 7 like some of these other reviewers are giving it. Perhaps people just bashing on the game cause of the rap music. There are sure many options to be desired for, but for this reviewer, this is a solid game on it’s own. For those who dislike Rap, I’m in that category too. But if it’s a good game, I’ve always been ignorant of the music involved. Look beyond that preference barrier and enjoy a decent wrestling game.

Buy or Rent?
This game has replay value written all over it. Buy it then sell it when part 2 is coming out. Renting it won’t allow you to appreciate the fun that lies in this title. Go out and get your copy today.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 04/06/03, Updated 04/06/03