UFC 2009 Undisputed

"The start of a UFC Series? I certainly hope so!"

In an age where fighting games are a dime a dozen, UFC 2009: Undisputed stands out from the rest. Unlike previous UFC games, this is polished, refined, and about as deep as an MMA game could get. This game is truly deserving of it's title...this is certainly the undisputed king of MMA games. With the support of MMA's legions of fans, this game could easily be the start of a dominant new sports series in the same vein as Madden NFL and the other big name franchises.

Gameplay: (10/10)

The gameplay in this game is simply amazing. Though before I delve deeper into this category, a few things must be said. First of all, if you are looking for a casual fighting game with easy to learn controls, this is not the game for you. You know how red is the opposite of blue? Well...this game is the opposite of a button-masher. It will take you at least a day to master the striking game fully. And the ground and grappling game? Well, those will take you a bit longer...

Alright! Now onto the good stuff. This is one of the most complex fighting games out there. Each fighter has two styles, a striking style and a grappling style. The striking style's include Boxing, Kickboxing, and Muay Thai...while the grappling style's are Wrestling, Judo, and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Each style has its own moves and specialties, so each combination is unique. You can play your character like a traditional boxer and knock the other guy into next week with a mean left hook, or you can grapple your opponent on the ground and try to end it in a submission...or a combination of the two. Basically, this game will allow you to play it how you want, and that is a beautiful thing indeed!

UFC 2009: Undisputed has a steep learning curve which at the start may turn some people off. However, once you master the various complexities of the game, it is very satisfying. When you first begin, the ground game may seem quite hard, but it is easier than you think. Just practice a bunch, and you can master the system in no time flat. After that, enjoy snapping the other guys arm in half!

Sound and Graphics: (9/10)

I have heard some complaints about this category on some message boards, but I really dont have a problem with it. The menu music fits in well with the game, and will probably help to pump you up for any future butt kicking you may be doing. There are not many songs, and it could get old eventually, but you could always listen to your own music, so its not a big deal. The commentary in this game is awesome as well. Joe Rogan and Mike Goldberg make a good team, as they do in real life. They will make the fight feel more real, and have more than a few lines of dialogue. Though they obviously wont have a lot to say about your create-a-fighter, they will reference real life events for the real fighters you have to choose from.

The only downside I would give for this category is the background clips that play during career mode. They are pretty entertaining at the start, but can get old fairly quickly. It's not so bad though...you can always listen to your own! Oh yea, and the sound of human flesh smacking hard against the mat during a perfectly executed takedown isnt so bad either...

As for the graphics...simply awesome. Plenty of sweat to go around, and the blood isnt too bad either. Its also interesting when an opponent's nose bleeds on your shoulder, and it actually stays in the location it dripped down...pretty detailed if you ask me.

Modes of Play: (8/10)

Nothing new here, but well rounded.

Exhibition mode is of course included, and is great for those times when you want to practice or when your friends come over.

Career Mode is where this game shines however. You start out by making your very own fighter, complete with a deep character creation and a choice between the six fighting styles and weight class. After your tryout match, you enter the ranks of the UFC and begin your climb to the top. Everything in this game is dynamic as well, and your fellow fighters will move up and down in ranking according to how their own fights go. On weeks you dont have a fight or promotion event, you may train your general attributes (strength, speed, and conditioning) or spar with a training partner for a chance to earn skill points. If you perform well, you may even get the chance to earn some UFC gold, Fight of the Night honors, KO of the Night honors, Submission of the Night honors, and at the end of your career you may even be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame. Enjoy it!

A mode unique to UFC 2009: Undisputed is Historic Fights mode. Here, you recreate famous fights in the history of the UFC. If you end the fight the way it actually did, you will unlock real-life highlights of the fight...not bad if I must say so myself!

Replay Value: (10/10)

Tons of fighters from each weight class to choose from, and plenty of content to keep you satisfied for quite some time. Career Mode is great fun, and building your own fighter from the ground up is even better. You can blow so much time on this game that it isn't funny...

Though I must warn you, please dont spend too much time on the game all at once...because, well...when your are in the process of destroying your opponents with superman punches and flying knees, it is easy to forget the time. It is a possibility that, with your celebration screams, you may wake up your roommate, who may introduce to you a flying knee of his own...

Online: (8/10)

Some people love it online, and some don't. This games online mode isnt bad, but it suffers from the ever present lag and annoying players who turn off their Xbox 360's a second before you make them tap to an armbar...*shakes fist*...anyway, other than that, it isn't bad. It is hard to find people to play sometimes, but I'm sure once the game gets a bigger following that will cease to be a problem.

All in all, not bad.

Conclusion

Amazing. Simple as that.

This is the best fighting game (and best MMA game) available at the moment. Its deep control system, great career mode, awesome character creation and fantastic replay value turn this game into a powerhouse. If you like MMA, this is your dream game. If you love MMA...well...you might as well quit your job and turn into a couch potato for the next few weeks (or months).

UFC Undisputed 2009 is well worth the money. I wouldnt be suprised if this wins Fighter of the Year in some gaming magazines somewhere. In conclusion, enjoy all this great game has to offer, and try not to put your little brother into a Triangle Choke too many times after you play this...

Enjoy!

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 05/28/09

Game Release: UFC 2009 Undisputed (US, 05/19/09)