Def Jam Vendetta

by Electronic Arts

Product Features

• Over 45 characters
• Unique, original storyline that complements explosive gameplay action the plot thickens as you fight your way through the underground circuit
• Continuous play with over 1,500 unique moves

Product Details

• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B00005CFA0
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.8 x 0.5 inches ; 5 ounces
• Media: Video Game
• Release Date: March 17, 2005
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #22,032 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)

Product Description

Platform: GameCube

Amazon.com Review

You can divide any game ever made into one of two categories: those that were designed in an effort to innovate and create something new, and those that were created by a formula in order to generate money. In Def Jam Vendetta, you play as a young tough making his way through an underground wrestling circuit by battling famous rappers. Welcome to Formula City!

Despite being a wrestling game at heart, DJV deviates from the standard path in a few ways by providing a story steeped in rap culture, established rap personalities, and even the ability to choose girlfriends for your fighter of choice. Unfortunately, these deviations are done poorly, and are probably the most disappointing aspect of the game. The storyline is laughable at best, and a textbook case of stereotyping at worst. When you encounter famous rappers like DMX or Method Man, they don't display any personality or affect the story in any significant way. They threaten you in one or two sentences, you fight them, and that's about it. The girlfriend routine is amusing exactly twice: The first time two girls get in a catfight over your player, and again when your girlfriend leaves you for another woman. Even the highly touted rap soundtrack is lame; they play stripped down muzak versions of rap during the game, and you only hear the full songs during menus.

The wrestling itself is stupendously mediocre. Your controls include the very standard attack, grapple, run, and block buttons. When your fighter gains enough "momentum" (read: fills up the blue meter), he can perform a devastating "Blazin' move" (read: special attack). It's precisely like every wrestling game made since Pro-Wrestling for the NES, except DJV is slower, unusually difficult, and the wrestlers are wearing FUBU.

The bottom line is that unless you've desperately got to settle a schoolyard debate over whether DMX or Ludacris would win in a fight, there are better wrestling titles out there to play that offer a whole lot more entertainment value, most notably the WWE Smackdown series. Fear not, Rock. Sleep soundly, Stone Cold. Your legacy lives on. --Jon "Safety Monkey" Grover

Pros:

• Conceptually an interesting idea
• Blazin' attacks are really cool to watch
• Perfect if you have a lot of aggression directed at rappers that you need to vent somehow

Cons:

• Storyline is bland, none of the featured wrestlers or rappers have any personality
• No real innovation
• Slow-paced and unusually difficult

Product Description

Def Jam VENDETTA invites you to the underground circuit of hardcore brawling. Get your props as you hook up with the urban local legends and battle for ultimate supremacy. Featuring an original storyline and more than 45 unique characters, Def Jam VENDETTA by EA SPORTS BIG provides over 1,500 varying moves, including dozens of signature special moves and taunts. This is your chance to earn money, power, and respect. Advance through more than 10 highly-detailed hip-hop venues, each filled with animated crowds, hot beats, and original music, and see if you can overthrow D-Mob, the underground king.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bout time, April 2, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Def Jam Vendetta (Video Game)

Finally, a wrestling game for the cube that has the same exact engine that WWF No Mercy had for the N64. This game is incredibly fun with tons of replay value. I just got it today and played it none stop for 3 hours. The controls are easy, unlike the other wrestling games that have come out of late. In fact, if you've played the N64 No Mercy game, then you'll be able to play right off the bat. There is no corny music while your playing (like other wrestling games have). In fact the background music consists of beats by the def jam artists that are featured in the game. So it is almost like listening to the radio while your playing your game. Anyways, the reason I'm writing this review is because if you're one of those people that was hoping that an updated version of No Mercy for the N64 would come to the cube like I was, then wait no more. Buy it now and have some fun!!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Get your grapple on with the Def Jam Crew, April 23, 2003

By 

"mod_boy" (Seattle, WA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Def Jam Vendetta (Video Game)

As many of the other reviews reveal this game has fantastic graphics, wonderful music and a huge variety of underground fighting moves. Let's concentrate on the feel of the game: fighting in the ring is intense ... super intense. It's extremely painful when your opponent puts you in a grapple trying to break your will so you'll submit. You have to push the button to get out of it ... and it feels like time is moving at a crawl. I actually can't play for awhile, my wrist is hurting so much from desperately trying to get out of these holds. Also, the feeling of getting beaten down when multiple opponents team up on you can be extremely humbling -- not to mention the demoralization you feel when someone knocks you out with a special move after getting the crowd behind him. The soundtrack really adds to the excitement and winning a match is extremely gratifying after all the hard work you spend wearing your opponent(s) down. EA Big really impresses with this one!

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hip-Hop Takes on the role of the WWE, February 13, 2003

By 

"furyslayer" (Jacksonville, Florida) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Def Jam Vendetta (Video Game)

By the creators of WWF: No Mercy (Nintendo 64) NBA Street (GCn), Comes a fighting game with a new twist; Hip-Hop. With a list of over 40 characters, 12 of which are licened Def-Jam Artists. A story mode and cut sceens, Several modes of play including single-player, free-for-all, tag, and handicap. Sound effects were done by the same people who worked on "The Matrix". Out look for this game is looking to be good, and has been getting good reviews from gaming sites and Mags. This is on my must have list!

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