Def Jam Vendetta is a 2003 professional wrestling video game that combined hip hop with pro wrestling. It was released for the PlayStation 2 and GameCube. It was Electronic Arts' first attempt at a wrestling game since the widely panned WCW Backstage Assault. Several hip hop artists were featured in the game, including DMX, Method Man, Redman, Ludacris, N.O.R.E., Scarface, Ghostface Killah, Keith Murray, WC & DJ Funkmaster Flex; all of which at the time were artists of Def Jam Records. Singer Christina Milian was also featured in the game as the character known as Angel. A sequel, Def Jam: Fight for NY, was released on September 20, 2004, to largely positive reviews.

The game 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. If one of those gauges reaches empty, the bones get broken and that player submits & automatically loses. Players can attack their opponent to build up a power gauge, letting them activate 'Blazin' mode. If the player successfully grabs an opponent in this state, he can perform a special move. If the opponent's health is low enough, they will be KO'd.

Source.

Platform

PlayStation 2

Developer(s)

AKI Corporation, EA Canada

Publishers(s)

Electronic Arts

Genres(s)

Fighting, Sports

NA Release Date

March 31, 2003

JP Release Date

August 21, 2003

EU Release Date

May 23, 2003

AUS Release Date

May 23, 2003

ESRB Rating

Teen

MVGL User Score

6.9 by 37 user(s)

MVGL Difficulty

2.0000

Composer(s)

-

Added by

59 User(s)

This game also exists on:
Nintendo Gamecube

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