View source for Def Jam Vendetta

{{short description|2003 video game}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2021}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Def Jam Vendetta
| image = Def Jam Vendetta - Front Cover - NTSC - Gamecube.jpg
| caption = 
| developer = [[Syn Sophia|AKI Corporation]]<br />[[EA Canada]]
| publisher = [[EA Sports BIG]] <br />{{vgrelease|JP|[[EA Games]]}}
| director = Hideyuki Iwashita
| producer = [[Josh Holmes (video game designer)|Josh Holmes]]
| designer = 
| programmer = 
| artist = 
| writer = Mark Sawers
| composer = 
| series = 
| platforms = [[GameCube]], [[PlayStation 2]]
| released = '''PlayStation 2'''<br />{{vgrelease|NA|April 1, 2003<ref name="release">{{Cite web |author=I. G. N. Staff |date=2003-04-01 |title=Def Jam Ships |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/04/01/def-jam-ships |access-date=2023-04-04 |website=IGN |language=en |archive-date=April 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404214205/https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/04/01/def-jam-ships |url-status=live }}</ref>|PAL|May 23, 2003}}{{vgrelease|JP|August 21, 2003}}'''GameCube'''<br />{{vgrelease|NA|April 1, 2003<ref name="release"/>|PAL|May 23, 2003|AU|June 16, 2003<ref>{{Cite web |title=GameCube Australian Release Dates - News |url=http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/8777/gamecube-australian-release-dates |access-date=2023-03-06 |website=Nintendo World Report |archive-date=March 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230306160304/http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/8777/gamecube-australian-release-dates |url-status=live }}</ref>}}
| genre = [[Sports game|Sports]], [[Fighting game|fighting]]
| modes = [[Single-player video game|Single-player]], [[Multiplayer video game|multiplayer]]
}}

'''''Def Jam Vendetta''''' is a 3D [[professional wrestling]] [[fighting]] video game developed by [[AKI Corporation]] and [[EA Canada]] and published by [[Electronic Arts]] under the [[EA Sports BIG]] label.  It was released for the [[GameCube]] and [[PlayStation 2]] in April 2003. The game is the first main installment in EA's ''[[Def Jam]]''-licensed hip-hop video game series. It was the publisher's first attempt at a wrestling video game since ''[[WCW Backstage Assault]]''. Several Def Jam hip-hop artists were featured in ''Def Jam Vendetta'', including [[DMX (rapper)|DMX]], [[Method Man]], [[Redman (rapper)|Redman]], [[Ludacris]], [[N.O.R.E.]],  [[Capone (rapper)|Capone]], [[Scarface (rapper)|Scarface]], [[Ghostface Killah]], [[Keith Murray (rapper)|Keith Murray]], [[WC (rapper)|WC]], [[Joe Budden]] and [[Funkmaster Flex|DJ Funkmaster Flex]]. [[Christina Milian]] was featured in the game as "Angel". ''Def Jam Vendetta'' was followed up by a direct sequel in 2004, titled ''[[Def Jam: Fight for NY]]''.

==Gameplay==
''Def Jam Vendetta'' 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 (video game)|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.

===Characters===
''Def Jam Vendetta'' features 46 playable characters, including real-life hip hop artists signed to [[Def Jam]] at the time, as well as original characters. [[Christina Milian]] appears as Angel Rodriguez, a non-playable character. Japanese rappers [[Dabo (rapper)|Dabo]] and S-Word appear exclusively in the game's Japanese release.
{| class="wikitable"
! | D-Mob's Crew
! colspan="4" | Fighters
|-
|
* [[Capone (rapper)|Capone]]
* [[Christopher Judge|D-Mob]]
* [[Dabo (rapper)|Dabo]]{{ref|JPN|JPN}}
* [[DMX]]
* [[Funkmaster Flex]]
* [[Ghostface Killah]]
* [[Joe Budden]]
* [[Keith Murray]]
* [[Ludacris]]
* [[Method Man]]
* [[N.O.R.E.]]
* [[Redman (rapper)|Redman]]
* [[Scarface (rapper)|Scarface]]
* S-Word{{ref|JPN|JPN}}
* [[WC (rapper)|WC]]
|
* Arii
* Briggs
* Carla
* Chukklez
* Cruz
* Dan G
* Deebo
* Deja
* Drake
* Headache
* House
* Iceberg
* Manny
* Masa
* Moses
|
* Nyne
* Omar
* Opal
* Peewee
* Penny
* Pockets
* Proof
* Razor
* Ruffneck
* Sketch
* Snowman
* Spider
* Steel
* T'ai
* Tank
* Zaheer
|}

==Plot==
The player (or the Protagonist) can choose to play as one of four street fighters: Briggs, a [[dishonorably discharged]] soldier; Proof, an ex-[[superbike]] racer; Tank, a massive Japanese fighter, and the [[DJ]] Spider, although the story is the same for each of them.

Upon selecting their street fighter, the Protagonist is called to help out their friend Manny by taking his place in a street fight. Once the Protagonist wins a certain number of fights, they fight the rapper Scarface. Once the Protagonist defeats him, they get their first girlfriend, Deja. Other girls come up to the Protagonist every couple of street fights, and eventually the Protagonist chooses one to be their new girlfriend, resulting in them fighting each other.

[[N.O.R.E.]] challenges the Protagonist to a fight at ''Grimeyville'' in [[LeFrak City]], [[Queens]], New York City. The Protagonist arrives and nearly gets into a fight with D-Mob ([[Christopher Judge|Chris Judge]]). Not long after the fight, Manny signs himself and the Protagonist up for a tag team tournament. After a while, the Protagonist is challenged by [[Ludacris]] to a fight in Club Luda. Afterwards, D-Mob claims the Protagonist and Manny are nothing, adding that if anyone in the club wants power and respect, they must beat him at the Def Jam tournament. Manny tells the Protagonist to stop fighting, but is ignored.

[[DMX]] challenges the Protagonist, but must first overcome The Dragon House's offer. They then fight [[Method Man]] and [[Redman (rapper)|Redman]] in the tag team tournament finale. Afterwards, the Protagonist fights DMX, and upon winning, receives an email from his girlfriend Angel who was taken by D-Mob, saying they need to talk. When they arrive at The Face Club, it is revealed that D-Mob sent House, Pockets and Snowman to stop them from coming to the Def Jam tournament. The Protagonist defeats them, but Manny knocks him out and joins D-Mob against his will. Waking up, the Protagonist enters the tournament and defeats their best fighters. D-Mob attempts to shoot the Protagonist but Manny takes the bullet and survives. The Protagonist triumphs over D-Mob and gets Angel back. As the Protagonist walks out and makes amends with Manny, D-Mob is arrested, leading directly into ''[[Def Jam: Fight for NY]]''.

==Reception==
{{Video game reviews
| NGC = true
| PS2 = true
| na = true
| Allgame_PS2 = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref name=Allgame>{{cite web|url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=42115&tab=review |title=Def Jam Vendetta (PS2) - Review |author=Scott Alan Marriott |publisher=[[AllGame]] |access-date=November 18, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141118235319/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=42115&tab=review |archive-date=November 18, 2014}}</ref>
| EGM_PS2 = 7.67/10<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.egmmag.com/article2/0,2053,1491198,00.asp |title=Def Jam: Vendetta (PS2) |author=EGM Staff |magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]] |issue=165 |date=April 2003 |page=114 |access-date=February 23, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040406082114/http://www.egmmag.com/article2/0%2C2053%2C1491198%2C00.asp |archive-date=April 6, 2004 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| EuroG_PS2 = 3/10<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_defjamvendetta_ps2 |title=Def Jam Vendetta Review (PS2) |author=Ronan Jennings |website=[[Eurogamer]] |date=June 9, 2003 |access-date=February 23, 2014 |archive-date=February 27, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140227210225/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_defjamvendetta_ps2 |url-status=live }}</ref>
| GI_NGC = 8.75/10<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Def Jam Vendetta (GC) |magazine=[[Game Informer]] |issue=120 |date=April 2003 |page=88}}</ref>
| GI_PS2 = 8.5/10<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.gameinformer.com/Games/Review/200304/R03.0729.1408.23654.htm |title=Def Jam Vendetta (PS2) |author=Justin Leeper |magazine=Game Informer |issue=120 |date=April 2003 |page=81 |access-date=February 23, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081121174703/http://www.gameinformer.com/Games/Review/200304/R03.0729.1408.23654.htm |archive-date=November 21, 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
| GamePro_NGC = {{Rating|4.5|5}}<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.gamepro.com/nintendo/gamecube/games/reviews/28734.shtml |title=Def Jam Vendetta Review for GameCube on GamePro.com |author=The D-Pad Destroyer |magazine=[[GamePro]] |date=April 1, 2003 |access-date=February 23, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050309075841/http://www.gamepro.com/nintendo/gamecube/games/reviews/28734.shtml |archive-date=March 9, 2005 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
| GamePro_PS2 = {{Rating|4.5|5}}<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.gamepro.com/sony/ps2/games/reviews/28736.shtml |title=Def Jam Vendetta Review for PS2 on GamePro.com |author=The D-Pad Destroyer |magazine=GamePro |date=April 1, 2003 |access-date=February 23, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050212153640/http://www.gamepro.com/sony/ps2/games/reviews/28736.shtml |archive-date=February 12, 2005 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
| GameRev_NGC = B−<ref name=GameRev>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/def-jam-vendetta |title=Def Jam Vendetta Review |author=Ben Silverman |publisher=[[Game Revolution]] |date=March 4, 2003 |access-date=February 23, 2014 |archive-date=February 28, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140228000147/http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/def-jam-vendetta |url-status=live }}</ref>
| GameRev_PS2 = B−<ref name=GameRev/>
| GSpot_NGC = 8.4/10<ref name=GSpot>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/def-jam-vendetta-review/1900-6024297/ |title=Def Jam Vendetta Review |author=Alex Navarro |website=[[GameSpot]] |date=April 1, 2003 |access-date=February 23, 2014 |archive-date=June 8, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140608214726/http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/def-jam-vendetta-review/1900-6024297/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
| GSpot_PS2 = 8.4/10<ref name=GSpot/>
| GSpy_NGC = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://cube.gamespy.com/gamecube/def-jam-vendetta/5779p1.html |title=GameSpy: Def Jam Vendetta (GCN) |author=Matt Freeman |publisher=[[GameSpy]] |date=April 12, 2003 |access-date=August 31, 2008 |archive-date=June 30, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080630162611/http://cube.gamespy.com/gamecube/def-jam-vendetta/5779p1.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
| GSpy_PS2 = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ps2.gamespy.com/playstation-2/def-jam-vendetta/5780p1.html |title=GameSpy: Def Jam Vendetta (PS2) |author=Matt Freeman |publisher=GameSpy |date=April 12, 2003 |access-date=August 31, 2008 |archive-date=July 20, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080720041932/http://ps2.gamespy.com/playstation-2/def-jam-vendetta/5780p1.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
| GameZone_NGC = 8.7/10<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamezone.com/reviews/def_jam_vendetta_gc_review |title=Def Jam VENDETTA - GC - Review |author=Carlos McElfish |publisher=GameZone |date=April 15, 2003 |access-date=February 22, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090412181129/http://gamecube.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r21214.htm |archive-date=April 12, 2009 |url-status=live}}</ref>
| GameZone_PS2 = 9.2/10<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamezone.com/reviews/def_jam_vendetta_ps2_review |title=Def Jam VENDETTA - PS2 - Review |author=Natalie Romano |publisher=GameZone |date=April 10, 2003 |access-date=February 23, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081006205058/http://ps2.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r21214.htm |archive-date=October 6, 2008 |url-status=live}}</ref>
| IGN_NGC = 8.9/10<ref name=IGNRev>{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2003/03/31/def-jam-vendetta-3|title=Def Jam Vendetta|author=Jon Robinson|website=[[IGN]]|date=March 31, 2003|access-date=February 23, 2014|archive-date=March 12, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140312101516/http://www.ign.com/articles/2003/03/31/def-jam-vendetta-3|url-status=live}}</ref>
| IGN_PS2 = 8.9/10<ref name=IGNRev/>
| NP_NGC = 3.7/5<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Def Jam Vendetta |magazine=[[Nintendo Power]] |volume=169 |date=June 2003 |page=137}}</ref>
| OPM_PS2 = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.playstationmagazine.com/article2/0,2053,1491199,00.asp |title=Def Jam: Vendetta |magazine=[[Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine]] |date=April 2003 |page=86 |access-date=February 23, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040406221333/http://www.playstationmagazine.com/article2/0%2C2053%2C1491199%2C00.asp |archive-date=April 6, 2004 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| rev1 = ''[[The Cincinnati Enquirer]]''
| rev1_NGC = {{Rating|4|4}}<ref name=Cincinnati/>
| rev1_PS2 = {{Rating|4|4}}<ref name=Cincinnati/>
| rev2 = ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''
| rev2_NGC = C+<ref name=EW/>
| rev2_PS2 = C+<ref name=EW/>
| MC_NGC = 81/100<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/def-jam-vendetta/critic-reviews/?platform=gamecube |title=Def Jam Vendetta Critic Reviews for GameCube |website=Metacritic |access-date=February 23, 2014 |archive-date=April 30, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140430132354/http://www.metacritic.com/game/gamecube/def-jam-vendetta/critic-reviews |url-status=live }}</ref>
| MC_PS2 = 80/100<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/def-jam-vendetta/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-2 |title=Def Jam Vendetta Critic Reviews for PlayStation 2 |website=Metacritic |access-date=February 22, 2014 |archive-date=April 30, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140430132408/http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-2/def-jam-vendetta/critic-reviews |url-status=live }}</ref>
}}
By July 2006, the PlayStation 2 version of ''Def Jam Vendetta'' had sold 750,000 copies and earned $30 million in the United States. ''[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]'' ranked it as the 82nd highest-selling game launched for the [[PlayStation 2]], [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]] or [[GameCube]] between January 2000 and July 2006 in that country. Combined sales of the ''Def Jam'' series reached 1.8 million units in the United States by July 2006.<ref name=nextgensales>{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071028115051/http://www.next-gen.biz/index2.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3537&Itemid=2&pop=1&page=1 |url=http://www.next-gen.biz/index2.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3537&Itemid=2&pop=1&page=1 |title=The Top 100 Games of the 21st Century|author1=Campbell, Colin |author2=Keiser, Joe | date=July 29, 2006 |work=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]] |archive-date=October 28, 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

''[[The Cincinnati Enquirer]]'' gave it a score of all four stars and stated: "Electronic Arts deserves kudos for breathing new life into the aging fighting genre with this title's fresh approach".<ref name=Cincinnati>{{cite news|url=http://www.cincinnati.com/freetime/games/reviews/041503_primal.html |title=Virtual getaways await in 'Primal', 'Vendetta' |author=Marc Saltzman |newspaper=[[The Cincinnati Enquirer]] |date=April 15, 2003 |access-date=February 22, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080122131525/http://www.cincinnati.com/freetime/games/reviews/041503_primal.html |archive-date=January 22, 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref> However, ''[[The Village Voice]]'' gave it a score of six out of ten and said: "If only DMX could sic his pit bulls on you, Funkmaster Flex burst your eardrums ID'ing himself, or Redman burn you with a blunt".<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.villagevoice.com/news/in-da-fight-club-6397105 |title=In Da Fight Club |author=Nick Catucci |newspaper=[[The Village Voice]] |date=March 25, 2003 |access-date=February 23, 2014 |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304075656/http://www.villagevoice.com/news/in-da-fight-club-6397105 |url-status=live }}</ref> ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' gave it a C+ and called it "an uninspired wrestling title that lacks Def Jam's trademark sheen".<ref name=EW>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.ew.com/article/2003/03/21/def-jam-vendetta |title=Rhythm & Bruise (Def Jam Vendetta Review) |author=Noah Robischon |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |issue=701 |date=March 21, 2003 |page=120 |access-date=February 23, 2014 |archive-date=April 3, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403125943/http://www.ew.com/article/2003/03/21/def-jam-vendetta |url-status=live }}</ref>

''[[GameSpot]]'' named ''Def Jam Vendetta'' the best PlayStation 2 game of April 2003.<ref name=gotm>{{cite web | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041113003443/http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/gotm/050303/index.html | url=http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/gotm/050303/index.html | title=''GameSpot''{{'}}s Month in Review: April 2003 | author=((The Editors of ''GameSpot'')) | date=May 3, 2003 | work=[[GameSpot]] | archive-date=November 13, 2004 | url-status=dead }}</ref>

During the [[7th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards]], the [[Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences]] nominated ''Def Jam Vendetta'' for "[[D.I.C.E. Award for Fighting Game of the Year|Console Fighting Game of the Year]]", "[[D.I.C.E. Award for Outstanding Achievement in Character|Outstanding Achievement in Character Performance - Female]]" for [[Christina Milian]]'s vocal role as Angel, and "[[D.I.C.E. Award for Outstanding Achievement in Character|Outstanding Achievement in Character Performance - Male]]" for [[Method Man]]'s vocal portrayal of himself.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.interactive.org/games/video_game_details.asp?idAward=2004&idGame=265 |title=D.I.C.E. Awards By Video Game Details Def Jam Vendetta |publisher=[[Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences]] |website=interactive.org |access-date=4 August 2023}}</ref>

{{clear}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{official website|http://www.japan.ea.com/defjamvendetta/ok.html}} {{in lang|ja}}
* {{moby game|id=/def-jam-vendetta}}

{{Def Jam Recordings}}
{{Def Jam Recordings video games}}

[[Category:2003 video games]]
[[Category:Def Jam video games]]
[[Category:EA Sports games]]
[[Category:EA Sports Big games]]
[[Category:Video games based on musicians]]
[[Category:GameCube games]]
[[Category:Organized crime video games]]
[[Category:PlayStation 2 games]]
[[Category:Professional wrestling games]]
[[Category:Syn Sophia games]]
[[Category:Video games developed in Canada]]
[[Category:Video games developed in Japan]]
[[Category:Video games featuring black protagonists]]
[[Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games]]
[[Category:Video games set in New York City]]
[[Category:Spike Video Game Award winners]]