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Def Jam Vendetta for PlayStation 2
Def Jam Vendetta for the PlayStation 2 is a wrestling game that brings together hip-hop artists and fictional fighters in an underground circuit. You will meet DMX, Method Man and Redman, among others, as opponents or playable characters. The music and arenas give the matches their own atmosphere, while the actions in the ring revolve around punches, holds, throws and the right moment for a decisive attack.
Short and longer button presses yield different strengths of attacks and grabs. You read your opponent's position, try to answer his attack and build momentum. A full meter opens up the possibility for a personal special attack. Specific body parts can also weaken, which gives meaning to the choice for a grip or submission. A match therefore requires more than repeating the same attack over and over again.
In the story you choose from four original main characters and work your way up through the circuit. Money won helps you improve properties and unlock parts. In addition, you can play matches locally with up to four players, including tag team battles and a battle royal. Those extra participants change who you need to keep an eye on and when you can safely complete an attack. The PlayStation 2 edition thus connects its own story loop with direct competitions against people next to you. Three or four players require a PlayStation 2 Multitap.
Region and language
Our PlayStation 2 games are PAL editions and come with a Dutch or English box, unless stated otherwise. By default, you receive the version for the European market. We note it in the product details if the region is different or the box is in another language. In almost all cases, the game is playable at least in English, and often in the other five common European languages too.
Manual
The manual is missing from this copy of Def Jam Vendetta for PlayStation 2. That is why the product title says “No Manual”. You receive the game in its box, without the instruction booklet. This makes the contents clear before you order.
The original printed manual usually contains at least English and often around six European languages. The languages vary by edition; Dutch is not always included. This information describes the original booklet and does not mean that it comes with this copy. A copy with a manual is offered separately when available.
The history of Def Jam Vendetta
Electronic Arts released Def Jam Vendetta in 2003 under the EA Sports BIG label. AKI Corporation worked with EA Canada on the game. AKI had gained a lot of experience with wrestling games on Nintendo 64, including WWF No Mercy. The collaboration used that knowledge for a new environment: a fictional underground circuit with artists from the Def Jam label and specially designed fighters.
The license provided more than names for a character list. Music, voices, clothing and the design of the locations connected the ring fights with hip hop. During matches, instrumental versions of songs take center stage, while other parts of the game also use singing. At the same time, the basics remained emphatically a wrestling game with grabs, throws and competitions in which the position and condition of the opponent count.
The PlayStation 2 version combined a single-player story with local competitions for up to four participants. The story used four pre-made main characters, which you could further develop through won battles and money. In 2004, Def Jam followed Fight for NY, which expanded the concept to include different fighting styles and a different emphasis on street fighting. Vendetta therefore represents the first, more wrestling-oriented development of the collaboration between EA, AKI and the music label. Three or four players require a PlayStation 2 Multitap.
Similar games for PlayStation 2
Def Jam: Fight for NY shares artists, music and a story about an underground fighting circuit. The successor uses multiple fighting styles and allows the environment to participate more in street fights. Vendetta places more emphasis on wrestling holds, ring positions and matches. The recognizable atmosphere connects the two, while learning attacks and decisive moments is structured differently.
WWE SmackDown! Here Comes the Pain for PlayStation 2 shares ring combat, grapples and the search for an opening for a decisive attack. It focuses on a career with WWE wrestlers, whereas Vendetta places hip-hop artists in a fictional underground circuit. In both, you deliberately choose when to strike or grapple; the cast, story and development of attacks give matches their own rhythm.
Tekken 4 for PlayStation 2 also revolves around reading distance, blocking and answering an attack. Different fighting styles mainly use punches, kicks and combinations, while walls affect your position. Vendetta places more weight on grappling, throwing, pinning and submissions. Both have you practising when to catch an opponent, but a successful hold has a different meaning in the wrestling ring.
WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw 2006 for PlayStation 2 shares preparing major wrestling attacks and using momentum. Stamina also makes managing your energy important there. Vendetta builds its personal specials through the combat meter and ties career progression to a fictional hip-hop circuit. Both teach you when to press on and when an opponent needs to be weakened further first.
Soulcalibur II for PlayStation 2 likewise has you read an opponent’s movement before striking. Weapons give each fighter a different reach and a ring-out can decide a duel. Vendetta redirects that attention to wrestling holds, throws and weakening body parts. You also fight locally against each other, but Soulcalibur has you choosing weapon distance rather than an opening for a pin or submission.
