UFC 2009 Undisputed

Game: UFC 2009 Undisputed
Format: PS3, Xbox 360
Publisher: THQ

To many, the kind of contemporary wrestling made famous by Hulk Hogan and his cohorts is sports combat at its best.

The glamour, excess and theatre of the most commercially-successful form of fighting there is gives its fans a feast for the eyes in neon and sparkling gold, and it is no doubt entertaining.

But there are those who rubbish wrestling in that format, branding it as some gaudy pantomime of playacting and pulled punches. This is an audience that want something grittier, something darker, and something far more dangerous.

For them, there is the long-running Ultimate Fighting Championship, which offers a mixed martial arts format far bloodier and more intense than most of what the Lycra-clad alternatives offer. Now those who enjoy the violent antics of this brutal and thrilling combat sport have a new video game to enjoy, in the form of UFC 2009 Undisputed, and happily it does a great job of capturing the terrifying spirit of its televised counterpart.

Designed as an explosive, action-focused fighting game, Undisputed lets players master the abilities of over 80 top fighters from the sport’s five weight classes, and thanks to the mixed martial arts focus, that means there’s a wealth of different techniques and moves to perfect. There’s no doubt that the latest UFC game offers value for money, and to truly realise what it has on offer would take numerous hours of dedicated play.

What’s initially striking as you step into the infamous Octagon fighting arena is the realism of the visuals. It wont take an expert to see just how detailed and immaculate the graphics are, but those more familiar with the UFC’s televised output will be amazed by how well the game’s developers have captured the spirit of their source material.

In short, playing UFC 2009 Undisputed feels like interacting with a live event beamed to countless TV screens, and it is that that makes each fight so dramatic. Look closer still, and you’ll also notice some incredible visual flamboyance on the bodies of the fighters themselves. As fists and feet hit home, the faces and muscles of the combatants ripple and warp as the body absorbs the impact of contact. The first time you notice this effect provides one of those increasingly common moments when you wonder just how the humble debut of Pong was only thirty-seven years ago.

At the core of Undisputed is a brand new fighting game engine, on top of which the science and physics of the combat is built. The result is a relatively easy control system that lets you harness the power of a number of martial arts, from Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to traditional kickboxing.

A substantial career mode lets you follow the path of an athlete chasing the dream of becoming future champion, and an elaborate ‘Create-A-Fighter’ tool offers the chance to build your own devastating warrior and train to be the greatest. A wealth of other extra’s mean that if you like your combat sports tough, UFC 2009 Undisputed is, well, the undisputed contender for your hard earned cash.