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Yep, this is what it's come to..............

1 Rating: 1, Useful: 2 / 16
Date: September 18, 2004
Author: Amazon User

I am not offended by this game in the least. I am, however, dissapointed that some people will actually BUY this! A game where the object is to get in fights, acquire "bling", and acquire women. (And yes I do mean acquire, same as the other objects)Nice move putting your wife in the game as one of the girls (prizes) also, taht is among the classiest things I have seen in a while. I don't have a problem with violence in games or other things of the like as long as it is all in good fun. But give me a break, what kind of moron do you and your agent have to be to allow yourself to be represented in this manner? No wonder so many rappers are actors, most of them live an act.

Fun for a couple of days, then it gets real cheap

2 Rating: 2, Useful: 6 / 11
Date: October 08, 2004
Author: Amazon User

Do you remember those incredibly cheap fighting game characters that would cause you to blow a gasket as they unleashed a 28-hit combo which you couldn't block or recover from? Remember how M. Bison in Street Fighter 2 or Heihachi in Tekken 1 were so incredibly cheap and would barely let you get a hit in? If that sounds like fun, then by all means buy Def Jam Fight for NY! This game is actually fun for a while, and it looks and sounds great, but it's too bad that the control is so cheesy and unbalanced that it basically ruined the game for me.

PROS: Great graphics, awesome voice-over acting, tons of cool customization options (real licensed gear; you can get Air Jordans for your character!), an interesting story line, and tons of famous (and less famous) hip-hop celebrities. This game has got style and character, without a doubt.

CONS: Unfortunately, the gameplay (you know, the actual point of the game, as opposed to buying jewelry and clothes for your fighter like some urban Barbie doll) is both too simple and too frustrating. The main problem is that all fights follow the same exact progression: land a punch or kick, get your opponent dizzy, grapple them, throw them down, pick them up while they're still dizzy, repeat. There are NO MOVES in this game. Oh sure, you can buy a couple dozen "blazin' moves", but these can only be used once or twice (rarely twice) a fight, and only in certain circumstances. The BIG weakness is that the computer AI is really cheap, and will basically string together about 25 moves before you can even move. Blocking and countering are really, really weak and tough to pull off, and I actually had a fight (admittedly with an upper level character) where I couldn't land a hit, and any miss on my part would result in a 3 minute orgy of hits from the AI. HHMMMMM... fun. I guess you could sum up the problem by saying that there is really little strategy involved, and that you can't get all that much better. The crowd and object interaction are also really poorly done, since the crowd is like a magnet: get too close to ANY spectator, and they'll hold you while the computer unleashes a 13 hit combo. Does this ever happen to the CPU? Rarely. Lastly, the arenas are well done, but you can't appreciate them because the camera stinks and half the time you can't see where your guy is!

This is a game that's actually more fun with somebody else, since you don't have to deal with the computer cheese that basically ruins what could have been a fun game... Rent first, definitely!

Stereotypes ? Yes. Still looks fun to play even 4 a min.

2 Rating: 2, Useful: 3 / 7
Date: September 17, 2004
Author: Amazon User

I agree with what the reviewer said about sterotypes. He must be an old head like me who remembers when rap had a positive message and sought to break down sterotypes. I dont think you would have seen PRT or BDP Brand Nubian in this type of game. Seems now those same foundation layers are turning those sterotypes into profit. Using your own wife as a "girlfriend" Come on Russell, I knew you had a lisp but are you that against women? I guess this type of ignorance is ok if it puts money in your pocket...but if you perpetuate them, dont be mad when you are called on them. If you gotta keep up the "thug/bling bling" image, at the end of the day, you havent done much to motivate and change the game.

On the flip side, if you take it strictly as entertainment, it looks like it will be a blast to play. Maybe not game of the year, but I gotta see flavor flav take on rollins! Im too old to be swayed by marketing anyway. And in my opinion, hip hop culture has been partially destroyed years ago.

The problem is the effect this has on kids...or anybody who listens to rap. Im slightly offended, but Ive been upset with hip hop cultures decay for years now, so I guess this is par for the course. Kids, just dont try this at home...and parents,watch what your kids are playing..nuff said
Peace

where're the real reviews?

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 1 / 5
Date: September 25, 2004
Author: Amazon User

I would like to read reviews rather than social commentaries about this game. Does anyone out there has something to say about game play, etc?

AWESOME at first

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 1 / 3
Date: November 05, 2004
Author: Amazon User

Def Jam fight for NY is a street fighting based game with devastating moves and intense fast paced action. Game makers showed great attention to detail. For example your fighter will make mean faces when they throw their fist at someone! and squint and shun away when a punch is thrown at him! Also, If you lose, but you still put up a good fight, the scene of your opponent mocking you at the end will show the damage you caused to your opponent! An unprecedented 74 total fighters to choose from, (of course, most of them will have to be unlocked this helped with replay value.) You can shop for clothes and jewelry to help with your charisma, which in turn helps your momentum while taunting your opponent in fights. Lots of fun and challenging as well. If you liked Vendetta you will love this. The advancements are amazing. The graphics are killer. Sound is OK, music is OK, and overall replay ability is good.

Def Jam Scores a Blazin' Knockout!!

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 11 / 11
Date: November 12, 2004
Author: Amazon User

From an older gamer Def Jam's Fight For New York was a breath of fresh air on the standard fight game scene. I am too old to memorize the obscenely complex patterns of the Old School Mortal Kombat games, and Killer Instinct and all that ensuing madness. Fight For New York reminds me of the simple controls of the original Street Fighter series. Punch, Kick, Grapple, and a couple of Blazin moves to remember was pretty much it for basic game-play.
The game i think really shines in Story mode pitting you as the hero working for the big, bad Big Guy D-Mob trying to beat down D-Mob's biggest foe Crow, and his countless Hip Hop soldiers. I am unfamiliar with the previous game but i did read that D-Mob is a carry over from Vendetta. Creating your own figher is fun, and i think really helps to immerse the player into the game. You can outfit with him with all sorts of real world fashions (all the stuff i can't afford, and couldn't pull off anyway), jewelry, haircuts, and tattoos. I think that had to be a large portion of the appeal of this game the buying and wearing of the supercool gear. Not mention the satisfying feeling of delivering a perfectly timed, and exectued Blazin' move to achieve a K.O.
I was able to finish the game in 6 hours, and found it VERY satisfying even though the end scene feels a tad rushed, and could have been fleshed out just a little more. I am not well versed in the genre but i believe that from other reveiwers that this game is a Who's Who of the Hip Hop culture though i am a HUGE fan of Henry Rollins who plays himself as your personal trainer (nice touch Henry, thank you!!)
My only complaint, and as minor as it is I think it is worth mentioning just for a second. The language is very strong, and while i don't have a problem with it. I am sure that it will turn some people purple with rage, and hope that it does not start some sort of new video game ratings craze similar to the GTA phenom, but then any publicity is good publicity. EA could have offered a toggle for language, but other then that. I think that it is a great game, and well worth the time, and money spent.
Great Graphics
Great Soundtracks
Great bare-knuckled fight action
Solid A++ for the fan of the Fighting Game Genre

Beat 'em Up Old and New School Style!

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 9 / 10
Date: November 09, 2004
Author: Amazon User

I haven't been into fighting games since the mid-90s, but I picked up DJFFNY because I was really interested in the ability to customize your own fighter and many of the celebrities you can play as this game.

You create your own fighter, customizing everything from skin tone to hair color. If you aren't the creative type, or just want to start playing, you can choose one of the pre-made characters.

Within the story mode of the game, you unlock additional clothing, jewelery, tattoos, and haircuts as you win matches against opponents. You also unlock development points (similar to those in SSX 3 or Tony Hawk) which can then be used to develop your physique, your moves, and your fighting style.

The soundtrack is great, as are the graphics and the voiceovers. There is a lot of blood whenever you smack someone around, and the sound effects when you clobber your opponent with a bottle or a pipe really sound painful.

The one thing that suprised me was the amount of swearing used. I'm not a prude, but does there really need to be a four-letter word used every time someone sends you an email?

GREAT Fighting Game

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 3 / 4
Date: October 04, 2004
Author: Amazon User

First let me say the following:

1. I am not a fan of hip-hop. Nothing wrong with it, just not my thing.

2. I don't particularly care for wrestling games.

3. I never get excited about games that let you collect money so you can buy gobs of extras (clothes, etc).

That said, this game goes completely against what I normally like. This game has hip-hop dripping off the disc, it's a fighting/wrestling game, and a big part of the game is buying yourself clothes, jewelry, etc. This game is by far one of the most addictive games I'm played recently. Most fighting games get boring after a while, but with a great mix of martial arts, wrestling, jiujitsu, and kickboxing, this game doesn't get dull or repetitive.

PROS

- The assortment of styles and moves you can perform is incredible.
- The game presents itself in such a manner that you actually care about the story and your character.
- The graphics and sound are GREAT. I've seen review sites give it an 8/10 for graphics, which I don't understand; this game looks better than most on the shelves.
- Buying clothes and jewelry is actually - I hate to admit it - fun in this game.
- Somewhat interactive fighting arenas.

CONS
- Controls feel sluggish at first, at least until you "train" to get your speed up to par. After that, they feel great.
- At least for me, the game's medium (default) difficulty was VERY hard and VERY frustrating... after I put it on easy, I felt challenged but I didn't feel like my hands were tied behind my back.
- Game isn't as interesting once it's been beaten. You continue to fight, but without the story taking place, you don't feel as close to your character.

Lastly, THIS GAME IS NOT SUITABLE FOR MINORS! PERIOD. I'm 27 years old, and this game cracked me up (you can't take it too seriously people), but kids shouldn't be allowed within 50 feet of it. It's littered with foul language (and not to mention INTENSE violece), but truthfully, it actually adds to the game's atmosphere. Just keep your kids away from it.

In a nutshell, if you like a good fighting game, you're almost sure to like this one. At least rent it for a day and see what you think.

Gangsta's Paradise

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: February 07, 2005
Author: Amazon User

Def Jam Fight NY, for the Xbox is a fighting game that can be played by one to four players versus. First you can pick to play in story mode, where you create a character and play through its career/reputation or battle mode, which is a one fight deal. in Story mode the world is set in the slums of New York and you start as a lowly character trying to make money and build your reputation as a great fighter. With the money you make you can purchase, special moves and increase your character's stats. You can make him faster, stronger, and meaner. You can also purchase clothing, tattoos and even buy haircuts to change your characters appearance. You'll be fighting against characters based on real life hip-hop and rap artists such as; ice cube, sean paul, method man, redman, xzibit, omar epps, snoop dog and much more! The in-game music even features some of these artist's music, which fits perfectly into the game's gangster theme! In battle mode you play a single fight and earn points to unlock new fighters, arenas and music tracks. The fighting arenas themselves are excellent and are fun to play in because they are interactive- you can slam your enemies into walls, stereo speakers, and even cars! You can grab bottles, metal pipes and sticks to smack the crap out of your opponent! There are four fighting styles to pick from: wrestling, kickboxing, submission and martial arts! When you beat your oppenent sensless you gain blaze points. When your blaze meter is full, you can execute powerful combo moves! The fights are tough, and brutal; you'll see your character's face all bloody and bruised, blood even spurts on the floor! Def Jam fight for NY is one of the best fighting games out there on the market! Its gangter theme fits perfect into the atmosphere of the gameplay!

Pros:
+four fighting stlyes
+brutal and bloody fights
+excellent controls
+excellent animation
+excellent sound effects
+excellent music tracks
+excellent arenas
+excellent difficulty levels
+up to four players versus
+create your own character
+buy clothing, jewelry, haircuts, tattoos
+real-life hip-hop artist
+tons of unlockable goodies
+longest fighting game ever

Cons:
-computer cheats
-counter moves hard to pull off
-some arenas block your view

Unbaised Opinion

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 1 / 3
Date: September 22, 2004
Author: Amazon User

It seems the first reviewer already has a biased opinion about this game before he has even seen or played it.How is it that everytime a game where the central characters are African-Americans or Hispanic there is this cloud of negative opinion? (ex. Grand Theft Auto San Andreas) What difference is it that the characters are rap musicians? Corporate Hollywood has been cashing in on their properties for years with games based on their movies so why can't Def Jam cash in on their properties?Also, what separates WWF or WWE games with their women characters in their scantily clad outfits and their bra & panties matches from the women characters in Def Jam Vendetta? Nothing really. They are trying to add role playing elements into a tired formula of wrestling games is what I see. In most role playing games your character outfits himself with all type gear and accessories and in some games you even get to interact or get involved with members of the opposite sex (The Sims, Fable) So don't dismiss this game based on some uninformed opinion, but rather pick up a game magazine or watch G4TechTV for a unbaised review of ths game.

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