Remember the golden days of gaming when weekends were spent engrossed in classics like GoldenEye and Mario Kart? My friends and I, with our N64, yearned for an upgrade, but my parents’ refusal led us to rent a Dreamcast instead. Among the games included was the intriguing Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). While familiar with Tekken 3 and WWF War Zone, UFC offered a unique experience. The standing combat was reminiscent of a less flamboyant Tekken, yet the intricacy of the ground game was a mystery to us. Frantic button-mashing ensued once one player managed to pin the other to the floor, often resulting in a KO due to the dominant fighter’s relentless attacks. Despite its depth that rewarded skill and timing, my heart was captured by Soul Calibur, leaving UFC to the sidelines.
Fast-forward eight years, and we now have UFC 2009: Undisputed. During the intervening period, numerous developers have attempted to capture the essence of UFC, with mixed reviews. Yet, despite the lukewarm reception from critics, THQ has taken the publishing torch, entrusting Yuke’s – known for titles like Rumble Roses XX, WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009 – to develop Undisputed.
UFC is often compared to boxing and wrestling, but it aims for a more free-form combat experience, blending the best of both worlds without adhering strictly to a rule-set or dramatic narrative. Approximately 40 rules are in place to minimize the risk of combatants causing harm, such as prohibiting biting, eye-gouging, and other dangerous maneuvers. Unlike a single-styled martial artist or boxer, UFC fighters primarily use any means necessary to triumph, even if this often leads to quick takedowns and subsequent submission holds.
In Undisputed, players select a real-life fighter from the same weight division, then step into the octagonal arena for combat. The left analog stick controls movement with quick taps for sidestepping and dodging, while pushing it downward enables running and faster evasions. In classic Tekken style, the face buttons represent attacks for each limb, with variations achieved by holding different directions for hooks, jabs, and kicks. Simple combos can also be chained for sustained assaults.
Atop the screen, the right bumper and trigger are used for high and low guards, respectively. Holding the left trigger shifts a fighter’s focus away from the opponent’s face and upper torso, allowing kicks and punches aimed at legs and midriffs. By holding the left bumper, players can unleash more devastating techniques like backfists, haymakers, and roundhouse kicks, which are easier to defend against but can lead to match-winning KOs if timed correctly. There’s something satisfying about delivering a powerful kick to the opponent’s face.
UFC’s spirit is reflected in the game, as each fighter has a distinct standing and ground style corresponding to real-life techniques. Michael “The Count” Bisping, for instance, combines kickboxing on his feet with Brazilian jiu-jitsu on the mat. The rest of the roster, including heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar and ex-light heavyweight champion Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, feature boxing, kickboxing, or Muay Thai styles. Boxing and kickboxing offer dominance from mid-range, while Muay Thai specializes in close-quarters combat, delivering knockout blows with knees and elbows. The Muay Thai Clinch can be particularly frustrating if you’re unable to escape.
As fighters brutally exchange blows within the three five-minute rounds, they visibly tire, with bruised faces from poorly blocked uppercuts and knee strikes. The combatants move and execute techniques in a way that closely mirrors reality, with muscles visibly expanding and contorting beneath the skin. Undisputed excels as a showcase for high-quality visuals, especially on a 50″ 1080p display, considering its vast roster. My only critique is the lack of momentum behind the punches, which might be attributed to my familiarity with instant gratification in combat games.
