UFC 2009 Undisputed (Xbox 360, 2009)

This game is already a You Tube cult classic. MMA fans the world over are playing the current UFC headline fighters before every event...and its not even released yet! Thanks to a very close friend in the gaming world, we got the opportunity to "explore" this unreleased MMA(mixed martial arts) fight game(release date: June 2009). It's currently available for pre-order, but believe me...if you're a UFC fan, this game is worth the price tag and the wait. We got to play the UFC's event line ups on the night of UFC 92:Ultimate 2008. Okay, you'll have to be a huge MMA fan, like myself, to see how incredibly accurate and life like the fighters appeared in the game. Forrest Griffin had the same shorts, goofy haircut(see the game cover art above) and lanky swagger. Rampage Jackson's tattoos and classic junkyard dog scowl were dead on. Minotauro Nogeira and Frank Mir, all carbon copies to the real thing. The Octagon with all advertisements were an exact match. Commentators Joe Rogan and Mike Goldberg were in place at ringside. Ring girls and referees just like the actual events. The stage was perfect and true to life.

The controls still need to be tweaked out but were pretty user friendly. I would get into the actual control button set up but that would be a little lengthy. Just believe me, it's VERY USER FRIENDLY! i.e. only one button for a specific move. Each of the currently 80 some odd fighters has his own striking and grappling style. The right stick controlled the grappling and was simple to use with VERY LOW frustration factor...and I'm easily frustrated! Each strike is automatic depending on the distance to the opponent. Power was determined by the stamina of the fighter, fatigue plays a factor...just like in real life. There was constant action. Both fighters on the offensive at all times. True fluidity.

Bottom line...a must have for all fight fans. A great fight game for all non fight fans. Playing this game is like a crash course into the real UFC and all it's great fighters. Plus, it's easy to use. Awesome graphics and true to life details. Commentary by Joe and Mike was a treat!

UPDATE MAY 2009...NOW AVAILABLE!