UFC 2009: Undisputed

I first bought my PS3 back in 2007 when this game was first announced. As a huge MMA fan I was desperate for a good UFC game. This game was everything I expected, it's difficult and each fighter has a different moveset that has different controls you have to master. You have the option to just have a button mashing punch-up but if you want to do well in the game you have to master the difficult controls.

My only negatives I've found in the game so far is that theres limited game modes to play with the existing roster. With the real fighters in the game you can only play exhibition matches. In career mode you HAVE to use a created fighter. I'd have also liked a tournament mode or maybe the possibility for some open weight class fights - but then this doesn't happen in real UFC any more so didn't really expect it in their game.

Other than the limited game modes, and I've not thoroughly expored the career more yet, the game is fantastic and as a MMA fanatic this is exactly what I wanted from a UFC game!

UFC 2009 Undisputed is a game whitch makes fun playing it with your friends. The career is interesting but becomes quite one-sided by time. An important factor is the online gaming. Here is the biggest minus. THQ just isn't able to create a working online mode. The most fighters are lagging if you fight them. Moreover there are a few bugs in the game: e.g. if you win by submission the other player is able to turn off his console and your victory isn't counted.

All in all this game makes fun if you don't expect a fighting game of perfection and if you can live with the constantly repeating video sequences.

In the land of the blind the one eyed man is king! That quote sums up my experience with Undisputed 2009 in a nutshell. I bought this game on the cheap following the rave reviews for Undisputed 2010 just to see what it was all about really as i'm not an avid follower of the UFC.

I was pleased to discover that UFC 2009 had similar rave reviews so I thought I was onto a winner, especially when I read reviews not only comparing it to Fight Night Round 4 but some reviews stating that it was actually better! This of course should have been a warning sign as it is not like comparing FIFA and PES but more like comparing FIFA to NBA Live just because they are both team sports that use a ball!

UFC Undisputed 2009 is a mixed martial arts fighting game that is realistic, so none of your dragon punches here! This is a good aspect of the game and does make a refreshing change from some of the titles that are released currently. However, this is one of only a few positives that this title offers.

Graphically the game is good without overly impressing as the fighters appear to be too plastic until in action replay then you get some indication that you are hitting someone and not an action man!

The game roster includes a number of fighters that are instantly recognisable even to a UFC novice like me.

And finally there are a variety of moves at your disposal.

And now for the negatives which I know the fanboys will not like but here we go!

As I said previously graphically it is not stunning, tired effects which have been done since the PS2 and just as well do not cut it in my book. Examples of this are the facial cuts and bruising which are poor and repetitive and seem to have been put in just for the effect.

The sounds and presentation are just shocking and really do belong on a PS2, i'm not talking about the rock soundtrack which doesn't really bother me but the menu sounds, the `amazing crowd' (thats a quote) is laughable and the menu presentation in particular in career mode is a joke.

While on career mode which is the main section of the game that I played I wondered why they included it as it seems like a direct port from the PS2 again. Your fighter doesn't age, as he doesn't age he can continue getting better until eventually a message flashes up saying you have a year left! Once you have won the championship you then seem to have to fight the same four fighters over and over again i.e. the top 5 which never changes!

I won't even start on the control system as I did enough to finish the game without really getting to grips with it, all I will say is get ready to play finger twister!

Finally, I would only recommend this game if you are a big fan of UFC and/or you find it on a budget buy somewhere. I can only suggest that this game has got such great reviews as there is no competition but as EA have released their own title the MMA gaming field make become very interesting in the coming years.