Ultimate Fighting Championship (DC) (Ultimate Fighting Championship (DC))

Member Name: thole09

Product:	Ultimate Fighting Championship (DC)
Date:	08/10/09 (26 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Gameplay

Disadvantages: Some graphics, Some audio

"Ultimate Fighting Championship" is a video game which was released for the Sega Dreamcast in 2000 by Ubisoft. It is a sports themed title with martial arts being represented. In the European marketplace, the game received a guidance rating which deemed it suitable for ages 15 and above.

"Ultimate Fighting Championship" showcases mixed martial artists who represent the organization of the same name. The game pits the player against single opponents in hand-to-hand combat within the confines of an caged octagonal ring. Featuring a wide array of true to life fighters, who are each equipped with their own unique styles, the player is able to access training, exhibition, UFC and career modes.

For me, the career mode creates the bulk of the gameplay experience. Players begin this mode by naming and designing their own character. The name is somewhat deceptive, however, as completing the career mode requires the successful completion of a few sparring fights which grant the player points to allocate towards the "purchase" of new holds and strikes. After these sparring rounds are through, the newly created character becomes accessible in the game's other modes. The UFC mode could perhaps be more accurately described as the proper "career" mode. Here, players enter a chosen fighter into a series of eight bouts with aims of capturing the "silver" championship. After silver has been acquired then a player may continue in an endurance style contest where the fighter can not regenerate health in between rounds, and must survive a further 12 bouts which wins the "gold" championship. The overall feeling of the game is that of an arcade release. The action is fast, engaging and generally fun to play but is very brief in terms of its lasting appeal. The game does become slightly repetitive after capturing the gold championship as the player will resume from the initial fight should he or she wish to participate once more.

The graphics of this title are both hit and miss. While the three dimensional appearance is suitable for that of a Dreamcast video game, the fighters appear somewhat "flat" and not as bright and vivid as some other fighting video games for the console. There is also little differentiation in terms of the ring and arena audience. The game suggests that fights take place in varying locations but due to the generic appearance of the arena this isn't obvious. The audio is also somewhat lacking. Developers of this title have abandoned action-packed musical scores common to other fighting games in favour of a more realistic setting. The result was to include subtle crowd noise against apparent, sometimes hearty, strikes and bodily contact.

Overall, Ultimate Fighting Championship is not the best of fighting games for the Sega Dreamcast but does pack an acceptable punch for fans of the organization. I would be able to recommend it to fans of mixed martial arts but it is not likely that general fighting fans would appreciate this video game.

Summary: Thumbs in the middle