Def Jam Fight for NY

PGNx Media

The game’s actual fighting has also been incredibly revamped.

TotalGames.net

It's faster, harder, dirtier, louder, and quite simply, the most brutal beat-'em-up we've ever had the joy of playing. In fact it's more than brutal - it's downright vicious. And smack our head repeatedly into an iron girder if it isn't fun.

Nintendojo

Anything bad you remember regarding Vendetta, you won't see it in this follow-up.

Game Power Australia

A game that practically reinvents the original and presents what's arguably one of the most visceral, compelling fighting experiences you're likely to have this side of 2005.

GameZone

The best jam wrestling/street fighting/kick boxing game on the market.

Total Video Games

A really good beat-en-up that really absorbs players. Graphically the game is very well done, and the soundtracks enhance the whole hip-hop underground scene that the title is trying to represent and exaggerate.

Stuff

As far as sequels go, Fight for NY is to "Vendetta" what "The Empire Strikes Back" was to "Star Wars."

Yahoo! Games

The level of work that went into this game is way beyond the norm. It's obvious that no expense was spared in making Def Jam Fight For NY a big-time title... It's one the most polished fighting games available.

eToychest

I recommend it if you aren’t squeamish about knocking the crap out of very realistic and very familiar looking people.

GMR Magazine

The next game should be unstoppable, but it better well feature Eric B. and Rakim.

GameCube Europe

The innovative KO style of the fights and the inventive way of using the crowd and the environment to lay the smack down is very satisfying.

AceGamez

Although the violence is a lot harsher, the gameplay and tension has been revamped to give a more intuitive feel without losing the need to improve those button tapping skills.

Next Level Gaming

So much better then the last version. And with saying that, the last version was also great. One problem I did find was how hard this game was. You can set the level of difficulty but damn even the easy is tough!

Game Informer

As for the action itself, this is some very fast-paced and brutal - very brutal - action. Although the control scheme is relatively simple, you'll quickly learn that ther is an exact science to adminstering grapples and harsh environmental moves at just the right moment. [Oct 2004, p.126]

IGN

Even if you don't end up the biggest fan of the grappling system, the Blazin' Moves are certain to leave anyone impressed. There's a great sense of fun, of true enjoyment in the development of Fight for NY and that translates to the game.

Game Over Online

A larger story line, greater number of options and plenty of interactive environments make this title one for any fight fans. It may not completely live up to its design, but it more than makes up for it in style.

GameSpot

No doubt, this is a more brutal, bloody, and foul-mouthed effort than last year's game, but this emphasis on mature content is backed up by great gameplay and an incredible atmosphere.

Electronic Gaming Monthly

The best part of all, though, is the story mode, which not only has a great create-a-fighter option, but also a surprisingly good story that almost flawlessly ties all aspects of the game together. [Nov 2004, p.132]

Inside Gamer Online

Delivers on all fronts. Sure it has its minor flaws, but with a stellar story, crazy amounts of celebrities, licensed soundtrack, and fun fighting engine, you would be hard pressed to find a game as enjoyable as Fight for NY.

WHAM! Gaming

A challenging level of difficulty plus next-to-useless instructions makes Def Jam: Fight For NY harder than it needs to be. But once you master your skills (and overlook the camera problems), it's one of the most viscerally fun brawlers in ages.

BonusStage

The game is easy to pick up and play, the sound and graphics are spectacular, and the amount of content jammed onto this DVD is just mind-boggling.

Gaming Age

The controls feel precise and fluid as they react according to the situation you are in. If one thing that may be a downer to some casual gamers is the difficult A.I. in the game.

XGP Gaming

Gamecube players will get the most out of their four controller ports; Def Jam supports up to four players for a number of different multiplayer modes.

Maxim Online

Should the lyrically challenged feel left out, you can create your own brawler outfitted in ice courtesy of celebrity bling supplier Jacob the Jeweler. Better to look good than to—ow—feel good.

G4 TV

An incredibly fun game born of a fascinating concept that follows through on its potential in almost every way. If you’re a fan of hip-hop, or of solid grapplers with a huge does of the old ultra-violence, you’ll find plenty here to keep you bouncing in your seat.

GameSpy

The fighting is hard-hitting, intuitive, and satisfying, and the story-mode is well-developed enough to give it long-term legs despite it's lack of an online multiplayer component.

Sydney Morning Herald

The fact that it's got the deepest story ever seen in a fighter simply adds to the realistic feel of the brutal combat within.

Gamer.tv

Improves on "Vendetta" in every aspect [with a] well-told story mode and improved fighting engine.

1UP

The GameCube version has taken it on the chin, presumably thanks to disc space limitations -- eight of 28 music tracks are gone, there's no choice of voices for the main character (compared to six options on other platforms), the framerate suffers from occasional hiccups in crowded stages, and there are spots of very poor texture detail.

Nintendo Power

Advanced difficulty keeps you from getting by with button mashing alone. [Dec 2004, p.144]

Game Revolution

An extremely violent, bloody, foul-mouthed and visceral fighter filled with plenty of style. Unfortunately, good looks, a cool character creator and some sweet environments are commodities that lose their luster after several hours of play.

games(TM)

A more solid, playable and visually splendid grappler than this will be hard to come by... If it weren’t for the fact that you can easily clock Story mode and unlock everything in a weekend, we’d have a much easier job recommending Fight For New York. [Nov 2004, p.108]

Play Magazine

New fighting styles, more weapons, added match types, rowdy crowds and some wicked, brutal environmental interactions help make up for the watered-down brawling. [Oct 2004, p.87]