UFC: Throwdown

GameSpy

Fighting game fans will like Throwdown. Mixed martial arts fans will love it.

Armchair Empire

A solid title that will appeal to those looking for a more realistic fighting game.

Game Informer

UFC still has some untapped game potential, but Throwdown is its best effort so far. [June 2002, p.78]

PSM Magazine

A deeper game than any of its UFC predecessors, but it comes with a diminished graphical punch. [July 2002, p.36]

GameZone

Has some drawbacks, but offers incredible fight graphics.

GameSpot

The most significant addition to this version of the game is a career mode that lets you create your own fighter, which adds plenty of stand-alone value to the sort of game that's previously been best suited to two players.

GamerWeb Sony

UFC fans should be more than satisfied. It’s not as polished as I would’ve liked, and the depth is somewhat hindered by overly similar modes of play.

IGN

A tossed bag of good, great, and not so.

TotalGames.net

Controlled in much the same way as Tekken, the game is played out at a somewhat less feverish pace and whilst never reaching the compelling heights of the aforementioned titles, bouts are still something that beat-’em-up fans should enjoy.

Yahoo! Games

If you just want to experience the visceral knockout quality of a good arcade-punching match, then UFC is exactly what you need.

PSX Nation

A quality interactive representation of a legitimate fighting franchise, brought down only by its lack of gameplay modes, inconsequential audio and too-close-for-comfort similarity to its two-year old Dreamcast cousin.

Electronic Gaming Monthly

You can almost feel the snap of a bone as your opponents bend your elbow 90 degrees too far -- the other way. [July 2002, p.120]

Electric Playground

The entire game boils down to some annoyingly simple button mashing that gets old faster than most UFC matches last.

Adrenaline Vault

While you're not going to rock your friends socks off with the none-too-glitzy presentation of UFC Throwdown, the game's tight controls, smooth combat and surprising flexibility will make up for those shortcomings with little difficulty.

GamePro

The characters are sloppily animated, and when the camera zooms out, the fight is shown in an odd, blurry style that mars the action.

XenGamers

An appropriately nasty, brutish and short-lived game.

Official U.S. Playstation Magazine

There's enough here for die-hard UFC fans to sink their teeth into, and it's worth their time to check it out. Everyone else, though, should stay away. [July 2002, p.102]

Game Revolution

Its simple controls and variety of styles will easily impress the newcomers. The rest of the vets might enter the ring for a fight or two, but this tournament isn't worth coming out of retirement.

All Game Guide

The action is not nearly violent enough to satisfy one's bloodlust, the characters look different but function essentially the same, and matches lack any form of strategy associated with the sport.