UFC 2009 Undisputed Poised to KO the Competition

• by Caleb Newby
• May 13, 2009 00:00 AM PST

Authentic, violent, and flat-out gorgeous, UFC 2009 Undisputed is one of the most impressive fighters we've ever seen. Only GamePro has a full analysis of this cutting-edge fighting game, including hands-on impressions of the innovative new controls, comprehensive details on the fighter's styles and strategies, and new details on the career and Classic Fights modes. This one's for the MMA fans and the newcomers!

• PREVIEW: UFC invades GamePro's May 2009 issue
• PREVIEW: UFC 2009 Undisputed
• VIDEO: See the UFC 2009 Undisputed trailer!

It's been five years since the undisputed leader in mixed martial arts (MMA), the Ultimate Fighting Championship, made a foray into the video game world. But much has changed since 2004. The Ultimate Fighter reality show debuted on SPIKE TV, pitting prospective UFC fighters against each other and setting in motion events that have forever changed the world of MMA. After an epic battle between finalists Stephan Bonnar and Forrest Griffin on the live finale (Griffin won by decision) fans have been flocking to the sport in droves making each year bigger than the last. With the UFC now covered regularly by ESPN and their events doing record numbers at venues across the United States, Canada, and Europe, mixed martial arts is kicking the door open on the mainstream with UFC President and front man Dana White leading the charge.

It may seem odd, then, that it's taken so long for a new UFC game to make its way to store shelves. Odd until you hear White publically lambaste their last game, that is. Stuck in a game contract passed on from the old UFC owners, the UFC's last game outing was underwhelming and poorly received. Or to quote the ever-blunt White, "It sucked." White wanted to do the next game right and provide an experience true to the sport and the UFC brand. Enter veteran publisher THQ and developer Yuke's, best known for working on countless WWE wrestling titles. The product THQ and Yuke's has put together is, frankly, incredible. There's no doubt UFC 2009 Undisputed is best MMA game ever made. That shouldn't be a surprise to anyone who has followed the game since its announcement. What will surprise you is just how authentic, detailed, and fun UFC 2009 Undisputed really is.

As Real as it Gets

UFC 2009 boasts some of the most detailed visuals ever seen in a game. With over 30,000 polygons per character model, and high-resolution textures, each fighter has been depicted in excruciating detail. Even gamers used to today's high graphical standards will be in awe. The virtual Wanderlei Silva is a spitting image of his real-life counterpart as he preps in his corner during prefight introductions. But it's not only that character models look photo realistic; each fighter possesses the same unique mannerisms and movements as his flesh-and-blood counterpart. Even better, this isn't merely a surface beauty, but a functional beauty as well. Fighters move, respond, and interact in stunningly lifelike manners. UFC 2009's rendering engine harnesses technology that promises to remove any and all clipping problems once and for all; one of the nagging flaws still found in many modern games. Indeed, in our time with the game not once did we see two fighter's arms magically pass through the other or a head disappear into The Octagon cage.

That's the theme we found reoccurring throughout UFC 2009: Everything behaves exactly as you'd expect it to. Every strike and throw is dynamically calculated, without the crutch of repetitive pre-rendered animations. When Karo executes a judo throw, the position of both men when they hit the ground is determined each time by the physics of the particular situation. When Forrest Griffin is covering up to block incoming strikes, the blows glance off while realistically jostling Griffin's arms as they absorb the force of the attack. Strikes to the ribs produce purple welts and gas (tire out) your opponent, chopping leg kicks slow down movement, while knees to the face open vicious gashes and cuts. Move into the later rounds and fighters start gleaming with droplets of sweat running down their bodies. By the final round, the two battle-worn competitors march out exhausted, pouring sweat, and covered in bruises - an impressive sight to behold.

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