UFC 2010 Undisputed Review for PlayStation Portable (PSP)

System: PSP, PS3, X360	Review Rating Legend
Dev: Yuke's	1.0 - 1.9 = Avoid	4.0 - 4.4 = Great
Pub: THQ	2.0 - 2.4 = Poor	4.5 - 4.9 = Must Buy
Release: Sept. 7,2010	2.5 - 2.9 = Average	5.0 = The Best
Players: 1-2	3.0 - 3.4 = Fair
ESRB Rating: Teen	3.5 - 3.9 = Good

Still, despite these gripes, the one major area where I was concerned UFC 2010 Undisputed would falter on the PSP is actually the area where it succeeds most easily: the control. One of the defining features of the PS3/Xbox 360 version of the game was its deep and nuanced control. This type of control is definitely not possible on the PSP, but the way the new control scheme was imported, it works just the way it should.

UFC 2010 Undisputed screenshot

You should know right off the bat that the controls themselves are much simpler, and you won't be able to do as much in the PSP version as you could before. However, the moves roster is robust, and you'll use the face buttons for your base attacks, and the shoulder buttons as modifiers for these attacks. Although the direction of the attack is pre-determined, you can move around your target (and to a certain extent, the ring as well) using the directional buttons. Of course, this leaves the grapple function, which has been smartly tied to the analog nub. Since the grapple function in the UFC franchise can be used in a variety of ways, it can be used in conjunction with the face and shoulder buttons to execute different grapple moves.

Although the game does not have any online multiplayer modes, the PSP version of the game does include an ad-hoc mode which allows you to play with friends. Though I would have preferred some type of online mode (even a watered-down one), the inclusion of ad-hoc multiplayer is a nice option, and if you are at a UFC gathering with some friends with the game, there's some decent fun to be had with this mode.

If you've already played UFC 2010 Undisputed on one of the bigger consoles, then you'll probably want to skip the PSP release, as there is nothing new here. However, if you haven't checked out the newest entry in the franchise, and prefer your UFC action to go, then this title won't leave you disappointed. It has almost all the content of the previous release (with the notable exception of the online mode) and works well with a modified control scheme. Although there are some technical issues that hold this title back from being as great as it could have been, UFC 2010 Undisputed is still a worthwhile title on the PSP, and is worth checking out if you haven't already!

By Amanda L. Kondolojy
CCC Staff Contributor

RATING OUT OF 5

RATING DESCRIPTION

3.0

Graphics
UFC 2010 Undisputed’s fighter models are okay, but the animation suffers from clipping and occasional slowdown.

3.9

Control
Though the controls aren't as deep as those found on the console versions, they translate surprisingly well.

3.3

Music / Sound FX / Voice Acting
The voiceover is minimal but the video segments sound good. The lack of commentary is sorely missed.

4.0

Play Value
There is plenty of content in this portable version of UFC 2010 Undisputed, but the lack of a proper online mode does do some harm to the replay value.

3.8

Overall Rating - Good
Not an average. See Rating legend above for a final score breakdown.

Game Features:

UFC FIGHTERS AND PERSONALITIES: Navigate an unparalleled roster of more than 100 prolific UFC fighters, each fully rendered to convey a photorealistic appearance.

ENHANCED COMBAT: Step into the Octagon with improved combat. A new Sway System with full upper body and head movement allows for the dodging of attacks, while on the ground, a new Posture System delivers strong, fight-ending strikes from every position. Manage Octagon control with new strikes, submissions, transitions, and cage positions, as well as experience added realism with the introduction of Southpaw stance.

FIGHTER CUSTOMIZATION: Enjoy customizable freedom with created fighters by combining move sets from numerous MMA disciplines. Choose from an array of moves from all available disciplines, including newly added Sambo, Karate, and Greco-Roman Wrestling, to become a true mixed martial artist.

CAREER MODE: Become the next UFC champion, where player actions, choices, and proficiency directly impact career progression.

AD-HOC MODE: Encourage camaraderie by creating or searching for matches against other PSP players in an ad-hoc wireless environment.

TITLE AND TITLE DEFENSE MODES: Fight through one of UFC’s five official weight classes to earn and defend a championship belt in Title Mode. In Title Defense Mode, a fighter’s condition remains persistent, with milestone challenges built in along the way.

TOURNAMENT MODE: Explore up to 16-player individual and team tournaments within one system. Utilize UFC fighters or created fighters and select from arcade-style play with repeated fighter appearances or experience simulation play with fighter representation limited to one appearance.