Def Jam: Fight for New York - GameCube

More rough and tumble in ill-fitting, over-priced sports gear comes to the GameCube in the shape of this sequel to Def Jam Vendetta, the menacingly-titled Fight for New York. Having delivered the goods last year, developer AKI has upped the ante with FFNY. The game features more than 40 superstars from the hip hop scene, or thereabouts, with the likes of Bubba Sparxxx, Sean Paul, Ice-T and Henry Rollins (Henry Rollins? hip hop? Wha!? Oh, he's the in-game gym instructor...) all on show. Of course, the daddy of FFNY is D-Mob, and the premise of the whole game is to join his crew. And what do you have to do to get in? Wh, perpetuate the tired old stereotype! Throw crazy shapes, cuss a bit, and then throw a few punches. Stifle those yawns, people.

Different fighting styles are complemented by a selection of Battle Modes, including One on One, Free For All, Inferno Match, Cage Match and Ring Out Match. There are nine options in total in Battle Mode, and reward points are accumulated each time you win a battle. Use these points to unlock venues and characters throughout the game.

The story starts when you bust D-Mob out of police custody and start entering into fights with burly, surly types who like to kick bottom in a variety of styles: street fighters, kickboxers, martial artists, wrestlers...they're all here, so there may well be something for the fussiest of beat-'em-up fans. You gotta look the part to be taken seriously in FFNY, and it's not just about your vest and pants. As you make progress in the game, visiting the tattoo parlour, the barbershop, the gym and the jewellers is essential if you want to represent to the fullest extent. Word. more