Def Jam Vendetta
↗ 8.8%
(Playstation 2 - US, Fighting)
Other Editions:
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Complete
$43.01
Loose $31.32
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Developed_By:
Aki Corp.
Published_By:
Electronic Arts
Released On:
01 Jan 2006
Also available on:
Def Jam Vendetta is a fighting game that delves into the world of hip-hop. The game's story mode follows the characters as they navigate through various rap battles and confront their personal demons.
The gameplay revolves around one-on-one matches, allowing players to choose from a diverse cast of characters inspired by famous rappers. Players can select from different fighting styles, including rapid-fire combos and grappling moves.
Part #:
SLUS-20639GH (USA)
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Prices as of 30 Jul 2026
Typical $43.01–$44.83 (last 90 days)
New
Complete
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Manual
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Market activity: active · about 951 sales a year
Activity is a 12-month sales count. Dashed segments rest on two sales a year or fewer.
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Manual
Game Guide
Extracted from the original game manual
This is a hip-hop themed fighting game where players engage in underground brawls with real Def Jam artists. You'll progress through a story mode, winning fights to earn cash and upgrade your character's attributes, ultimately aiming to become the supreme champion.
Story
Def Jam Vendetta
The world of Hip-Hop has hit the ring. Welcome to the EA SPORTS BIG Def Jam VENDETTA underground circuit of hardcore brawling. Get your props as you hook up with the urban local legends and battle for ultimate supremacy.
Featuring an original storyline and more than 40 unique characters, Def Jam VENDETTA provides over 1,500 varying moves, including dozens of signature specials and taunts. Advance through more than 10 highly-detailed Hip-Hop stages, each filled with animated crowds, hot beats, and original music, and see if you can overthrow D-Mob, the underground king.
Game Features
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Unique, original storyline that complements explosive gameplay action-the plot thickens as you fight your way through the underground circuit.
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44 characters, including 12 Def Jam artists: DMX, Ludacris, Method Man, N.O.R.E., Redman, Scarface, Ghostface Killah, Capone, Keith Murray, WC, Joe Budden, and DJ Funkmaster Flex.
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More than 10 highly detailed worlds built straight from the meanest of mean streets, including DMX's Junkyard and Scarface's Face Club.
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Continuous play with over 1,500 unique moves, including reverse kicks, punches, throws, choke holds, elbow and knee strikes, and more. Plus, hyper-realistic, super-dynamic EA SPORTS BIG-style moves.
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Dozens of signature moves and player taunts referenced directly from each Def Jam artist.
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Unique momentum and health system that changes based on player status-players doing well develop a special Blazin' move, players getting beat get weaker and see their health decrease.
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Music from Def Jam Records featuring a mixture of classic jams and fresh new beats.
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Three game modes: Battle, Story, and Survival.
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Four match types: Singles Match, Tag Team, Free For All, and Handicap.
For more info about this and other titles, visit EA SPORTS BIG on the web at www.easportsbig.com.
The Rules of Story Mode
In Story mode, your journey begins at the Face Club. There you meet Manny, your connection to the underground world. Manny, an irresponsible old friend, has injured himself out of commission and it's kept him out of the fighting scene for a while.
Because of it, he's in money trouble and the boss of the underground will soon be looking for him. Here's where you step in. As a favor to your old pal, you fight in Manny's place.
Event 1 starts out against Pee Wee, a slow and clumsy opponent. Win and you move on. Lose and you go home. It's that simple. The brawl against Pee Wee is the first battle in a three-match tournament. If you win the first two qualifying fights, you advance to the finals where you face Scarface. Are you good enough to take him down?
After a Match
After a match you can check out your score summary featuring Total Points and Total Earnings and a Final Grade. After each victory, assuming you're good enough to win, you earn cash.
Earn enough cash and you'll be able to add to your character attribute ratings before the next match. Winning also allows you to unlock other characters and other stages, but you must first earn that right. When players and stages are unlocked, they are available in all other game modes.
Match Complete Screen
From the Match Complete screen, you have the option to go to the Main menu, access the Develop Character screen and use your cash in order to build your fighter, or jump back to the ring and face the next opponent.
However, if you don't have enough funds in your pocket to increase an attribute, you'll need to win another match. After a few wins under your belt, you should have enough cash to buy what you need.
To develop your character:
1. From the Develop Character screen, press the D-button and highlight the attribute (Power, Speed, Grapple, Defense, Stamina, or Charisma) you want to edit.
2. Once an attribute is highlighted, press the D-button to increase (or decrease) it. The price to increase differs depending on the level of the attribute so choose wisely.
3. Press the X button when done. Your character's new attribute settings are saved to your User ID.
How to Play
Getting Started
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MEMORY CARD slot 2
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MEMORY CARD slot 1
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disc tray
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RESET button
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USB connector
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S400 i.LINK connector
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controller port 1
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controller port 2
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(OPEN) button
1. Set up your PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system according to the instructions in its Instruction Manual.
2. Make sure the MAIN POWER switch (located at the back of the console) is turned on.
3. Press the RESET button. When the power indicator lights up, press the open button and the disc tray will open.
4. Place the Def Jam VENDETTA™ disc on the disc tray with the label side facing up. Press the open button again and the disc tray will close.
5. Attach controllers and other peripherals, as appropriate.
6. Follow on-screen instructions and refer to this manual for information on using the software.
Multiplayer Note
Up to four players can play Def Jam VENDETTA by using the Multitap (for PlayStation®2) inserted in controller port 2. Def Jam VENDETTA does not support the multitap when inserted in controller port 1.
During Multi-player gameplay, Player 1's controller must be inserted in controller port 1. Players 2-4 must have their controllers inserted into the multitap controller port 2.
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controller port 1 = Player 1
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controller port 2-A = Player 2
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controller port 2-B = Player 3
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controller port 2-C = Player 4
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controller port 2-D = Not Active
Life In the Underground
You're a nobody, a nothin' in the Def Jam VENDETTA world. Are you gonna walk away like a chump or suck it up and fight your way to the top? It's time to back up that smack with some punishing moves on the mat. Start brawlin' from the Main menu.
Main Menu
From the Main menu you can choose the Def Jam VENDETTA game mode you want. You can also get a Tutorial, check out your girlfriend Galleries, adjust game Options or check out the High Scores from the greatest brawlers of all time.
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Press the D-button to change a Main menu selection.
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Wise up and get yourself ready for some action (Tutorials below)
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Just you against the world (Survival on p. 21)
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Bring your crew and throw down (Battle on p. 18)
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Fight for money, power, and respect (Story Mode on p. 16)
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Check out all the fly honeys that you've picked up (Galleries on p. 22)
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It's your world set up things the way you like 'em (Options on p. 23)
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Roll call Check out High Scores and stats on the best of the best
Note: Default options are listed in bold in this manual.
Tutorials
Learn the skills of the game with the help of a Tutorial. By watching an instruction video, you learn the traits of the underworld one lesson at a time.
During the tutorial, you'll learn everything there is to know-from the basic button commands to some of the more advanced moves featured in Def Jam VENDETTA.
Submission Meter
There are four kinds of Submission Meters: Body, Arm, Head, and Leg. Every character has a predetermined amount of stamina for each body area.
When you put a submission move on an opponent, their health for the body area decreases. Whenever the Submission Meter hits zero, and the opponent's health is in "Danger," you win a match via submission.
Each character has different strengths for the types of submissions they can execute. Some characters are very strong at leg submissions, while others are weak at head submissions. On the defensive side, all characters have their own strengths and weaknesses for defending submissions.
Health Meter
Keep an eye on your Health Meter. Whenever you take a punch, kick, or slam, your Health Meter decreases. When your Health Meter gets too low, you're in danger of losing the match.
The same goes for your opponent. Once his Health Meter starts getting low take advantage of it and bust out the heavy artillery. Show no mercy.
Health Tank
The Health Tank is a very important part of the Health Meter. The Health Tank represents the level to which health can be regained. Although you are able to regain your Health Meter by avoiding hits, not all players regain their health at the same pace.
Also, the higher the character's momentum, the faster the Health Tank recovers. Keep in mind that every blow you take does damage to the Health Tank as well as the Health Meter. Damage taken to the Health Tank cannot be regained.
You can recover some Health Tank mojo when your character is pinned (if you have full health). At this point tapping the escape buttons increases your Health Tank and Health Meter simultaneously. For this reason, pinning your opponent when his health is full is a bad idea.
Momentum Meter™/Blazin' Mode
Slam, kick, and punch your way to "Blazin' mode" and do some serious damage. Jumpstart your Momentum Meter by pulling off different moves and combos.
Once the Momentum Meter is completely full, trigger Blazin' mode where you can activate your Special Move. Here is where you can embarrass an opponent.
The cooler the move performed the more momentum you get for it. Repeating moves results in less momentum.
Pin/Knockout/Submission
Just get
Controls
D-button
Change Selections
X button
Select/Accept
▲ button
Return to previous screen/menu
■button
Help menu
left analog stick or D-button
Move
◆ button
Run/Climb Turnbuckle
▲ button + D-button (toward ropes)
Get In/Out of Ring
L1 button
Dodge/Pin Opponent
R1 button
Lift Opponent Off Floor/Block Strikes
right analog stick
Taunt/Special Move
START button
Pause Game
Tap X button
Soft Grapple
Hold X button
Hard Grapple
X button (while opponent prone on mat)
Ground Submission
Tap button
Soft Strike
Hold button
Medium Strike
Hold button + X button
Hard Strike
Hold button + D-button (toward corner)
Climb Turnbuckle
Release button
Jump Off Turnbuckle
◆button + D-button (any direction)
Run
■button (while running)
Running Attack
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