Def Jam: Icon

Def Jam: Icon
Developer(s)EA Chicago
Publisher(s)Electronic Arts
Producer(s)Michael Mendheim
Kudo Tsunoda
SeriesDef Jam Edit this on Wikidata
Platform(s)PlayStation 3
Xbox 360
Release
  • NA: March 6, 2007
  • AU: March 15, 2007 (360)
  • AU: March 22, 2007 (PS3)
  • EU: March 23, 2007
Genre(s)Fighting
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Def Jam: Icon is a fighting video game. It was published by Electronic Arts and was developed by EA Chicago.[1] It is the third main game in the Def Jam video game series.

It was released on March 6, 2007 in North America, in Australia on March 15, 2007 for the 360 and March 22, 2007 for the PS3, and on March 23, 2007 in Europe.[2][3] It was released for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.

The story mode of the game is called Build a Label. In the mode, the player creates a character. As they progress, the player can sign different artists to their label and manage their careers. The player will then have to fight rappers of their rival producers when they attempt to intimidate the player and their artists.

The fighting style was changed from the other games. Instead of focusing on more professional wrestling-type combat, it was based on more up-close and boxing-type combat. The game also introduced music into the combat, with moves doing more damage if they were hit to the beat of the song playing. There is also a turntable feature where the player rotates the right stick to trigger environmental attacks.[4]

It is a sequel to the 2004 game Def Jam: Fight for NY. It is the last fighting game made under the Def Jam series.

Fighters

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Many of the fighters in the game are well known rappers who were signed to the Def Jam label at that time. Some well known people in hip hop also appear in the game as non-playable characters such as Funkmaster Flex, Russell Simmons, Kevin Liles, Mayra Verónica, Christine Dolce and Melyssa Ford.

Base roster Unlockables

Reception

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The game was given mixed reviews by game critics. Critics said that they liked the roster, story, graphics, and that the game's soundtrack was uncensored. However, some said that they didn't like the combat, saying that the moves were weak and slow.[5][6][7][8]

References

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  1. "Def Jam: Icon". IGN. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
  2. "Def Jam: Icon Beats Down Retail". IGN. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
  3. "PS3 to Launch in Europe and Australasia on 23rd March 2007". GamesIndustry.biz. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
  4. "Def Jam Icon Interview: Kudo Tsunoda". Gamezone. Archived from the original on May 7, 2019. Retrieved April 18, 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  5. "Def Jam: Icon Review (X360)". IGN. Archived from the original on March 9, 2007. Retrieved April 18, 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  6. "Def Jam: Icon Review". GameSpot. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
  7. "Def Jam: Icon Review (Xbox 360)". Eurogamer. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
  8. "Def Jam: Icon". Official Xbox Magazine. April 2007. p. 84.