Def Jam: Icon

 Review

Common Sense Media says

Mature brawler set in the world of hip-hop music.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Parents say

Kids say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that many teens will want to play this fighting game because it features big hip-hop and rap artists, but it's very much an M-rated game. That's why this well-constructed game gets plenty of stars for quality but earns our rare "Off" rating for 17+. Characters punch, kick, and throw each other across the room; onscreen characters bleed after a severe beating. In-game harsh lyrics are common, including "bitches," "N"-words, and "hoes," and lines like "tell yo buddies I f--ked you right, tell 'em how you licked my b--ls."

  • You are managing a hip-hop record label and fight artists in hopes of winning their respect and allegiance.
  • It's a fighting game with punches, kicks, backbreaking throws, and even fighters who catch on fire. Onscreen characters will bleed after a severe beating, and will even catch on fire at an exploding gas station. You can cause objects to smash onto an opponent's body, or kick him when he is lying down, and watch as he turns black and blue.
  • Some women dancing suggestively around a pole.
  • Many of the hip-hop songs feature strong language and derogatory comments. You will hear the "N" word, "bitches," "hoes," and motherf---er."
  • Features 29 hip-hop songs including Big Boi's "Kryptonite," and Ludacris' "Get Back."
  • A few songs refer to drinking or getting high.

What's it about?

You can playDEF JAM: ICON as or against some of the biggest names in hip-hop, including Ludacris, Big Boi, The Game, Method Man, Sean Paul, Paul Wall, and T.I. As with most fighting games, you must discover and exploit the weaknesses of your computer-controlled or human opponents. But this is no "button masher": Gamers who don't take the time to learn how to best punch, kick, grab, throw, and block won't get far in this brawler. Music can also be used as a weapon -- by timing your attacks to match the beat of a song, you can trigger environmental hazards in time with the music, from exploding gas pumps to an electrifying lighting rig at a TV studio.


Is it any good?

 

This fresh take on the struggling fighting video game genre works -- but its appeal may be limited to hip-hop music fans and its blinged-out superstars. Def Jam: Icon, the latest in this hip-hop fighting game series, offers greater interaction with music, more characters, online play for long-distance brawls, and outstanding graphics. Visually, Def Jam: Icon delivers an interesting blend of photorealistic characters with a surreal effect of buildings and cars that pulsate and crumble to the beat.

Def Jam: Icon is a fun and unique take on the fighting game genre, where music isn't just used in the background but plays a key part in the gameplay. Mature hip-hop fans who love fighting games will find Icon a perfect blend of the two.


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What families can talk about

Families can talk about the bad behavior and language. Why is it glorified in some circles as part of hip-hop culture? What does the word "icon" in the game's title have to do with this glorification? Which artists do you see more as icons than musicians? Why do you think so many hip-hop artists use such graphic language?


This review was written by Marc Saltzman
Teen, 16 years old
April 9, 2008
 
good game
great game for teens and tweens 12+

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Kid, 11 years old
April 9, 2008
 

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Teen, 14 years old
April 9, 2008
 

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Adult
April 9, 2008
 
Good for a rental, but dont waste your time
Def Jam Icon is an interesting game to say the least. It has great graphics and a very innovative play style; however, the game is very short and can become boring after a couple hours of gameplay. If you want to play the game, I say rent it, instead of spending the 60$ on it.

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Teen, 18 years old
April 9, 2008
 
its funny

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Adult
April 9, 2008
 

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Parent of 18 year old
November 13, 2009
 

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Adult
April 9, 2008
 
Its awsm
This game has everything in it worth doing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! agian awsm

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This review was written by Marc Saltzman
Platforms:Xbox 360, PlayStation 3
Available online?Available online
Genre:Fighting
Developer:Electronic Arts
Release date:March 7, 2007
Price:$59.99
ESRB rating:M for blood, strong lyrics, violence

This review was written by Marc Saltzman

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About our rating system
ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.

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