UFC 2009 Undisputed (Xbox 360, PlayStation 3)

After a five-year hiatus, mixed-martial arts returns to video games with the release of UFC 2009 UNDISPUTED, a robust and rousing simulation of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. The goal of each match, fought in an octagon-shaped ring, is to defeat your opponent by either knocking him out or forcing him to give up. Each fighter employs a series of fighting styles ranging from boxing and wrestling to judo and ju-jitsu to achieve victory. The game has a 30-minute tutorial that shows the basics of Ultimate Fighting.

Players can either control famous fighters such as Chuck Liddell and Rampage Jackson in exhibition and online fights, or create a fighter and move him through Career Mode. Like boxing, fighters break down into different weight classes such as lightweight, middleweight, and heavyweight. In between brawls, players assign training times and sparring sessions to prepare for battle.

UFC sports an impressive level of depth. Players can customize their fighters' looks, style, and outfits, down to even the color of their mouthpiece. There is plenty to learn in order to master the fighting, from simple strikes to takedowns and grapples. Fortunately, the game is still easy to pick up and play, as players can easily mash buttons to deliver flurries of punches and kicks. The fighters look realistic, closely mirroring their real-life counterparts.

Fights are intense and unpredictable. If you let your guard down for a second, opponents can unleash a powerful punch to knock you out cold. Attacks also look painful, based on the grimaces and other expressions from opponents on the receiving end. With practice, you will learn how to deliver that crucial punch that puts opponents on the mat. Overall, UFC provides an exciting alternative for gamers tired of the standard boxing and wrestling games.