Def Jam: Icon
By Marc Saltzman,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Mature brawler set in the world of hip-hop music.
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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.
Talk to Your Kids 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?
Game Details
- Platforms: Xbox 360 , PlayStation 3
- Available online?: Available online
- Publisher: Electronic Arts
- Release date: March 7, 2007
- Genre: Fighting
- ESRB rating: M for blood, strong lyrics, violence
- Last updated: November 4, 2015
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