EA SPORTS UFC

Electronic Arts · Electronic Arts

EA SPORTS UFC was released in 2014 for PS4 and Xbox One, and it was EA's first mixed martial arts game under the UFC licence. Developed by EA Canada, it brought the fighters, octagon and presentation of the UFC to the then-new console generation, with a famous bonus: Bruce Lee as an unlockable fighter. How it plays Unlike arcade fighting games, UFC is about realism. Fighters have stamina; throwing punch after punch will tire you out and leave you open. Strikes can be blocked or slipped, and a single clean shot can knock someone out. When the fight goes to the ground, you switch to grappling, transitions and submissions, which play like a tug-of-war of inputs. Modes Fight Now is a simple one-on-one fight with any fighters. Career mode follows a created fighter from The Ultimate Fighter tournament to the UFC. Online mode and challenges are also there. At a cafe Local one-on-one fights are the main attraction. Many players who own newer UFC games still enjoy the original for its simple, grounded feel. It is a fun change from typical fighting games, and it works well for two friends who want to compete. Setup PS4 with two controllers. If the cafe has a PS5, it can usually run PS4 games, but check that the game is installed. Tips for your first fight Watch your stamina bar and avoid spamming strikes. Mix strikes to the body and head, and block high when your opponent is aggressive. If you are taken down, focus on getting back up rather than trying risky submissions. And use the tutorial if it is available, because the ground controls are not obvious. Time A three-round fight takes 10 to 15 minutes. A pair can play several fights in an hour. Who should play MMA fans, anyone curious about a realistic fighting game, and friends who want something different from Tekken or Street Fighter. Rated T.