Supremacy MMA is a one-on-one mixed martial arts fighting game. Even though it’s an arcade style pick up and play kind of game, the fighting styles, moves and even injuries are realistic. Play as one of a handful of real and fictional fighters, each with their own styles from boxing, Muay Thai, kickboxing, and others as you rise the ranks to the top (Xbox 360 version reviewed here).

Supremacy MMA has several gameplay modes. You can do a quick match by choosing Fight Now, or go online via Xbox LIVE to challenge others. You can also choose different tournaments where you battle a gauntlet of fighters. Or you can play the story mode with each character. Try out moves in the Training Gym and there is even a handy tutorial that shows you how to play as you fight a match.

There is a separate mode where you can play as one of two real female fighters, but it just seems kind of tacked on as you can’t level them up, the story modes have only one or two fights, and they can only battle each other. But the other characters can gain levels after winning matches in the Fight Now, Tournament, and Story modes. As you gain levels, you’ll also unlock other goodies like different outfits.

The most redeeming feature of this game is the play control, which is simple to learn. Use buttons to punch, kick, grapple, and block. The trigger and shoulder buttons let you do charge moves or activate Adrenaline Rush to give your fighter a temporary boost. But even though the controls are simple, the CPU players are still pretty tough, even on the easiest difficulty setting. It’s a bit more fun to play against other people locally or on LIVE. While I think the game could’ve used more variety and content, fans of mixed martial arts and UFC games and shows might want to check this one out anyway.

Kid Factor:

Supremacy MMA is rated M for Mature with ESRB descriptors of Blood, Partial Nudity, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Use of Drugs, and Violence. Of course the game is violent, it’s a fighting game. But the injuries and hits are pretty realistic and more brutal because of that. Even though you can turn off the blood, you can’t turn off the cursing in the story modes, so the game is still best for older players only. I might be OK with much older teens playing this if their parents are OK with them watching UFC or R rated movies. I guess the female fighters are where the Partial Nudity and Sexual Themes come into play, but the language and drugs can also be seen in the story modes, too.

Tags: Game Reviews