The hip-hop world is a harsh place. These days it's not enough to have lyrical dexterity, big record deals, thousands of fans and mountains of cash - if you want to earn respect you're going to have to fight for it.

In underground venues across the US, top Def Jam stars mix it up with down 'n' dirty brawlers in an attempt to prove that they're at the top of their game for a reason.

Combining the finest elements of pro wrestling and beat 'em up titles, Def Jam Vendetta challenges you to test your might against hip-hop heavyweights such as Method Man, Ludacris, DMX, Ghostface Killah and Keith Murray. They may lead glamorous lifestyles in the public eye, but these rhyme fiends prefer to keep their brawls strictly low-key, so expect to grapple in venues that are a far cry from huge concert arenas, such as private clubs and warehouses.

Back all of this highly illegal, no-holds barred action up with a soundtrack that features some of Def Jam's finest artists and you have yourself the greatest - and most extreme - hip-hop-influenced GameCube game yet.