UFC Undisputed 3 delivers several new features, but one of the most exciting is the addition of PRIDE Mode.
What is PRIDE mode?
Chances are, if you’re reading this, you don’t really have to ask that question, but for the newcomers to the world of MMA, I’ll explain.
Pride was a Japanese MMA promotion that many purists loved, and of course was especially beloved in Japan. The rules were slightly different, though the bottom line was similar to the UFC.
I speak of Pride in the past tense because the company no longer exists singularly, it merged with the UFC in 2007. That is how the UFC and THQ are able to include many the classic promotion’s most exciting characteristics.
Here is a video presented by UFC/THQ that accurately displays the tradition and excitement of PRIDE:
Best PRIDE Features in UFC Undisputed 3
Call me a savage, but the soccer style head kicks, head stomps and knees to the head of a downed opponent are one of the biggest highlights to PRIDE mode. These moves are illegal in the UFC, so to have these maneuvers at your disposal as a gamer is an exciting twist and variance from the traditional mode.
They offer some very brutal KOs and many of the replays generated in PRIDE fights are not for the weak at heart.
With a little imagination, you could create grudge matches with friends challenging them to battles with different rule sets, almost like the WWE.
Take a look at a few PRIDE fight videos from UFC Undisputed 3:
Secondly, the introductions are bananas. This is primarily due to the legendary Lenne Hardt. She is the PRIDE ring announcer that sounds like she needs an exorcism. Trust me, if you’ve never heard her ring announcements, you have to take a listen. She has one of the most distinctive styles and voices I’ve ever heard.
Take a listen as she introduces Wanderlei Silva and Quinton “Rampage” Jackson:
Last, but not least of my favorites is the PRIDE announce team. The legendary Bas Rutten and Stephen Quadros offer a different style of commentating than the UFC’s Joe Rogan and Mike Goldberg.
For everyone that cringes every time Goldberg drags out:
“Coming up next“
You just may enjoy the variety. PRIDE Mode is just one of many exciting features in UFC Undisputed 3. Check out my preview and stay tuned for the full review on February 14th.
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