UFC Undisputed 3: Release Date, Preview, Features and Roster for MMA Video Game

The UFC, THQ and Yukes will deliver the newest version of Mixed Martial Arts video gaming soon, and so far, the game looks great. There are notable new features, game modes and graphical touch-ups to speak of, and I'll bring you up to speed on a few of them.

Release Date: Feb. 14, 2012 for XBOX360 and PS3

Preview

This is the fourth UFC game produced for this generation of gaming consoles, and developers at Yukes have gone to great lengths to improve upon UFC Undisputed 2010, which was released in May of 2010.

UFC Undisputed 3 features improved graphics to arenas and fighters, as well as tweaks to the gaming mechanics, most notably, the submission system. With so many advanced gamers fights' going to the mat, it is important that this aspect of the game be solid. 

In the past, it has been one of the most criticized aspects of the UFC games. Submission ideology was difficult to figure out for experienced gamers and intimidating for potential newcomers to the series. 

UFC Undisputed aims to address those issues.

There is also the addition of the Pride Fighting mode. Pride was bought out by the UFC in 2007, but this is the first UFC game that has featured Pride rules and fighters.

The career mode has also received more complexity to add some longevity. This is also essential, as UFC games don't exactly run on the same yearly release schedule as other sports titles.

Here is a detailed overview of the features UFC Undisputed 3 have in store for MMA fans.

Features

PRIDE Mode: This is traditional Pride fighting rules, environments and announcers Bas Ruuten and Stephen Quadros and the scary, but exciting ring announcements from Lenne Hardt. The fighting takes place in a ring instead of an Octagon, and fighters can employ brutal soccer-style kicks, head stomps and ground knees to the head, which are all illegal in the UFC.

Here is a video from UFC and THQ that describes the Pride tradition:

Improved Presentation: UFC Undisputed 3 really steps their game up by adding in fighter entrances. Here is an example of that here:

Brutal and Strategic Ways to Win a Fight: There will now be additional ground-and-pound techniques to daze and KO opponents, as well as a new submission system that is very similar to the WWE' 12 submission mini-game.

Here is a video from UFC and THQ that demonstrate the ground game with Donald Cerrone and Benson Henderson:

As you can see, the submission system is easier to understand. You are simply attempting cover your opponents color on the submission's octagon graph. There is also an advantage meter that clearly shows whose winning the submission struggle. 

Varied Difficulties: The gameplay is still for advanced players if you play with classic controls, but a novice can use simplified controls. With this control set, they are still able to pull off the more basic moves, but advanced, more exciting attacks are reserved for experienced gamers.

It's cool that there is still something to work your way up to; it keeps the challenge factor in place.

Huge Roster: There are 150 fighters of UFC and Pride fame, with more to come via downloadable content. This is the first year the bantamweight and featherweight divisions have been included. Check out the full roster here, as well as this roster trailer:

Online Options: For the first time, UFC and THQ will employ a season pass, very similar to the WWE 12 Axxess pass. It provides gamers with additional content for $16.99, or 1,360 Microsoft points.

Here is a breakdown of what you receive from the season pass:

"Fight of the Night" and "International" Fighter Packs

The "Fight of the Night" pack allows season pass owners to download fighters that are known for their exciting fights, but are not included in the game's default roster; Rory Macdonald and Sam Stout highlight this pack.

The "International" pack features renowned international fighters like "The Korean Zombie," Jung Chan-Sung and England's John Hathaway. 

The "Ultimate Upsets" and "Mixed Bag" Ultimate Fights Packs

"Ultimate Upsets" recreates stunners from the UFC's past such as UFC 116: Chris Leben vs. Yoshihiro Akiyama and UFC 121: Cain Velasquez vs. Brock Lesnar

"Mixed Bag" will include a hodgepodge of great past moments in MMA history such as: Best of PRIDE, Final Conflict 2003: Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira vs. Mirko Cro Cop and Submissions: UFC 125: Takanori Gomi vs. Clay Guida

A playable Alistair Overeem will be available via Facebook download code on Feb. 14, and the "All Unlockables" code will be released on that day as well.

All of these online options will be available separately for $3.99.

If you pre-order from ShopTHQ, the season pass is free. That is actually the best online pass like deal I've seen as of yet.

Here is the DLC release schedule per ufcundisputed,com:

Ultimate Submission (Free at Launch for Everyone)

The Ultimate Submissions collection, currently scheduled for release at launch and available free of charge on both video game platforms, will include:

• UFC 109: Mike Swick vs. Paulo Thiago
• UFC 115: Mirko Cro Cop vs. Pat Barry
• UFC 116: Brock Lesnar vs. Shane Carwin
• UFC Fight Night 19: Nate Diaz vs. Melvin Guillard
• UFC Fight Night 21: Kenny Florian vs. Takanori Gomi

Ultimate Rival (Free at Launch for Everyone)

The Ultimate Rivals collection, currently scheduled for release at launch and available free of charge on both videogame platforms, will include:

• UFC 92: Quinton “Rampage” Jackson vs. Wanderlei Silva
• UFC 111: Georges St-Pierre vs. Dan Hardy
• UFC 114: Quinton “Rampage” Jackson vs. Rashad Evans
• UFC 117: Anderson Silva vs. Chael Sonnen
• The Ultimate Fighter® Season 9: Diego Sanchez vs. Clay Guida

Allistair Overeem (Launch): Feb. 14 (not included in season pass)

There is also a Gamestop pre-order feature called "The Contenders Pack" available at launch

UFC Heavyweight Championship contender Alistair Overeem will be available at launch for consumers who participated in the limited time promotional offer at facebook.com/UFCUndisputed. In addition, “The Reem” will be available for a suggested purchase cost of 80 Microsoft points for Xbox 360 or $0.99 USD via PlayStation Network in March 2012.

All Unlockables offering will be available at launch for 160 Microsoft points for Xbox 360 or $1.99 USD via PlayStation Network.

Create A Fighter Boost (Launch): Feb. 14 (not included in season pass)

Enabling players to acquire additional points for created fighter development and save an estimated eight to 10 hours of gameplay, the Create-a-Fighter Boost will be available at launch for a suggested purchase cost of 240 Microsoft points for Xbox 360 or $2.99 USD via PlayStation Network.

Fight of the Night Pack (March 2012)

Ultimate Upsets (March 2012)

International Pack (April 2012)

Mixed Bag (April 2012)

It is shaping up as an extensive and exciting gaming package, but we will have to wait for Feb. 14 to see what the full game delivers.

Check back here for a full review of UFC Undisputed 3 then.

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