DEF JAM VENDETTA. Publisher: Electronic Arts. Price: £39.99. Format: PS2.

THIS is a very strange game. I'd like to meet the man who thought rap superstars would make great wrestlers. He must have an interesting, ah, take on life.

Def Jam's premise is simple. Take the game engine from WWF No Mercy, sign a deal with the Def Jam music label and throw in a bit of OTT style and hey presto, an instant "niche" product.

The fighting is all conducted in the ring. As with every other wrestling game, you have a choice of holds, attacks and sneaky low blows. And, if you like the Def Jam label, you'll enjoy the soundtrack as well.

The control system is fairly simple. One button hits your opponent, another makes him grapple; press them both for an extra strong attack while the shoulder buttons allow you to dodge out of trouble.

Each character has a health bar and a "blazin'" bar that enables him to carry out special moves and attacks. If you want to build your character's strength it's a good idea to vary your approach.

There are three ways to win - knockout (most spectacular), submission or simply pounding your opponent so much that he quits.

As well as a dozen real rap artists, you can choose from a roster of fictional fighters. In total there are almost 50 different scrappers but you don't get access to them all straightaway. This is a game that rewards the determined pugilist with new characters to play.

There's also a pretty phony back story and a narrative mode that plays like a slightly more sophisticated version of Streets of Rage, that hokey old Mega-Drive beat 'em up.

There may be female characters to choose but this game is still a title for the boys. Why else would you be able to spend your winnings on pictures of scantily clad ladies?

Younger teenage boys will love Def Jam Vendetta. It's a decent enough wrestling title with an excellent soundtrack (if you enjoy the Def Jam label) and good graphics. Another hit for EA's Big Sports series that has already given us SSX and NBA Street.

SHINOBI. Publisher: SCEE. Platform: PS2. Price: £39.99

AHH this game brought back warm nostalgic memories. Shinobi was the original Ninja stealth 'em up. Years before Metal Gear Solid made sneaking about killing bad guys cool, Shinobi's ninja warrior was dealing death with his throwing stars or slicing and dicing with his katana sword.

Shinobi jumped from the arcades and into the home. It was a massive hit on the Sega Mega Drive and the ultra-cool Game Gear hand-held.

And now it's back as a full three dimensional romp on the PS2.

In an interesting twist your katana sword is able to absorb energy. If you kill enough enemies it will soak up their inner spirit and help you grow stronger.

Beware, however, if you just wander about doing very little the sword grows bored and starts feeding on your energy.

Battling wave upon wave of marauding ninjas is fun in short bursts but soon starts to grow repetitive. The problem with Shinobi is that it hasn't grown up. It's still a 1980s arcade romp at heart and its rivals have all moved on.

Also some of the sneaky moves that put your character right back at the start of a sprawling level are both annoying and, one suspects, only done to boost the title's longevity.

As with the mullet haircut, the Ford Capri and flared trousers, Shinobi only serves to show that some things are better left alone.

Published: 06/06/2003