The best game in the series so far, with lots of modes and a revamped and captivating Career mode. EA made a great job both on the graphics side, with a great rendition of all the players, and the gameplay, improving all the systems and making it more accessible to newbies too.

By building on its already strong foundation and adding meaningful new gameplay and modes, UFC 3 delivers a terrific MMA experience from top to bottom. Whether you want to play against a friend in a single bout or develop a fighter from local favorite to greatest all time, UFC 3 allows you to live out the fantasy of stepping into the Octagon like never before.

Brimming with modes, UFC 3 is a massive game. It might only be an incremental improvement over its predecessor, but the gameplay remains stellar and the action is accessible and fun. As far as MMA games go, EA Sports UFC 3 is the G.O.A.T.

While EA Sports usually manages to avoid the “fullprice update” moniker with its yearly franchise iterations, UFC 3 (on a two year cycle, after all) can’t escape the update screams. There is progress, but the better presentation aside nothing that in the end couldn’t have been put in a patch for the predecessor.

UFC 3 is a title with more strengths than weaknesses. Its basic commands are responsive and allow the player to unleash their creativity in order to knock out their opponent. Although mastering the demolitions is not easy, if you manage to overcome the frustration and control your impulses, at the end of the day you can subdue any opponent.

EA went back to the gym with UFC 3 to work on many of the weaknesses that had the previous two games struggling to find their footing. A fantastic new striking system and a much-improved career mode lead the charge, but UFC 3 is still hamstrung by a cumbersome ground game, weird collision issues, and the straight-up terrible Ultimate Team Mode. It’s still not a knockout, but Round 3 is UFC’s best yet.

Takes all comers in a stand-up fight, but somewhat flounders on the ground.