E3 2012: Hands On with Bellator MMA Onslaught

In the midst of UFC changing hands from THQ to EA, another mixed martial arts game is looking to shine. Bellator: MMA Onslaught is a full game packed into an arcade style package. Developed by 345 Games, Bellator takes a more simplified approach to the MMA sports game genre.

For those of you who don’t know, Bellator is a tournament based MMA organization that airs on MTV2, MTV Tres, Epix, and is scheduled to broadcast on Spike TV next year.

MMA Onslaught is centered on an easy to learn pick-up-and-play arcade style gameplay. It makes the game more enjoyable and takes away from heavy memorization of combos. Like any MMA fight, taking an opponent to the ground can be a big advantage. With the simplified controls, all it takes is a roll of the analog stick to try getting out of a hold instead of constant button mashing.

Aside from the real playable Bellator champions like Pat Curran and Michael Chandler, players can create custom fighters and unlock new moves and abilities as they go. There are hundreds of moves to choose from making your custom fighter unique. You can then take your fighter to the online multiplayer mode and climb the leader boards.

“We have worked closely with 345 Games to deliver an authentic Bellator experience and we are developing a variety of ways to integrate live Bellator events with our game in the coming seasons. ” Bellator Chairman & CEO Bjorn Rebney said.

345 Games intends on adding additional content to the game based on fan request. If enough fans voice they want more customizable hair colors for their fighters, then you might end up having it.

“We made a conscious decision to select an optimal fighting game platform that had an endemic online player base and that would enable us to continuously service the game either through improvements in existing gameplay or through additional features, such as new moves, clothing options, venues, and weight classes,” said Dan Yang, General Manager of 345 Games.

Bellator: MMA Onslaught will be available on Xbox Live Arcade and PSN this summer for just $15.

Stay plugged into Velocity Gamer for more detail on this game, and other titles we see at E3 2012.