Def Jam Vendetta · PlayStation 2
Def Jam Vendetta Recompiled
def-jam-vendetta-recomp turns the PlayStation 2 fighter into a native Windows program built on your PC from your own disc. The game's code is translated to C++ with PS2Recomp and compiled locally, and the PS2's graphics chip is redrawn on your GPU with Vulkan through paraLLEl-GS. It is In Progress at release v0.4.1.
How to play
- Make an .iso or .chd image of your own USA Def Jam Vendetta disc, SLUS-20639.
- Download the Windows release from the project's GitHub page and unzip it to a short path such as C:\Games, because the build tools cannot handle very long folder paths.
- Open the settings program and pick your disc file; it checks that it is the right disc.
- Press Next to build the game, choose your settings and press Play.
Game version you need
- USA · SLUS-20639
- .iso or .chd
Hardware & system
- Windows 10 or 11, 64-bit
- GPU with Vulkan 1.3
- About 8 GB free disk space
Versions, platforms & known issues
| Project | Type | Release | Status | Runs on | Game version | Last update |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| def-jam-vendetta-recompBuilt with PS2Recomp; graphics via paraLLEl-GS on Vulkan. Requires the USA release (SLUS-20639). Pre-1.0 release. | Recompilation | v0.4.1 | In Progress | WindowsWindows 10 or 11, 64-bit · GPU with Vulkan 1.3 · About 8 GB free disk space | USA · SLUS-20639 | Oct 17, 2026 |
Related links
About the game
The unlikely combination of Def Jam recording artists and underground wrestling is the subject of this Electronic Arts release, which features the 3D likenesses of such musicians as Ludacris, Redman, DMX, Scarface, Ghostface Killa, Method Man, and more as playable characters. Developed by AKI Corporation, whose previous experience in the genre includes titles WWF No Mercy and WCW/NWO Revenge, Def Jam Vendetta offers an estimated 1,500 animations for each of the 45 included characters. A total of ten different venues are available, and one of the featured modes offers a storyline complete with soap opera-style drama to go along with the suplexes and body slams. Up to four players can compete in Single, Tag-Team, Handicap, or Battle Royale matches.
- Original platform
- PlayStation 2
- First released
- Apr 1, 2003
- Release · Europe
- May 23, 2003
- Release · Japan
- Aug 21, 2003
- Release · North America
- Apr 1, 2003
- Developer
- AKI Corporation, EA Canada
- Genre
- Fighting, Sport
- Themes
- Action
- Modes
- Single player, Split screen
- Perspective
- Third person
- Rating
- ESRB T
- Critic score
- 30 / 100
Characters: Ludacris · N.O.R.E. · Redman · Funkmaster Flex · Keith Murray · Capone
Screenshots
Trailer
More videos: Def Jam Vendetta Full Walkthrough Gameplay - No Commentary (PS2 Longplay)
Game details, cover art and screenshots from IGDB via LizardByte GameDB, retrieved Oct 18, 2026. Images are © their respective owners.
About this project
It needs 64-bit Windows 10 or 11, a graphics card with Vulkan 1.3, about 8 GB of free space and an internet connection once, because Microsoft's free C++ build tools are installed if your PC lacks them. Features include up to 16x resolution with AMD FSR, widescreen matches at 16:9 with menus and movies kept at 4:3, and high-poly models in every match. The settings program checks for updates when it opens.
FAQ
Is Def Jam Vendetta playable on PC?
The recomp is In Progress at release v0.4.1, a pre-1.0 version. It builds and runs natively on 64-bit Windows from your own disc.
Which Def Jam Vendetta disc do I need?
The USA release, SLUS-20639, as an .iso or .chd made from your own disc.
Does Recompedia provide the game, ROM or BIOS?
No. Recompedia does not host or link to ROMs, ISOs, BIOS files or game assets. def-jam-vendetta-recomp ships no game code or data either; it needs a disc image made from a copy of the game you own.
Recompedia does not host or link to ROMs, BIOS files or game assets. Every project listed requires a copy of the original game owned by the player. Status checked against the project's own repository on Oct 18, 2026.