When Def Jam Vendetta arrived on store shelves for PlayStation 2 and GameCube last year, it really rocked the house. Mixing a superb urban attitude that could only come from Def Jam Records with a wrestling engine by the folks at AKI, the makers of such classics as WCW/NWO Revenge and WWF No Mercy. The game had a style all its own and became one of EA Sports Big's biggest draws. Thanks to the success of the first title, work has already begun on a sequel, and if you thought Vendetta was jam-packed, welcome to the new and improved jam.

Def Jam Vendetta II is due to arrive this fall for the PS2 and GameCube, as well as the Xbox, a platform that the original game missed. AKI is once again teaming up with the folks at EA Canada to handle development duties, and the next chapter promises to be much more action-packed than the first. The new game should boast more bone-crunching moves than ever before, and pack some new environmental and fighting styles that are sure to innovate in a time when the wrestling genre needs some innovation.

Like the first Vendetta, Vendetta II will feature a slew of Def Jam superstars and other rap superstars popular around the world. Busta Rhymes, Method Man, Redman, Slick Rick, Snoop Dogg, Lil' Kim, Ludacris, and even Carmen Electra are all thrown into the mix, along with a handful of other popular names. The game will also feature original wrestlers with a style all their own, and allow you to choose from different styles within the game's expanded story mode. After all, the first game's story mode was deep enough as it is, imagine how much it can grow for the sequel.

Something different about Def Jam Vendetta II will be the inclusion of different wrestling styles, which you can tweak in order to get the maximum performance from your wrestler. You'll also be able to wrestle in arenas that have destructible environments, so you can slam the living hell out of your opponent into rock pillars or steel bars and see the damage left behind by their skull. As always, AKI will be making sure that the engine stays tried and true to the sport of wrestling, so counters, power moves, super moves (the best in the biz; the first Vendetta's were absolutely insane), and blocks will definitely be on the menu.

Def Jam II also looks to be getting a huge graphical makeover, so the wrestlers look even better than ever. It will also feature some unique lighting effects, as well as wrestling areas that look to fit the part quite nicely. Throw in an all new mix of Def Jam tunes to wrestle to in the background and you've got an experience that should fit the bill. Expect the highly anticipated sequel to arrive later this year. Stay with us as we'll have full hands-on impressions at this year's E3 expo next month. From what we know so far, Def Jam Vendetta II is looking to be the most entertaining wrestling game of the year.