50 Cent: Bulletproof
Encyclopedia
50 Cent: Bulletproof is a video game for the PlayStation 2
and Xbox
platforms. It was developed in response to Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
after 50 Cent was asked to voice the game's protagonist Carl "CJ" Johnson
with 50 Cent stating that he will only voice himself in video games. The game was reworked into a PlayStation Portable
version and titled 50 Cent: Bulletproof G Unit Edition, with a top-down perspective.
The titular protagonist is hip hop
musician 50 Cent
playing himself. The story revolves around 50 Cent's search for vengeance, hunting down the hitmen that attempted to murder him. The game also features Tony Yayo
, Lloyd Banks
, and Young Buck
, members of the G-Unit
rap crew, as 50's gang. Dr. Dre
plays an arm dealer
, Eminem
plays a corrupt police officer
, and DJ Whoo Kid
playing as himself as a person selling "bootlegged" music (of the G-Unit camp) out of his trunk. There is also a video game soundtrack album available titled, Bulletproof
, and released by DJ Red Heat's Shadyville Entertainment. It also won "Best Original Song" in the 2005 Spike TV Video Game Awards
. A sequel, 50 Cent: Blood on the Sand
, was released.
.
However, it received a positive rating of 8/10 from PlayStation Official Magazine
.
The PlayStation Portable
G-Unit Edition was also poorly received by critics. GameSpot's Alex Navarro did, however, say that it was a better game than the PS2 or Xbox versions, but it still was not a "good" game, stating "While you can argue that G Unit Edition is better than the original Bulletproof, all you're talking about is a lighter shade of lousy."
PlayStation 2
The PlayStation 2 is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Sony as part of the PlayStation series. Its development was announced in March 1999 and it was first released on March 4, 2000, in Japan...
and Xbox
Xbox
The Xbox is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Microsoft. It was released on November 15, 2001 in North America, February 22, 2002 in Japan, and March 14, 2002 in Australia and Europe and is the predecessor to the Xbox 360. It was Microsoft's first foray into the gaming console...
platforms. It was developed in response to Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas is a 2004 open world action video game developed by British games developer Rockstar North and published by Rockstar Games. It is the third 3D game in the Grand Theft Auto video game franchise, the fifth original console release and eighth game overall...
after 50 Cent was asked to voice the game's protagonist Carl "CJ" Johnson
Carl "CJ" Johnson
Carl "CJ" Johnson is a fictional character in the Grand Theft Auto video game series, serving as the protagonist, anti-hero/hero and player-controlled character in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. He was voiced by Young Maylay...
with 50 Cent stating that he will only voice himself in video games. The game was reworked into a PlayStation Portable
PlayStation Portable
The is a handheld game console manufactured and marketed by Sony Corporation Development of the console was announced during E3 2003, and it was unveiled on , 2004, at a Sony press conference before E3 2004...
version and titled 50 Cent: Bulletproof G Unit Edition, with a top-down perspective.
The titular protagonist is hip hop
Hip hop music
Hip hop music, also called hip-hop, rap music or hip-hop music, is a musical genre consisting of a stylized rhythmic music that commonly accompanies rapping, a rhythmic and rhyming speech that is chanted...
musician 50 Cent
50 Cent
Curtis James Jackson III , better known by his stage name 50 Cent, is an American rapper, entrepreneur, investor, record producer, and actor. He rose to fame with the release of his albums Get Rich or Die Tryin and The Massacre . Get Rich or Die Tryin has been certified eight times platinum by...
playing himself. The story revolves around 50 Cent's search for vengeance, hunting down the hitmen that attempted to murder him. The game also features Tony Yayo
Tony Yayo
Marvin Bernard , better known by his stage name Tony Yayo, is a Haitian American rapper and member of the hip hop group G-Unit...
, Lloyd Banks
Lloyd Banks
Christopher Charles Lloyd , better known by his stage name Lloyd Banks, is an American rapper and member of the rap group G-Unit. Raised in South Jamaica, Queens, he dropped out of high school in 1998. G-Unit released two albums, Beg for Mercy in 2003 and T.O.S. in 2008...
, and Young Buck
Young Buck
David Darnell Brown , also known as Young Buck, is an American Southern rapper. Buck is a former member of the New York City Hip-Hop group G-Unit, also a former artist of G-Unit Records as of Nov 26, 2011...
, members of the G-Unit
G-Unit
G-Unit is an American hip hop group originating from New York City formed by 50 Cents. G-Unit emerged on the New York scene by independently releasing several mix tapes...
rap crew, as 50's gang. Dr. Dre
Dr. Dre
Andre Romelle Young , primarily known by his stage name Dr. Dre, is an American record producer, rapper, record executive, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is the founder and current CEO of Aftermath Entertainment and a former co-owner and artist of Death Row Records...
plays an arm dealer
Arms industry
The arms industry is a global industry and business which manufactures and sells weapons and military technology and equipment. It comprises government and commercial industry involved in research, development, production, and service of military material, equipment and facilities...
, Eminem
Eminem
Marshall Bruce Mathers III , better known by his stage name Eminem or his alter ego Slim Shady, is an American rapper, record producer, songwriter and actor. Eminem's popularity brought his group project, D12, to mainstream recognition...
plays a corrupt police officer
Police corruption
Police corruption is a specific form of police misconduct designed to obtain financial benefits, other personal gain, or career advancement for a police officer or officers in exchange for not pursuing, or selectively pursuing, an investigation or arrest....
, and DJ Whoo Kid
DJ Whoo Kid
DJ Whoo Kid is a hip hop DJ and of Haitian descent raised in Queens Village, New York but with strong roots to Cap-Haïtien, Haiti. He is currently signed to G-Unit Records and its subsidiary label, Shady Ville Entertainment...
playing as himself as a person selling "bootlegged" music (of the G-Unit camp) out of his trunk. There is also a video game soundtrack album available titled, Bulletproof
Bulletproof (soundtrack)
This is a soundtrack album of the game 50 Cent: Bulletproof released by Shadyville Entertainment.-Background:The soundtrack features 13 new songs from 50 Cent. The soundtrack was also released as an instrumental edition...
, and released by DJ Red Heat's Shadyville Entertainment. It also won "Best Original Song" in the 2005 Spike TV Video Game Awards
Spike TV Video Game Awards
Spike Video Game Awards is an award show hosted by Spike TV that recognizes the best computer and video games of the year. The VGAs feature live music performances and appearances by popular performers in music, movies, and television. Additionally, preview trailers for upcoming games are...
. A sequel, 50 Cent: Blood on the Sand
50 Cent: Blood on the Sand
50 Cent: Blood on the Sand is a third-person shooting video game developed by Swordfish Studios and published by THQ for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. The game was released on February 20, 2009, in Europe and February 24, 2009, in North America and serves as the sequel to 50 Cent:...
, was released.
G-Unit edition
On August 29, 2006, Vivendi Games released a G-Unit edition for the PlayStation Portable. While the story and cutscenes are the same as the console counterpart, the game eschews the third-person perspective gameplay for a top-down, isometric viewpoint. Also added is multiplayer gameplay through ad hoc wireless connectivity. The PlayStation Portable version also featured a "Vitamin Water" mini-game in which you played as 50-Cent at the apex of his business endeavors.Reception
50 Cent Bulletproof received generally negative reviews due to poor gameplay mechanics. It received 1 out of 5 and a Golden Mullet from X-PlayX-Play
X-Play is a TV program about video games, known for its reviews and comedy skits...
.
However, it received a positive rating of 8/10 from PlayStation Official Magazine
PlayStation Official Magazine
The Official UK PlayStation Magazine is a now-defunct magazine, launched in November 1995 to coincide with the launch of the PlayStation console. It ran for 108 issues, with the last hitting news stands in March 2004. The first issue sold 37,000 copies...
.
The PlayStation Portable
PlayStation Portable
The is a handheld game console manufactured and marketed by Sony Corporation Development of the console was announced during E3 2003, and it was unveiled on , 2004, at a Sony press conference before E3 2004...
G-Unit Edition was also poorly received by critics. GameSpot's Alex Navarro did, however, say that it was a better game than the PS2 or Xbox versions, but it still was not a "good" game, stating "While you can argue that G Unit Edition is better than the original Bulletproof, all you're talking about is a lighter shade of lousy."