boxing

Knockout Kings 2000 is overall a pretty good game. After first playing it with my friend, I got hooked on it. The music is awesome. The Career Mode is a good idea, and I love that there are so many legendary boxers to choose from.

However, I agree with other reviewers in that the game is not so true to real-life boxing techniques. (Of course, one can argue that realism in a video game is unimportant, just as in the movies...) I can win too easily just throwing combos. Not much strategy involved. Also, defense is impossible in the game. All you can do is evade once the computer starts swinging; bobbing and weaving are useless. This really annoys me. Another thing that bothers me is that the computer can throw just as many combos as you, but still have nearly a full tank of stamina.

I wonder why George Foreman or Mike Tyson aren't included? I mean, Jack Dempsey, but no George Foreman? Come on! And Ken Norton and Joe Frazier are underrated in the game. This really bummed me out. Also, it seems odd to me that I can beat Muhammad Ali with, say, Leon Spinks, easier than I can beat Larry Holmes or Evander Holyfield, using the exact same strategy. And Holyfield--while a great heavyweight--is not as good as the game makes him out to be, in my opinion.

But all in all, the game is good for hours of enjoyment. There are more things I like about it than dislike. I recommend it favorably.

EA Sports have done a brilliant job on the graphics but where did the game play go? I mean after watching a brilliant intro playing the game isn't much fun at all. The sound tracks are brilliant but what happened to strategy and being able to make your opponent work. This game reminds me of Barry Mcguian's Boxing that came out for the commodore 64 back in the early 80's. There's absolutely no difference in game play. This game is just about pressing the button quicker that your opponent (that's if your in two player mode). This has taken a step backwards since Knockout Kings '99, which other than the graphics is a far better game.

My advice: Don't buy!

I like this game because it's cool. I like how Al Albert, Shawn OBraty add commentaries during the fight. I also like how Mills Lane gives the fighters instruction before the bout. I highly recommend this game to future boxing fans.