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Oh yes, it was worth the wait

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 16 / 16
Date: February 12, 2001
Author: Amazon User

I was anticipating this one for awhile, as the release date was pushed back multiple times, which initially caused me to worry, "Are they pushing it back because it's so awful they dare not release it?" Well, KK2k1 is finally here, and the wait was worth it.

This series always had so much potential in its earier incarnations. But the boxers were always too unresponsive, play was too slow, and sometimes the AI was a little too brutal to the point where what was meant to be a boxing sim turned into a Ready To Rumble style arcade slugfest. Well, fear not, as the control problems have been solved, and we are left to gaze upon the best modern console boxing game available.

KK2k1 has TONS of real guys in all 3 weight classes: Ali, Frazier, Joe Louis, Sugar Ray Leonard, Sugar Ray Robinson, Holyfield, Lennox Lewis, Butterbean (!), Hagler, Camacho, De La Hoya, Spadifora, Julio Cesar Chavez, Hurricane Carter (from the movie "The Hurricane,") Jake LaMotta (from the Deniro film "Raging Bull,") Rocky Marciano, Frank Bruno, Alexis Arguello, Ike Quartey, Pernelll "Sweet Pea" Whitaker, Jack Dempsey, and even more that I can't remember right now. Not to mention the female boxers. The roster is almost perfect (Though no Tyson, he's got his own really awful boxing game on PS1, and no George Foreman.) There are even a few hidden characters, like Oakland A's slugger Jason Giambi.

There are several modes available to fit all tastes. Slugfest mode basically echos the Ready To Rumble series, you take 2 boxers, with a very close camera view, and you just wail on one another. Exhibition mode pits any two real boxers against one another (regardless of weight class.) Career mode is the best though. You create your own boxer, then put him through a series of fights, just like in the old Punch-Out for NES. The guys you fight in that mode are classics! An old gray-haired guy with the nickname of "Old Bones," and other colorful characters. The fights start out easy, against no-names in sleazy corner fight joints. Then they progress to longer bouts in more impressive venues against real opponents. You not only get to customize yor boxer, but you also get to choose your gym, and your training team, each of which gives you between-match points to build your character's ability levels. There are also training sessions between matches that supply you with more points to better yourself. Very realistic, and very fun. The last mode is a "Fantasy Fight" mode that pits real boxers (often of different time periods) against one another in "what might have been" scenarios.

As for the gameplay, it is top-rank. Each boxer will have punches that work for him. As far as traits go, some boxers are speedy, some have awesome stamina, or maybe great power, some have sturdy chins that take a beating, and some get cut very easily. The combinations make every fighter different, and you have to know what they do/don't do well so you can plan accordingly. Wailing away at the head of someone with a 99 rating for Chin will be like wailing away at a brick wall. Each fighter has strengths and weaknesses that must be found and exploited. This includes your champ as well.

There are 4 basic punches mapped to the four buttons: jab, cross, hook, and uppercut. Body punches are achieved by holding L2 and hitting those same buttons. There are many different punch combos to utilize, some work better than others depending on your boxer. The control is very easy to learn, yet takes time to master. It isn't nearly as difficult to dance around the ring as before, but if there is one problem with the game, it is the same one that has plagued this series from the beginning: getting out. It is easy to come in and land punches, but backing up to get out isn't always as responsive as you would like it to be, resulting sometimes in your opponent getting a parting shot that wouldn't have landed if the control had moved your guy when you told it to. But other than minor control stickiness like that, there is really nothing bad to be found.

There are real fight venues (Madison Square Garden, Caesar's Palace, Wembley UK) real referees (Mills Lane) real ring announcers and real commentators that make other EA Sports games sound ultra-lame in comparison .... No doubt about it, this game is the pinnacle of boxing titles. It has all the realism of a real fight and all the fun of the best console boxing games to come before it. Did I mention the great soundtrack from rappers that can actually rap? Well, it's got that too .... This game has everything going for it, and gamers like me that have been waiting for a good boxing game for ages will eat this up. 2001's first "must-have" PS2 title.

great

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 11 / 63
Date: September 09, 2000
Author: Amazon User

This game is great. All the boxers look real. This game is also very hard. I would buy this game.

The Best Boxing Game Ever Made

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 6 / 11
Date: February 13, 2001
Author: Amazon User

This is without a doubt the best boxing game ever made and believe me I've played a lot. It utilizes all of the power of the Play Station 2 engine. The graphics are great, the game play is smooth, and the fights are very realistic. I actually boxed my way to a decision victory in an 8 round fight, no knock down, but great action.

The training in the career mode is a lot of fun, I especially like the fact that you get to spar, and it's a great way to learn new moves. If you are a boxing fan and want a realistic boxing game that employs strategy not just slugging, this game is a must. This and Madden 2001 are the two best games for PS 2 so far!

Buy this instead of horrible KO Kings 2002

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 6 / 6
Date: March 14, 2002
Author: Amazon User

Let me start off by saying that this is a FAR superior game to the newly released KO Kings 2002. The controls are great, you can actually choose to throw a punch to the body (unlike KO 2002)and the graphics are great. You really feel likwe you are boxing. KO Kings 2002 is nothing but a button mashing mess with no skill or control, plus a virtually non-existent career mode. The career mode in this game is one area that could have been improved (but thank goodness it is not half as bad as 2002) there is a very limited create a fighter feature, and only 17 contenders to face as you climb the ladder. There is also long and frequent loads. yet, again, after playing (and returning KO 2002) I am so grateful for what this game does have and really love the actual gameplay.

Good Times

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: May 20, 2003
Author: Amazon User

This game is the best boxing game I've ever played. It has the most great boxers ever assembled in one game. Dempsey, Louis, Marciano, Just some of the names. I have played every boxing game and this is the best one.

THE FUN FACTOR IS THROUGH THE ROOF!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 1
Date: April 27, 2001
Author: Amazon User

What can I say about this game? I've been playing it for the past week or so and it is indeed incredible. It far surpasses the two games before it. The graphics are literally staggering. The knockdowns are incredible, and most of all, it is too much fun to play. The fighting system is so much better in this one. In other words, you don't have to necessarily decrease your opponent's health meter in order to knock him out. The season mode is somewhat similar to the past two games. You fight a ton of matches, win the title, defend it about 6 or 7 times, then your boxer retires. But it's still a lot of fun. For those looking for a realistic boxing game with mind-blowing graphics to boot, you can't go wrong with this. I guess my only problem with the game would be the create-a-boxer mode. The amount of looks to choose from is extremely limited. Otherwise it's a top-notch game.

This game is cool

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 1
Date: May 18, 2001
Author: Amazon User

This game is really cool. I loved the "Create your own boxer". I also liked the game because it shows all the great boxers. You will really love this game.

One of the better games out there

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 4 / 5
Date: May 15, 2001
Author: Amazon User

So far i have been pretty disappointed with the ps2 and their lack of quality games. I know there are a lot more good games on the way such as GT3,MSG, etc... but thus far i haven't seen one must buy game. Some people will say madden is the greatest game ever, but they have obviously never played NFL2k1 for DC and rigth now i am a little disappointed i traded in my DC. But knockout kings has been the only game so far that i have taken a real liking too. anyone claiming that the ps version is just as good obviously has no clue about boxing and should be playing ready to rumble. first here's the good: the boxer's graphics are absolutely stunning and even in slo-mo you can see a nasty cut open or a mouthpiece come flying out. the game play is VERY realistic, unlike other versions. on the ps version you could just win by clinching and repeatedly pounding a guy, here you have to use strategy; counterpouching, blocking, ducking and jabbing are all used effectively and are usually necessary to win unless you have a big time tysonesque slugger. if you go into a match with a better opponent and just start mashing buttons, you will get clobbered as you should. the ability to throw good combinations in this game is also a great bonus, and i don't mean hitting random buttons quickly. they are also 3 distict boxing styles and unlike other games each style carries with it different strengths and various forms of punches. KK's features many of the greatest boxers ever including even the newest of champs and rising stars but still no tyson(damn them). also kk's has one of the best soundtracks i have heard in a while..... now the bad. this is a pretty short list; yes loading time is a bit long, especially for a high powered system like this but it is not something that takes attention away from the game at all. although the boxers and the stadiums are beautifully detailed, the crowd is one of those generic "let's take the same 6 cardboard cut-outs and fill the whole arena with them" crowds. the only other thing i can find wrong with this game is that the career mode is a bit short. although the number of star boxers in the game is great, the amount of lesser knowns available to fight on your way to the top is very limited, most boxers aren't fighting david tua or vernon forrest in thier 10th pro fight. i was hoping that at least you could continue to fight the good boxers again but you basically get to fight eveyone in that weight division once (if you win) and will finish roughly 20-0, i feel added lower class boxers and challenger rematches would have greatly helped this department. So overall i have to say that the those few probs are not nearly enough to lessen the great qualities of the game, in my opinion it is definitly worth buying but might be better to rent first(for you R2R,blitz losers who have no clue about real sports). The game is mostly free of minor inconviences and seems well designed. i say forget the other pieces of trash that are out right now (including all the terrible baseball games) and get this to tie you over until the summer frenzy starts...enjoy!!

the bomb best ever

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 3 / 17
Date: December 30, 2000
Author: Amazon User

this game has every thing you need. the graphics are the bestand the fighting is great. i would recommend this game to any one.

As fun to play as Ring King

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 2 / 4
Date: February 15, 2001
Author: Amazon User

Years ago Ring King was the best two player boxing game around. Now with Knockout Kings 2001 you can have all the gameplay of Ring King with awesome graphics and real life boxers. It's almost like your controling real people in the ring. EASPORTS did a great job with the motion capture, the boxers move like their real world counterparts. I also like the fact that the real boxers have personalities similar to those they've demonstrated in the ring. The "real time" commentary is great, although it can screw up from time to time. The game takes a little getting used to, but after an hour or two you should be familar with the controls and the timing. I would recommend this game anyone.

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