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Just played the demo

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 12 / 13
Date: March 24, 2004
Author: Amazon User

I just put five dollars down to reserve the game and received a free demo disk. I have played the demo disk a total of 40 minutes and here are my observations.

First I cannot totally judge the game because the demo has inverted controls (move your stick to the right and the boxer moves left)and a close-up angle, plus it only allows a two round fight with double time. I am always perplexed as to why they screw you on a demo since ultimatley it will be the thing which may cause you to buy the game. I wish the options to change view as well as undo the invert were activated. I can see someone playing this demo for 5 minutes and giving up before truly understanding the game..just ridiculous.

That said, the mechanics of the new engine were my real area of interest. As someone who first got into videogames simply due to hoping for a great boxing game (I fell in love with 4D Boxing for the PC back in the early 90s, which is the best boxing game ever created), this game represented a hope for me after the horrid Knockout Kings 2002 in which EA produced a generic button masher with a career mode that resembles something you would find in Tecken.(I should add that Knockout Kings 2001 on PS2 is actually an awesome game that any boxing fan should purchase.)

Well, my first 10 or so rounds were spent trying to figure out the use of the total punch control. This uses one of the analog sticks as the means to throw all the punches (you can also use the buttons if you are traditional). Pushing the stick to the upper left throws a left jab. Pushing to the upper right throws a straight right. Throwing hooks, uppercuts and body blows are more complicated (the demo had no instructions)but as I played I found them to suddenly become more intuitive. The demo allows you to be either Roy Jones or James Toney with the other boxer being your opponent. I am not sure of the difficulty level, but I have not actually gotten the better of my opponent yet. But, as I have played I have begun doing better and that really gives you a sense of learning the game.

So what do I think of the new system? Well, the punching is so precise that you can bring back the ctick to throw a hook, hold the punch until your opponent throws a shot, and then time your counter. My timing still needs work, but it is very evident that this new engine will soon become so intuitive that you will truly feel like you have total control. This is the first boxing game in which counter punchers can win a fight. I am very interested in playing as Winky Wright as I feel this type of control is perfect for him.

I have to admit to being skeptical on the new total control system, thinking that not using any buttons would be awkward and less fluid. I was totally wrong. In fact, in one fight I went back to using the buttons (each is assigned a punch like in previous games)and felt much more awkward. It was simply amazing how fast the new control won me over.

So I am very happy to report (after the disastrous KO Kings 2002) EA is back in the boxing business. Rather that simply giving us a generic boxing game they have created a product which truly make beomce a landmark in boxing video games. I have to stress I have not played the final product, and do not know how good the career mode is, but based on my initial tests I would reccomend this game to anyone interested in a game in which you actually have to think and not button mash. Very impressive!

Demo is awesome

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: March 26, 2004
Author: Amazon User

I played the demo and it is awesome! The new controls are just perfect.

Best Boxing Game Ever Made

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: April 02, 2004
Author: Amazon User

Non-stop action, great music, the best graphics for a boxing game, realism, detailed, a lot of options in career mode and great individual moves. This game puts you in the ring against the best of the best. All for that title. Sweat, blood and tears that's the road your about to journey on. The best boxing game ever made.

The Controller is sticky

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: April 05, 2004
Author: Amazon User

Get your mind out of the gutter people! Upon playing this game I was skeptical about how good of game it would be. At first the controls were hard to get accustomed to but after about 2 fights are so, you found yourself stuck in this game. Not so much feeling body blows and right hooks to the jaw, but the realistic graphics, the great sound, and actual contact made the game one of the top five boxing games up to date. (...) " Hold on, let me finish this first", "okay just one more round", can't put the controller down type of games. A definite must have in your collection. Its also good smack talking with your friends type of game. Hope you enjoy it too.

An improvement over KO Kings

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: April 07, 2004
Author: Amazon User

This game is the most advanced boxing game out there. Total Punch Control gives the gamer the most realistic feel available so far, but it has some quirks. When it comes down to the 'types' of punches you can throw, it's really no different than just playing a game that uses the buttons as opposed to the analog stick. Fighters fight flat-footed, as they do in all other boxing games, and fast jabbing/putting together quick combinations just doesn't happen. The "rag-doll" physics feature is great - no more animated knockdowns that physically make no sense. Another gripe is the hip-hop/urban feel added to this game. The game was intended to be a realistic sim of the sport of boxing - why not use real ringside announcers, etc.? The game has a lot of potential, but needs a lot of work to raise itself to the same realism levels of Madden, NCAA, and Tiger Woods.

[...]

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: April 08, 2004
Author: Amazon User

By far the best boxing game I have ever played. (...) The emphasis on defense and not having to push buttons to punch (no more blisters!)makes this game far superior to anything since the old school 'Ring King' on ATARI. If you want a genuine boxing experience...check this out!

Can't believe how good this game is!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: April 08, 2004
Author: Amazon User

I got it simply because so many others were buying it. I was hoping it would be simply ok. After playing it for the last few hours I must say I am astounded at how good this game is. I am not even a big boxing fan, but the analog stick controls just make the game amazingly addicting. I am shocked at how much better it is than I originally thought.

Fight Night 2004

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: April 08, 2004
Author: Amazon User

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I think it is by far the best boxing game out there. Still though, I have a lot of things that could be changed.
I played my brother who is almost as good as me, I was Byrd, he was Frazier. I knocked him down2 times in the first 3 rounds. UMM(...) Has byrd over knocked someone down? WHAT THE HELL!
what I would change:
1. Big Tigger needs to be gone. I dont need the ring announcer to be waering a Falcons jersey, and talking all ghetto. Jones doenst do it when he announces, and everything Tigger says is pretty stupid,"Oh man, his nose is gonna blow up!" Yeah Ill take Lampley and Merchant instead.

2. Where is the robe's with the ring Enterance?

3. More real fighters, get rid of the old ones, or make them where you have to unlock them.

4. Get to choose promoters, managers, cutmen etc. Come on EA can offer that.

5. WAY TO MANY KO's

6. Different music chioces, Ive never seen Berrara come out to rap music have you?

7. Career mode could have more features like fight being televised and that kind of stuff.

8.Downloadable fighters such as roster updates,teh technology is out there u can update a roster in Madden but u don't include certain fighter Delahoya ,Vargas u should have the ability to download them ...

This game is great!

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: April 08, 2004
Author: Amazon User

This is the best boxing game to come along in years, Electronic Arts has really outdone themselves on this one. The graphics are fantastic and the gameplay is fast and very smooth. There are the usual omissions in the available fighters Mike Tyson,George Foreman and Oscar Delahoya most notable. Other than that so far this game is well worth the time I spent anxiously waiting, kudos to EA for a job well done.

All TIME GREATEST BOXING GAME

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: April 09, 2004
Author: Amazon User

Boxing fans rejoice this is simply the best boxing game ever put
out.After the awful knockout kings 2002 EA has came back with the
best boxing game ever.I dont see it ever getting any better than
this.Thanks EA.
Gregory Clark

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