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Crap!!!!

1 Rating: 1, Useful: 6 / 11
Date: February 22, 2006
Author: Amazon User

Absolutely the most disappointing game I have ever bought. The game is totally sluggish, response is slow, and the pick of fighters is horrible, Floyd Patterson? Who is Brock? Dropped is Marciano, of the top 10 heavy weights of all time only Ali is present, ( no Joe Frazier is not top 10) wish I could get my money back.

EA always comes out with a let down

1 Rating: 1, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: June 02, 2007
Author: Amazon User

This game sucks compared to the Fight Night Round 2. Where is my rank I never get to see it. I LIKE rankins not popularity contests. All you do in this [...] game is fight in sponsored events. You dont get a list of like 6 Boxers to fight in FNR2, you have 3 choies and thats it.

CONS
To get better fights you have to get your popularity up. I hate popularity contests its just stupid.

The haymaker is so slow I can get up and go eat come back and he still is powering up to hit the opponent and when he swings you either miss, or is blocked, or you can't get a chance to hit the opponent, because he just hit you 7-8 times in like 2 sec or you just got haymakered.

In FNR2 you could comb the crap out of the opponent really fast in FNR3 it's so S-L-O-W and you miss half you the time.

You now can't pick your cut/swell man.
You can't pick you entry music/fireworks.

Career mode will leave you yawning because you have no one really to look foward to and you don't get to see any of the other boxers except the 3 you get to pick from.

Overall this game is boring as crap and you will get tired of it.

-->Whatever you do please don't waste your money on this! It's not even worth a paso.

-->MY best bet is to go out and by Fight night Round 2 if you want to play a real boxing game with ranks and a fast pase.

Should have played it first!

1 Rating: 1, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: March 08, 2006
Author: Amazon User

I was a big fan of EA's Knockout Kings games in the late 90's early 2000's and I was so looking forward to this game that I bought it without trying it first , bad idea!

Pro's
Graphics

Cons
akward controls
Slow reaction time of fighters you control

I have heard FN 1 and 2 are better versions. Maybe stick with those?

Sucked!

1 Rating: 1, Useful: 2 / 7
Date: March 13, 2006
Author: Amazon User

The graphics pretty much suck and the game is fake. You seriously can't knock out Mohamid Ali in a fight. I hated it.

Wahoo Wushu Yahoo Master of nothing

1 Rating: 1, Useful: 4 / 7
Date: March 09, 2006
Author: Amazon User

For the moron Wushu Master who called my dad an idiot, we know who "Brock" is, we just wonder about why he's included since there are a ton of better heavyweights out there. He's another "managed" fighter accumulating an impressive record against career journeymen fighters. Sort of Jeff Lacy in the making, bet you called him a winner too, and by the way try using spell check next time before you publish your review.
The lack of speed and response is the main criticism about this game. Of course having James(I can't believe I ate the whole thing)Toney and Floyd Patterson as player choices instead of Larry Holmes, Ken Norton, Vitali Klitchko, Lennox Lewis, or any of a host of of other current or recently retired heavyweights is obviously not as much fun. As for "realism" how real is it if it takes forever to counterpunch? Haymakers? you can use haymakers the same way you did in Round 2, the delivery is just slower. Try using Marvin Hagler, you'll see what we mean. We've played this game on XBOX 360, wow what a difference, we also suspect that the game play will be more acceptable with the new Playstation 3, but for the time being do not expect this version to match up with the speed and response time of FN Round 2.

S-L-O-O-O-O-OW

2 Rating: 2, Useful: 6 / 8
Date: February 25, 2006
Author: Amazon User

This game is terrible! I LOVED the first Fight Night,I never played Round 2 but I bought this game the day it came out. The gameplay is so sloooow! I feel like my boxer is throwing punches underwater!! This game sucks so much I tried to get my money back already.

How Did They Manage To Spoil It So Spectacularly?

2 Rating: 2, Useful: 5 / 6
Date: April 16, 2006
Author: Amazon User

I actually traded FNR2 in when I bought this as the advertising would have you believe this game would completely supercede the last one! How dumb was I? I'm now going to buy the game I traded back - ouch!

I'll try and offer a balanced review here though - because some things about this game are a massive improvemement - it's just that the basics have suffered (with no apparent reasons why)...

PROS...
- The different unlockable styles (it's cool to float like a butterfly and sting like a bee)
- The higher difficulty in landing haymakers (this game feels a lot more strategic as a result and more exciting - especially when you almost get knocked out and then reverse the fight with a haymaker of your own)
- The cuts and facial damage (lots more blood makes you really feel bad for your poor fighter)
- More strategic choices (cutting off the ring, bullying, hitting and running, using the jab to control the fight - all feel better than previous versions)
- Fighter development - you can now see your ratings clearly!
- You no longer do that stupid "digging a grave" mime when you knock an opponent down!

CONS (these are the minor gripes)...
- There is no option to turn off the cut scenes (this makes you wait about 30 seconds between rounds even when you click to skip each section - c'mon guys - not allowing me to turn that off is just lazy!)
- Career mode feels more like "pretend" American Wrestling than boxing - people like rankings and like to see who they're aiming to beat - this version just gives you a "popularity meter" which leads to a sponsored fight - and what have Burgers got to do with Boxing anyway? Is the message here, "Hey kids, eat more lard and you can be a pro boxer too!"
- The Shop - you have to scroll through (painfully slowly) all the rubbish options to get to the cool stuff whenever you want to change an outfit - I have no idea why it's so slow and awkward (as you have to select to preview). Again - it's just sloppy (there was no reason to change the interface here from last year - no excuse)!
- The music! It's not as good as last year's plus it really wouldn't hurt to have a bit of variety - not everyone who plays this game is into hip-hop (or whatever it is)! What about some hard rock, or national anthems?
- The ring entrances - you can't even change your entrance music and all the boxers do the same "showboating" entrance. What's wrong with just walking to the ring and looking mean? Some choice here (like with the fighting styles - eg Flashy, Mean, Professional etc.) would have been nice (again - the developers were either in a rush or just lazy)
- The venues are pants (and there are less of them I think) - they don't look as good as the previous version and they're not as interesting - gone are the fairground and fishtank - replaced by a boring warehouse and a flea-riddled gym (where even when you're "The Greatest" a good number of fights are still held there)
- The crowd - it always looks (and sounds) like there are only about 20 people watching the fight (even the big ones!) And if I hear that whiny guy shouting "You can do it, c'mon get up!" 3 times in a row again I'll throw the TV out the window!
- The Create a Boxer - this was better last year. I'm sure there are less hairstyle and facial hair choices in this version. Plus, something's gone wrong with the physique bit too - no matter what you do your boxer looks like a lard-ass!

Even with all these gripes the game could be forgiven if the basics were solid, but now to the real things that makes me wonder what the guys at EA were thinking!

CONS (the real show-stoppers)...
- The controls are more sluggish (and no I'm not talking about the haymaker - which is better for being slow). Trying to fire a jab or a left/right hook combo just doesn't work - it feels jerky and looks awkward. The only style that gives you any feeling that the jab is effective is "judge jab"
- The punches never look like they connect and it's really unsatisfying to watch. In FNR2 punches really looked and sounded like they'd connected (while watching FNR2 my mom even started crying as my boxer - who looked like me - got a pasting - because it looked so real!) - in FNR3 it looks like a badly filmed version of Rocky (the punches rarely even get within 6 inches of your opponent) - why didn't they leave it alone!
- In FNR2 you could really lay into your opponenet with a combo on the way down - now the models seems to jump apart during a knockdown and you flail at thin air (even though you should be able to reach)
- The knockdown physics - too many times the felled opponent will get knocked backwards and then do a "limbo" for 5 seconds before finally falling on his back. The knockdowns looked far better in FNR2 (I have no idea why they changed this and made it worse!)
- The knockdown replay (I know I'm only using a PS2 but...) just freezes on your opponents face (while you get the ice-crunching sound effect) as your hand is plainly still 6 inches (at least!) away from connecting. It's just boring and all the knockdowns look the same! In FNR2 I used to enjoy watching the satisfing knockdowns - now I'm treated to a close up of a face (doing pretty much nothing) followed by a limbo exhibition!
- The boxer models - they look less shiny with sweat, less detailed (I'm sure there are less polygons), and all look flabby no matter what you do. You can't create a guy with ripped abs anymore and even skinny boxers look chunky and flabby.

All in all - despite my moans and groans - I'm still enjoying this game and trust EA to get it right next time!

They do seem to listen to the feedback they get so hopefully they'll read all our reviews and sort out the flaws with the next version.

So EA - if you're reading - here's my wishlist of essential stuff to get right in the next game...

- Punches must, absolutely, look like they connect
- The basic punches need to feel more fluid and fast - combos need looking at
- Boxers should never float in mid-air "limbo style" after being knocked out
- Replays should be longer and have more variety
- We like to create "muscle man" boxers and comedy "skinny guys"
- More music variety and toned-down entrance styles - we're not all Ganstas and Show-offs!
- More interesting venues (I liked the fairground) with a doorman that stops the guy shouting "C'mon get up!" from getting in! ;o)

EA low blows the fans

2 Rating: 2, Useful: 3 / 3
Date: April 05, 2006
Author: Amazon User

If your a fan of Fight Night 1 & 2 then get ready to be disappointed. The game is much easyer then before and you hit "legendary" status alot sooner.

Also companys like Burger King, a car company and a few others have their logo's all over the game. Infact you can evan have "The King" play as your trainer. ESPN has known to use companys ads before but this is ridiculous.

Fight Night Round 3 is more of a game you would want to rent.

Looks good but thats it

2 Rating: 2, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: April 25, 2008
Author: Amazon User

I think boxing would be more funner to do then to play on a game.
I did not like.
But thats just me, Bc i lent to a friend of mine who really enjoyed it

Never two in a row for this series...

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 29 / 31
Date: March 10, 2006
Author: Amazon User

I give up. Every time EA Sports comes out with a good boxing game for PS2, they have always followed it up with a disappointment. After finally getting on the right track with ROUND 2, the train derailed again. Way to go, EA! At least you're consistent!

THE NEGATIVES:

- CONTROL
Here's the big one. I don't know if they sacrificed the quality here for another feature, but believe me, it's not worth it! The "punching under water" reference one reviewer gave is right on the money and not just on the haymakers! I'm trying to fire off a jab-right-hook combination, and after the right, I'm just standing there like a drunken apple woman!

- SLO-MO REPLAYS
Probably more annoying than the controls is the slow motion instant replay of the knockdowns. The screen freezes on the connection for about 4 seconds, and the sound...THE SOUND!!! "Yiiiiiahhh!!!!Booooom!!!!ssssplat!!!!" If I had my eyes closed, it would sound like my dad crashing his '75 Merc into a display window full of grapefruits! Oy vey!!

- BOXER SELECTION
There are too many repetitions of boxers through the weight classes. EA, ever heard of variety? Can't acquire a license for a particular fighter? Try another, you numbskulls!
It was nice to see Ricky Hatton in there, but where's Floyd Mayweather? So much for THAT dream match! Maybe a code to unlock? Don't think I'll be playing this long enough to acquire that one!

- NO TIME-OUTS ON THE PENALTIES (...AGAIN!!!)
Come on guys! If nothing else!!!! When a boxer commits a foul, he's doing it to get a break. Surely the damage it can cause is a nice perk, but that's not the main reason to break the rules. Don't believe me that this makes a difference? Remember Trinidad vs. Vargas? (low blows) Coralles vs. Castillo I (spitting out the mouthpiece)? Kind of critical if I recall...

- NO DUAL NAMES IN CAREER MODE
I heard a rumor about a year ago they were going to try this. Obviously this got shelved too. For a boxer you create, you could choose from a series of first names and a series of last names, and the CPU would combine them... Nope! It's back to the ridiculous nicknames (or pseudonyms) I wouldn't even name my dog! COMEBACK KID! THE ASSASSIN! ...yippee skippee.

- THE MUSIC
Don't get me wrong. I don't have anything against rap and R&B. However, when you choose Arturo Gatti, Mickey Ward, and the 1950's Gillette motif as the center of your ad campaign, you might want to conform the soundtrack to that as well. I mean watching Sugar Ray Robinson walking to the ring to the sounds of Black-Eyed Peoples or even imagining Mickey Ward jamming with his family in his Lowell Massachusetts home to the eclectic beat of Obie Trice is just a little hard to digest. Best of both worlds, huh? Yyyyyeeeeah! Boyeeeeeeee!!!

- NO TAKING A KNEE
Way in the dark ages when this series was called Knockout Kings, there was this really cool feature where if your boxer was in danger, you could actually go down to one knee and take an 8-count. Sadly, that feature has never returned, and it ain't starting back now! Ahhh, memories...

THE POSITIVES:

Believe it or not, there are a few neat features on Round 3. On one of the POV's you can actually utilize full 360 degree ring movement while still keeping the same camera angle. It's a little tricky, but definitely refreshing and a nice challenge.
Also, sometimes your opponent may not be hyped up for a fight with you. He trudges his way to the ring and even tries to leave the ring once he steps through the ropes. His trainer has to keep him from making a break for the exit. Nice little Martin and Lewis there!
The volume of the ring announcer's introduction of the fighters in accordance with the crowd noise...That's an improvement.
The boxers' motions (leaning on the ropes, knockdowns, defensive postures) have been improved as well. However, with the slow control problem, it's kind of hard to prioritize that in your recall.

Overall, ROUND 2 is still the best professional boxing game out there for the PS2. Hopefully the makers of ROUND 4 will learn from the mistakes on this one. It can't hurt to hope, but I'm not holding my breath!

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