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A horrifying Dissapointment

1 Rating: 1, Useful: 15 / 20
Date: March 07, 2002
Author: Amazon User

Let me start off by saying that I bought the PS2 only because I was waiting to buy this game (thankfully NHL 2002, GTA 3, KO Kings 2001 & Victorious Boxers have made the purchase well worthwhile anyway)and have just ran out and bought it on it's first day of release.

My first inkling of something possibly being wrong occurred when I read the directions and saw that the career mode if you can call it that, no longer has training, and is limited to a pyramid shaped grid in which you have to defeat 4 boxers on the lower level, 3 on the next level, 2 on the next and wallah you fight for the title. There is no longer a list of 20 contenders with records who you must train and fight, and no real sense of a true career.

My next inking of something amiss was when i saw the controls and found out there is no actual button for an uppercut. instead of having an uppercut button, you have a right hook button, which any boxing person knows does not exist for a right handed boxer in real boxing. The uppercut is thrown by holding the R1 button and pressing another button....did I mention there's no options to configure the controls to make them more intuitive? So you have a straight right button and a right hook button that pretty much do the same thing...real realistic 'aint it?

Anyway, I was still looking forward to playing the game and just popped it in. The first thing I noticed was that the graphics are MUCH more primative then last year (a great game by the way) and the fighters all looked emaciated and stooped like they had a bad back. The punch animations were stiff and actually reminded me of the crummy first version of KO Kings...now for the really awful part..as if this failure of a game really needs more.....BODY PUNCHES...they do not exist!!!!! Actually they do exist but you have no control over them! You throw a right to the head and if the computer deems it better to go to the body then it simply becomes a body blow. There is no button to actually choose a body blow, just the computer deciding for you. Needless to say this gives the game a feeling of complete lack of control...what's more, you cannot even choose to block body punches...there is only a block button and if you opponent throws a punch the computer decides should go to the body, then you block it by pressing the same button you would to block a head shot. Even more ridiculous, the L2 button (which in previous versions allowed you to go to the body) now is the low punch button. So by hitting it you can always throw a low blow..the only problem being that you get disqualified after around 5 of them and just by accident your going to throw a few since instincively you hit L2 thinking you will be throwing a body blow...why Black Ops decided to give such an important button over to something that has so little use should just stand as an example of the ineptness of the bozos who designed this game. Pretty much this is a button mashing mess with no redeeming qualities that becomes repetitive after a few minutes...yes not much of a lasting value, unless you're on your deathbed, which is probably preferrable to playing yhis game.

From my review, I guess you can tell I was severely dissapointed with this game. I so wanted to like it, and based on last year's game, am in utter shock as to how this could have happened. I appreciate that they wanted to incorporate a new engine like Victorious Boxers, but that game based its system on realism, where you have to learn to counter, go to the body, and just plain box! This game is simply a watered down version of Teken, with subpar graphics and no kicking. I am returning mine tommorow (at a 15% penalty) so I never have to polute my PS2 with this garbage. I implore anyone looking for a boxing simulation to stay away from this, or the designers will not get the message that they cannot peddle [garbage]. Even if you are not looking for a boxing simulation, and are interested in a fighting game, you can do way better then this. Shame on Black Ops and EA Sports for releasing this disgrace.

Better overall game than KK 2001

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 9 / 10
Date: April 13, 2002
Author: Amazon User

This game is definitely an improvement over 2001 in overall gameplay. 2001 was all about standing, blocking, and punching. 2002 is all about sticking and moving, bobbing and weaving, then jabbing and hooks and crosses. With 2002 you actually get an increased level of control by varying the analog stick in different directions. It takes a little time to get used to it, but it's a much more effective control scheme in the end. Combinations are essential here and a nice hook to the ribs can rattle your opponent just as much as cross to the face.

2001 was too much simulation and not enough gameplay, and that detracted from the realism in my opinion, even if it did include more real-life boxers. 2002 adds a splash of Ready2Rumble to make the bouts more intense and not so pre-programmed. Training in 2001, to me, was a bit of a nuisance. Games should not force a player to go through monotonous training exercises to "improve" the character. It would be nice to have as an option, but not a requirement.

If you want a bit of a challenge, try the Pro mode, which increases the computer's AI to react to your fighting style. And if you're looking for even more realism, there's always the first-person view (very cool!). Also try a fight without the health/stamina bars on. Then you'll have to judge your health based on the rumble effect of your controller, and your opponent's health based on how he's looking and reacting.

The only negative comment I can make is that it is possible to win a bout without blocking a single punch. It's easier to bob and weave, or just jump away from your opponent. EA should figure out a way to decrease your energy if you're constantly moving around the ring.

And for those reviewers who claim the game lacks a 10 point scoring system, body punches, or body blocking, they're flat out wrong. And those who say the graphics have gotten worse, should get their eyes checked. Also, this game is not button mashing (unless maybe you're playing the easiest mode). There is a lot of strategy and skill involved. And the camera does indeed pan around the corner between rounds occasionally.

One suggestion I do agree with is when the ref gives a warning, the fight should be paused to allow the fighters to catch their breath.

As for hints: Don't bother increasing your ratings for heart and cuts. Go with Power and Stamina, then Speed and Chin. Also, land combos. A single hit won't do much damage, but the third and fourth consecutive hit will detract a lot of health from your opponent.

Just a quick note about my PS2 gaming experience, my favorite sim games are: NFL2k2, NHL2001, High Heat 2003, Tiger Woods 2002, and Gran Turismo 3.

3 1/2...

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 5 / 7
Date: March 10, 2002
Author: Amazon User

I understand what my fellow reviewers had to say about this game, and do agree with most of their complaints... For example, the Career mode is WAY inferior to that of even the original KO Kings... There is no way to block a body punch, and throwing one is very difficult (although not random, as another reviewer suggested) The graphics are a tad inferior to last year's game, although still pretty impressive... However the games is much more fluid than last year's game, and the fighters move better around the ring (I, for example, using De La Hoya, out-pointed Fernando Vargas over 12 rounds, with no knockdowns, by sticking and moving... last year's model would not have allowec me that luxury)... My main beef with this game, however, is the fact that there are ONLY TWENTY-ONE FIGHTERS!!! The manual says there are 45 fighters, but, in reality, 24 of those are FAKE FIGHTERS!! Why?!?!?! And if you're going to have as few fighters, at least include Joe Louis, Rocky Marciano, Julio César Chávez, Marvin Hagler, Sugar Shane Mosley, etc... And why the heck are Oba Carr and Butterbean here?!?!? On the plus side, pound-for-pounders Bernard Hopkins and Tito Trinidad are here, along with the Klitschko's, Johnny Tapia, and Pittsburgh Kid Paul Spadafora... The play-by-play is a little repetitive, but it does feature Max Kellerman, and the TV-style presentation is a big plus, as is the inclusion of real-life venues such as Caesar's (oudoor arena), Wembley Arena, and Dortmund in Germany.

All in all, for die-hard boxing fans like me, who complaint that mainstream media doesn't give a hoot about our sport, at least I'm thankful to EA Sports for the attention... I'll also buy the Mike Tyson Boxing game when it comes out, as it features Mike, and Larry Holmes, and David Tua, etc...

Big Dissapointment

1 Rating: 1, Useful: 4 / 6
Date: March 07, 2002
Author: Amazon User

Despite the very good graphics, this game falls very short on game play. The character movement is some of the worst I have ever seen. Combine that with unrealistic knock-downs, no training, very few choices for customizing your boxer, and once again only being able defend your title 5 times before reitiring, and you get a big dissapointment.

Great Game...Once you learn the controls

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 5 / 9
Date: March 20, 2002
Author: Amazon User

Though I do miss the old-time boxers like Joe Louis and Jake Lamotta, KK2002 is still a MUCH better game than 2001. Boxers now move freely about the ring. The game actually LOOKS like a real boxing match, as opposed to the 2001 which basically involved blocking, then punching, then blocking again. The game is surprisingly deep and complex, with your opponents changing styles over the course of fights, even reacting to your bread-and-butter combos. And no game out there allows me to beat the tar out of Lennox Lewis--and for that alone, this disc is priceless. So try it. And stick with it for a few hours, even if you don't like it at first. Trust me--it's worth the effort.

best boxing game i ever played

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: October 26, 2003
Author: Amazon User

This has pretty much all the champs, Ali, Frazier, Leonard, Lewis, and Holyfield, among others. The graphics, sound, play controls are all well put together. I especially like the blood and bruise feature you can give to a boxer after your player has given him a particularly brutal beating. I've sat down with friends a couple of hours at a time betting on matches we have with each other. That's probably what this game is best for, group participation fun, rather than sitting down by yourself to play it. That is unless you're taking time by yourself to create your own trained boxer. I'd say I created the most powerful one, nobody could beat me after that, until my friend 'accidentally' erased him off my memory card. I say it was on purpose. Definitely go ahead and buy this one at a used price if you want the best boxing game to play with your pals, rather than buying some goofy boxing game like Ready to Rumble, because this a more mature and realistic boxing game.

Lacking

2 Rating: 2, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: February 06, 2004
Author: Amazon User

I was happy to see some new faces in the game (Klitschko Bros) but like others have stated, it is not strategic and lacks the "boxing" of Knockout Kings 2001. It is true to say that every fight is like a slugfest and the one that can hit the buttons the fastest wins. I hope they release a new Knockout Kings and return to the 2001 formula.

This game is a JOKE!

2 Rating: 2, Useful: 4 / 8
Date: March 10, 2002
Author: Amazon User

This game has NO realism in the world of boxing whatso ever. Last years knockout kings at least had a strategic gaming method and a training mode. This year, no training, and requires no strategy at all. Ive mastered Knockout Kings 2001, all my friends would come over and get killed. But this year, all you have to do is MASH buttons to win fights. Wheres the stratedy in that? The boxers look great, but the gameplay ... I like that its quiker n' everything, but its just not realistic. If i wanted a game like this, i could have gotten Ready 2 Rumble, or some other ... games like that. If your looking for a game 10x's deeper than this piece of ... game, i say go for HBO BOXING. I know the graphics ..., but its alot deeper than this. Hopefully, HBO Boxing will come up to a follow up. ... NBA Live series went to .., Madden got killed by NFL 2k2, and Knockout kIngs 2002 might as well be a liscensed boxer Ready 2 Rumble follow up. ...

dlong504

1 Rating: 1, Useful: 2 / 3
Date: June 16, 2002
Author: Amazon User

This game is horrible. It isn't worth the time playing or the money you spend. If you are looking for a boxig game don't buy this. This is a button smashing free for all, the person who either has Ali or presses buttons faster will win always. If you want a great boxing game buy knockout kings 2001!

Avoid at all costs

1 Rating: 1, Useful: 2 / 4
Date: May 03, 2002
Author: Amazon User

This is quite frankly the worst game I have ever purchased. I had enjoyed "Knockout kings 2001" so much that I ran in to get this expecting an even better game. Boy was I disapointed!! I played it for 5 minutes and realised I had just thrown money down the drain. Buy 2001 used it is 1000000 times better. This game is unplayable.

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