|
Barry McGuigan World Championship Boxing (a.k.a. Star Rank Boxing) stands tall among the many boxing programs the 64 has to offer.
It has the feature of creating your very own roster of boxers. You have a choice of look and even boxing style of your boxer. In the beginning, you have to build your prize fighter up first. What needs to be done is to turn that 90 pound weakling you got there into a lean, mean killing machine and that takes both training and time.
So off to the races you go, you picked your first victim, err I mean challenger, for your fighter and you have anywhere from a few weeks to almost three months of prep time in the gym to gear up your 'bad boy.' Heavy bags and weights will build power while light bags and roadwork will build endurance and stamina. Sparring is a bit of everything and is great all-round, especially with limited training time. That's where the strategy comes in...you can't train your boxer to face a weak speedy opponent as you would if he were to face a flat-footed bruiser with no stamina. You could develop his jab or maybe his favourite punch will be a short-hook?
Trying to get a first round knockout is hard to come by and is in all likelihood not going to happen. Sometimes you do get lucky. Normally, most fights don't go the distance (notably in the early careers of upcoming boxers here) so the three knockdown rule applies. During the bout you'll notice your health along the top. Take your lumps and you'll see it drop...if it drops too much well you get the picture. Like coffee, he's only good till the LAST drop. That last drop could mean being knocked down three times or getting hit while his energy is at rock bottom. Chances are if he takes too much of a beating, he will not be getting back up. Sometimes lucky punches catch you off guard too...you never know when your killer will develop a 'glass jaw.' Make it to the end of each round to get a quick status report on your boxer's and opponent's condition and how they were even scored!
Eventually, you get to fight your way through the ranks and into the top contenders. That's when everything gets crazy. Going the distance might be your fighter's saving grace when both men are laying the bruises on thick. The speed and strength at these levels are extreme. Getting knocked down affects your fighter's recovery and that's when stamina and endurance come into play. You'll even notice you fighter not throwing his punches as fast as he did at the opening of each round. Throwing missed punches tires your fighter too...so make 'em count. If your opponent is close throw a hook and when he backs off give him a quick cross or jab. By all means, keep your guard up or you'll be sorry.
Finally, you'll reach the champ and walk away with a shiny new belt after your 250 pound gorilla drops him faster than a losing ticket at the races...or maybe not.
You just never know in this sport...it just takes one lucky punch.
Downloads: Music, Advert
|
|
|
|
| GRAPHICS - 7/10 |
They look big and solid, plus the variety of colours make the game more visually interesting. The stats are clear and easy to follow.
The crowd needs work though but since you're not fighting them, you don't really care.
| | SOUND - 7/10 |
The bell sounds sweet, especially when your boxer is against the ropes taking a beating. The cheering crowd even gets louder when a knockdown happens. You can quickly tell by sounds alone whether a punch landed or not.
| | PLAYABILITY - 9/10 |
This is where this game shines. There are many different types of fighters, all with different training. The longer a fight gets, the more exciting it becomes. It's almost never the same fight twice...
| | OVERALL - 8/10 |
It's not what you see or hear that makes this game so great...it's the emotions you get when your fighter gets up after taking a savage beating and displays a heart of a true champion by turning it all around in the end. Incredible fun if given a try.
|
|
| COVER |
.jpg&w=206)
|
|
|
; "Click to zoom!")
; "Click to zoom!")
