Mocap Boxing

"A pretty good idea that was competently utilized."

Here is a another pretty unique game from Konami however instead of not fully translated dance exercise game, Handgliding simulator or Horse Racing game. This one is about boxing and alike other ''Motion Capture'' games such as Police 911 it utilizes its premise with pretty decent results.

The premise is simple your just a boxer going up through the ranks from Round 1 to all to the very end. Despite on how hard you punch him your opponent will always get up if you knock him down during the first two rounds so really the only way to win it is by a TKO. Before you start playing it gives you a nice introduction on instructions on how to play the game as in how the dodge, throw and land punches on your opponent. Then after that you can get started on your first fight.

The first opponent is rather simple to beat so lets just say that he is a good warm-up. Even though the first opponent was just simply easy I noticed that the game itself was more responsive to the punches than in the later ones. However the responsiveness wasn't TOO bad in the 2nd round but it went even further down in the 3rd. The 2nd round isn't incredibly hard but its not so much of a ''Warm-up'' anymore.

Another flaw is that the designs of the opponents your fighting aren't all that great. The first opponent was a rather bland design while the 2nd more looks like a lame attempt to mimic Dennis Rodman. Is this thing truly worth your quarters/tokens? Well if your a really big boxing fan or are really into ''Motion Capture'' games however if your not then it might at least be worth a few good tries. Konami has been making very good Arcade games, this isn't one of their better ones but its certainly not a bad little game from them. Its no classic but its genuinely competent enough to warrant your intention at least once in a while. If you want to play a truly great Boxing Game, play ''Mike Tyson's Punch-Out'' for the NES but its still a nice little above-average treat.

+ A nice unique idea that is the ''Motion Sensor'' boxing.
+ Most of the time its pretty responsive
+ Its may not be truly great but its playable enough.
+ One of the better ''Motion Capture'' arcade games.
- Its awfully difficult especially after the 2nd level
- Its not always responsive
- The ''Motion Control'' is the only thing gives it any higher than average
- The designs of your opponents are pretty weak.

Reviewer's Score: 7/10, Originally Posted: 07/15/03, Updated 02/02/04