Who Wants to Beat Up a Millionaire?

"Some good fun for a bit"

This is a lesser known Dreamcast game, and I can see why. For those who don't know, they took the show of the similar name, but switched it up a bit. You are asked a question (in this field, not much changes compared to the show's questions) and if you get it right, you get to beat up a millionaire of your choice. They start at 1 million dollars, and each question right you get to knock them down a bit more. Once you knock out the last $1, the game's over and you see a small ending sequence, that's it.

You can buzz in to answer the question, and you also have 3 lifelines as well (50/50, pass the buck, and chicken out) that you can use. Sometimes after a correct question you'll get to use a weapon on your millionaire instead of just fists, which really brings the beating on them. The questions aren't too hard, but a lot you won't be answering right off the bat either. The more and more you beat up your millionaire, the more bruises and messed up they get, which was a nice touch. The sound and graphics aren't anything to oogle over, but what do you expect?

Really the game's only attraction is the multiplayer, in my opinion. This time, you pick the millionaire you'll play as (moderate humor found in these handful of characters) instead of the one you'll beat up. You and a friend (I've never tried playing with more than 2 people, you can figure that out yourself) go at it to buzz in and question. Whoever gets the question right gets to whomp on your friend, and it is now like a very watered down boxing game. The offense gets to punch (or hit with a weapon, if received) and the defense can attempt blocking or dodging out of the way.

Being a game like this, there isn't much replay value after the first ten or so games. For one, there's only the main game and nothing else (unless you consider multiplayer another mode...) so once you beat it you either shut it off or go again. After the mentioned couple of playthroughs, you should start seeing repeats of questions and it's not that fun anymore. It is fun those first couple of times and I can't see this going more than a buck nowadays. If you see it and wouldn't mind another party game to throw on for a game or two, go ahead and grab it, you don't have much to lose.

Reviewer's Score: 5/10, Originally Posted: 08/14/08

Game Release: Who Wants to Beat Up a Millionaire? (US, 2000)