Toughman Contest

""I'm Gonna Kick Your Ass!!""

Hmm, surprised this fun game has no reviews yet. It was the last time I was sick, 1999, and I thought I had a faulty 32x at the time, however it was not faulty, I simply did not have the chords. After trying out 2 games over and over, my uncle returned all three items (the 32x, Metal head, and Motocross), and got store credit, plus this game. At first, I did horribly at the game, but eventually, I became quite proficient at the game. It is a very tricky game, as game play will point out.

Game play: 9/10

My only grip with the game, is that it is a difficult game in the later stages, no matter which fighter you use. Other than that, the game play in this boxing game is great. The fictional fighters are all well thought out, and fun to use. Each fighter is different; there are strong fighters, quick fighters, fighters with a lot of stamina, etc. They also all hail from different parts of the globe, as the Toughman Tournament takes place in 4 different regions: Europe/Middle East, North America, South/Central America, and Asia/Oceania. The names of the fighters are excellent, and they suit where they come from. The controls are fantastic in this game, responsive, and quick. Game play is top notch, and is the story also top notch?

Story: 6/10

While there is a story in the game its fairly unoriginal, and uninspired. Take your fighter from the regional championships to the Toughman finals, and defeat Butter Bean. Ah big deal, how are the graphics?

Graphics: 8/10

Good graphics abound Toughman Contest, especially in the fighters, ring announcer, round girls, and the front people in the audience. First the in ring people. They are all super detailed, with corresponding weight types, and how their bodies look (you'll see what I mean). Each head has various expressions depending on where the fighter is hit, and all wear different coloured trunks. Now for the out of ring graphics. The front row of spectators always have different people, with various animations (yelling, pizza eating, throwing snowballs, etc.). The backgrounds are also a fantastic bit of Genesis visual, as there are things constantly going on, from people surfing on ski lifts, to people bungee jumping, there is a lot going on. Good graphics, and just the same sounds.

Sounds: 6/10

Great sounds also abound Toughman Contest, from the in-ring sounds, to the striking sounds, to the really good albeit usual EA sounding music. There is a voice that counts 1-10, and there are whistles for when the ring girl comes along, all obligatory sounds that most boxing games have. The music, again, is standard High Score/EA music, with its hard tones, and edgy riffs. Meh, it could have been better to be honest, that's all. Is this a replay-able game?

Replay ability: 5/10

Not much going on here. Yes it is difficult, but after you find the secret to beating all of the opponents, you should win every time. Only Butter Bean will give you any real trouble if you are a seasoned vet at Toughman Contest. There are also no unlock-ables, or secrets.

Buy or rent?

If you can rent this game, by all means do so before you purchase it, you will like it.

The 'Bean from 'Bama has not beaten me in a few years, but he always provides a good challenge, and that is exactly what this game is: a challenge. It does not get as much play time as it used to, though that is alright, as Toughman Contest will always be a good game to play. "Jabfar El-Habib knocked Monsieur Victoire out of the ring, in one of the most vicious knockouts ever witnessed!"

Reviewer's Score: 7/10, Originally Posted: 04/13/09

Game Release: Toughman Contest (US, 1995)