Victorious Boxers: Ippo's Road to Glory

"This is no kiddy game..This is simulation boxing at its best!"

Remember playing Mike Tyson's Punchout on Nintendo and always wish there was a little more to it? mind you back in 1987 the technology wasn't as good but now with all its advances we have Bar none the best boxing game for any system in Victorious Boxers!

The game plays a lot like Nintendo's version of punchout but with many extras. A fuller story mode,smooth clean graphics a engine that rivals most Fighting/wrestling games and is then basic enough to be fun for all, fanatics and gamers alike. I love the the sheer though that was put in this game. As this is a Sim game with a very cartoony feel. much more of a sim the EA' KK2001.

The fighting system is the most attractive part of the game. The dodging system is a key point to the game and being able to bob and weave in a stationary position out a flurry gives a very fresh feel and it gives the option of defense wheres a lot of Boxing games don't tend to express this enough. The animation of all the action is really life like contrary to its cartoon like appearance and the punches and footwork work well in respect to the fight taking on a real feel again something I think has been very overlooked in boxing games in the past.The fights themselves are good and well balanced it the aspect that you could see yourself going a full 12 rounds to a one punch victory! Its hard enough to make you think that beating the first couple of boxers is a real big deal.....then some could really cruise through with ease.

Although the the minor weak points of the game being the lack of modes, in that there is just not enough variety of modes to a much needed boost in the options category: IE difficulty settings, etc. OH, and a ''Creating a look for your boxing'' option would have been sweet!!! Sound is par, the sound not being bad but again just a lack of variety. There are some engine problems as well.The main problem being that in a heated battle with your opponent the dodging/footwork will some times leave you open to heavy attack and at certain times be somewhat annoying. But this all being small point to an otherwise strong performance for Empire Interactive

I love boxing and if you feel the need to pick up where you left off with ''little Mac'' and ''Doc the Trainer'' this is a game for you.......

Or if you are a casual fan of boxing and a gamer looking for a good fight this game has enough to keep you going !!!

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 11/21/01, Updated 11/21/01