Knockout Kings 2002

"A great boxing game that depends on the players use of the brain"

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What's the game about?
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Well the game is pretty well-known, and from the name you should be able to figure it out. Look at the cover of the game. Okay, can't figure it out? Knockout Kings 2002 is a boxing game that truely does blur the line between simulation and arcade boxing. The way the game is played and how fun it is depends on you. So read on.

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Graphics and Animations:
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The graphics are very clean cut. No real slowdown during the big action either. The faces look very realistic, and the bodies are incredible. The shape of the muscles are done perfectly, and the veins from people's bodies helps. The animations are good, only a nimwit won't be able to tell the difference between a jab and a hook in this game. The movements are very distinct, and the people actually hit each other... even when watching the fight in instant replay. People have custom trade mark moves, mouth pieces fall off, and wads of bloods occasionally come out from big punches. I especially like how the people bob and weave. Wounds also develop through out the fight. Bruises, cuts, and swells come from hard shots, and you can actualy watch the marks happen through replay. You won't find a boxing game with these graphics for a long time, and it really shows off what the XBox can do.

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Sound:
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Well done. The in-match sounds are done solid. Sounds of people's movements, sounds of contact from punches compliment the action. The commentary can get annoying after awhile, but you won't really be paying attention to it. LL Cool J's hip hop steez fills the game, I think it fits the mood of KOK2002.

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Controls:
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I was surprised to find that the controls although simple on paper, work nicely in action. X is your jab, Y is your cross, A&B control your hooks, hold R for uppercuts, L to block, white button for a low blow, black button for signature move, right stick click for illegal back hand, and left analog click (or back button) for taunt. Moving the analog stick makes your player make his way around the ring, slightly moving it will make him move his upper body. Slightly down will send him pulling his upper body back, left makes him tilt left and vica versa with right, pulling up a little makes your boxer get low to go for body shots. The only real problem I have is the thing about doing body shots, it is a bit uncomfortable in the heat of battle, but you get used to it.

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Game Play:
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The game is what you make it to be. If you decide to run in and slug it out, it will be a button masher. But, if you play smart it can be intelligent enough for a sim. Instead of charging your opponent and hitting random buttons, use your brain. Move in a little, set up with a few jabs and throw a cross, try to lure them and hit them with a hook. Bait them with jabs to throw punches at you, go down low and hit them in the body a few times. Back up, try to get them down low, throw an upper cut. He's tired now, circle him and pound him with quick jabs. If the player wants to play it smart, then the game can be pretty close to a sim. The comp is pretty good and accurate with their punches. You'll find them landing more jabs and crosses on you, but if you play smart you'll hit them with more hooks which hurt more. The game always has you in the middle of intense action. The moves are fluent and smooth, and if you can resist going toe-to-toe for three rounds every match, you'll find yourself really having strategic yet brutal fun. One match I played middle weights and paired myself with a boxer of about the same skill. I played smart and brought the match to round 12. I barely won from the judge's vote. Trust me, with matches like that you can't deny this game play. Fatigue also plays a big role once you get into the later rounds.

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Features and Misc:
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Career Mode is done well. Make your own character, and take him to the top. I think it's done a bit better than past versions. If you have a lot of friends that like boxing games, kok2002 has an organized mode to set up tournaments, so you can knock the crap out of your friends. The features in the game are pretty basic for a boxing game. The game also has high replay value if you like boxing games and/or have some friends to play the game. Once you get into the game, the single player will have you hooked.

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Overall- why's it good? why's it bad?
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Bad:
Bad:
*Little hard to go down and get body shots in the middle of a fist fight.
*Some what depends on you using your brain to play the game.

Good:
*Solid sound
*Great graphics and animations
*Solid number of your favorite boxers to compete with
*Awesome gameplay engine
*Overall fun game to play

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Closing statements and score:
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I highly suggest this game if you want to knock the crap out of some people. If you want a mindless slug fest then run in there with your boxer and mash the buttons. If you like real boxing and want to sim it out, then play smart and play real. The game is well worth the 50 dollar price tag. I even returned All Star Baseball 2003 to get this game! It's that good. I know some people might not like ASB2003 lol, but I think that it's an excellent baseball game, but being pressed on money I chose this game. I made the right choice. Don't listen to the jobbers that play the game a few times, charging their opponents and smashing the buttons on the easy difficulties.

Overall: (1-10) 8.9

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 03/07/02, Updated 03/07/02