Fight Night Round 3

"Still competes with newer games!"

All right, I want a good, clean, fight! To your corners…and…LET'S GET READY TO RUMBLE!!!


Fight Night Round 3 puts you into the shoes of an up-and coming boxer. You start in a lowly gym, fighting nobodies, but as you move through the game's career mode move onto bigger and better arenas, and challengers. This is a review on that game for the Xbox 360 console.


Story wise, there really isn't much to offer. You're a new boxer climbing the ranks of the sport, no damsels, no evil boss, just boxing. You can choose a real-life boxer or create your own with his own looks and style. Outside of your characters hair, skin color, height, weight and facial hair, you can also buy new shorts and other clothes to wear, as well as some tattoos! It sounds great, but the clothing you buy (trunks, gloves, shoes, mouthpieces, etc.) gives your stat boosts, like “+20% Power” so even if you like a specific color or style of clothes, the stat boosts dictate your character's apparel. The actual story-mode of the game is fun though, before choosing a fight you play 1 of 3 mini-games which based on how well you do gives you stat points. Also something about naming your character after yourself and seeing “Your Last Name Vs. Ali,” is really cool!



Gameplay really takes the cake in the game. With all the fighting styles, punches, cheap shots, and combos in the game, it makes a really good fighting game. Trying to develop your own style without being predictable is hard as well, sure your technique may work, but eventually your opponent will think of a counter. Personally I'm a power fighter, I take risky, powerful shots at my enemy; so if I hit my opponent, he could be out cold in the first round, but if I miss, I just pray I can make it to the next round without my Fighter being too fatigued. Now, whether or not you have the HUD up in-game, there may not be a health or stamina meter. So make sure to watch the player's movements for signs of weakness and wear. Also while fighting there is no music, which depending on if you like the game's primarily Rap soundtrack, could be good or bad for you. But don't worry the sound of the fan's cheering and screaming at each bone crushing blow is more then enough to suck you into the experience of the game.


Next up are the all-important graphics. Simply put, this game still has some of the best graphics of the 360, amazing considering its age. Every slow-motion knockout punch is filled with enjoyment as you see their blood, sweat, and tears fly away from their face from your one finishing move. You can notice the bruises; cuts and other body afflictions fill your opponent as you pummel them mercilessly. Even the background spectators have a decent amount of detail in them; the fans in the way back up in the nose-bleeds look amazing, with their cameras flashing and hands waving. If you want a game to show off your brand new HD TV, this is the game.


One major-downside of the game is its lack of a strong multiplayer. Sure duking it out with a friend is fun, but Xbox Live feels like a last minute add-on. Being an older game, with no online achievements, and people always playing the more popular games on Live, there isn't much of a community for you to knockout. Then again, if you don't have XBL, this game might be a perfect choice for you and a friend playing on the same console! Any one that's played the game could tell you the game could have easily benefited from some downloadable content. Come on EA, where's your advertisements!


As far as unlockables and achievements go, there isn't much to offer. Sure you can get new clothes, and a few moves as you go through story mode, as well as a neat Burger King Cameo, it does feel somewhat lacking. I'm not saying there are no extras in the game, but nothing big or very noticeable. Though this is a very easy achievement game, I suggest not playing it for them, as it's a great game, and you'd be foolish to kill the experience it offers.


So in conclusion, Fight Night Round 3 is an amazing, realistic, fun, game with great graphics that due to a lack of a good online and extras could have been even better. I very much recommend picking up a copy of this game, especially at its reduced price! (You should be able to easily find the game for 30$ or less)

-Great Graphics/Gameplay

-Simply Fun

-Good length Story-Mode, O.K. Replay Value

-Few Unlockables

-Lacking in the Online Department

Final Score: 8/10

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 11/01/07

Game Release: Fight Night Round 3 (US, 02/20/06)