Fight Night Round 3

"Three times is the charm!"

Fight Night Round 3 is the newest installment in EA's virtual ring. There has been a lot of talk about this game, up until the release. Is it what everyone thinks? Is this a boxing game to buy? Is it really worth $60? Read and find out.

Graphics: 9/10

Should I even go into detail {no pun intended}? I will anyway. This is, by far, THE most beautiful graphically enhanced game I have seen on the 360. Those of you who have a HDTV, you are in for a treat. This game looks awesome in HD. FNR3 brings immerses you not only in the game, but also the ring. From the celebration animations, to the long walk to the ring, FNR3 will show you the ropes {again, no pun intended}. I really like how they did the punches. You can actually see the face react to the punch. It looks nasty, but in a good way. What I really like is how EA distinguished the blood from the spit. For example, if you get knocked down early in the first by a head shot, you are more likely to spit saliva, as opposed to blood flying out of your mouth. This is so beautiful. I've heard people talk about the frame rate. It looks good to me. I didn't see anything wrong with it. This is what graphics are supposed to look like in a game, especially in a next-generation game.

Gameplay: 8/10

The Gameplay is fun, but limited. If you have Xbox Live, then you will play this game until it catches on fire {figuratively speaking, of course}. If you have a couple of friends in your area, then you can play 1 on 1 with you buddies. Sadly, that's where the longevity of the game ends. Career mode is very good. It's very immersive, but something is missing: longevity. The career mode is short. It reminds me of the first Fight Night career, in which it gets repetitive very quickly. Like I said in the latter statements, you will need Xbox Live, or some friends to keep this in the 360. Total Punch Control is back and better than ever. I have to say that I am happy that they left configuration 5 in the game after all of this time. If they didn't, then I probably wouldn't have liked this game. Still, TPC is used to its fullest potential this year. Good job, EA.

Sound: 8/10

Are you serious? I think so. Let the trash talking begin! Those bone crunching sounds you hear when you hit your opponent are just disgusting. It will make your stomach turn over. This is good, because that's what boxing is: nasty as Hades. You can hear the difference between a jab, hook, haymaker, and an uppercut. Isn't that cool? It is to me. The commentary is so perfect, that it's just like listening to a real boxing game on a radio. Custom soundtracks are back. I'm having trouble using it for my entrance music, but its there, if you are tired of the songs in the game. Speaking of which, I like it. There is a lot or rap. Rap is good. Rock is good too, but rap is here and that's all she wrote. Break out your CS if you don't like it. There, now everybody is happy.

Overall, this game is worth $60. Buy the game, if you want to get your booty kicked, talk smack to your friends, while handing them a very bad beating, or just look at the graphics. This title will not disappoint the fans.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 02/28/06