"If your looking for a good boxing game, keep searching."

Evander Holyfields real deal boxing is a satisfactory game. But its nothing that will ever go down in history as changing the boxing genre. The point of this game was not to make an arcade type boxing game, but a simulation boxing game. So instead of just fighting people all the way to the end. You start by choosing a name, editing your appearance, individualising your stats and THEN fighting your way to the top. It may sound like more fun than the ordinary boxing game. But when you play it, it feels just a little TOO sim-y. If you could compare it to say, Mike Tysons Punch Out!, the whole experience would feel bogged down by the realism in Evander Holyfields boxing. Not to say its a ''bad game'' per se, but boxing is just not the genre that should be simulated.

The graphics in this game are actually pretty good. The crowd is animated pretty well considering this games vintage, and the boxers are very detailed. Another thing I like is the babe who holds up the ''Round __'' sign, she was very well animated. In fact, I would have to say that the highlight of this game is the graphics. They're just something the rest of the game unfortunately cant measure up to.

Sound is one area of the game that can get pretty annoying sometimes. Sure, the menu's have a catchy tune that most athletic games have, but once you get into the game, there is no music. Just the ''Heeeeugh'' and ''UGHHH'' that you get when you are punched. Which, after about 45 minutes of hearing repeated grunts, you'll be so agitated you'll want to place this game neatly on the sidewalk and let it have a nice conversation with your sledge hammer.

Control.. haha, is that supposed to be in this game? because if it was, they must have forgotten. The only thing the directional buttons are good for are the menus. The actual PLAYING part of this game has diddly squat in the way of control. The 2 players take up about 70 percent of the screen, so if your really feeling woozy and you need a break, you have about 3 inches of space to move in, which isnt very good when the other guy wants to beat the living crap out of you. As for hitting back? well, I never really did figure out what each button was good for. They all just let you punch. Its pretty sad actually.

As for replay value, well... You'd have to be the most boring person on earth to want to play this game again. Surely if you had enough money to buy this game, you'll have enough money to trade it in and buy another Genesis game.

Well, if you haven't listened to me and you've bought/borrowed this game, You'll want to know the point of the game. basically, you just beat the crap out of everyone until you get to the man himself, Evander Holyfield. Good luck beating him, he has PERFECT statistics. If by some chance you beat him, you just get a little video sequence. Oh yay!... I won...yeah!..umm..yay?

To summarize this game, its not even worth playing. It IS a unique experience, but the novelty will wear off fast. For Evander Holyfield, one of the biggest names in boxing, this game does NOT deserve to have Evander in the title, or even in the game.

Reviewer's Score: 5/10, Originally Posted: 06/03/02, Updated 06/03/02