Great game go ahead and pick it up.
Platforms Available: PS3, X-Box 360 , PS2
Platform Played On: PS2
Concept/Storyline: You create your own boxer or relive the career of a legend boxer in career mode. I am currently working on created career mode. I can not comment on legends career mode but I can say the mode where you create and fight with a newbie is certainly most fun. It leaves everything up to you the fight contracts,how you train, who you train, with and, everything else. This should be played by any boxing fan. If however you are not a boxing fan nothing here will change your mind on the issue. If you just want a good fighting game to play with your friends and happen to see it for rent or sale at a low price go ahead and get it.It is in no way a life altering thing to get it or not get it but the game is sure to entertain with hours of face busting haymakers and flurries of jabs and gut shots.
Graphics: The graphics for the game are absolutely the most amazing graphics I have ever seen in a fighting or sports game altogether in a long time. the graphics on 360 and PS3 are good enough from what I have seen the lack of a HUD is no biggie because you can tell by the boxers cuts and bruises how far from breaking down and hitting the mat you are. While PS2 having played it is not as good here it is still in a class all its own. you start with a HUD for PS2 but can turn it off for more realiism but you might not be able to tell if you will go down or not. I on the other hand can tell only if I enter a KO moment which is the moment where all people are quiet for a time and one good hit or flurry will send you to the mat.It makes for a good rush in my opinion.
Sound: The sound is OK at best considering I personally hate the rap music on it.The sounds of fist hitting fist, face, and everything inbetween are dead on. The announcing can get annoying but you can turn it off. So all in all sound is ok. the msuic could be left out and announcing gets repetitive but other than that it will be found to be average.
Control: The control is something known as total control using the left and right analog stick in conjunction with the left and right triggers. you use the right trigger and the analog sticks to block if you hold r1 and the left stick he will block left, and vice versa with r1 and the right analog stick. you hold r1 and both sticks to block the whole face or body depending on where and how you rotate the analog stick or sticks. while just l1 and the left stick will move and perry you can use this in many ways so many I can't explain them all. You use the right stick in many different directions all tied in to one another to hit punches with x and r2 doing a power punch and circle doing illegal moves and triangle doing clinches. this game system leaves the fists and body 100% in your hands and is great to play with.
Gameplay: The gameplay is sticking and jabing and punching the opponent with your fists while blocking and reversing your opponents hits and countering them. you basically beat the opponent until the are so badly beaten they can't get up at ten or the ref sees they or hurt but wont stay down and stops it to prevent serious injury or even death. so that is the gameplay in a nutshell.
My Opinion: This game is just awesome in my opinion and I am glad that i picked up this game when I did it is the best boxing, fighting , and all around sports game I have played in a VERY long time. if you see it for cheap or just see it and have money GET IT for heavens sake GET THIS GAME. I change my tune the more I think of it get this game you WILL love it to no end.
Final Score: I give this game a solid 10/10 this games really shows what it means to be A good game that keeps you coming back for more. it is rare that a game amazes me so much I play it for years to come but this game has that much and so much more going for it. I wish I could give it more but 10 is as high as the chart goes proving this game could topple the charts if given a chance to do so.
Extra Notes: 19 dollars at Wal-Mart for the greatest hits version for PS2.You should go pick it up and play it if you have the money it will not let you down go get it NOW and be amazed at all of its greatness if you have not already.