Difficulty:

Very Easy

Time Spent:

10 to 20 Hours

The Bottom Line:

"Amazing"

Fight Night Round 3 is the third boxing title from EA Sports, upon succeeding from the Knockout Kings games on the PlayStation. It features the usual improvements such as better graphics and gameplay. "Impact Punches" are one of the most drastic changes, along with ESPN Classic fights and a new career mode, in which the player fights to gain popularity in order to reach sponsored fights, or to be featured on ESPN. Unlike in older versions, Round 3 defaults without a heads-up display (HUD), allowing a player to judge the status of their stamina and energy based on their stance, movements, and facial features, instead of the usual stamina meter. The game has been released for several video game consoles and some differences exist between the versions. The cover art features the late Arturo Gatti and Micky Ward on the PS2 and Xbox, and PS3, and the PSP versions have Oscar De La Hoya on the cover. Only the PS3 version can be played in a first-person view. Xbox 360 has a fighter image. The Official Xbox Magazine awarded Fight Night: Round 3 with its first 10, the highest score given by the magazine. G4's Reviews on the Run's Victor Lucas stated that Round 3 had the best graphics he has ever seen on a video game. The game has been criticized for its highly intrusive product placement. While brands for athletic apparel, such as Everlast and Under Armour are expected in a sports game, sponsorship by Dodge and Burger King is regarded as excessive (The Burger King can even be used as a trainer[3]). It won GameSpot's award as the game with "The Most Despicable Product Placement".