FaceBreaker enters ring Sept. 5

Since making the transition to current-generation consoles in 2006, EA's Fight Night Round 3 has roundly been considered the undisputed heavyweight champion of the gaming circuit. While 2007 yielded no worthy challengers, 2008 offered up a new competiton in the form of Don King Presents Prizefighter--which has been roundly pummeled by critics.

Today, though, EA dated its re-entry into the ring. This afternoon, the megapublisher announced that the EA Canada-developed FaceBreaker will be available for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 on September 5, with the Wii version to follow for the holidays, according to EA. Whereas Fight Night appeals to the sim-boxing crowd, FaceBreaker's roots draw from the same well as Nintendo's Punch-Out!! franchise. The game features a highly stylized aesthetic, with comical caricatures of boxers being pummeled by an assortment of head shots, body blows, and haymakers.

When FaceBreaker launches in September, it will be the first title to fall under EA's newly christened Freestyle brand, and it will be joined by two original projects teased by EA vice president of global marketing Todd Sitrin in March. The title will also serve as an exhibition bout for EA Canada, which picked up Fight Night Round 4 after its former handler--EA Chicago--was shuttered in November.

For a more in-depth look at FaceBreaker, check out GameSpot's previous coverage.