Ready 2 Rumble Round 2 Hands-On

I really didn't realize how good the PS2 version of Ready 2 Rumble Round 2 looked until I saw it on the Dreamcast. Compared to the PS2, the Dreamcast version looked a little washed out. The colors weren't as brilliant, the characters were a bit blockier, and the animations weren't as smooth. But, without the PS2 directly beside it, Ready 2 Rumble Round 2 for the Dreamcast still looks good, even better than the original game.

The demo version of R2R2 featured only six different characters. Butcher, Lulu, and Rivera returned, while three new boxers, one based on Laker's center and hip-hop star Shaquille O'Neal. The other two boxers were a fat white guy, and another female boxer.

The boxers from the old game have new costumes, and sport an updated look in Round 2. However, just as in the PS2 version, I found that some of my favorite movies were missing from Round 2. The action was slower, and most of the combos were simply not there.

Hopefully this is because the game is so early, and not because Midway decided to completely revamp each boxer's moves. We'll just have to wait to find out.