Muhammad Ali Boxing 3D Hands-On

Boxing, as a sport, has been celebrated since the Mycenaean age, but it has only one folk hero--Muhammad Ali. Superscape is releasing games, in its typical 2D and 3D SKUs, based on the Louisville Lip's pugilistic legacy. We got a chance to check out the 3D version, and we were impressed with the realistic texture work that's gone into the game.

Predictably, you start Ali as a no-name fighter trying to make a name for himself without losing too many brain cells. By increasing your stats on the heavy and speed bags, you can develop a champion's body, just as a young Cassius did after his bike was famously stolen. The other half of the battle is knocking out the twelve guys bobbing and weaving between you and the self-styled "greatest fighter of all time."

Before you face him in the ring, Ali pops up often to offer words of encouragement or chastisement. Sometimes, as is his wont, he just talks about himself: "Muhammad Ali is the greatest! If he hits you once, you're asleep for the night!" These vocal clips add quite a bit of character. Ali's head model looks great. The texture work here is highly reminiscent of that seen in S.W.A.T.'s agent portraits. Aside from Ali, there are 10 unique fighter textures, although the same few body models are reused.

Ali can be played with only the navigation pad on the LG VX8000. Left and right weave, while up and down execute punches. The center OK button performs a block. When you're knocked out, you must use the directional pad to line up the overhead ring lights with their perceived afterimages. This keeps you from slipping back into unconsciousness. Ali's simple interface should make the game accessible to novice gamers. Ali has progressed nicely since last we saw it, and we look forward to playing the game when launches later this year.