I can see why some fans of fighting games could be disappointed in this game. It's a lot slower pace than your typical fighter, and it's not so much a button masher or a combo racker. However I knew this before playing the game. I'm a Kyokushin Karate practitioner, so I was looking forward to playing a game where I can use Kyokushin fighters, more specifically Francisco Filho. What I really liked about the game was the authenticity. The game captures what real K-1 fights are like, and each fighter had their own style that reflected how they fight in real life. My only complaint is that the blocking was preety generic for each fighter. The controls were easy to get used too, and after only a few minutes of play I was already able to do what I wanted without resorting to button mashing. The graphics aren't ground breaking but they aren't deterring either. The character models are really well done and look like the real life counter part. The audience and the background however was a bit flat. Sometimes when you strike your opponent, your hand or foot would kind of meld into them. Not something you really noticed at real time but during the replays is when you start to notice this. Overall the game doesn't have stellar graphics, or magnificent sound... but what drew me to the game is how fun it was. I was excited to play as my favorite fighters in the art that I practice, and the makers of the game did a great job at making it seem like you are fighting at a real K-1 tournement.
Other Helpful Reviews for K-1 World Grand Prix 2002
This game is a lot like Knockout kings but with kicking. As a Mixed Martial Arts fan I was sure to see an updated version of K1. Think EA can take over make a Fight Night with kicking. Maybe for the PS3 or Xbox 360 there... Read Full Review
This realistic fighting game is in my top 10 games. After playing games like Tekken, Soul Calibur and Virtua fighter, this game will give you complete satisfaction, specially in the 2 player mode. If you know your K-1, y... Read Full Review
