Games Database
GameCube
Sport: Boxing
| Also for: | PS2, Xbox | ||
| Viewed: | 3D Combination | Genre: | Sport: Boxing |
| Arcade origin: | No | ||
| Developer: | Electronic Arts | Soft. Co.: | Electronic Arts |
| Publishers: | Electronic Arts
(GB) |
Released: | 20 Dec 2002
(GB) |
| Ratings: | 11+ | ||
| Accessories: | Memory Card | ||
Summary
An EA Sports series that made a relatively late appearance in the company's bustling portfolio, Knockout Kings has quickly become one of the most credible and entertaining boxing simulators since the rather incredible Ready 2 Rumble games. We're onto version 2003 now, and it's the first in the series on GameCube.
Following the surprise Rocky hit from Rage just a couple of months prior, Knockout Kings 2003 has been met with a certain level of scrutiny among diehard fans of the genre. But fortunately it's a game that has one of the world's largest developers behind it.
Players can throw punches with an admirable selection of old school boxing legends such as Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier and Sugar Ray Leonard, or play as one of 20 other fictional boxers. Once in the ring, Knockout Kings 2003 becomes a technical boxing extravaganza. Each button on the control pad is generally assigned to several different types of attack and blocking moves, but it's the timing of your button presses that proves most significant in a successful bout. When playing the computer, much of your ring time will be spent blocking your opponent. But when that shiny window of opportunity makes itself apparent, you can turn the tide and unleash a deadly combination of hooks, rendering the opposition unconscious.
Superbly programmed referees, facial animations, commentary, venues and even taunts offer that level of realism avid boxing fans crave, and the addition of that ever important multi-player mode makes the game more sociable. At face value, Knockout Kings 2003 is a highly entertaining game, but underneath lies a solid game engine and an accurate boxing simulator.
Following the surprise Rocky hit from Rage just a couple of months prior, Knockout Kings 2003 has been met with a certain level of scrutiny among diehard fans of the genre. But fortunately it's a game that has one of the world's largest developers behind it.
Players can throw punches with an admirable selection of old school boxing legends such as Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier and Sugar Ray Leonard, or play as one of 20 other fictional boxers. Once in the ring, Knockout Kings 2003 becomes a technical boxing extravaganza. Each button on the control pad is generally assigned to several different types of attack and blocking moves, but it's the timing of your button presses that proves most significant in a successful bout. When playing the computer, much of your ring time will be spent blocking your opponent. But when that shiny window of opportunity makes itself apparent, you can turn the tide and unleash a deadly combination of hooks, rendering the opposition unconscious.
Superbly programmed referees, facial animations, commentary, venues and even taunts offer that level of realism avid boxing fans crave, and the addition of that ever important multi-player mode makes the game more sociable. At face value, Knockout Kings 2003 is a highly entertaining game, but underneath lies a solid game engine and an accurate boxing simulator.
