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Great Game with Room for Improvement

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 4 / 6
Date: July 12, 2004
Author: Amazon User

Overall I have to say that I love this game. It's easily the best boxing game I've ever played. That doesn't mean that there's not things that could be better.

Pros: The graphics are very well done. The motions of the boxers are great and the venues look good. The sound is well done with some very realistic punching and crowd sounds. I personally like the total punch control, but for those who don't like it (see other reviews) there are several other controller options to choose from. The fighters in the game use different tactics that can vary depending on how the fight is going, so there is no set formula to winning.

Cons: I like the fact that the fighters show damage, but it's too uniform. First your eyes get red, then you get a cut around your eye. That's it. There could have been much more variation. Bloody or swollen noses and lips would be more realistic.

Once some opponents start to lose they begin to walk backwards around the ring, moving just as quickly backwards as you do forwards. All this while they're on the verge of going down. This can mean that you'll be chasing an opponent around for most of a round trying to land a punch or two.

Pretty much all fighters will get up on the count of 6 or 7 on the first knockdown. I've fought over 50 matches so far and have yet to see a boxer KO'd on the first or second knockdown, they always get up. A bit more realism would be nice. If you're caught with an especially powerful shot, it should be a little more difficult to get up. I've had fights where I've knocked my opponent down 7 different times before he stayed down.

Finally I think it's unfortunate that your boxer in career mode automatically retires after 20 years while still at the top of his game. Perhaps your skills could diminish as you get older making it necessary to keep training to stay in the game? Then you could decide when to retire your boxer. Go out while still on top or take a chance of losing your title? As it is now you max out your skills after a while making it pointless to keep training.

Overall this is a great game that is worth buying. Hopefully next years title will be even better with some of these problems fixed.

Best Boxing Game Ever Made

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 3 / 4
Date: April 08, 2004
Author: Amazon User

I just put five dollars down to reserve the game and received a free demo disk. I have played the demo disk a total of 40 minutes and here are my observations.

First I cannot totally judge the game because the demo has inverted controls (move your stick to the right and the boxer moves left)and a close-up angle, plus it only allows a two round fight with double time. I am always perplexed as to why they screw you on a demo since ultimatley it will be the thing which may cause you to buy the game. I wish the options to change view as well as undo the invert were activated. I can see someone playing this demo for 5 minutes and giving up before truly understanding the game..just ridiculous.

That said, the mechanics of the new engine were my real area of interest. As someone who first got into videogames simply due to hoping for a great boxing game (I fell in love with 4D Boxing for the PC back in the early 90s, which is the best boxing game ever created), this game represented a hope for me after the horrid Knockout Kings 2002 in which EA produced a generic button masher with a career mode that resembles something you would find in Tecken.(I should add that Knockout Kings 2001 on PS2 is actually an awesome game that any boxing fan should purchase.)

Well, my first 10 or so rounds were spent trying to figure out the use of the total punch control. This uses one of the analog sticks as the means to throw all the punches (you can also use the buttons if you are traditional). Pushing the stick to the upper left throws a left jab. Pushing to the upper right throws a straight right. Throwing hooks, uppercuts and body blows are more complicated (the demo had no instructions)but as I played I found them to suddenly become more intuitive. The demo allows you to be either Roy Jones or James Toney with the other boxer being your opponent. I am not sure of the difficulty level, but I have not actually gotten the better of my opponent yet. But, as I have played I have begun doing better and that really gives you a sense of learning the game.

So what do I think of the new system? Well, the punching is so precise that you can bring back the ctick to throw a hook, hold the punch until your opponent throws a shot, and then time your counter. My timing still needs work, but it is very evident that this new engine will soon become so intuitive that you will truly feel like you have total control. This is the first boxing game in which counter punchers can win a fight. I am very interested in playing as Winky Wright as I feel this type of control is perfect for him.

I have to admit to being skeptical on the new total control system, thinking that not using any buttons would be awkward and less fluid. I was totally wrong. In fact, in one fight I went back to using the buttons (each is assigned a punch like in previous games)and felt much more awkward. It was simply amazing how fast the new control won me over.

So I am very happy to report (after the disastrous KO Kings 2002) EA is back in the boxing business. Rather that simply giving us a generic boxing game they have created a product which truly make beomce a landmark in boxing video games. I have to stress I have not played the final product, and do not know how good the career mode is, but based on my initial tests I would reccomend this game to anyone interested in a game in which you actually have to think and not button mash. Very impressive!

Technically Correct

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 3 / 5
Date: October 15, 2004
Author: Amazon User

This game is great from a technical point of view. If you are not familiar with boxing strategy, chances are you will have problems palying at the higher difficulty levels. Just as real boxers have their individual styles and strategies that set them apart from others, you too must develop your own style and stick with it. But, you must also learn to adapt to the fighting style of your opponent.
The music absolutely sucks for this game. I like rap, but this is severe overkill. A very bad judgement call on EA's part. Selling out is unattractive when it is so painfully obvious.
One point I would like to make is this: you CAN NOT have a realistic boxing game and call it KNOCKOUT KINGS or FIGHT NIGHT without including Mike Tyson. It is insulting to real boxing fans to exclude the meanest , toughest, most instinctive and devastatingly effective BOXER to ever don a pair of gloves. My advice to EA would be to pay Iron Mike a decent price to include him. BOXING sucks without Mike Tyson, whether it be in real life or in a video game. That would be like creating a NASCAR game and leaving Earnhardt or Petty out.Why is it that EA chooses to include Earnhardt Sr. in their games so they can cash in on a dead man, but not include TYSON who is still alive?But, that is my own biased opinion. There has not been a credible heavyweight champion since Mike.

Boxing at its finest!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: June 15, 2004
Author: Amazon User

I rented this game the other night and I cannot put it down. There are so many features that make this game a great boxing game. It is no longer a "button-masher", as you need precise control with the innovative punch control. You need the finesse to turn the knob to coordinate specific attacks of jabs, uppercuts and hooks. It takes some time to get used to, but once you do, it creates a better playing experience. I would say practice if you can't get it because it helps. You can always coordinate body shots and face shots. Your boxer has full 360 degrees of bobbing and weaving, and 360 degrees of blocking. Not only does it have the all included offense, but the key to victory is coordinating the perfect defense on blocking all types of punches.

Included with the exhibition matches, there is the long talked about career mode, which is by far the best of the game. Once you turn off the xbox this feature makes you turn it back on. Just as in Tiger Woods 2004 you can create a boxer to look just like you with tons of features to fully customize him. So you create a boxer and bring him up the ranks. Before each fight you have the oppurtunity of training him in four modes (Heavy Bag, Sparring, Training Mitts, and the Combo Dummy). These missions allow you to get points for increasing your attributes. I am currently 11-1 with a loss by decision and 11 KO's. Each boxer has its own unique boxing style, so you must coordinate your punches differently with each different boxer. Thats what makes the career mode so challenging. The AI is very impressive, and does not do the same things over and over. One minute he is running around the ring, and the next he is comboing you to the mat.

The only quam I have with the game is the store. You earn money by winning fights in career mode. The gloves, shorts, and shoes are all for show, they do not help to increase your attributes, they are purly for show. Also career mode allows for many things to be unlocked such as music, rings, outfits, and different suits for the girls.

In the ring movement can be inverted to your liking from either the camera, or the ring. Its incredible how you can pin your opponent up against the ropes and pummel him, and when you knock him out, he still bounces back on you while you still punch him. Between rounds your trainer gives you advice on how to beat him, and you can listen to your opponents trainer and try to counter his advice.

The rings are very well done with plenty of sounds and eye-candy. The menu-interface is very well done and easy to navigate. You sustain damage, and with each punch, you can see sweat and blood fly off which is pretty cool.

Overall this is a great game for the boxer and the non-boxer fan. It keeps you coming back for more, just to pummel, bob, weave and uppercut each opponent.

Coulda Been A Contender...

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: September 10, 2004
Author: Amazon User

i'm loving this game. i had knockout kings for the 64 so i'm familiar w/the button mashing style of fighting games. punch, punch, punch. there is so much more strategy to fight night. i feel like the only thing holding me back is my own lack of skills. the punching system is great when you get used to it. also, as you fight different boxers you quickly (and painfully) learn that you have to adapt your style to your opponents'. i would highly recommend it.

Great game, go buy it

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: May 02, 2004
Author: Amazon User

The graphics are amazing and the cuts and bruses really show up. They have great names in box like Ali, Sugar ray leonard, and since I am from Philly BERNARD HOPKINS AND JOE FRAZIER. Great game play. Career is fun but once you knock down someone they get up in a 8 count. If you do it again they get back up.

Cool boxing game to play one of the best

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: June 18, 2004
Author: Amazon User

This is game is very exciting and fun to play, it takes a little getting used to because of the controls, and the way things have changed since Knockout Kings. But it very fun and a challenge to play the computer also, while building your character. Just one other thing, this game is not Xbox live so i dont know why you have it under the online games.

play as yourself and fight through the clubs

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: July 12, 2004
Author: Amazon User

Fight night 2004 gives you a total punch control system. Witch is an awsome experience because you actually feel like your really beating up your fighter. For example if you push the right thumb stick right and up, you give your opponent a right hook. If u push the right thumb stick down and slide it up to the left you do a left uppercut. You will have to try it for your self.
Fight night 2004 gives you a 20 year career mode to fight your way through the ranks to the top for the belt(you fight 2 or 3 fights a year). You can create your own boxer for career mode or use a pro boxer that already exsits like Ali or Jones Jr. You start out fighting throught the clubs and then as you go u earn money from your fights (Tip:CHOOSE YOUR FIGHTS WISELY). Also when you progress you earn knew ring entrence themes, ring entrence effects, signiture punches, ect...
It is truly the boxing game of the year. Addictive and fun. So go out there and give them the old 1-2.

Too Fun

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: April 30, 2004
Author: Amazon User

The controls are awesome!!! The total control things works extremely well. I like it much much more than other boxing games where it is just a whole bunch of button mashing. The graphics are good. It's fun to compare your face with your opponents face after each round. I also like it when the opponent is about to be knocked down and you push him up against the ropes. When you finally get the punch that knocks him down, the ropes support him so he stays up for a while. You can continue to beat the living daylights out of him while he's knocked out. I dunno, that's fun to me. One minor putback for this game: the a.i. Sometimes the opponent just runs away from you or circles around you. While he is doing this, the background psins around, and it makes you sick to your stomach. Plus it's hard to hit him with anything when this happens. Other than that, this game is awesome.

Best EASports boxing effort to date, some missed potential.

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 17 / 17
Date: April 10, 2004
Author: Amazon User

This is the first boxing game I've played where your opponents definitely have their own style and approach. As gamers, we make certain assumptions about the limitations of AI in console games. Generally speaking, after you've played a few hours, you can pick up on the patterns and approaches the computer uses. In a game like this, you go up against guys of different sizes, shapes, speed, they have some of their own special moves, but really they're just doing the same thing. So imagine my surprise after my first three fights, all against opposition who were willing to largely plant their feet and brawl, when the next guy did something completely different. He didn't swing much, relied largely on the jab, and kept his distance. I thought it was odd, but just went about the MO I had already established. It was completely ineffective. I'd get good shots in now and again, but his running would allow him to largely recover from the damage. This all suddenly changed in the 4th round, when he and I both realized my boxer was fatigued. I had taken 4 swings for every one of his, and I was sucking wind. Suddenly, my opponent wasn't running anymore. He went toe to toe, and made good use of how much I had slowed down. I ended up losing that fight by decision, but I was excited that this fighter had done something completely different. Ropeadope. I've seen boxers change their approach mid-match, depending on how damaged I am, how much they are, how fatigued either of us is. I've had fights that were a walk in the park, early 1st round knockouts, and I've had fights that have gone the distance. I've put a guy on the canvas twice in one round, only for him to seemingly follow his trainer's advice, and come back to knock me down. In the past, once you got the edge, it was pretty much over. Now, you definitely have an advantage, but he (or you) definitely can come back. I've found that as in real life, different opponents have different weaknesses, and you've got to get in there and find them. If you end up going back for a rematch, your prior experience with that fighter is going to apply to how you want to approach him. All in all, I was impressed with the thought EASports put into the diversity of opponent tactics.

I've had the game for 3-4 days now, and have probably had close to 50 fights. I'm playing mostly career mode on Medium difficulty, and while I'm certainly winning more than I'm losing, I would say that my record is a reasonable one. You schedule the fights, based on your rank, certain opponents will be made available to you. Between fights is a 4 area training mode. Heavy bag, sparring, dummy target, and trainer mitts. These are effectively mini-games that give you an opportunity to raise your skills. After a while, they can be a bit boring and repetitive, as the only thing that changes really is how many points you need to hit to get the max value of advancement points, but it's a nice way to improve your character. Time advances as you fight. Years pass, awards are given out, some boxers retire, new ones make the scene. It's a robust little world in there, more so than I was expecting. You do earn as you go, there's a fight store where you can buy new trunks, gloves, protection, entrance music and effects, and more. But these seem to be purely aesthetic. So if you really like a pair of $175,000 shoes more than a pair that's $10k, you're only paying the difference for the look. Money has no other purpose though, so no loss. I would have liked to have seen the higher value clothes actually doing something for you, even if something as subtle as turning the crowd in your favor. Tiger Woods 2004 had clothes and equipment give little boosts to your skills, the same could have been done here. Like Tiger Woods, you cross a point where you're just making your stack of money bigger with nothing to do with it. Silly perhaps, but I'd have liked to have been able to spend it on something. Lifestyle perhaps. Give boxers some sort of notoriety scale, the bigger your house, the faster your car, the more the public wants to see you in the ring against someone who might be able to take your head off. But now I'm digressing into a wishlist of features. Moving on...

The game is missing some names I would have liked to have seen. Mike Tyson, Naseem Hamed, Oscar De La Hoya, Wladimir Klitschko, I could go on but I guess you can't have everyone. There is an option to create boxers for the field, but having a reasonable facsimile of Tyson isn't quite the same thing of having him look as exact as the 'name' boxers in the game are. Roy Jones Jr. doesn't look similar to his real world counterpart, he looks exactly like him.

My last complaint is lack of online play, but we all know the situation between EA and Microsoft. Perhaps this will change in the future, but that really would have put this title over the top in terms of replayability and pure bang for the buck. As is I'm going to give it a 4 stars, perhaps on the low end of 4. Where the dings are on missed potential and no online component, rather than a problem with the game itself. It was a worthwhile purchase for me. I know my interest will wane with time, but this is something I know I'll pick back up now and again in the future to go a few rounds solo, or against someone here locally.

If you own and play other EA Sports titles, this game does tie into the gamer profile you've already created.

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