In the high-risk industry of interactive entertainment, releasing a game across multiple platforms is a cost-effective method of maximizing profits using minimal resources. To state it plainly, companies get to hock the same lousy game over more platforms in hopes of catching more guppies in a larger pond. This practice usually leads hardcore gamers, who would naturally own more than one platform, into a quandary having to figure out which subtly different version would fancy their particular taste the most. For game reviewers like myself, part of my job is to inform such gamers of the slight, yet significant differences between these platform jumpers and to do so, we have to laboriously play through the same title two to three times over (depending on how many versions are available). Surprisingly, such was not the case with Knockout Kings 2000 (KK2000) because the differences between the two versions released were anything but subtle. While the Nintendo 64 version sported arcade qualities like power-up punches and outrageous flips, the PlayStation one delivered a more well-rounded product containing realistic simulation coupled with an arcade slugfest. This review here will focus on the PlayStation version.
Both Dale and I had serious reservations about the N64 version because the prospect of legendary fighters like Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, and Sugar Ray Leonard participating in silly and over-the-top romps didn't seem quite right to us. A game with such significant figures, we thought, would be more appropriate if it were a serious representation with a focus on authenticity. Moving on now to the PSX version, which has an even more impressive lineup (sans Iron Mike, Prince Nasim, and George Foreman), it's worth noting that right off the bat, it does a better job of honoring legendary and contemporary boxers alike not just in its visuals, but in its gameplay as well.
In terms of modes offered, the most engaging is the 'Career' mode where players can create their own personalized fighter, slowly develop his boxing skills, and then go for the championship in his respective weight class. Then there's the 'classic' mode that allows players to simulate legendary matches like the Thrilla in Manilla (Ali vs. Frazier), or Leonard vs. Durant or Leonard vs. Hagler. Mini-biographies for the huge cast of boxers are even included. Finally, of course, there is the obligatory antithesis, Slugfest mode, which allows for less serious boxing fans to pit hefty boxers like Butterbean against lighter peers like De La Hoya, complete with power-up punches and other arcade touches. Though contrary to the strengths of the game, the Slugfest mode isn't a blemish mainly because it's here as an addition rather than as an integral part of the overall package.
KK2000 plays like a no-nonsense, yet full-featured interpretation of boxing. If you've ever seen it in the ring, you can probably do it in the game (with the exception of having some idiot parachuting into the ring and, thankfully, the patented Tyson-ear chomp). Lunging hooks, combination flurries, and clinches are all here, as well as the less sportsmanlike low blows, elbows, and, my personal favorite, kidney punches. Every button on the PlayStation controller is utilized (for better or worse) with the most basic punches relegated to the four main buttons while blocking is handled with the L1 (high) and L2 (low) shoulder buttons. Things start to get hairy, however, when the player is called upon to press two or more buttons in conjunction (to initiate certain moves) right in the middle of a flurry.
For instance, along with low blocking, depressing the L2 button is required for lower body shots. But holding down the R1 button will then convert the four main buttons into flurry punches. Throw in holding down the R2 and those punches turn into powerful lunging ones. Now holding down R1 and R2 at the same time will convert the four main buttons into dirty attacks like low blows. Still with me? Holding down L1 and R1 will put two combatants in a clinch and then the four main buttons will execute rabbit punches, but hold down the R1 during a clinch and you'll get kidney blows. On top of that, signature attacks require pressing two of the four main buttons together and don't even get me started on the combinations outside of the flurries that require Tekken-like combo patterns. Sound confusing? You bet it is. It took me quite a while to come to grips with the control scheme and you better believe your casual gamer is going to give up long before that. Thankfully, training sessions incurred during the 'career' mode will actually try to 'school' players on how to properly execute the extensive techniques, but don't expect the training to be as comprehensive as it should have been considering the complexity of the controls.
Aside from the dense controls, I also had minor issues with KK2000 being billed as a realistic simulator. For the most part, KK2000 delivers what it promises, but strangely enough, I was able to pummel through the ranks largely utilizing only body blow combos. I wasn't intentionally trying to find buggy holes in the system; I simply couldn't find any other successful technique. Computer opponents tended to protect their faces more while exposing their bodies excessively. Being that holding down the L2 button is used for blocking and lower attacks, it also made more sense to attack low because I could quickly revert to a defensive position, though I don't think that's what the developers had in mind. One other thing to note was that in one match I had against Floyd Patterson, I threw over 1,600 punches and landed more than half! I don't know about you, but it sounds a bit extreme to me for a simulator.
The developers clearly have their hearts in the right place here. Yet, the final execution isn't what I would describe as stellar, but serviceable. There's a good attempt at giving KK2000 some personality and hip-hop flav by gracing the soundtrack and general background music with multiple full-fledge rap songs (by nobodies, but complete with an MTV-style music video). But beyond the tunes, everything else feels mediocre. Boxers are modeled accurately, but the aging PlayStation has a hard-time breathing life into them. There's heavy banding in the bland colors and after dozens of matches, the animations, while smooth, start to feel monotonous and canned. The repetitious animation really hurts the game because aside from their bodily appearances, none of the fighters have any trademark swaggering entrances to the ring or any distinct pre- or postfight verbal trash-talking or physical posturing that gives boxing its edgy bite (and I'm not talking about Tyson again). Ali stung opponents with his mouth as well as his fists.
KK2000 suffers a bit by being overly ambitious with its comprehensive roster, but in a good way. I lobbied many complaints and admit to being overly critical of the game, but that's only because I see a tremendous potential for the franchise to entrench itself as the genre-defining standard. With the flaws that I mentioned, I can't see KK2000 proclaiming that just yet. Still, with the reality of today's market, there's but a few scant choices for true boxing fans and KK2000 is still a very attractive package and the only simulator-like game in town. So while I was hampered by the complex controls and turned off by the lack of unique animation, I still enjoyed playing the game and it held my interest long enough for me work my way up to the heavyweight championship and defend it several times. So KK2000 misses the moon, but at least ends up in the stars.
Somewhere between all the gaming, Chi some how managed to finish high school and get into the New York Institute of Technology. At the same time, Chi also interned at Virtual Frontiers, an Internet software consultancy where he learned the ways of HTML. Soon after acquiring his BFA, Chi went on to become the lead Web designer of the Anti-Defamation League. During his tenure there, Chi was instrumental in redesigning and relaunching the non-profit organization's Web site.
Today, Chi is the webmaster of the American Red Cross in Greater New York and somehow managed to work through the tragic events of September 11th without losing his sanity. Chi considers GameCritics.com his life's work and continues to be amazed that the web site is still standing after the recent dotcom fallout. It is his dream that GameCritics.com will accomplish two things: 1) Redefine the grammar of videogames much the same way French film critic Andre Bazin did for the art of cinema and 2) bring game criticism to the forefront of mainstream culture much the same way Siskel & Ebert did for film criticism.
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