Review: 'Knockout Kings 2001' packs weak punch

Platform: PlayStation 2

From...

	GALLERY

by Air Hendrix

(IDG) -- As always, "Knockout Kings 2001" delivers gaming's best roster of famous boxers, including Muhammad Ali, Lennox Lewis, and more. As in its PlayStation counterpart, you can go toe-to-toe in the arcade-style Slugfest, square off in more realistic Exhibition bouts, or create a boxer and battle through the ranks to the title fight. In fact, if you've played the PlayStation game, there isn't much reason to upgrade to the PS2 version -- as far as gameplay and features go, they're identical.

GRAPHICS: 3.5 -- If it were a Dreamcast game, "Knockout Kings" would look sharp. For a PS2 title, however, it's kind of a disappointment, sporting well-detailed boxer models that look a little too cartoony. Also, some collision-detection flaws occasionally mar the show.

IDG.net INFOCENTER Gamepro.com main page TechInformer Related IDG.net Stories First look: Knock Out Kings 2001

SOUND: 3.0 -- The low point of "Knockout Kings," the audio just doesn't measure up. Lame music jangles in the background, while the commentary is either really repetitive or not even connected to the action. The sound effects during bouts, though, are engaging.

CONTROLS: 4.5 -- It's hard to imagine that a PS2 controller can pack in this many moves, combos, and more, but "Knockout Kings" pulls it off with ease. The game is simple to start playing, and, with practice, you'll unlock a lot of depth.

FUN FACTOR: 4.0 -- "Knockout Kings" touches gloves and starts swinging with terrific controls and deep, exciting gameplay. It's too bad that the lackluster graphics and sounds prevent it from becoming a truly memorable champion.

Preview: 'Unreal Tournament' for Dreamcast
February 12, 2001
Preview: 'Shogun: Total War Warlord Edition'
February 9, 2001
Preview: 'Conker's Bad Fur Day'
February 5, 2001
Preview: Mythical world of 'Arcanum'
January 31, 2001
Review: 4x4 Evolution
January 10, 2001

First look: Knock Out Kings 2001
(GamePro.com)
Review: ATV Offroad Fury
(GamePro.com)
Review: NHL FaceOff 2001
(GamePro.com)
Gadgets and games light up Demo 2001
(InfoWorld.com)
Top 5 PC card games
(PCWorld.com)
Online gaming companies are evolving their business models according to the changing gaming land
(IDC)
The Dream(cast) fades: Sega exits the console business
(IDC)
U.S. Launch Date for Game Boy Advance
(GamePro.com)

PlayStation 2

Note: Pages will open in a new browser window

External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.