2K
Sports' first-ever boxing sim was supposed to be a worthy contender to the
throne of Fight Night, the current reigning champ of boxing simulations. (Aside
from a couple of obscure import titles like the Victorious Boxers series, Fight Night is the only mainstream
option for gamers looking for a boxing experience.) And the production values in Don King Presents Prizefighter are suitably high. Plenty of time, effort, and
money obviously went into developing the game. In fact, with all the flash and
sizzle, plus all the ring entrances, fireworks, and hoochies dancing, it'll
take players a good hour or two to realize just how lousy Prizefighter actually is.
The
main problem: Throwing punches via button-presses is so very 1999. Fight
Night reinvented
the genre with its sticks-only control scheme, and in doing so, it managed to
articulate aspects of the sport—establishing the jab, working the body to
slow down quicker opponents, etc.—that hadn't been articulated before.
Prizefighter turns out to be a big
step in the wrong direction. Going back to button-presses to throw leather is
like going back to coach after flying first class.
And
in spite of what seems like myriad options for creating your fighter—you
can pick hairstyles, sideburns, lip size, eye colors, etc.—every single
boxer created in the system inexplicably winds up looking like the Piltdown
Man.
Beyond
the game:
You'll spend just as much time making decisions outside the ring as you do in
the ring. Picking your next opponent, then deciding how to train for him—or
deciding whether to hold a press conference and forego training
altogether—gives the game a welcome bit of role-playing flavor.
Worth
playing for:
The conceit of having videotaped testimonials from boxing luminaries (Larry
Holmes!), minor celebrities (Mario Van Peebles!), and fake girlfriends (fake girlfriends!)
discussing your "legend" works so well, the Fight Night series should adopt it.
Frustration
sets in when:
It finally sinks in that standing still and throwing uppercuts gives you a
better chance of winning fights than using actual boxing mechanics and
strategies, like circling away from your opponent's left hook, or taking
advantage of his swelling right eye.
Final
judgment:
A bunch of raging bull. As Don King himself might say, "What a genuine
spectacle of crapulosity."