EA Sports may have bid adieu to the old Knockout Kings moniker, but proves it's still the heavyweight to beat in the virtual boxing ring with latest incarnation Fight Night 2004.EA has added "total punch control," replacing the button-mashing ways of the past by making the right analog stick the focal point for throwing and blocking punches.
A straight push of the stick results in a jab, while pulling to the side and then rolling forward results in a hook and to the back and forward an uppercut.Pulling R and using the analog stick blocks punches while the white and black buttons throw illegal and signature punches respectively.
The physics are a little clunky at first but ultimately make the game feel a whole lot more natural with a little practice.Unlike the change to the right analog stick in the NHL franchise, EA kept the old button system intact for those who prefer the old set-up.
The boxers lineup is a who's who's of all the greats: Muhamad Ali, Joe Frazier, Sugar Ray Leonard, Evander Holyfield, Roberto Duran and Roy Jones Jr. to name a few.
The career mode is enhanced, giving gamers the ability to not only design their boxer down to the size of his nose and colour of his shoes, but take their virtual pugilist through a training regimen while choosing their bouts with higher-ranked opponents.
