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Binding: Video Game EAN: 0014633143720 ESRB Age Rating: Teen Label: EA Games Manufacturer: EA Games MPN: 14372 Platform: PlayStation2 Publisher: EA Games Studio: EA Games Accessories: Editorial Review: Product Description: Fans of past installments in the Knockout Kings series will be surprised by several changes to the 2002 version. Previously, you had to fight your way up a list of 20 challengers and fine-tune your skills by training between bouts before getting your shot at the champ. But Knockout Kings 2002 scraps all this in favor of a four-tiered pyramid system in which you need to beat just 11 out of 14 challengers before fighting for the title. While it doesn't feel as hard-earned, it's still satisfying to advance your boxer out of dingy gyms and into major venues such as Caesar's Palace. Career mode still offers the opportunity to create your own boxer or choose from the 45 available (21 past and present, 24 fictional). Inexplicably absent, however, are such greats as Rocky Marciano, Jake LaMotta, Larry Holmes, and Marvin Hagler, all of whom appeared on past versions of the game. Also surprisingly absent this time around is the ability to throw body punches. While some boxers have this punch in their repertoires as a body combination, the best you can do with others is slug away at your opponent's head with a multitude of hooks, jabs, straight punches, low blows, or illegal backhands. And slug away you must if you expect to hold your own against stiffer competition, as finesse options are limited. Where Knockout Kings 2002 truly shines is in its graphics, thanks to the combination of boxers' well-sculpted physiques and EA Sports's face-mapping technology. The eye-catching detail of the various arenas and rings further enhances the realism, right down to the excitable fans in the seats and the blood flying from fighters' mouths. Satisfying smacks of gloves to the face and thuds of bodies hitting the deck can also be heard in abundance. --Larry White Pros:
Average Rating:
 Rating:  - Better Than Fight Night 2004First of all, I'll try to keep this review short and simple. I own 2 boxing games for the xbox. Fight Night 2004 and Knockout Kings 2002. Fight Night 2004 has slightly better gtaphics and seems to be a "deeper" game, but Knockout Kings 2002 is funner and more playable. In Fight Night 2004, your fighter almost seems to be anchored down....which makes an aggressive attack almost impossible. In Knockout Kings 2002, you can move more freely about the ring...making offense and defense more controllable. ... Read More Rating:  - LackingI was happy to see some new faces in the game (Klitschko Bros) but like others have stated, it is not strategic and lacks the "boxing" of Knockout Kings 2001. It is true to say that every fight is like a slugfest and the one that can hit the buttons the fastest wins. I hope they release a new Knockout Kings and return to the 2001 formula. Rating:  - Disappointing Game!"KO Kings 2002" is an ok game with great graphics, but it is ridiculously HARD to play! If you get frustrated easily DO NOT BUY THIS GAME! Every fighter, even the rookies with supposedly low power and skill can beat you up no matter how good you are. Really frustrating and a huge disappointment. Go with KO Kings 2001 where you at least you have a chance to win! Rating:  - best boxing game i ever playedThis has pretty much all the champs, Ali, Frazier, Leonard, Lewis, and Holyfield, among others. The graphics, sound, play controls are all well put together. I especially like the blood and bruise feature you can give to a boxer after your player has given him a particularly brutal beating. I've sat down with friends a couple of hours at a time betting on matches we have with each other. That's probably what this game is best for, group participation fun, rather than sitting down by yourself to play it. ... Read More Rating: - KNOCKOUT KINGS 2002AN EXCELLENT GAME WITH THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME-MUHAMMED ALI |
