Martin Crockett

Fight Night 2004 (Xbox/PS2)

My brief comments on Fight Night 2004 (Xbox/PS2 since I owned this game on both systems):

What! No Michael “Let’s Get Ready To Rumble” Buffer? Who is this “Tigger” guy and what does he have to do with boxing?

Fight Night 2004 is an all-new boxing game that features revolutionary new gameplay mechanics and a dramatic new-school attitude to immerse players like never before.

Featuring an innovative new analog ‘Total Punch Control’ that allows gamers to throw punches, block, bob, and weave with unprecedented fluidity and precision, Fight Night 2004 also includes a deep create-a-player option and career mode.

Roy Jones Jr. headlines an all-star cast of the toughest fighters in the world along with Lennox Lewis, Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Leonard plus many other internationally recognised fighters. Jones is one of the most dynamic stars in boxing today with a record of 49-1 with 35 KO’s and is the undisputed Light Heavyweight Champion of the World. He is also a former Olympian and National Golden Gloves winner and has held several Championship titles in his professional career, including the Heavyweight title.

Fight Night 2004 also features customizable ring entrances where you can assemble an entourage, choose your theme music, select your pyrotechnics and set the tone for the fight to follow in addition to an all-new physics-based action that assures no two knockdowns will ever be alike.

Gameplay: It’s challenging, for sure. CPU AI is good; opponents are tricky. The career mode is passable. Fighters up the ranking get progressively tougher (not real surprises) but the payoff, being $$$ to purchase tats, new kit, entrance effects et al. is not too rewarding. There is no clinching. Why?

Presentation: Short surname in the create-a-boxer feature. Why only 8 letters maximum? Bad, bad music. Some real poor hip hop and that’s all; at least with Madden 2005 and FIFA 2005 there’s a mixture of styles. Sound effects are better, however.

Graphics: Xbox is distinctly better that the PS2. Very good action and movement, realistic with only a small hint of comical extremes.

Audio: Just to mention again, the background music is hip-hop, hip-hop and…(no surprise) hip-hop! One or two standout tunes but no real classics. How about some “Mama said knock you out” LL Cool J? Commentary is mundane. Big Tigger just gets big ol’ boring after 5 minutes.

Fight Night: Round 2 - scheduled for release on 18/03/2005. Nice to see Ricky Hatton on the cover!

Unleash the most fearsome punches in video game history with EA SPORTS Fight Night Round 2. You now have total control of your boxer with 360 degree Sticking and Moving and the ability to punch and block while dancing around the ring. For the first time, a single Haymaker can crumble your opponent to the canvas like he was hit by a wrecking ball, but miss and you’re in trouble. Every devastating punch inflicts massive punishment and reduces a fighter’s ability to defend himself - swollen eyes impair vision and broken ribs reduce mobility. During each fight use the all-new Cut Man between rounds to minimize the damage because nagging injuries persist from fight to fight and haunt you throughout your career. Graphically, Fight Night Round 2 offers stunning visuals. Watch the sweat drip and muscles flex on the most realistic boxer models ever created. With the Create A Champ mode, create and train the ultimate champion by transforming his skills and physique. Manage your boxer inside and out of the ring and pave your path to glory with EA SPORTS Fight Night Round 2.

I’m looking forward to it! FN2004 goes to eBay!