Let's Play: Knockout Kings 2001

David Gibbon gives his verdict on the latest boxing game for the Playstation.

When two people enter a boxing ring, rational goes out of the window as they take on the persona of modern day warriors.

This exciting spectator sport has brought us some of the world's leading personalities, from Lennox Lewis and Prince Naseem to the great Muhammad Ali.

Many of us have been on the edge of our seats as two of the greats battle it out to become champion - but have you got what it takes to join them?

  Knockout Kings

Format: Sony Playstation

Price: £29.99

Publisher: EA Sports

Genre: Boxing

Also Available: PlayStation 2

EA Sports steps back in the ring with Knockout Kings 2001, a follow-up to their less than capable original.

There's three weight divisions, each offering 18 of the top male boxers from around the globe - plus a few of the more famous female competitors.

You can choose any one of 10 boxing arenas, from Ceasar's Palace to, er, Wembley Arena and several different modes of play, including a career option and, best of all, a slugfest where you take on a mate in a survival of the fittest.

As with all boxing games, the exhibition option soon turns into a button-bashing bore, so career mode is THE choice to keep all budding Naseems entertained.

Sparring partner

The idea is to take your fighter from a lowly 20th in the world rankings to the top - where you will take on Lewis.

Here you get to create your own fighter and give him a unique boxing style based on your initial collection of points.

If you're good enough, you will take on Lennox Leiws

You can set everything from power, stamina and speed and once you're happy you take yourself into the ring for your first bout.

At the end of each match, you make your way to the gym where your fighter is given some training. This includes learning how to block correctly, practising combos and taking on a sparring partner.

On the visual side, the game is excellent. All of the official boxers look just like their real-life counterpart and the animation is flawless.

Fine attention to detail has also been paid to the crowd - who cheer and move with fine realism when the match hots up.

Unfortunately, problems creep into the game when you begin to discover the boxing techniques that need to be used for winning.

Push your opponent into a corner, pull out any combo, use it a few times and you'll win. Yes, it really is that easy!

Of course, you can also throw a few uppercuts but, again, you'll soon find that a small number of punches are all that is needed for victory.

Amazingly, even the worst fighter can win against the likes of Lewis and Ali and this spoils what could have been a masterpiece.

  Gibbon's verdict

Graphics 86%

Playability 63%

Sound 54%

Realism 87%

Overall 73%

You can, if you so desire, play the game the way it's meant to be played and use the dozens of punches and combos - but most will discover the easy option and boredom will inevitably set in.

A nice feature is an option to choose some dirty fighting. You can perform headbutts, elbows, low blows and even a flying kick, although there's a very good chance the referee would spot the latter!

Commentary is provided by Harry Carpenter and Barry McGuigan. This, on the whole, is impressive, though after a few bouts you will notice the repetition creep in.

Knockout Kings 2001 had all the potential to strike a telling blow to all its competitors, but with below average gameplay, spending your hard-earned cash on this will hurt more than a Tyson uppercut.