Knockout fun for fight fans
The Age
Thursday September 10, 2009
Former favourites are making a comeback, writes Mike Wilcox. IT HAS been almost 30 years since the sport of boxing first graced a video game console.From the primitive graphics and rudimentary gameplay of the earliest console title, 1980's Boxing, for the Atari 2600, which barely resembled the actual sport, to the latest two contenders, Punch-Out!! for Nintendo Wii and Fight Night Round 4, available on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, this sporting genre has matured and benefited from advances in game console technology over the years.Nintendo's Punch-Out!! coin-operated arcade machines first surfaced during the mid-1980s. Proving a hit, they inspired the console release of Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!! in 1987 for the Nintendo Entertainment System. This updated home console version introduced a loose plot that saw players take on a series of fictional opponents until reaching the final gruelling "boss" battle against Tyson. The simple game mechanics, memorable characters and quality graphics (for the time) made this one of the console's most popular titles.The world heavyweight champion was nowhere to be found in the sequel, which might have had something to do with his real-life imprisonment. Super Punch-Out!! appeared on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System in the mid-'90s and included much of the same gameplay, along with a modified system for dishing out knockout blows. It was also well received but failed to enjoy the accolades of its predecessor.More than a decade on, this classic series has been revived faithfully for the Nintendo Wii. Among its improvements, this version features additional opponents and modes, plus the option to use the Wii's motion-sensing controllers and balance board accessory, though, more importantly, the nostalgic gameplay remains intact.While the strong roster of real boxers modelled in three dimensions for the Knockout Kings series presented a promising foray into boxing games for Electronic Arts in the late '90s, the developer's pivotal title was the successor to that series, Fight Night 2004. This focused on a well-crafted career mode, realistic graphics and the revolutionary Total Punch Control system, which broke away from the classic button-mashing technique to offer more control over a boxer's defence and attack moves than any previous game.This control system has continued to evolve in updated versions of the series, introducing tactical improvements and punishing new moves such as the Haymaker and Impact Punches.The latest title, Fight Night Round 4, increases the realism stakes, now requiring players to account for each opponent's unique style, height and reach to determine the best tactics.A new physics engine shows every cut, bruise and bead of sweat. Fantasy match-ups are possible from the biggest names in boxing history, including the reappearance of Mike Tyson.ReviewTrials HDXbox 360, G, $203/5INSPIRED by the variety of free online stunt-bike games created in Adobe Flash, Trials HD is a polished take on physics-based racers that is certain to drive players up the wall €” in a good way.Available as a downloadable game exclusively via the Xbox Live Arcade for 1200 points (which is about $20), Trials HD tasks players with racing through a series of 50 gravity-defying tracks filled with various obstacles and puzzle elements in the shortest time possible. While the bike's start, stop and lean forward or back controls are easy to pick up, the ability to master full control of its position on the ground and in mid-air is crucial to completing the later stages, which are painfully demanding.Medals are awarded as tracks are completed within the required time limit, which unlocks the harder tracks, as well as a series of mini skill games. These fun distractions include things such as seeing how high you can climb a track, how far you can fly through rings of fire and how fast you can ride before coming to a bone-crushing stop.The later stages are sure to stump casual gamers due to their difficulty, though there is still enough to make this an appealing download. MIKE WILCOX
© 2009 The Age
