Fight Night Round 2

Beat the other guy to a pulp, or at least make a good show of it

Tags: Categories: Game Cube Reviews, PS2 Reviews, Reviews, Xbox Reviews

Posted by Shawn Cooper on Mar 23rd, 2005

Title Players
Fight Night Round 2 (title page) 1 - 2
Developer Publisher Genre Online
Fighting No


With one sluggish performance after another, the boxing genre has long been past its prime. Previous boxing titles relied on traditional gameplay mechanics that confined the player to limited use of their fighter and made for bouts that were nothing more than mindless, button-mashing sessions. Last year’s Fight Night 2004 changed all of that by allowing for “total punch control.” Rather than having each button enable a specific punch, the game took full advantage of the controller’s dual analog sticks. One analog stick was designated for the use of the fighter’s legs and body movement, while the other was specified to various punches and combinations. This ingenious mechanic reinvented the method in which boxing games were played. After the crowds dispersed and the stadium vacated, Fight Night 2004 remained uncontested as the reigning champion of boxing titles.


When EA released details about this year’s follow up, it raised questions as to whether or not they could make good on all of the new features the title promised. Fear not, because this year’s hungry contender steps into the ring with bad intentions. With a savage right hook that is tantamount to a lighting bolt, Fight Night: Round 2 lays the former champ to waste and exceeds its predecessor by every measure of the tape.


Round 2 features a growing roster of 36 licensed fighters that is comprised of both champions of today and legends of a bygone era. Some of the notable additions to the lineup include Floyd ‘Mayweather’ Jr., Miguel Cotto, and Manny Pacquiao. Old time greats such as Muhammad Ali and Sugar Ray Robinson step back into the ring in prime condition, and will be sure to strike fear into the hearts of their wide-eyed successors. In addition to the preexisting lineup, you can create new champions of your own. The “create-a-boxer” mode has seen extensive improvements and now utilizes “morph technology,” which allows for more diversity in your fighter’s physical attributes. Allow your imagination to run free as you shrink, enlarge, stylize, distort, and manipulate every aspect of your character. When you have finally conceived a contender, you can fine-tune his skills, and increase his rank in a long-winded career mode that will see you through various weight classes and divisions.


Last year’s installment forced you into retirement, but now you can go as far as your legs will carry you. To maintain your competitive edge, you must hire various trainers to guide you through a rigorous training regime. If you enter the ring lethargic, pudgy, and ripe for the taking, a steel-hard competitor with a nasty disposition will cut into you like a knife through butter. You are armed only with your fists, but they will become deadly weapons if you learn to use them properly. Once again, you have the option to utilize either the analog stick, or controller buttons to execute punches. With this entry, the balance between the two methods of control tips in favor of the analog users. The analog stick not only provides more options in battle, but also allows for rapid-fire combinations. The thumb motions used to perpetrate these attacks are less deliberate, and carry over to the next variation of your combination with ease. In short, “Total punch control” has been refined, and it has further enforced the exodus of its outdated alternative.


You wield explosive knockout power in both gloves thanks to the new “power punch system.” Haymaker punches are delivered by pulling back on your analog stick to charge up momentum, followed by a quick forward motion to unleash the devastating blow. Haymakers not only spice up the action, but also make one-sided matches more competitive, and offer out-matched competitors “a puncher’s chance.” Don’t get caught relying on your heavy-hands though, because slick ring generalship holds all new importance. This year’s entry features extensive additions to your defensive repertoire. For starters, you can defend yourself, or strike while on the move. This keeps the action flowing from corner to corner, and offers an entirely new dimension to the play. Also debuting is the ability to block your opponent’s attacks, and counterpunch while in the guard position. Predictable competitors are subject to anticipation, and are easily disposed of. If you find yourself in a bind, you can clinch your way out of it at any time. If accomplished, clinching will not only boost your health, but also frustrate your opposition. The new focus on defensive tactics sets the stage for more strategic and realistically paced bouts.


As the battles progress, fighters convey “ring wear” in both appearance and performance. If you happen to be on the receiving end of a beating, you will be fast at work between rounds as you assume the role of the “cut-man.” You must tend to your battered pugilist using cotton swabs and “in-swell” to stop his profuse bleeding and swelling. The referee will call for an early end to the bout if a fighter sustains too much damage, so you better take your new job seriously. The all-new “cut-man” mini-game is a lot of fun, and it will keep you busy between rounds while your weary combatant takes a well-deserved break.

Thanks to the game’s use of “render mapping,” the visuals have been brought to stunning life. Creases on the boxer’s gloves ripple with movement and reflect light convincingly. The character models have been infused with razor sharp textures and additional polygons. Most notable is the uncanny sense of realism the fighters now convey. As the tired warriors gasp for air, their swollen eyes follow each other in anticipation of the next attack. The heaving musculature of each boxer can be seen clenching and buckling with every agonizing motion. Each muscle group moves in accordance to the different bodily movements they perpetrate. Boxers’ faces twist and contort in anguish, as blood and sweat baptize the shimmering canvas.



The venues are well depicted, and the crowds that fill them have multiplied in size. You’ll have the best seat in the house thanks to dramatic camera angles that follow you through knockout after stunning knockout. The different console versions of the game are equally impressive in appearance. The option of a widescreen mode is back, and HDTV owners will be glad to know that it is free of the slowdown and stuttering that plagued last year’s entry.


“ESPN” boxing commentator Joe Tessitore takes over for hip-hop video ‘DJ Big Tigger’ behind the broadcast booth, and he is obviously better suited for the job. The authenticated dialogue is a marked improvement over last year’s misplaced offerings, but the new commentator is unfortunately vague and repetitive in his ramblings. The sound effects boast high production values, but boxing purists may find the exaggerated audio to be glamorized in its presentation. The title supports Dolby: Pro-Logic 2, and it will put you right in the midst of the bone-crunching action. The music scores are composed of tracks from various artists such as Fabolous and Geto Boys. The tracks are well suited to the action, and will serve to pump you up for battle. Overall, the audio portion of Round 2 is not perfect, but it is by no means a chink in the armor of this formidable champion.

Round 2 comes jam-packed and bubbling to the brim with a slew of goodies that will be sure to keep you coming back for more. Not only does it offer various modes of single player action, but it also allows Xbox and PS2 users to go online and do battle with live competitors across the land. The online faction of the game runs smoothly and remains hassle-free on both accounts. GameCube owners shouldn’t feel too left out, because in a surprising turn of events, their version of the game comes with a faithful emulation of the SNES classic, Super Punch-Out! This addition is particularly significant, because it historically merges two boxing titles that reached the pinnacle of greatness in their respective eras.



This year’s entry may not weigh in at the same mass as the groundbreaking original in terms of its accomplishments, but it’s certainly the better game. Fight Night: Round 2 unifies the title with extensive improvements and additions to its predecessor that come together in a cohesive, and deeply involving experience that is more than worth the price of admission. In a comprehensive depiction of the storied sport it portrays, Round 2 will allow you to relive the glorious battles waged between history’s most celebrated fighters. You will sweat their sweat, and bleed their blood. To them, there is no greater tribute that can be paid.

What Works Score
+ Innovative Interface
+ Unequalled visuals
+ Bone crunching sounds
 9.2
What Doesn't
- Repetitive commentary
Under the Shrink-wrap
Make your way to the nearest bookie and give this one a swing.
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