The while boxing style has taken on a much more arcade-style feel, to say that least, and yet, it looks realistic, and feels more like a boxing game should feel. You can pull off four to six jabs, one after the other, in rapid succession, and instantly follow up with hooks, uppercuts or straights within seconds. It's a wild arcade slug-fest, and there is no remorse every fight is a full-on toe-to-toe fight. The combos are relentless, and the sheer number of punches to the opponent's face is inhuman, and boy is it fun to watch and play. Speedy boxers who would normally jab, dance, and pass dance, could do no such thing, while middle weight and faster heavyweight boxers had the major edge in every category. Last year Knockout Kings 2001 had a slow, methodical style of play, with slow response times, and absolutely no character speed. To be honest, Knockout Kings 2002 has passed through a huge transformation, now with no meters on screen, totally intuitive controls based on the PS2 Dual Shock, and rapid fire punches and character control that smokes last year's effort.

At the very least, the game looks damn fine, and is easy to pick up and play - and feel that you could get into it and become good within a relatively small period of time.

The latest build of Knockout Kings 2002 is looking very promising, and it well may take the series into a better direction. That's right, if you missed Victorious Boxers, you may get to play a game very much like it, Knockout Kings 2002, due in retail stores in Q1 2002. In a move that sort of resembles Microsoft's pattern of business - imitate the competitor and then improve your product over time - Electronic Arts has seriously looked into the gameplay and mechanics behind Victorious Boxers and appears to have successfully mimicked the best aspects of that game, only with American boxers and EA's patented modes of play, multiple options, big licenses, and flair.

Knockout kings 2002 rom