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Mike Tyson Heavyweight Boxing Preview
Chris Leyton
00/12/0000
We take a look at a 70% complete version of Mike Tyson Heavyweight Boxing on the PS2.
Boxing games have had a hard time, the dilemma facing developers is whether to follow down the hard-hitting realistic simulation side of things, or create a faster, more exciting arcade styled title. Most boxing games weâve seen have often got stuck somewhere in the middle, often leaving a forgettable experience that wonât appeal to the boxing enthusiasts, whilst the fighting action wonât persuade the fighting fans.
Mike Tyson Heavyweight Boxing is Codemasters second attempt; after last years atrocious Prince Nazeem Boxing on the PSOne, and early indications are that they may have got the balance just right. In terms of gameplay MTHB sticks close to the arcade line of thought, action is fast and frantic, with a control system that is smooth and intuitive easily allowing you to place your punches and pull of the moves. Signature punches, special moves and combos spice up each fight, however these all look realistic unlike those found in other titles such as Ready to Rumble. The combo system is fairly elaborate with over 512 regular combos activated through a three-button combination. In addition to these are 64-signature comboâs, of which each boxer will have up to four depending on their skill. As with Ready to Rumble, pulling off certain moves will activate the star power-gauge at the bottom, making it possible for Special Combos to be performed.
Whilst the gameplay is very much on the arcade side of things, the general presentation helps to create a truly realistic experience. Boxers feature their own introductions, whilst crowds are generated in full 3D allowing them to cheer on the homeboy, and react accurately to the action-taking place in the ring. TV styled replays and commentary from Bobby Czyz and Ian Darke help to replicate the realistic nature even further.
The game features a variety of different game modes, the emphasis being on the Title belt challenges. Players select a boxer and must then fight through a series of fights until the title is won, advancing from the Bronze Belt to the Silver Belt and finally the Gold Belt, where if you remain victorious youâll get to fight Tyson. After each fight youâll receive money depending on a variety of criteria, including how exciting you fought and how well you fought, messages will flash up during your fight, such as âFace Bruisedâ and âFace Cutâ, these influence your match excitement ratings. The money you win can then be used to upgrade your boxerâs attributes and purchase new signature punches and combos. There is a great amount of depth and replayability built into the different game modes, a rare treat in a boxing game, in total there are 11 hidden licensed boxers, 16 hidden stadiums, 64 hidden signature combos, 24 hidden signature punches, 48 hidden kits, 16 hidden taunts and 16 secret entry tunes, all adding up to a lot of game time if you want to open them all.
Besides the Challenge modes are; the basic Exhibition mode, one off fights against Unlocked AI opponents; the Sparring mode, the player can put a custom boxer him into the ring to spar against Mike Tyson to improve his fighting abilities and test out newly acquired Punches and Combos; Speed Boxing, the player attempts to stop each AI opponent as quickly as he can, the quicker he does this the more items get unlocked. A variety of multiplayer modes are also on offer, including the tournament mode, whereby the game is designed to cater for up to 8 players having a series of fights as any available character and against any available character, changing characters as they please and dropping in and out of the series at any time. The computer will keep tabs on which player is doing the best in that series of fights by awarding points to fight winners and will always award more points to boxers of inferior quality who manage to win against the odds.
Visually Mike Tyson Heavyweight Boxing looks superb, the boxers are brought to life in a caricatured manner with stunning detail including the likes of scars and tattoos. Whilst the IK animation system allows for accurate collision reactions and smooth blending between the hundreds of different motion captured animations. The arenas give a great sense of actually being there thanks to the interactive 3D audience who respond accurately to the onscreen action, and the presence of your trainers and the commentators.
