I guess I missed the boat on Knockout Kings 2000, because I played it for the first time 2 weeks ago at a friend's house, and I thought it was great. I had liked the original game, and I was curious to see how it could be improved upon. Well, surprisingly there was a lot. The all around graphics and audio are what to be expected of a PS2 game, but the thing that will attract most to Knockout Kings is the realism that it exhibits.

Some may be disappointed that the game does not allow for huge special combinations or punches that will drain all your energy in one shot. However, the important thing to realize is that is not real boxing. The designers of Knockout Kings 2000 realized this and produced a game that emulates real boxing as close as I have ever seen. But to be fair, and to rate the entirety of the game, let's break this opinion up into a few categories.

The Graphics/Sound

As I said before, the graphics were what to be expected from a PS2 game, and they probably could've been even better, but I really don't have any complaints. The boxers , the arenas and facial cuts all look pretty realistic, as is the status quo for any new games, no surprises here. The announcers are good, one annoying thing is that they can tend to say the same things several times during a fight. The post fight comments are very good, and for the most part accurate.

The Gameplay

In most one on one fighting games, the winner is the one who inflicts the most damage in the shortest amount of time. That is not always the case in KO Kings 2000. If you expect to win many fights, you have to use your head, and can't come out swinging every time. The computer or a smart fighter will win more times than not against somebody who is trying to have a slugfest. The game allows you to control your boxer's hips, which gives you much more control, and is a big improvement over past boxing games.

KO Kings 2000 doesn't have the kind of special moves where you can knock your opponent down with one super-punch. It allows for auto-combos and special combos that are unique to each fighter. It also lets you create your own combinations, and if you get skilled with creating your own combinations, you will have an edge over anyone who uses auto-combos.

I guess I got unique angle on this part of my rating, because the friend of mine who owns the game used to be an amateur boxer, and his brother, Paul Malignaggi, just turned pro a few weeks ago. They both said it was as close to real boxing as they've ever seen.

Other Features

The game has a wide variety of fighters, past and current greats, just like the old KO Kings. I found it most fun fighting in the lightweight and middleweights in KO Kings 2000, because they are much quicker and more agile than the heavyweights. I found the game most fun to play in multiplayer mode, but it is also cool to create your own fighter. You start out as a nobody and you have to fight scrubs in small arenas to work your way to the top. The entrances are cool too, when you create a fighter, you choose which entrance music they will have.

KO Kings 2000 is by far the best boxing game I have ever played (with the exception of Mike Tysons Punchout!). I think most people will like KO Kings 2000, if you are looking for a game that is as close to boxing as you will find, get it. If not, then stick to Ready to Rumble.


Recommended: Yes