Ah yes, Shadow Boxing.  That was part of a boxer's training routine back in the old days - long before video games.  After playing this game, I think purchasing some boxing gloves and engaging in some "Shadow Boxing" would be a better and more satisfying workout than this game.

So there we were, at a game store with hundreds of used Wii games for the picking.  Which one do I pick?  Showtime's Boxing.  The reasoning behind that choice is that I expected to get a pretty decent workout while beating down my opponent - be it the computer, my wife or my step-kids.

The first thing I noticed is that the characters are more human-like than animated kid-oriented characters like you find on Wii Fit.  The second thing I noticed is that the graphics are decent but that the player doesn't respond well to my motions of the controllers being thrown at the TV screen.  In fact, the motion response is lethargic.  It's quite infuriating when the computer opponent is beating on your character.

Speaking of controllers, you use the Wii-Mote in your right hand and the Nunchuk controller (connected to the Wii-Mote) in your left hand.  The joystick on the nunchuk controls your player's foot movement and both controllers used - held up to the left or right, will dodge your opponent's punches. There really are only a few punch moves that limits your character's knock out potential.  It would have been nice to have the on-screen boxer replicate the speed or hardness of your swing - instead each punch is the same thing.  A future boxing game could benefit from the more accurate Wii-Motion Plus controllers - but we'll see if anyone steps up to the plate with a truly great boxing game for the Wii.

There is no training section and there is no character customization.  It might have been nice to start off as a young in experienced boxer and build your body and power through training and amateur fights.  You know, like in the real world.  This game was not well thought out or designed.

On the upside, when playing in the two-player mode (both combatants are humans) the playing field is more level and the motion response is fair for both players.  Come to think of it, the boxing game on the Wii Fit game is not only a much better workout but the response to motion is much better.  Are there better boxing games available for the Wii?  For sure.  I'm under the impression that the EA boxing game and even a few of the more kid-oriented boxing games have better game play than this Showtime game title.  That's really a shame, because Wii boxing games usually provide a great workout.

Another positive note is that the crowd sound effects are well produced and give you the feeling of actually being in the ring in a stadium.  But the character's sounds (all three of them) get stale pretty quickly.  There is no music either.

Overall Look: 6 out of 10. It looks decent enough.

Graphics: 5.5 out of 10.  The characters look fairly decent albeit most have tattoos.  I don't mind tats (I have some) but does every fighter have tats in realty?  Graphics still look a bit behind the times though - which is inherent with the Wii.

Sound: 4 out of 10.  Decent crowd noises and atmosphere but the THREE fighter grunts and noises are a bit repetitive.

Overall Gameplay: 3 out of 10.  A decent looking game is ruined by very lethargic controls and response to your motions.  Better when you play human vs. human, but still less than average.

Replay Value: 3.5 out of 10.  If you've got other "fighter" type games, this will rank quite low.  If you enjoy battling family members and friends and don;t have alternative fighter games, you might like like it a bit more.


I would stay away from this boxing game - not even worth the time and money for a rental.  That is unless you really get aroused by animated bikini-clad babes that walk in front of you in between rounds.  But that gets as creepy as being aroused by Jessica Rabbit.  Oh wait, I kind of was.  (Shrugs)  Maybe that's why I married a redhead.  Hmmmmm.

Please check out my other Wii-related reviews:

Nintendo Wii Console System

GAMES:

Wii Fit

Super Mario Galaxy

Wii Sports

The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess

Pinball Hall of Fame for Wii

Jeep Thrills

Wii Sports Resort

Game Party


ACCESSORIES:

Nintendo Wii-Mote

Nintendo Nunchuk Controller

Racing Wheel for Wii

Generic Wii Fit Balance Board Rechargeable Battery Pack

Silicone Cover for Wii Balance Board

Recommended: No