It’s hard to believe, but there was a time when boxing was among the most popular sports in the United States—and globally. Although it may not hold the same excitement today, boxing video games continue to play a pivotal role in gaming history.
10: Evander Holyfield Real Deal Boxing: Following Buster Douglas’ unsuccessful boxing sim, Holyfield’s title delivered a fantastic gameplay experience, an engaging story mode, and even a create-a-fighter feature.
9: Ready to Rumble Boxing: Midway certainly created a fun arcade boxing game. Although it saw several sequels, the original was easy to pick up and perfect for playing with friends.
8: Victorious Boxers: Ippo’s Road to Glory: Based on the acclaimed manga and anime, it’s one of the most realistic boxing games available, though it lacks the fun factor of some other titles on this list.
7: Knockout Kings 2001: With an outstanding career mode and over 30 legendary fighters, Knockout Kings 2001 stands out as the best in the series before it transitioned to Fight Night.
6: Greatest Heavyweights: This sequel to Evander Holyfield’s Real Deal Boxing maintained the original’s stellar gameplay while introducing a plethora of legends like Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, Jack Dempsey, and Rocky Marciano.
5: Punch Out: Whether featuring Mike Tyson or not, Nintendo’s classic remains enjoyable to this day. Its simple controls and lovable characters have solidified its legacy in gaming history.
4: Toughman Contest: Considered the best arcade boxing game of all time, it boasted impressive graphics for an early ‘90s release and featured Butterbean as its cover athlete and final boss—making it one of the standout titles on the Sega 32X.
3: Super Punch Out: Nintendo excels at keeping sequels fresh, and Super Punch Out feels like more than just a continuation of a classic. With stunning visuals on the Super Nintendo and a roster of new and returning boxers, it has earned its place as a legend.
2: Fight Night 2004: This installment introduced total control punching, reshaping the genre entirely. Any doubts about the series were swiftly put to rest.
1: Punch Out Wii: Nintendo fans showed great patience, as over a decade passed before a new Punch Out sequel. Their wait paid off with the Wii version. With outstanding gameplay and graphics, “Punch-Out” on the Wii deserves a TKO. The cel-shaded character models are stunning, each exhibiting a unique style and bursting with color, making the journey through the three fights a captivating experience.
Related
Original article by www.oldschoolgamermagazine.com
