Contender

by Johnny Ballgame
January 01, 2000 00:00 AM PST

Overall, Contender doesn't measure-up to Knockout Kings, but it's still fun enough that boxing and fighting gamers will want to check it out. It's definitely a good weekend rental.

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Contender�s an arcade boxing game that plays more like Super Punch Out than Knockout Kings. While it doesn�t contain the gameplay depth or number of features as the current champ, Knockout Kings, Contender�s quick fights, crazy characters, and easy knockdowns will appeal to younger gamers who aren�t up to the challenge of a hardcore sim.

Boxing Basics
When you first play Contender, you might mistakenly write it off as just another button-mashing fighting game that takes longer to load than it does to knock someone out. But the more you play and the more you build up your character, the more fun the game becomes--and by the end, you will actually find yourself yelling at the champ as you pummel him down to the canvas. Overall, Contender�s not as enjoyable as Knockout Kings, but it�s still good fun--especially as you work your way up the rankings.

The Main Event
At the outset, your fighter will only be able to throw a few punches, but as you progress through the Main Event mode, an eye-patch wearing trainer teaches you new easy-to-learn, wicked combos and punches like the corkscrew and super body-blow. The game also sports 40 fictitious fighters, including male and female boxers, and the strange champ, Beastman--each utilizing a distinct fighting style from Open to Peak-a-boo.

Graphically, the game features cartoony boxers who, like Knockout Kings, get cut and bleed as you pound on their face. Unfortunately, you�ll need to fight in first-person view to witness the damage. Another downer is the break-up in each fighter�s body--sometimes it looks like their arms are going to fly right off.

The sound is also pretty mediocre as, throughout the match, the cornermen yell out instructions that quickly become annoying. Furthermore, the crowd never gets too amped, even during title bouts.

Glass Jaw
Contender�s arcade style might not appeal to everyone, but the fast gameplay and character-building aspects are fun enough to merit a look from fighting-game fans. But if you�re looking to buy just one boxing title this year, stick to Knockout Kings.