The gloves have been taken off, Knockout Kings has been changed to Fight Night and now there is no stopping EA fighting its way for that number one top spot of best boxing game ever!

If we were completely honest, although other companies might get jealous with this statement, EA has always been good at producing amazing sports games that are up to the minute in gameplay, graphics and realism. The boxing series Knockout Kings had no faults with it, the graphics were always with the up to date consoles, all of the boxers were present in the real life tournaments and the actual modes of play were very good too. So why the change EA?

Well there were some minor problems of throwing punches by the use of buttons and not being able to put any power behind them, forcing you to tap like a mad man in a race to see which fighter would drop first! All in all this has been solved and the game all-round has been greatly improved to create Fight Night.

The most noticeable added feature with the new game is the inventive punching system by the use of the analogue sticks. Now instead of using the buttons to hit your opponent, although that option is still available if you wish to use it, you hit them by pressing the analogue stick in certain directions. If you push it straight at your opponent then your fighter will jab him; if you rotate it only a quarter then it will produce a swing but if you turn it right from a half turn then you will produce an uppercut. When you first begin to play it then you might find it a little awkward, trying to execute the right moves and getting a little frustrated with it. However, perseverance is the key with this game and once you have got through your first few fights using the new system then it will seem as though you have been using it on all of the Knockout Kings games too. If you then decide that you just cannot do it using the new system then you can still play using the buttons to hit if you change it in the option settings. This still gives you exactly the same game, obviously, but there is more of a feel to it if you can get a hang of the swing system.

They are the changes as far as gameplay goes; the rest of it is all pretty straight forward and simple as much as the other boxing game titles were.

As per usual, the graphics of the game has improved. The fighters look very realistic with spit and blood spraying from their mouth and wounds when you pound a heavy glove into them. They range from white, dark or tanned skin, all of which can look flabby, firm, muscular or even hairy. You can have fun hairstyles too from short to long and of course the all-famous and funky Afro. All of this combined together not only makes the pre-set real life fighters look amazing and life like but it also makes the experience of creating your own character worth while.

Not only do the character frames look great but the rings and the crowds are amazing too. There are also many rings to chose from inside, training ring and outside, which is very impressive with the large spot lights, starlit sky and surging crowds to cheer you on!

There are also slow motions that take place when you hit your opponent for the last time before they hit the canvas. It is a great moment and also pressure on the developers of the game to see if their graphics and frame-rate of the game can be put to the test and it can.

The sound of the game cannot really be interesting for the type of game that it is. There are the numerous sound effects in game, hitting your opponent and hearing them groan as bruises appear on them or blood spurts from a wound. The crowd too go nuts when you get into a good combination and start to beat your enemy into a pulp or into a corner.

Whilst you select the different modes, options or creating you own customised boxer, there are also a very good selection of R’n’B tracks that play in the background to keep you entertained. At the title screen there is also a good tune and if you leave it long enough then it will go into a cut scene/demonstration with music to it too.

As you make your way through either Arcade, Tournament or Career mode, among others, the gameplay is all pretty much the same and very good. The length of each different modes vary but the Career mode is very good, allowing you to go for all of the different titles that are available and fight your way to being the champion. The atmosphere and feel to the game is all pretty much what you expect in a boxing game or any sport game for that matter and EA have pulled it off brilliantly.

If you want to bash around a few heads then Fight Night is definitely the game for you and everyone is raving about it! Whether you want to play on your own or get all of your mates 'round to have a big old rumble then get this game and punch the teeth out of boxers until you cannot punch anymore. Finished off nicely and a good sequel to the rest of the Knockout Kings series, changing the name and adding in the new fight system has given this series the revamp and wow factor to push it ahead in the game. TR