Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Victorious Boxers 2: Fighting Spirit delivers an authentic boxing experience by faithfully reproducing the feel of the ring from the beloved Hajime no Ippo manga. You’ll find yourself trading jabs, straights, hooks, and uppercuts while managing a realistic stamina gauge. Each punch risks leaving you open if you overextend, so mastering timing and spacing is key to dominating your opponent.

Dodging and swaying are intuitive yet strategic. By holding down a single button and steering your character, you can weave around enemy combinations and create openings for devastating counterattacks. This mechanic forces you to read your opponent’s intentions, echoing the cat-and-mouse tactics seen in the manga’s most intense bouts.

Special moves add flair and strategy to standard exchanges. Characters like Ippo and Takamura unleash signature attacks that can turn the tide of battle—if you have enough stamina. Learning when to go for a high-risk special or when to conserve energy for sustained pressure becomes a gratifying tug-of-war that keeps matches thrilling from bell to bell.

Graphics

The visual presentation of Victorious Boxers 2 captures the distinct art style of Hajime no Ippo by translating its exaggerated expressions and dramatic boxing poses into fully 3D polygonal models. While some textures may feel dated by modern standards, the characters’ facial animations and sweat-slicked muscles convey the sheer physicality of each bout.

Arenas range from intimate gym settings to grand stadiums, each rendered with attention to lighting and audience reactions. The roar of the crowd and camera flashes during pivotal moments heighten immersion, making victories feel earned and losses sting with genuine disappointment.

Character models boast signature attire and facial scarring that longtime fans will instantly recognize. Transitions between normal stances and powered-up “Rising Sun” or “Dempsey Roll” animations are remarkably smooth, reinforcing the visceral impact of those iconic moves.

Story

The Story Mode is a faithful retelling of Hajime no Ippo’s earliest chapters, letting you step into the shoes of Ippo, Coach Kamogawa (in both his young and older forms), Takamura, and over 80 other fighters. By following the manga’s timeline up to Takamura’s climactic match with David Eagle, you experience every pivotal showdown that shaped the characters’ journeys.

Each fight is prefaced by cutscenes that capture the emotional stakes of the original panels, from Ippo’s humble beginnings to Takamura’s quest for world titles. Dialogue and voice clips bolster authenticity, immersing players in the same underdog spirit that drives the manga’s narrative.

Progression is rewarding: victories unlock new characters and arenas, while bonus challenges mirror side stories from the source material. Whether you’re reenacting Ippo’s first pro fight or reliving Takamura’s beastly bouts, the pacing strikes a balance between linear storytelling and replayable exhibition matches.

Overall Experience

Victorious Boxers 2: Fighting Spirit succeeds as a love letter to Hajime no Ippo enthusiasts and a solid boxing game in its own right. The depth of its roster—featuring 81 playable characters—offers near-infinite matchups, ensuring both casual players and completionists stay engaged for hours.

The careful balance of stamina management, defensive maneuvers, and signature specials creates a layered combat system that rewards both strategic planning and quick reflexes. Although its visuals may show their age, the core gameplay remains surprisingly fresh and challenging.

Whether you’re drawn by nostalgia for the manga or simply seeking a robust boxing simulator, Victorious Boxers 2 stands out for its faithful adaptation, engaging mechanics, and enduring replay value. Strap on the gloves, step into the ring, and get ready to fight with spirit!

Retro Replay Score

6.6/10