Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Boxing puts you right in the middle of a gritty 15-round slugfest where every jab, hook, and feint matters. Matches last 1 minute and 30 seconds per round, giving you just enough time to read your opponent, exploit openings, and manage your stamina bar wisely. Whether you’re throwing rapid body shots to wear down their guard or waiting for the perfect overhand right to land, the pacing keeps you on your toes for the full duration of each bout.

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The choice of boxer adds a strategic layer before the bell even rings. You and your opponent each select one of six distinct fighters, each defined by a trio of attributes—speed, offensive power, and endurance. A nimble, high-speed fighter can dance around heavy‐hitting adversaries but may struggle to absorb punishment, while the bulk-up bruisers deliver devastating headshots at the cost of agility. The sixth boxer remains an enigma, with unpredictable attributes that can turn the tide of any match and reward adaptive playstyles.

Controls are intuitive yet deep. Basic punches and blocks roll naturally under your thumbs, while feints and combination attacks require a split-second mix of direction and button timing. The stamina meter ensures you can’t spam heavy blows without repercussion; go for broke too often, and you’ll watch your boxer slump on his stool. This risk-vs-reward balance keeps even short, three-round showdowns tense and forces you to plan each offensive surge carefully.

Graphics

On the visual front, Boxing delivers a clean, no-frills presentation that highlights the brutal art of the sport. Character models boast solid proportions and lifelike movement—each punch is accompanied by a satisfying snap of the glove, while realistic sweat glistens under the ring lights. The six fighters look distinct in silhouette and posture, making it easy to recognize who you’re up against even in the heat of battle.

The ring itself feels alive. Ropes sag and recoil when boxers lean on them, while the canvas bears the scuff marks of countless matches. Crowd models line the background, their animations kept intentionally simple to keep the action front and center. Dynamic lighting casts dramatic shadows on the fighters’ bodies, emphasizing muscles and giving an almost cinematic sheen to your knock-out clinches.

UI elements are lucid and well-placed. Health bars sit just below the fighters, color-coded for quick glances, while the round timer and point differential are displayed prominently at the top. When a KO lands, the camera swings to a close-up, highlighting the impact before cutting to your fallen opponent on the mat. These subtle graphical flourishes heighten the drama without pulling you out of the ring.

Story

Boxing doesn’t lean on a sprawling narrative campaign. Instead, it embraces the pure spirit of one-on-one competition, letting the action tell its own story round by round. While there are no cutscenes or branching dialogue trees, each matchup develops its own momentum—every feint, every counterpunch writes a chapter in your personal highlight reel.

Each boxer comes with a brief backstory that unfolds in their character portrait and pre-fight interviews. One might be a lightning-fast up‐and‐comer looking to prove himself, while another is a seasoned veteran relying on iron chin and ring IQ. These snippets give context to the disparity in attributes and help you pick a fighter who fits your preferred playstyle or to set up a thrilling David‐versus‐Goliath showdown.

The unpredictability of the sixth contender serves as the game’s wild card. Since you never know exactly what he excels at or where his weaknesses lie, going up against this mysterious boxer feels like stepping into the unknown. It adds narrative intrigue to each bout, ensuring that even repeat matches can unfold in entirely new ways.

Overall Experience

In terms of pure ring action, Boxing stands out as a tight, engaging pugilism simulator. Fifteen rounds of finely tuned exchanges deliver a satisfying ebb and flow of offense and defense, and the short duration of each round keeps sessions brisk. Whether you’re in for a quick knockout or a full 15-round war of attrition, there’s always a clear sense of progression and adrenaline.

The six-fighter roster strikes a good balance between variety and depth. Learning each boxer’s strengths and vulnerabilities becomes a rewarding endeavor, and the mysterious sixth fighter spices up both solo practice and head-to-head bouts. The control scheme is accessible for newcomers yet layered enough that mastering feints, counterpunches, and stamina management feels like a genuine accomplishment.

While it doesn’t offer a cinematic story mode or elaborate career paths, Boxing’s focus on realistic mechanics and fighter individuality makes every match memorable. Fans of sports simulations and competitive couch play will find themselves coming back round after round, chasing that perfect knockout or strategic points victory. For buyers seeking a pure, no-nonsense boxing experience, this title delivers a ring-side seat to the sweetest science of all.

Retro Replay Score

null/10