A training mode and a versus mode are available in the game, but true enjoyment is obtained by traversing the movie mode. Playing through the movie mode takes you from Rocky's beginnings as an unknown southpaw from Philly in Rocky I to superstar veteran boxer of Rocky V. Cinematic scenes play out at the beginning of each film as well as before the big fight at the end of each film. Everything is covered from Rocky's big win over Apollo in Rocky II to the shocking loss of both his manager and best friend in Rocky III and IV. You fight a handful regular boxers each film capped with a bout against the movie's main opponent, such as Apollo or Drago. In between each fight you have three training sessions, like mini-games, at your disposal to increase your stats. Jumping rope increases your stamina while working the speed bag will increase your quickness. These training session can be automatically completed by the computer, but you'll have the opportunity for the biggest increases and most fun if you play them out on your own.

The boxing engine is no joke either. I rank it right up there with Victorious Boxers as the best in recent memory, and definitely in front of EA's feeble efforts. Control is similar to Victorious Boxers in that you can bob and weave in every direction and throw different punches from these positions. The biggest difference is that Rocky requires you to hold a "defense" button to initiate the motion. Combinations are preset for each boxer. So if you want you punches to flow it would behoove you to learn them before hand. I mention this because if you aren't throwing out the fighter's known combinations, then it may seem like the buttons aren't responding, mashers beware. It works well, and it's really satisfying to weave away from a left jab and come back with a combo like left hook to the body, left hook to the head, and a right uppercut. Strong combinations like that can drop the opponent on the spot or at least stun them. Stunned opponents are opened up to whatever you feel like pulling out of your bag 'o tricks, such as an old fashioned haymaker.

The Gamecube version of this game, that I'm reviewing, supports 480p for HDTV bliss. The graphics are pretty solid too. Especially noteworthy are the stand out backgrounds. They've manage to capture the look and feel of numerous boxing settings from bars to large scale outdoor events. They also sport some of the best crowds in video games. The people are varied in look and animation, and it's hard for me to tell if they are even 2D sprites or actually low poly 3D. The fighters are passable for their real-life likeness, but the models aren't superior to anything this generation. It is cool though to see Rocky's model change as he gets stronger, then older, as you progress through the movies. The animation of the fighters, at times, is close to perfection. The fluidity really helps bring you in to the action and feel like you are doing some bodily damage. Other times the punches thrown look sort of awkward, which is no fault of the engine, but more from an artistic point of view. This is readily apparent when watching a few of the knock out falls, some good, some bad. Since I mentioned doing some bodily damage, it would only be fair to note that the pugilist's faces bruise, bloody, and deform in real time during the match. It's even apparent while your fighting instead of just when you're in the corner.

Everything aural you would expect from a Rocky film is in the game (with the possible exception of "Eye of the Tiger"). Rocky's true theme, "Getting Stronger," is in there as his boxing entrance music, and those first few notes alone make up for any other inconsistencies that may exist. Voices are done surprisingly close to the real actors during the cut scenes, and the developer's did a remarkable job of recreating the famous, "Yo Adrienne" scene.

The challenge is tough too. You'll be hard pressed to make it though the movie mode on normal difficulty without a good number of continues. Thankfully the game lets you save in between bouts and even after each training. You only start with four available fighters in versus mode, but a large number are unlocked as you beat them in the movie mode, including the big stars. Once you're done with the story, it basically has as much replay value as any other 2-player fighter out there. If you're in the mood for a boxing game, and you've felt deprived of a good selection as I have, then I can wholeheartedly recommend Rocky.