The Knockout Kings series has always been the odd duck among EA Sports' titles - you could always see what the developers were trying to accomplish, but the potential was never realized. The anemic gameplay control consistently sabotaged what should have been a boxing fan's dream, what with the amount of pugilists from different eras thrown in. Knockout Kings 2002 has undergone a serious transformation, however, and the result is a vastly improved boxing experience.
First off, Knockout Kings 2002 is home to some amazingly detailed player models. The muscle textures pop out from the screen, light bounces off their sweat-sheened backs, the faces actually correspond to real life, everything right down to the hair looks great. As fighters take punishment, facial expressions change accordingly, grimacing and reeling in pain. Even the crowds are slightly improved over previous versions. The sheer amount of fighters available for use boggles the mind - if a champion has stepped into the ring, chances are - other than Mike Tyson, of course - that they are represented in Knockout Kings 2002. Blood flies onto the canvas with an exceptionally hard punch, mouth guards are knocked loose...the graphic detail is something to behold.
When it comes to control, the undisputed champion is Victorious Boxers, so how does Knockout Kings 2002 compare? Well, Knockout Kings is a close second. The face buttons are mapped Tekken-style (no kicks, though) with left and right hooks, jabs and crosses. The left analog stick allows you to not only move about the ring, but duck and weave as well. If your fighter is getting into trouble, the Dual Shock begins to shake rhythmically, similar to the pulsing heartbeat in the original Metal Gear Solid. Repeated tags with the fist will make the controller shake faster. Combine this with the optional removal of onscreen health bars, and the player's connection to the boxer onscreen is much stronger. The PS2's artificial intelligence ramps up the difficulty slowly - the easiest setting provides you with a punching bag with legs for an opponent, while on the top end, the AI opponent blocks your punches and anticipates your movements like a seasoned professional, counterpunching with wicked crosses and booming uppercuts. If you want to win on the highest settings, learning to stick and move is an absolute must. Repeated attacks will make your oppoent back away from you, and these are the small added touches that make Knockout Kings 2002 such a well-done game.
There are tons of options available - career mode allows you to take a created player through the ranks, starting with lummoxes and ending with the G.O.A.T., Greatest of All Time, Muhammed Ali. The create-a-boxer portion is somewhat disappointing, not offering anywhere near the graphic customization options of EA Sport's other titles like NBA Live. Sound effects are cartoony, and as out of place amongst all the realism as a fart in church. Knockout Kings should have taken a page out of Triple Play's book and toned down the sound effects to more realistic levels. Commentary is passable, but phrases repeat themselves far too quickly. DVD storage demands that you take advantage of the medium, and Knockout Kings 2002 does not do that in the audio department at all.
Overall, Knockout Kings 2002 is a great step forward in EA's boxing franchise. While the control isn't quite to the lofty heights of Victorious Boxers, it holds up well in comparison, and is a worthy addition to any boxing fan's shelf. Next year, EA should just hire the VB developers for their control scheme and create the ultimate boxing simulation...but Knockout Kings 2002 will do nicely until that time comes.
