The visuals of Fight Night Round 3 on the Xbox 360 are the star of the show, bar none. No matter what you think about the game play, modes, or online match ups, the first thing everyone will remember about EA’s first next-gen boxing title is how wonderful it looked. While the menus lack thought or flash, once the game has loaded, you will have to initially take your jaw off the floor. What’s more, the initial reaction turns to amazement, as you will notice new lighting techniques, facial animations, and visual effects almost in every fight. The boxers, whether you are using one of the all time greats, current stars, or a created boxer, are full of detail and life, from the real skin textures, to the emotion shown on the face when they are hit or ready to be knocked down. You’ll be amazed when you see the sweat beads begin to swell shortly after the fight begins, until they are drenched in their own blood and sweat at the end of 12 rounds. The damage effects are very accurate to the point of almost being gruesome. From a cut over the eye to a swollen left eye that resembles something from a sci-fi flick, the results of the damage you inflict are very visible. Other noticeable features are shorts moving, shoelaces swaying, and even the boxing gloves indenting when colliding with another boxers face. All of this can be seen easily in action, but the slow motion knockdown cameras really put the damage into cinematic perspective.

It’s not just the boxers that stand out either, the arenas are all wonderfully created and have little nuances that showcase what the 360 is capable of. From the rinky-dink gyms to the thrill of fighting at Madison Square Garden, each arena has its own unique look, lighting, and flavor. Toss in some entertaining, yet uncustomizable ring entrances, black and white mode for ESPN Classics and you have a nice presentation. Lastly, the newest visual effect to the series is the HUD-less screen. No health meters or time clock; nothing but the two brawlers throwing down in the center of the ring. The game wants you to study the boxer’s expressions and attitude, which will judge how healthy or full of adrenaline they are. If you must see these features, there is an option to turn it on, but it takes away from the realism greatly. Overall, this is what a next generation title should look like and should quiet down any naysayers about the 360’s graphical potential.

The audio side of the game is adequate, but sounds more like a current gen title on the whole. The commentators do a fine job calling the fights, but sometimes the streaming of names or phrases seems a bit loose, which keeps the game from sounding as if it’s live and in your face. This is very true when you are using real boxers, as you will hear the same back-story repeatedly during each bout. The sound effects on the other hand are bone crunching, and wonderfully over the top which makes every big hit feel crucial. The music is a love it or hate it theme, being mostly hip-hop. Otherwise there isn’t anything real innovative or next generation about the audio overall.

Gameplay in the series becomes more realistic each year, and this year it takes a step even further. The deliberately slower gameplay feels much more like a boxing match than the quicker and frantic pace of Fight Night Round 2. There are a great variety of punches such as jabs, hooks, uppercuts, and even K.O. causing haymakers. Added to this year’s series is a new stun punch that will take your perspective to a first person view if landed. In addition, if you are ever so lucky to experience it, a flash K.O. punch will take your opponent out for good. Otherwise, besides the pacing of the game, Fight Night 3 feels like a better balanced version of last years game, but with more emphasis on blocking and counters. Fixed this year is the amount of stamina lost when throwing constant haymakers. Not only can you parry with one of your own, but also gamers who relied on this punch style will find themselves out boxed in under four rounds and so winded by then that they will fall victim rather quickly. The only real issue is the A.I., which on the most part is very easy, but sometimes, when it wants to, cannot be beaten or gives you the fight of your life. It is the latter style of fights that are the most enjoyable, but come too far between the easy bouts. I guess, like most sports games, that is where the joy of multiplayer comes in handy.

There are plenty of features to keep even the most fickle boxing fan happy for some time. You have quick bouts, ESPN Classic matches that allow you to relive old school rivalries, Multiplayer on and offline, and of course Career Mode that allows you to create a new fighter or use a current fighter and relive their career.

The mode I want to talk mostly about is the Career Mode, as the others are self-explanatory. This mode is actually a step back from last year’s game and the sole reason I kept the game from getting an A score. There are NO rankings, no contender lists, and besides your win/loss records and after match results, no stats! For a company that says, “It’s in the game”, there is not much here to back up that statement. The career mode does everything BUT recreate a fighter’s real career. You have a certain achievement you must reach, you will fight bouts to increase your cash flow and popularity, and once you reach the achievement fight, you gain a trophy or belt. Repeat this process over and over again.

One nice aspect coming from this mode is rivalry. Here you will fight a boxer who will become your nemesis throughout your career and try with every fiber of their being to take you down and shame your name. While I would have liked to see more cut scenes and dialog to set up these rival matches, the idea is very cool and hopefully extended next year. As for the rest of the career mode, once you’ve made all of your accomplishments, there’s not much to do but retire your fighter. Sadly, the only difference between weight classes is the fighters you face.

Online multiplayer is fantastic, with very little lag to report. There is not a better opponent that a real life one to put your skills to the test. I was upset to see that you can only be ranked against strangers, as if you build a custom match against a friend, you will not be ranked or even have a win/loss record. At least a friend’s stat list could’ve been compiled for those who don’t want to worry about button mashers or quitters that you will typically find online.

In the end, Fight Night Round 3 for the Xbox 360 is a great next generation title that, even if you only want to show your 400-dollar showcase off to your friends, is something they can ‘ooh’ and ‘ah’ at. For boxing fans, this is a no brainer and should be on your shelves already. Sure, it is not perfect, takes a step back on the career mode, but does provide many satisfying hours of boxing action. If this is the starting ground for next generation boxing games, I cannot wait to see what the future holds.