With the exception of the brilliant Punch Out on the NES, boxing games have always sacrificed fun in favour of a big-name license. It would appear that Midway have taken a leaf out of Nintendo's book. Are you ready?
Andy Ashwin

What for?
To rumble.

I suppose.
Oh come on, misery guts - get into the spirit of things. Ready 2 Rumble is a garish comedy boxing game with all the razzle and dazzle associated with American sports broadcasting. And it's blooming great. So... are you ready?

Yes.
I said, ARE YOU READY?

HELL YEAH!
That's more like it. Now you've got some idea as to how this game should be approached - with a bunch of mates and a crate of beer.

Excellent! So does it look any good?
Indeed it does. The graphics are some of the best ever seen on a console and the presentation throughout is slick and filled with humour. The boxers themselves, of which there are 20, are beautifully realised with exaggerated physiques and over-inflated egos. There are loads of great touches too, like the facial damage that increases with each successful connection.

Is there a decent single-player mode?
Yes, the Championship mode is good fun. As you'd expect, you start at the bottom and have to work your way up through the ranks in pursuit of the championship belt. Training mini-games allow you to improve your fighter's abilities and are split into five distinct areas - sway bag, aerobics, weights, heavy bag and speed bag. Each of these plays in a different way. For example, the aerobics training involves perfectly timed Parappa the Rapper-style button presses, while the speed bag offers more of a Track & Field-style challenge.