It was only just a short time ago, when Majesco released Boxing Fever, the first boxing title for the Game Boy Advance. In all respects, the game was a decent homage to the classic Nintendo boxing franchise - Punch Out!. Now, Acclaim has stepped into the ring to introduce their own formula in the hopes to make a TKO impression with the handheld audience.

Punch King is being developed by the same talented team which produced Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX 2, a game which many have acknowledged as the most exciting title in the series to date. Thus, players should naturally expect great things to come forth from Full Fat.

Compared to Boxing Fever, I am more fond of the boxing engine featured in Punch King! It reminds me moreso of the SNES edition of Punch Out! - it wouldn't suprise me if the developers weren't inspired in some way when the the conceptual layout for the game was being designed.

The game will feature 18 fighters in total (the most to ever be featured in any handheld game). Each individual fighter possesses their own distinct style and respective attributes (i.e. varying in speed, power, and stamina no doubt). In addition, Punch King features color commentary, adding an signficant dimension to the game, and will include catch phrases that will be uttered from each fighter.

Players can choose from single-player or head-to-head action (which supports the GBA's link function). A Create-A-Boxer mode allows you to (wait for it), create your own fictional boxer, which in turn can then be entered into the game's Career Mode. Excel throughout the leagues, winning fight purses and then develop powerful new moves and combos to level your competition within seconds (they'll never know what hit them).

Punch King definitely sounds exciting on paper, and based upon the first screens released. We'll of course reserve the final judgement if the game is truly to be acknowledged as the ultimate handheld boxing title when its released this Spring.

· · · Bahn