James “Buster” Douglas Knockout Boxing
System: Genesis
Release Date: September 1990
Developer: Sega R&D2
Publisher: Sega
Genre: Fighting
Become the greatest upset artist in boxing history in James “Buster” Douglas Knockout Boxing. Join a pool of five prize fighters duking it out to become the World Heavyweight Champion. If you can defeat the other four, you win the title and have to take them on again to defend it before the hardest fight of your life. No joke.
Once in a fight, you can block high by pressing up, and low by pressing down. From here, you attack at that same level by pressing the A Button to jab or the B Button for a straight. Pressing the A and B Buttons together will throw a slow cross. This punch can be modified by pressing up to throw a slow hook or down to throw an uppercut. Connecting with one of these three punches will drain your opponents health quickly. Press and hold the C Button to clam up in a shell.
Each fight is about controlling the pace. If you can back your opponent into the ropes, it’s possible to pepper away at them until you drain their health. If they start taking it to you, it can be difficult to start blocking or evading their blows. Often your opponents will throw punches in a repeating pattern. If you can catch on, you can counter them with a well placed jab or straight.
The final fight against Iron Head is one of the most difficult bosses so far in all of gaming. Until you can learn how to cheese him, he’s going to take you out over and over again. His health drains super slow and his punches are incredibly powerful. The most annoying thing is his regeneration, though. It took me about ten tries to finally take him down, but it was by decision at the end of the fight.
Graphics: 2.5
Sprites look good, the referee is a nice addition, there’s a crowd in the background.
Sound: 0.5
The sound is pretty barren. No music during fights and the sounds aren’t pleasant or varied.
Gameplay: 1.5
Punch, punch, punch, dodge, punch, hopefully block, repeat. There’s really no defense, only offense.
Difficulty: 1.5
There’s a big increase in difficulty from before the title to after the title and then the egregiousness of Iron Head.
Fun Factor: 1.5
It’s alright until you get to a point where all your punches are blocked and the computer breaks through all of your defense no matter what.
Overall Rating: 1.5
James “Buster” Douglas Knockout Boxing earns a C-. It’s good for a single playthrough and then loses all luster. Oh, a one hit wonder, just like Buster Douglas!