Ready 2 Rumble Boxing: Round 2
Ready 2 Rumble Boxing: Round 2by Midway Home Entertainment, Inc.
Platform: PlayStation2
ESRB Rating: Teen
ASIN: B00004U5VJ
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Features:
• Sequel to Ready 2 Rumble
• Celebrities Michael Jackson and Shaquille O'Neal included as playable fighters
• New special moves, taunts, and rumble flurries
• Enhanced championship mode allows you to manage your boxer's career
• Photographers, corner men, and ring girls for added realism
Product Description: Has the King of Pop become the Prince of Pugilism? As a sequel to 1999's surprise knockout, Ready 2 Rumble: Round 2 features Michael Jackson alongside NBA heavyweight Shaquille O'Neal and a mix of new and returning contestants for some over-the-top fisticuffs. The game combines authentic boxing action with outrageous costumes, special moves, taunts, and rumble flurries that are all unique to each character. Throw some quick jabs in the arcade mode or do it Rocky-style via the enhanced championship mode, where you'll manage your boxer's training regimen and schedule fights. Adding to the realism are photographers, corner men with spit buckets, beautiful ring girls that announce each new round, and Michael Buffer with his famous "Let's get ready to rumble!" call.
GameSpot Review: The original Ready 2 Rumble Boxing was not only one of the first Dreamcast games that really showed off some of the system's capabilities, but it was also one of the few third-party games that was completely original. Ready 2 Rumble Boxing: Round 2 for the PlayStation 2 has more boxers and moves than the first game, but aside from a few slight changes here and there and slightly better visuals, the game remains largely unchanged, which for people who've never played the original is great. However, for those of us who were big fans of the original game, the gameplay and presentation of R2RB: R2 are all too familiar, making the sequel seem more like a simple roster update.
The game has two main modes of play, arcade and championship. Arcade mode lets you start a match against the computer or another player without worrying about any statistics or unnecessary setup options. Championship mode is the game's main single-player mode, and it allows you to take a fighter from the depths of obscurity to the top of the ranks in search of a shot at the title. This mode has been slightly dressed up since the original game, and it now includes a fight schedule that basically forces you to pay more attention to your fighter's training regimen. Training consists of seven real-life boxing exercises: jumping rope, the heavy bag, the speed bag, the sway bag, rumble pads, lifting weights, and aerobics. These exercises are represented in the form of minigames, which you must actually do well in to get the full benefit of the exercise. These benefits come in the form of increased abilities such as greater punching power, greater foot and hand speed, and additional endurance. The majority of the minigames are fairly simple exercises in timing, speed, and memory that get progressively harder with each step. The bulk of the time you spend playing Ready 2 Rumble Boxing: Round 2's championship mode is spent playing these minigames, which do get a bit stale after awhile.
In terms of the actual gameplay mechanics, R2RB: R2 hasn't actually changed that much from the original game. The left analog stick lets you control your fighter's movement in the ring, while the buttons on the face of the controller take care of the punches, left and right, high and low. If you press in a direction while executing a punch, you can throw hooks, uppercuts, and overhand rights. The shoulder buttons individually handle the blocking and weaving, but by pressing them together, you can parry punches as well. The game also has a rumble combo that builds up every time you hit someone with a good shot or taunt. Letters appear that eventually spell the word "rumble," and at this point you can activate a moment of near invincibility or choose to continue building up your power. In all, there are three levels of rumble power, and waiting to fill all three levels up results in the ability to throw a knockout punch that can literally send your opponent out of the ring. The controls in R2RB: R2 as a whole are extremely tight and responsive - you always feel as though you're in charge of the action, and you never have to wait for an animation to finish before resuming play. The game's controls match the game's visuals exactly, which makes playing R2RB: R2 a joy.
Visually, Ready 2 Rumble Boxing: Round 2 is quite sharp. The 3D models used for the fighters look very detailed - all of the boxers blink, move their mouths, and even grimace in pain when they're struck. Even the crowd stands up and sits down, raises arms, and holds signs up. In the audio department, R2RB: R2 is quite good. The game's musical score is a bit of dramatic music that has the Ready 2 Rumble anthem behind it. The sound effects for punches, groans, and grunts - as well as all of the characters' voices - are very good.
In the end, Ready 2 Rumble Boxing: Round 2 is a solid arcade-style boxing game, and like most arcade games, it wears thin fairly quickly. The only challenge that the game really presents is unlocking additional characters, which simply consists of the time-consuming task of beating the game over and over. But since the game's AI is relatively simple, you'll quickly learn all of the little tricks that'll lead you to a win with little or no thought put into it at all, which ultimately makes R2RB: R2 a game that's better suited for rental than purchase.
--Ryan Mac Donald--Copyright © 2000 GameSpot Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of GameSpot is prohibited.
Amazon.com Preview: After it'd made a huge splash when the Dreamcast was released, Ready 2 Rumble Boxing was one of the first big hits on the system. Midway is hoping that it'll have the same type of success with the launch of the PlayStation2 come November, when this game is scheduled to be released.
The secret ingredient that made Ready 2 Rumble Boxing so popular with both avid gamers and budding gaming enthusiasts was the likeable yet outlandish assortment or characters. Midway has repeated that formula by adding as many as a dozen new characters, with Shaquille O'Neal, Freke Deke, Robox RE SE4, Johnny Blood, Mama Tua, and even reclusive pop star Michael Jackson leading the wacky pack of fictional and semifictional boxers.
A few of your favorite characters from the first game return in Ready 2 Rumble Boxing: Round 2, which features updated, customizable costumes. Each character also has his or her own special moves, including a bounce in the female boxers that mimics the real-life gravitational forces at play that are found in the female characters in Tecmo's Dead or Alive.
In terms of gameplay, Midway has gone back to the gym and reworked the Championship mode. This time around, your fighting schedule is based around a calendar of matches, as opposed to being based solely on your prize winnings. As you win your way through the championship mode, new gym equipment will be available for you to use to build your skills. Some new training events have been added, including stair climbing and rope jumping.
The most interesting part of the Championship mode includes the addition of a wrestling-style backstory that sees backstage shenanigans and feuds between the fighters. The new Team Battle mode lets you choose up to eight team members for an actual rumble with an opposing group of pugilists from the game. Several new camera angles have been added, which ups the total number to nine. Also, players can expect to suffer from computer-generated blurry vision after one too many blows to the head.
As a result of these additions, Ready 2 Rumble Boxing: Round 2 should be a knockout (pun most certainly intended) on the PlayStation2. --Todd Mowatt
Customer Reviews:
yeah, July 18, 2002
Reviewer: Ben S from Alabama , USA
this game rules. if you buy any game get this one. yeah man yeah.
I like this game, June 15, 2002
Reviewer: Jonathon Taylor from Longview, WA United States
This is a cool game. I ordered this, but it didn't come. So I bought this at a game store at the mall. Now, I like this because of the taunts, and yes! even that famous "Let's get ready to rumble." I still cannot believe that they would put Michael Jaxon in this. Wow! That's weird. I highly recommend this.
ready to rumble, May 21, 2002
Reviewer: A gamer from Anywhere, California
it rules! I rented this game once and i just love it. I suggest that you kids out there should rent the game or buy the game.
Not a serious boxing game, but it isnt suspossed to be!, November 26, 2001
Reviewer: tpf79 from CT, USA
Whoever thinks of this game in the same manner as knockout kings is looking at it all wrong. This game is meant to be FUN and goofy. And fun it is. The crazy moves and wacky characters make it great. It is especially awesome in 2player mode. If you are looking for a realistic game, look somewhere else. But if you are looking for a game that will be loads of fun for you and your friends, then look no further. The only reason I didnt give this game a 5 is because it does get boring after a while with only 1 player, but play 2 player mode to keep the fun lasting!
Nothing new, nothing fun, August 15, 2001
Reviewer: Jared
I really see no reason to buy this game, you can beat it within 45 minutes if you can even stand playing it that long. Its only remotely fun when you play in 2 player mode. The characters add some spark but not enough to save this horrrible game. If you lik boxing, you might like it, but thats abouy it. Youll get bored with this game very fast so i highly reccomend knockout kings instead of this. There are much better ps2 games out there, so get out out and explore, just esort to this as a rent.
This game is nothing like the first edition, July 14, 2001
Reviewer: jess21mess from Florida
This game sucks compared to the first one. I had a lot of fun playing the first one and when I first got my PS2 it was one of my first games, Ready to Rumble 2. I would not suggest for people to purchase this game or even to rent it. That is how much I dislike it. However if you are thinking of purchasing it I would strongly suggest renting to see if you actually enjoy it.
Ready To Stumble..., May 17, 2001
Reviewer: William V. Hefner from Eureka, CA
As a new PS2 owner, I found this title fairly disappointing. Most of the graphics are pretty good, and it can be fun to play against others for a few rounds. However, the game really falls apart with its inconsistencies of play, and one-player gaming is an exercise in futility that no gamer should have to endure. At critical moments in the game, your controls can simply become unresponsive. Unfortunately, you never know when this bad programming symptom will strike. This game must have been rushed to market, as nobody in their right mind would release this thing as being bug-free. More frustrating than fun, it's a purchase that I regret making.
Nice Boxing Game...but boring, April 18, 2001
Reviewer: 747tech from South Ozone Park, New York United States
This is a great boxing game. The characters are great to, however some characters cannot reach the opponent because of their short arms. There is also no menu for the player to choose their opponent (if you ever have the desire to beat up on just one particular character), which I thought was terrible. There is no way to just save the game...you have to go into Championship Mode and then save your game. (Championship Mode is when you want to start a boxing season.) Also, some of the special characters are dumb. You cannot understand what Bill Clinton says when he taunts the opponent, and the Michael Jackson character is nothing like the real guy. It would have been nice if they had designed a game that had all celebrities in it.
SWEEEEEEEEEET!!!!!, March 2, 2001
Reviewer: A gamer from Grapeview, WA USA
!!!I've got one word for this game. SWEET. its an awesome classic PS2 game, that you must have. The graphics are stunning and the options are awesome. My favorite part of the game is championship mode. you have a calendar and you fight on certain dates and then you lift weights, jump rope, and lots of other training options to build up your stats. This game is funner than it may look to you. Its also really fun on multiplayer. Theres nothing better that throwing an upper-cut to the jaw of your annoying siblings or friends. Its an awesome game, buy it.
Confusion, January 22, 2001
Reviewer: A gamer from Earth, duh
There's a review down there somewhere that says Ready To Run, for the title, read it. Go on, I'll wait.......... done? Okay. Now, I ask my question. How can NFL Blitz be ANYTHING like Ready to Rumble anyway? NFL Blitz, obviously, is a FOOTBALL GAME. Ready to Rumble is, obviously, a BOXING GAME. Get the picture? you don't throw a piece of pigskin to each other when boxing, and you don't whack each other with oversized gloves in football. (well, you could, but people would stare at you) oh, by the way, I loved this game.
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