by:	June 20, 2004

It's become apparent lately that video games are moving in the direction of realism--not just in graphics, but also in gameplay. The sports genre is no slouch when it comes to realism, with powerhouses like EA Sports's Madden football franchise taking the lead as gamers begin to demand experiences in their games that mimic reality. For some reason, though, the sport of boxing never got the memo, and has consequently been left in the dust by other sports titles that continued to evolve while the leading boxing series remained unchanged. That series, of course, was Electronic Arts' Knockout Kings, which at least made some good attempts to offer a fun and realistic boxing experience. Several unresolved issues kept the series from becoming what it could have been, though. Now EA has entered the ring once more with Fight Night 2004, and they may have finally won the title.

You'll only find two different gameplay modes in Fight Night 2004. Exhibition mode, as you'd expect, has you choose a boxer to go up against a computer-controlled fighter or a friend. There are 32 licensed boxers to choose from, and they're separated into weight classes ranging from featherweight to heavyweight. You'll find many recent champions, like Felix Trinidad, Lennox Lewis and Roy Jones Jr., as well as several legends, like Joe Frazier, Rocky Marciano and Muhammad Ali. The roster of fighters is impressive, and the A.I. seems to match each boxer's fighting style to that of his real-life counterpart. Boxing fans will relish the chance to create their own bouts between some of the greatest fighters to ever step in the ring.

Despite the multiplayer draw to the exhibition mode, most will undoubtedly be far more interested in the career mode. Here, you can create a boxer however you like, and work your way up the ladder to become the champion of your weight class. The number of customization options is really quite large, ensuring that you're able to make a boxer that looks just the way you want him to. You begin your career ranked 50th in the world, and your goal is to obliterate everyone in your path to become the #1 ranked fighter in the world. You'll have choices to make as to whether you want to fight a much tougher opponent and risk losing in order to move further up the ladder, or face somebody a little weaker and have more time to train and improve your attributes. The choice you make may very well determine your success. You'll earn money from your fights, which you can then use to purchase accessories, such as new trunks, gloves or tattoos. You can also purchase new entrance music and special effects, and outfits for your "entourage." Unfortunately, the term entourage is used to describe a single, scantily-clad female that dance at ringside while you make your way to the ring. It would have been fitting, particularly if you achieve the coveted championship title, to be escorted to the ring by a large entourage of lackeys and thugs.