• Summary: This in-depth, documentary-style title promises to provide the deepest, most authentic and entertaining experience ever seen in a boxing video game. Prizefighter brings the realism of live action match-ups and the true tactics of the sweet science together for the first time. More than just a night at the fights - players are responsible for building a career by overcoming adversity, avoiding temptation, and balancing their commitments to train and promote, all while focusing on the goal of ultimately winning and defending the title belt. The story is told by a revolutionary sports documentary-style narrative never before seen in a video game. [2K Games] Expand
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 45
  2. Negative: 8 out of 45
  1. Doesn't quite do enough to steal "Round 3's" crown, but takes it right down to the wire. [Aug 2008, p.78]
  2. It represents the sport in a grittier light than the super-polished Fight Night series.
  3. Unless you're a serious fan of boxing games seeking a fix while you wait for the next Fight Night game you may want to pass on this one.

See all 45 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 4
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 4
  3. Negative: 0 out of 4
  1. JimM
    8
    I have no idea why these guys are bagging this game. It's certainly no "worse" than Fight Night when it comes to the fight mechanics. In fact, it's a lot alike. You're not going to be able to go an entire fight without getting punched ONCE like you can Fight Night. You have to work tactically. Sure, it's not perfect, but adding the story, (disjointed though it is), and other bells and whistles takes a large step in the right direction in filling in the blanks that the Fight Night series has always had. One of the reviewers states there are better boxing sims out there. Umm, Really? Like WHAT? Fight Night Round 3? Great game. It's only YEARS old. I mean, come on, if you like boxing games, you won't be disappointed. Just don't get frustrated, because even though the controls are similar, the fighting mechanics are a little different. There are some annoying things about the game that occur in career mode as far as not being able to pick your fighter's nickname. You're the Kid. Deal with it. Little things like that. And the story is kind of confusing, but who cares? It's a boxing game, not Gone With the Wind. And Lampley's commentary is repetitive and quickly gets annoying. But picking your opponent apart with jabs, and then lighting him up with a quick perfectly timed punch never gets old. It's not a masterpiece of innovation, but it's fun. I play games that are fun. Call me Captain Obvious. The reviewers above are elitist dweebs. I do loathe and despise Don King, but he's not as prevalent in the game as I feared he would be. Expand
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  2. keithlock
    8
    This game is way better than the reviews. I prefer it to Fight Night. Much more realistic boxing and interesting career mode. Could it be better? Yes, but if this a good foundation to build on. Other good games of late: GRID, NBA2K8 (steal at current price. change game speed to 31), NHL2K8 (sim mode). Expand
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  3. MeharGill
    8
    When Don King Presents: Prizefighter was first announced I was pretty excited, especially when the announcement came around the time the Fight Night series was presumed M.I.A.! I feel Don King Presents: Prizefighter is a very underrated game, which is a shame since it is a really solid game. The graphics in the game a really top notch, although not as good as Fight Night Round 3 the graphics are really clean which is a nice touch. The game also runs at a solid frame rate which makes it even better. I did notice some bugs though, mainly sync issues, if you skip a scene when a round is over and the announcer is still talking the audio does not skip but the scene forwards to your character in his corner. And their are some lip sync issues as well. The Audio is top notch, your gonna hear every swoosh coming from your boxers gloves, every word spewing from your coach in his corner, etc. The game also goes has far as having a track list of about 70 or so songs, their not bad songs either, there good songs that really help pump you up when your training or getting ready to fight. Their were the audio issues I talked about above but I think those are more engine issues then Audio issues so that will stay in the graphics section. The gameplay is pretty simply, the A, B, X, and Y buttons are used to pull of punches X and Y being the left side of your body while A and B are your right. The left thumbstick is used to move around the ring along with dashing, the right is used to move your boxer around like when he’s blocking, etc. You get to build your own character at the start, the process itself is pretty complex so you can make your character as you please. I would have liked it better if digi mask technology was put into the game. The thing I hated was you could not customize your character’s voice or the design of his apparel. You really don’t hear your characters voice until your about 50% into the game which is really odd, and of course their is a good chance your boxer sounds nothing like you pictured him to be. The game starts off with your final match being introduced, you see your character along with your trainers walk to the ring and then it cuts to a documentary of your boxing career. You are introduce as a down and out guy who was layed off from a local factory who at the advice of a close friend takes up his boxing career. He does where he is introduced to his coach, Frank! From here your career starts, throughout the career you experience the ups and downs of boxing, from scandals, to cheaters, etc you even experience greed so to say. I won’t reveal to much about the story but I wish it would have given you some more control over your boxer, do you want him to be portrayed has a party guy or do you want him to be portrayed has a dedicated boxer? When your not boxing such options do arise, where you will have to pick between media attention and training. These have no affect on the story itself, it only affects your fighter’s performance and the amount of money they make. The story was really good, I really liked how you would be fighting cheaters who might be tampering with their gloves, etc to give them an advantage. The thing is it not only affects the story line but it affects your over all vision, take to many hits from a bad glove and its going to make it harder for you to see. It was a really nice touch, their are also other controversial moments in the game that will remind you of some historic events. The game also has classic fights, ranging from 1935 to the 1990s, their could be more, it might depend on your performance in the gym for all I know. The fights themselves are portrayed as classics, for instance a fight in 1935 will have a black and white filter on it, etc to portray how those fights would have looked on TV. You also fight in various rings as well, ranging from small fire station rings to classy resorts like the Taj Mahal. It really gives you a sense that your boxer is climbing the ranks, since the story itself can be seen as a “rags to riches” story. Don King Presents: Prizefighter is a really solid game that any sports fan should buy. The game is not perfect, it has it’s problems but that shouldn’t stop you from picking this game up. The story and gameplay work so well that it would be criminal to simply avoid the game all together. Expand
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