Fight Night Round 2

G4 TV

Round 2 has the substance to back it up its sense of style. The analog control has been refined to the point where it’s more responsive and more satisfying than mashing buttons and the new facial and body animations bring a level of authenticity to the ring that’s simply never been accomplished before.

Gaming Age

Visually Fight Night Round 2 is simply stunning.

Computer Games Magazine

Remove every frill and dump the gorgeous 3D graphics for barely animated stick figures and Fight Night Round 2 would still be a classic. [June 2005, p.89]

Game Informer

Another nice addition is the "woozy" camera angles that appear when you or an opponent is nearly knocked down. It's a small touch, but a very dramatic one. [March 2005, p.115]

Kombo

Not only gorgeous, but is also one of the most realistic sports games to date.

Play Magazine

EA Chicago should be proud. It doesn't get much better than this. [Apr 2005, p.77]

GamePro

The most striking change is in the innovative control scheme--where you use the right analog stick to throw jabs, hooks, and uppercuts--which has now been slightly altered to enable you to fight more like a professional pug in the ring.

Stuff

The entire SNES-era "Super Punch-Out!!," one of the greatest boxing games of all times, is hidden on the disc. All hail the mighty Bald Bull!

Cheat Code Central

While the punches lack the power experienced in last years game, EA makes up for it with its innovative total control configuration.

Yahoo! Games

With the introduction of clinching, the innovative punch system, the deep tournament and career options, the graphics and realism, the improved presentation, and most of all, the obvious love of boxing infused into the game, Fight Night Round 2 is the best representation of the "sweet science" that gaming has ever seen.

DarkStation

Although I will admit Fight Night Round 2 leaves plenty of room improvement, it still is an amazing game on its own merits.

Game Over Online

The inclusion of the cutman mini-game between rounds is a great addition, and the Haymaker provides a phenomenal sense of drama with punches that can knock boxers out at any time. I personally can’t wait to see next year’s version.

PGNx Media

The gameplay is stellar, something that is only made better by the kick-ass graphics.

Worth Playing

It easily beats out former champ, "Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots," for Boxing Game of the Millennium.

GameSpot

It's nice to see an effective clinch control enter the mix, and it's even better that clinches can be shrugged off or avoided altogether, preventing the move from being an automatic fail-safe.

TotalGames.net

Depth is a rarity in sports games with an enjoyable single player mode even rarer but Fight Night Round 2 has managed to come up with both.

eToychest

The graphics are stunning, the gameplay is top notch, and the presentation is just shy of perfect.

My Gamer

Boxing games will never be the same after the incredible and addictive Fight Night Round 2 that not only sheds new light to the genre but to another boxing classic of the NES days: Super Punch Out!

1UP

Significantly better than its predecessor, but like most EA Sports releases, sequels feel more like baby steps rather than giant leaps.

IGN

A beautiful game with compelling audio, and there are some truly great extras for GameCube fans. The inclusion of a spectacularly emulated "Super Punch-Out!!" is sure to please hardcore fans.

Electronic Gaming Monthly

Spend a day or two learning the controls; the experience is addictive and as smooth as the business end of your gloves. The only thing I missed was the lack of much truly new with this version—I'd kill for a sleazy, mobster-ridden promoter mode, for example.

Next Level Gaming

Marginally better than the original game, but still needs work on that punching system.

Nintendo Power

The punches have a brutally tactile feel unmatched by any other boxing game. [May 2005, p.89]

Edge Magazine

With a superior control system and a raft of incisive upgrades, this year’s update is a connoisseur of the boxing arts. [Apr 2005, p.103]

Sydney Morning Herald

Controls work beautifully and patience and timing are crucial.

games(TM)

The best realistic boxing title we’ve played, and few fight fans will be disappointed. [Apr 2005, p.114]

GameCube Europe

The strategic long fights are a welcome relieve from the button mashing found in most other boxing games, you really have to observe and react to win matches.

Gamer.tv

The most brutally realistic boxing game around.

GameSpy

While it's still shy of perfect, Round 2 is an outstanding title and clearly the best boxing game ever made.

N-Insanity

While I found just about everything likable, I never really felt "into" the game. This is probably due to my general distaste for sports titles.

NintendoWorldReport

All that's needed is a more intuitive control scheme, some variety in training and dialogue, and some MUSIC DURING GAMEPLAY.

Total Video Games

The most authentic videogame adaptation that we've ever seen... [but t]he Career mode whilst engaging doesn’t sustain your interest for long enough, and like many boxing titles will have all but the most hardened fan switching off long before the belt is won.