Ready 2 Rumble Boxing
North American Dreamcast cover art
Developer(s)Midway Studios San Diego
Point of View (N64, PS1)
Publisher(s)Midway Home Entertainment
Platform(s)Dreamcast, PlayStation, Nintendo 64, Game Boy Color
ReleaseDreamcast
  • NA: September 9, 1999
  • EU: October 14, 1999
Nintendo 64, PlayStation
  • NA: November 16, 1999[1]
  • EU: December 1999
Game Boy Color
December 1999
Genre(s)Fighting
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Ready 2 Rumble Boxing is a boxing video game developed by Midway Studios San Diego, published by Midway Home Entertainment in 1999 for the Dreamcast, PlayStation, Game Boy Color, and Nintendo 64. The success of the Dreamcast version led to it becoming one of the few Sega All Stars titles.

Gameplay

Like Nintendo's Punch-Out!! series, Ready 2 Rumble Boxing features many characters with colorful personalities (i.e. Afro Thunder, Boris "The Bear" Knokimov, etc.); however, unlike the Punch-Out!! series, the game is in 3D, thus allowing for more control over one's character in the ring. Also unlike Punch-Out!!, players can choose whichever boxer they want from a rather large selection of characters.

Throughout the fights in the game, there is a special RUMBLE meter which fills up, one or two letters at a time, until the word "RUMBLE" is spelled at the bottom of the screen. Letters can be obtained by successfully landing hard blows; most such actions will yield one letter, though some particularly strong punches may yield more. Once the meter is full, the player can power himself up, enabling access to a special combo called "Rumble Flurry", activated by pressing a button combination. Each character's "flurry" is unique to them, and consists of a series of punches which does a large amount of damage if landed successfully.

One unique graphic feature of the game is the gradual bruises gained by players as the fight progresses (like hematomas and swellings), present in all fifth-generation versions. While this is not necessarily a new feature to games (it had been implemented before in SNK's 1992 game Art of Fighting), it garnered much appraisal from reviewers, because of the added fun factor this element supplied to the game.[2]

The Game Boy Color version was one of the few games for the system to feature built-in rumble.

The Dreamcast, PlayStation, and Nintendo 64 versions each have an exclusive boxer: these are, respectively, Jimmy Blood, Gino Stiletto, and J.R. Flurry.

Ring announcer Michael Buffer appears in the game as himself.[3]

Development

The game was showcased at E3 1999.[4]

Marketing

Ready 2 Rumble Boxing commercials were produced by MTV.[3] The commercials mimicked that of the Who Framed Roger Rabbit film where animated characters fraternize with humans.[3]

Reception

The game received "favorable" reviews on all platforms except the Game Boy Color version, which received "mixed" reviews, according to the review aggregation website GameRankings.[5][6][7][8] Chris Charla of NextGen said of the Dreamcast original in its November 1999 issue, "With fast action, seriously funny character design, and excellent graphics, Midway once again proves it's untouchable when it comes to arcade sports."[39] Two issues later, however, Adam Pavlacka said of the Nintendo 64 version, "After playing the Dreamcast version for months, it is hard for us to accept an inferior version of the game, even if it does play just as well."[40] In Japan, where the Dreamcast version was ported and published by Sega under the name Ready 2 Rumble Boxing: Uchikomewarai no Megaton Punch!! (READY 2 RUMBLE BOXING〜打ち込め笑いのメガトンパンチ!!〜, Ready 2 Rumble Boxing: Crushing Comical Megaton Punch!!) on January 13, 2000, Famitsu gave it a score of 28 out of 40.[20]

Dan Elektro of GamePro said of the Dreamcast original in one review, "With its unique look, awesome two-player matchups, and high replay value, Ready 2 Rumble Boxing makes the hungry young Dreamcast look like a true contender."[44][lower-alpha 4] In another review, Scary Larry said that the same Dreamcast version was "far and away better than [Punch-Out!! and Super Punch-Out!!], and one of the most fun boxing games you'll ever find. The only flaw you may find is that the game is easy to beat, and once you're done, you're done. Want realism? Buy Knockout Kings. Want something fun and playable? Ready to Rumble [sic] is the king of the ring."[45][lower-alpha 5] Boba Fatt said of the Nintendo 64 version in one review, "It may not be as pretty as its Dreamcast version, but R2RB still rocks the N64 with a one-two audio/visual combination, finishing the job with an outstanding right hook for personality."[46][lower-alpha 6] However, iBot said in another review that the same N64 version was "is inferior to the Dreamcast version, maybe more so than it should be. But what's most important is that the raucous gameplay is still there . If you don't have a Dreamcast and don't plan on getting one (shame on you), then definitely jump into the ring with this game. Otherwise you'll be missing out on a brawlin' good time."[47][lower-alpha 7] Major Mike's review of the PlayStation version called it "a pick-up-and-play boxing game that's short on learning, long on fun – and it all occurs without messy reality getting in the way."[46][lower-alpha 8] The D-Pad Destroyer said of the same console version in another review, "On its own merits, Ready 2 Rumble takes the PSX places it's never been. Unfortunately, the Dreamcast has been there, done that, and burned the bridges behind it. If you've never played the DC version, and you don't think you ever will, this version is really not bad at all. It's just a PlayStation version of a very impressive Dreamcast title, and the PlayStation just isn't quite up to snuff."[48][lower-alpha 9]

Mark Green of N64 Magazine gave the Nintendo 64 version 81%, saying, "If you're looking for something to fill the gap between wrestling titles, ''Ready 2 Rumble is just about adequate. But with Knockout Kings 2000 out there, and Smash Bros and Wrestlemania [sic] offering more accomplished knockabout fighting, it's hard to get excited about the game. We'll applaud Midway for creating a fighter with a sense of humour and a real 'personality' – it's just a shame the fighting itself isn't as much fun."[49]

The Dreamcast version was a nominee for "Console Fighting Game of the Year" at the AIAS' 3rd Annual Interactive Achievement Awards; it was ultimately given to Soulcalibur.[50] The game did win the "9th Annual GamePro Readers' Choice Awards" for "Best Boxing Game".[51]

Sequel

The game was followed by a sequel in 2000 called Ready 2 Rumble Boxing: Round 2, and was later followed by a third game in the series, Ready 2 Rumble: Revolution, released on March 17, 2009.[52]

Afro Thunder is featured in TNA iMPACT! upon gaining 750,000 style points and TNA iMPACT!: Cross The Line upon unlocking the Freedom Center arena.

Notes

  1. ↑ Three critics of Electronic Gaming Monthly gave the Dreamcast version each a score of 9/10, and one gave it 8/10.
  2. ↑ In GameFan's viewpoint of the Dreamcast version, three critics gave it each a score of 90, 83, and 93.
  3. ↑ In GameFan's viewpoint of the PlayStation version, three critics gave it each a score of 78, 79, and 81.
  4. ↑ GamePro gave the Dreamcast version 4.5/5 for graphics, and three 5/5 scores for sound, control, and fun factor in one review.
  5. ↑ GamePro gave the Dreamcast version two 5/5 scores for graphics and sound, and two 4.5/5 scores for control and fun factor in another review.
  6. ↑ GamePro gave the Nintendo 64 version two 4/5 scores for graphics and sound, and two 4.5/5 scores for control and fun factor in one review.
  7. ↑ GamePro gave the Nintendo 64 version 2.5/5 for graphics, two 3.5/5 scores for sound and control, and 4.5/5 for fun factor in another review.
  8. ↑ GamePro gave the PlayStation version 3.5/5 for graphics, 3/5 for sound, and two 4/5 scores for control and fun factor in one review.
  9. ↑ GamePro gave the PlayStation version three 4/5 scores for graphics, control, and fun factor, and 4.5/5 for sound in another review.

References

  1. ↑ GameSpot staff (November 16, 1999). "PS and N64 Ready 2 Rumble Ships [date mislabeled as "April 27, 2000"]". GameSpot. Red Ventures. Archived from the original on April 7, 2000. Retrieved September 19, 2022.
  2. 1 2 Justice, Brandon (September 8, 1999). "Ready 2 Rumble Boxing (DC)". IGN. Ziff Davis. Retrieved November 5, 2014.
  3. 1 2 3 "Midway Unveils Multi-Million Dollar Domestic Marketing Campaign for Ready 2 Rumble Boxing". Business Wire. Berkshire Hathaway. August 19, 1999. Archived from the original on November 25, 1999. Retrieved July 3, 2019 – via Yahoo.com.
  4. ↑ "Midway is "Ready 2 Rumble" At E3 With Its Knock-Out Product Lineup". Business Wire. Gale Group. May 13, 1999. Archived from the original on June 6, 2013. Retrieved July 31, 2021 – via The Free Dictionary.
  5. 1 2 "Ready 2 Rumble Boxing for Dreamcast". GameRankings. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on May 5, 2019. Retrieved September 19, 2022.
  6. 1 2 "Ready 2 Rumble Boxing for Game Boy Color". GameRankings. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on May 22, 2019. Retrieved September 19, 2022.
  7. 1 2 "Ready 2 Rumble Boxing for Nintendo 64". GameRankings. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on May 12, 2019. Retrieved September 19, 2022.
  8. 1 2 "Ready 2 Rumble Boxing for PlayStation". GameRankings. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on May 1, 2019. Retrieved September 19, 2022.
  9. ↑ Sutyak, Jonathan. "Ready 2 Rumble Boxing (DC) - Review". AllGame. All Media Network. Archived from the original on November 13, 2014. Retrieved September 30, 2016.
  10. ↑ Ottoson, Joe. "Ready 2 Rumble Boxing (GBC) - Review". AllGame. All Media Network. Archived from the original on November 13, 2014. Retrieved September 30, 2016.
  11. ↑ McCall, Scott. "Ready 2 Rumble Boxing (N64) - Review". AllGame. All Media Network. Archived from the original on November 13, 2014. Retrieved September 30, 2016.
  12. ↑ Weiss, Brett Alan. "Ready 2 Rumble Boxing (PS) - Review". AllGame. All Media Network. Archived from the original on November 13, 2014. Retrieved September 30, 2016.
  13. ↑ D'Aprile, Jason (September 10, 1999). "Ready 2 Rumble Boxing (DC)". Gamecenter. CNET. Archived from the original on August 15, 2000. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
  14. ↑ Mahood, Andy (March 31, 2000). "Ready 2 Rumble Boxing (N64)". Gamecenter. CNET. Archived from the original on August 16, 2000. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
  15. ↑ Hamilton, Lew (December 29, 1999). "Ready 2 Rumble Boxing (PS)". Gamecenter. CNET. Archived from the original on August 16, 2000. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
  16. ↑ Edge staff (Autumn 1999). "Ready 2 Rumble Boxing (DC)" (PDF). Edge. No. 77. Future Publishing. pp. 88–89. Retrieved September 19, 2022.
  17. ↑ Smith, Shawn; Boyer, Crispin; Hsu, Dan "Shoe"; Hager, Dean (October 1999). "Ready 2 Rumble [Boxing] (DC)" (PDF). Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 123. Ziff Davis. p. 216. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
  18. ↑ "Ready 2 Rumble [Boxing] (N64)" (PDF). Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 125. Ziff Davis. December 1999. p. 270. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
  19. ↑ "Ready 2 Rumble [Boxing] (PS)". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 125. Ziff Davis. December 1999. p. 284.
  20. 1 2 "READY 2 RUMBLE BOXING〜打ち込め笑いのメガトンパンチ!!〜 [ドリームキャスト]". Famitsu (in Japanese). Enterbrain. Retrieved September 19, 2022.
  21. ↑ "Ready 2 Rumble Boxing (DC)". Game Informer. No. 78. FuncoLand. October 1999. Archived from the original on January 23, 2000. Retrieved November 5, 2014.
  22. ↑ Helgeson, Matt (February 2000). "Ready 2 Rumble Boxing - Nintendo 64". Game Informer. No. 82. FuncoLand. Archived from the original on December 6, 2000. Retrieved September 19, 2022.
  23. ↑ Helgeson, Matt (February 2000). "Ready 2 Rumble Boxing - PlayStation". Game Informer. No. 82. FuncoLand. Archived from the original on December 1, 2000. Retrieved September 19, 2022.
  24. ↑ Higgins, Geoff "The Judge" (October 1999). "Ready 2 Rumble Boxing (DC)". GameFan. Vol. 7, no. 10. Shinno Media. p. 76. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
  25. ↑ Mylonas, Eric "ECM"; Ngo, George "Eggo"; Rodriguez, Tyrone "Cerberus" (October 1999). "Ready 2 Rumble [Boxing] (DC)". GameFan. Vol. 7, no. 10. Shinno Media. p. 18. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
  26. ↑ "REVIEW for Ready 2 Rumble [Boxing] (N64)". GameFan. Shinno Media. November 22, 1999.
  27. ↑ Rodriguez, Tyrone "Cerberus" (January 2000). "Ready 2 Rumble Boxing (PS)". GameFan. Vol. 8, no. 1. Shinno Media. p. 41. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
  28. ↑ Mylonas, Eric "ECM"; Ngo, George "Eggo"; Weitzner, Jason "Fury" (January 2000). "Ready 2 Rumble [Boxing] (PS)". GameFan. Vol. 8, no. 1. Shinno Media. p. 16. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
  29. ↑ Ferris, Colin (September 1999). "Ready 2 Rumble Boxing Review (DC)". GameRevolution. CraveOnline. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved September 19, 2022.
  30. ↑ Ferris, Colin (November 1999). "Ready 2 Rumble Boxing - N64 Review". GameRevolution. CraveOnline. Archived from the original on February 5, 2004. Retrieved September 19, 2022.
  31. ↑ Ferris, Colin (November 1999). "Ready 2 Rumble Boxing - Playstation Review". GameRevolution. Archived from the original on December 6, 2003. Retrieved September 19, 2022.
  32. ↑ MacDonald, Ryan (August 27, 1999). "Ready 2 Rumble Boxing Review (DC)". GameSpot. Red Ventures. Archived from the original on December 9, 2004. Retrieved September 19, 2022.
  33. ↑ Gerstmann, Jeff (November 18, 1999). "Ready 2 Rumble Boxing Review (N64)". GameSpot. Red Ventures. Archived from the original on October 9, 2004. Retrieved September 19, 2022.
  34. ↑ Gerstmann, Jeff (November 18, 1999). "Ready 2 Rumble Boxing Review (PS)". GameSpot. Red Ventures. Archived from the original on October 29, 2004. Retrieved September 19, 2022.
  35. ↑ Fragmaster (September 19, 1999). "Ready 2 Rumble Boxing". PlanetDreamcast. IGN Entertainment. Archived from the original on February 25, 2009. Retrieved November 5, 2014.
  36. ↑ Harris, Craig (December 15, 1999). "Ready 2 Rumble Boxing (GBC)". IGN. Ziff Davis. Retrieved November 5, 2014.
  37. ↑ Boulding, Aaron (November 12, 1999). "Ready 2 Rumble Boxing (N64)". IGN. Ziff Davis. Retrieved November 5, 2014.
  38. ↑ Perry, Douglass C. (December 2, 1999). "Ready 2 Rumble Boxing (PS)". IGN. Ziff Davis. Retrieved November 5, 2014.
  39. 1 2 Charla, Chris (November 1999). "Ready 2 Rumble [Boxing] (DC)". NextGen. No. 59. Imagine Media. p. 115. Retrieved September 19, 2022.
  40. 1 2 Pavlacka, Adam (January 2000). "Ready 2 Rumble Boxing (N64)". NextGen. No. 61. Imagine Media. p. 95. Retrieved September 19, 2022.
  41. ↑ "Ready 2 Rumble Boxing (GBC)". Nintendo Power. Vol. 130. Nintendo of America. March 2000.
  42. ↑ "Ready 2 Rumble Boxing (N64)". Nintendo Power. Vol. 127. Nintendo of America. December 1999. p. 157. Retrieved September 19, 2022.
  43. ↑ Kujawa, Kraig (December 1999). "Ready 2 Rumble [Boxing]". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine. Vol. 3, no. 3. Ziff Davis. p. 168. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
  44. ↑ Den Elektro (October 1999). "Ready 2 Rumble Boxing (DC)" (PDF). GamePro. No. 133. IDG. p. 152. Retrieved September 19, 2022.
  45. ↑ Scary Larry (1999). "Ready 2 Rumble [Boxing] Review for Dreamcast on GamePro.com". GamePro. IDG. Archived from the original on December 13, 2004. Retrieved November 5, 2014.
  46. 1 2 Boba Fatt; Major Mike (December 1999). "Ready 2 Rumble Boxing (N64, PS)". GamePro. No. 135. IDG. p. 218. Retrieved September 19, 2022.
  47. ↑ iBot (1999). "Ready 2 Rumble [Boxing] Review for N64 on GamePro.com". GamePro. Archived from the original on December 5, 2004. Retrieved September 19, 2022.
  48. ↑ The D-Pad Destroyer (1999). "Ready 2 Rumble Boxing Review for PlayStation on GamePro.com". GamePro. Archived from the original on December 7, 2004. Retrieved September 19, 2022.
  49. ↑ Green, Mark (January 2000). "Ready 2 Rumble Boxing". N64 Magazine. No. 37. Future Publishing. pp. 66–69.
  50. ↑ "Console Fighting Game of the Year". Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. Retrieved July 9, 2021.
  51. ↑ Dan Elektro (July 2000). "Your Final Answer (Best Boxing Game)" (PDF). GamePro. No. 142. IDG. p. 49. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
  52. ↑ Orry, James (March 2, 2007). "Ready 2 Rumble returns to the ring". VideoGamer.com. Resero Network. Retrieved September 19, 2022.
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