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EA’s boxing franchise makes its debut on the PSP. Fight Night Round 3 isn’t a port of the console versions of the same name but rather a new game designed specifically for the PSP that includes aspects of its big cousins. However, some of the changes—though required—come at the expense of what made Fight Night special in the first place.
Fight Night Round 3 includes a number of gameplay modes including Play Now, Career, Rivals challenge, My History, and online. Play now should be fairly evident: it’s the game’s quick match mode. Rivals challenge is very much like the ESPN Classic mode of the console versions and lets you recreate some famous boxing matches from history. The game places you in a critical point in the match and you need to change the outcome. You can win one of three medals and cash for doing so. In My History, you try to prevail over a boxing legend’s boxing style. For instance, if the legend likes taunting, you have to hit him while he taunts, if the legend likes to throw a lot of punches, you need to block enough to lower the percentage of hits he makes.
The game’s career mode is a bit more in depth. You can still create a boxer or play as a boxing legend, though you’ll still begin as an amateur. Unlike the console versions, the PSP version of Round 3 does include a structured ranking system. You begin as an amateur, before moving to the professional ranking system where you begin at the 50th contender. As you win ranked fights, you’ll get a better rank. Aside from the ranked fights, you can play in some exhibition matches to get cash and train your boxer
At the core, you’ll find a competent fighting game. The game doesn’t include the franchise’s signature Total Punch Control system since the PSP only has one analog stick. Instead of the dual analog system, you’ll move the boxer with the analog stick, use the face buttons to punch, block with the R button and lean with the L button. You’ll use the D pad to taunt, throw illegal and signature punches and clinch. You’ll still have access to a number of punches including jabs, uppercuts, hooks and haymakers. Because of the variety of punches, some of them require multiple button presses which simply is not as intuitive as the Total Punch Control system.
This removes some of the fun associated with Fight Night. The game lets you exploit the same combos over and over again, often times just using the same punch and only sometimes changing it. The later opponents don’t fall victim as easily, though it’s mostly because they’re stronger not smarter.
Aside from actually boxing, you’ll also have to maintain your fighter. You can train before a match in one of three intensity levels; the more intense the training is the bigger the benefits but the risk of injuring the boxer increases, too. Unlike the console versions, you don’t train by playing minigames. In the ring, you’ll be able to reduce swelling and clean up cuts through a minigame. The in ring minigame is incredibly important since having a face too swollen greatly reduces your visibility (and thus the ability to block well) and if you bleed too match, you’ll lose the fight. You can also purchase various items that will increase the boxer’s stats. You can purchase music, special, and lovely ringside ladies to boost your stats. The girls increase your stamina, while music will increase your heart rating and special effects increase your durability.
The game includes an online mode. The online mode has a bit of lag in the PSP version but it isn’t enough to disrupt the entire mode since some matches are lag free. Others are very laggy though. As with other EA Sports games, you’ll need an EA Online account to play on PS2, which costs $2 though you can have this fee waived by signing up for the ESPN newsletter.
The series’ graphics have always been impressive and the PSP handles it rather well. The boxers are realistic with a great deal of detail that is particularly present when they get beaten and bloody. The different boxers in the game look like their real-life counterparts. They animate well and look particularly great in the game’s replays which add some drama to the matches. Aside from the legends, the created players look great, too, thanks to the engine. In addition to the numerous boxers, the game has a number of venues including Madison Square Garden and the Staples Center.
The game’s audio is great and taken directly from the console versions. Joe Tessitore provides commentary, which follows the action well enough though he isn’t the most interesting person. The game’s soundtrack is a bit limited in size and scope, since there are only a few hip-hop songs included. The sound effects though make up for this with their excessive legitimacy. You’ll really hear someone take a jab to the mouth or an uppercut to the eye.
Fight Night round 3 works as well as could be expected on the PSP. EA Chicago tried its best to work around the lack of the second analog stick. Though it doesn’t really have competition, this is a solid choice for boxing fans that need their portable fix.
-- Adam Nunez & -- Jose Liz, PGNx Media
---- Feb 25, 2006
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