There has been a question that has been the subject of many debates worldwide "Just who is the greatest boxer of all time?" From local sport bar stools, sporting arenas, to television sport talk shows. Well now is the time for this age-old argument to be finally put to rest, and there is only one way that may be done, with our Playstation 2. Yes fans there is a new found use for our Playstation 2, not only are we able to watch DVDs out of the box, play 2nd generation games with amazing graphics and game play, but with Electronic Arts new installment of Knockout Kings 2002, we are now able to settle this argument once and for all.

Knockout Kings 2002 by EA is finally here and let me tell you something, it is far different from last years installment. Remember the times when you may have been shown the pre-development screens of this title in 2001, well back then when the game came out (Knockout Kings 2001) it was fairly far from what we were promised. Well it is now a new year and be prepared for new things!!! Because Knockout Kings 2002 does deliver the goods with a sweet right hook that you wont see coming!!

Lets look at the most important part of the game, and it is the first thing that we all notice, graphics. Let me just say that the difference between this year and last years game are big. EA has made sure to hit us off with the real deal in graphic technology improvements. They have used motion capture technology to bring our legendary boxers to life. They have added motion blending and hand animation, so that the boxers have very fluid movements in the ring. The faces of the boxers are highly detailed and every feature can be seen thanks to the 3D face mapping technology. While playing, the facial contortions from fast devastating combos can be seen and I must say it looks surreal. The crowd in the background looks great, they dont have that cardboard cut out look to them. I really have to take my hat off to EA because this game looks great, it is as real as it gets right now!! Trust me fans, its in the game.

Now what would a great looking game like this be without mention of the game play in this blockbuster title. The controls in this title yet they are very in depth, jab is square, left and right hooks are x and circle, uppercut R1, block L1, low blow L2, special punch (or signature punch) R2, taunt select or R3, illegal backhand L3. The success of your boxer depends on their style, and the type of combinations that you put together. If your boxer is a southpaw, then you may have to adjust your style to insure success. Also there is a neat feature that I was impressed with was the health gauge. The controller vibrates like a heartbeat if you are in danger of going down. So feeling the vibe is not a good thing here, the solution is to play defense so you dont get knocked the F@#$% out. Or you may also have the option to have the health bars shown so that you may see how youre doing visually.

The sound in this game is defiantly off the hook. The soundtrack is also great, there are songs from LL Cool J and other hip-hop artists to put that tunnel banger feel onto your way to the ring. The sound effects for the boxers are amazing as well. You can here all the hits with the gloves and the pain that they bring with each crushing blow. Its like watching are real boxing match with the athletes having microphones taped to their back. So the aural presentation in this game is quite impressive.

Overall this game is worth the purchase, Knockout Kings is worth the cheese. This game is great for gamers who would like to develop their skills and for players who may just want to have a party button masher with a lot of friends in the house. There are career modes to develop your boxer and there is a tournament modes that allows up to 8 players to battle for the gold. This game is defiantly worth the loot just for the exciting time this game provides. EA has once again provided us with a game that gamers will enjoy and will be very hard for the competition to follow. A must have for fans and owners of the ps2 system.