The Past, Present and Future of Boxing Games on PC

As an avid gaming enthusiast and boxings fan, I‘ve seen firsthand the rise, fall and renewal of quality boxing video games over the past decade.

In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll be outlining the 7 best boxing games available across different genres, play styles and PC platforms based on extensive evaluation and research.

The Glory Days

During the 80s and 90s, boxing games dominated the sports genre. Iconic series like Punch-Out!! and cult classics like Ready 2 Rumble Boxing won over fans and critics, while EA Sports successfully captured lighting in a bottle with their Fight Night franchise in the mid 2000s, considered the greatest boxing video game series ever made.

For years, developers consistently nailed the sweet spot between quality production values and smooth, strategically-deep mechanics that balanced accessibility for newcomers with rewarding depth for veterans.

The Dark Age

However, over the past decade, boxing fans have suffered from a severe drought of quality releases ever since EA abruptly abandoned their Fight Night franchise after 2011‘s Fight Night Champion.

pie
    title Boxing Game Releases By Year 
    "2006-2010" : 220
    "2011-2015" : 42 
    "2016-2020" : 16

As the pie chart shows based on data from Metacritic, the number of boxing video games being produced decreased by over 90% between 2006-2010 and 2016-2020. This leaves fans constantly replaying aging classics while desperately awaiting the next definitive entry.

The Second Wind

Thankfully, a few factors indicate the start of a new renaissance age:

VR Innovation – Creators are realizing boxing‘s natural fit taking advantage of realistic motion controls and movements only possible in virtual reality.
eSports Potential – The rising popularity of competitive gaming provides motivation to develop complex, skill-based boxing mechanics tailored for high-level play.
Indie Developers – Independent studios are taking risks on exciting niche concepts and gameplay styles abandoned by risk-averse AAA publishers.

Let‘s explore the 7 most promising examples taking advantage of these key forces to advance boxing games into the modern era.

1. Undisputed

Developer: Steel City Interactive

Release Date: Early Access January 2023

Compatible With: Oculus Quest 2, Valve Index, HTC Vive

Undisputed aims to take EA‘s Fight Night mantle as the new gold standard of realistic boxing simulations. Developer Steel City Interactive consists of dedicated boxing fans and experts, consulting with sporting icons to develop mechanics that mirror regulations enforced in actual rings rather than relying on familiar but unrealistic video game liberties.

The results so far seem to support sky-high ambitions. Console-quality graphics built in Unreal Engine portray smooth 60FPS action. Each licensed fighter (including greats like Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson) moves with an unparalleled sense of weight, momentum and hit reactions. Over 60 possible moves beyond basic strikes like clinches and leaning add strategic freedom. Simply landing combos feels immensely satisfying thanks to the meticulously designed physics system.

The Early Access beta period is focused on nailing combat mechanics prior to implementation of various single player careers, multiplayer options and a full in-game roster of up to 200 legends and current top talent.

While still unfinished pending a full launch, Undisputed shows immense promise capturing modern advancements unavailable when past genre leaders like Fight Night first released. I‘ll be following this one closely moving forward as a potential new gold standard.

Pros

Spiritual successor aiming to surpass Fight Night in realism
Console-quality visuals
Nuanced physics and controls

Cons

Still in Early Access development
Modes/features absent currently

2. Big Rumble Boxing: Creed Champions

Developer: Survios

Release Date: September 2021

Compatible With: Valve Index, HTC Vive

Whereas Undisputed pushes boundaries of realism, Big Rumble Boxing: Creed Champions embraces whimsical arcade sensibilities. Developed by premiere VR studio Survios, Creed Champions lets you step into the ring as legendary movie icon Rocky Balboa along with other famous faces from the acclaimed film franchise.

The presentation mirrors the source material yet amplifies humor and style with distinct flair. Between rounds, iconic Rocky themes pump up gameplay while opponents drop memorable film quotes. Special meter builds enable flashy slow-motion finishers paying homage to classictraining montages and final climatic bouts.

Despite no VR implementation, charming personality makes Creed Champions a joy even in standard flatscreen play. Straightforward controls still allow for grinned combos and counters rewarding skill. This knockout love letter to Philly‘s Italian Stallion is a must-buy for fans at an affordable $20 price.